I didn't want to live like the bridesmaid. I wasn't interested in who the main character of this novel was, but at least I had to be the main character of my life. In that sense, it was a great advance for me to cut off my connection with Dorothea.
Although the tempo had passed and the event was gradually fading from my head, it was still significant.
I turned to Claude and spoke in a proud voice.
"I'm going to live my whole life"
He nodded in the affirmative.
"As it should be. No one else has the right to
Spoil it."
"And there are many other good people around me besides her. There is no longer any reason for me to be stressed by that relationship," I decided.
"That's an excellent decision. I'm glad you're feeling better."
"At least, I got rid of a bad influence. I'm certainly more comfortable now."
"It was correct to cut it as soon as possible. Even for the good of others."
"Yes. I don't regret it." I smiled with my teeth at Claude, and then slowly left his cup on the table.
"I'm afraid I have to leave. I have a previous commitment.
"Oh, I see," I said with a slight surprise. "Then you should go. I'm sorry I took your time."
"As I always say, it's never an inconvenience. No one is as significant to me as you are, my lady. "
I smiled at his words and soon left the room to accompany Claude to go out. At the entrance, he got on the carriage in which he arrived, along with my gift of fruit cheong, which he technically made with me.
"Travel safely, Your Grace," I politely told him at the farewell when, without warning, he pulled my hand and kissed me there once again. I was surprised by the sudden gesture, but in this world a nobleman kissing a woman's hand was a common greeting, so I forced my blush to stay low.
"I'll see you again soon," he murmured. Shortly after, he got into the carriage and took off. I watched as it became more and more distant, then finally lost sight of it. I turned around and entered the mansion.
2. Conflict
The next day was my visit to Odeletta. After meeting several people in a row, I felt that I was seeing her again after so long, although in reality it had not been so long.
I arrived at the Trakos mansion with the old fruit cheong and, as usual, Robert Joyce greeted me.
"Welcome, Lady Maristella. It's good to see her here often."
"Hello, Butler Joyce, how are you?" I answered him.
"I always give you the same answer, but my daily life is the same." She gave me a kind smile and took me to Odeletta's room, and she welcomed me happy as always.
"Marie," he said warmly.
"Hello, Odel, I missed you." I gave him a family hug and then I presented him with my gift. She took the heavy gift box and looked at me with a mixture of surprise and emotion.
"What is this?" She asked.
"It's fruit cheong," I replied with a smile.
"I say I would make you one sooner, but I was held back for work. I feel like it's late."
"Not at all, Marie. Why are you feeling it? I only suggested it in passing, but thank you for remembering and give me this."
Odeletta smiled and gave the gift to a maid in the room, who took it outside. Shortly after, he also fired the rest of the maids in the room and then turned to me.
"How are you? It hasn't been so long since we last met, but somehow these meetings feel strangely strange," he said.
I nodded vigorously. "I know. I've been busy making fruit cheong and giving it to other people."
"Other people?" Odeletta asked, suddenly curious.
"Who?"
His Highness Crown Prince and Duke Escliffe. I thought it would be polito give it to both of us."
"… You have always been close to them from the beginning," Odeletta said "So, what do you think of this?"
"They both like it. Especially Duke Escliffe, and he visited my house before I could take him first. I was surprised by the sudden visit…"
"Do you like it?" Odeletta asked before I could finish my words, and I squeezed my mouth tightly out of shame. Firstly, it was because Odeletta had never interrupted me before and, secondly, it was because of the content of her question.
Do you like me?
I stretched out my lips in an uncomfortable smile. "Why do you suddenly ask…?"
"No, not suddenly. I feel like..." began.
"Do you feel what?" I pushed.
"I have the feeling that the Duke has liked you for some time."
"…"
It wasn't that I hadn't considered the possibility at some point, but I still felt dangerous to make solid assumptions. I smiled awkwardly and shook my head.
"I don't know. Reaching that conclusion... isn't it a bit risky?" I said
Hesitant.
"Are you waiting for a confession?" Odeletta asked.
"I would have to be sure of its authenticity."
"So you can only see the answer with the action"
I deviated when I gave an answer, but Odeletta was unusually persistent.
"I don't know," I sighed. "I don't want to draw conclusions for myself... He and I share a friendship. I don't want that to break this. In addition, I think it's a bit rude to ask a question like that."
"Or you can just casually pretend that it never happened," he suggested.
"I'm not that mature." I kept smiling awkwardly.
"When it comes to issues like this, no one can be mature, right? That's what
I think"
"Well... I think the Duke likes you anyway," Odeletta said.
He lost all speech function in its conclusion. Odeletta was not originally like that. He always approached situations carefully before considering a conclusion, but this seemed too much. Was she really so sure about this? I didn't know.
"I'll just wait and see," I said, trying to be a diplomat. "Taking hasty decisions can also generate problems."
"... It's true."
"There is nothing wrong with going at a more relaxed pace. If you hurry, you will probably have a problem."
"…"
Odeletta had no answer after hearing my words, and I watched carefully to see if I had offended her. But I didn't see any signs of that on his face, so I just moved on to the next topic.
"Then, I had a strange experience," I started.
"What do you mean by strange experience?" Odeletta asked.
"I met the Emperor on my way to Thurman Palace."
"The emperor?"
"Yes"
"How? No, why?" She gasped.
"I met him on the way to Thurman Palace, and suddenly he asked me who he was and asked me if I wanted to have a cup of tea. I was very surprised."
"I can't believe you met the Emperor. That's great, Marie."
Odeletta's voice trembled with interest.
"So, what did you talk about?"
I was going to tell exactly what happened, but then I realized that much of it would involve the conversation about Xavier. That can still be a delicate point for her. It was probably necessary to filter it from my
History.
I told Odeletta what happened, except for what I deliberately omitted, and in the end my story was quite boring.
"…Anyway. He seemed like a good person," I finished.
"I see"
However, that was not the end.
"So, should His Majesty also have spoken about the Prince Heir?" Odeletta asked.
"…"
It's not right.
"The Emperor didn't mention it," he lied.
"You're not hiding anything from me, are you?"
"Whey?" I let go, surprised by Odeletta's cunning as if I had been stabbed. She looked at me with suspicious eyes.
"You are. You're hiding," he accused.
"No, I'm not really hiding...
"Did, nervous. I took a moment to choose my words carefully. "I was going to tell you now."
"I don't think so..."
"Really." Give calmly, but Odeletta's eyes remained unbelieving. She stared at me and then turned her head deliberately.
"No, thank you. I won't listen."
"Odel, really…"