Chapter 12 (1/2)

Chapter 12

Why a dance all of a sudden?

I gave a stunned blink at his sudden offer.

Is there… a need for us to converse, Your Highness?

I finally nodded. “Now that I know who you are, Your Highness, I will compensate for the stained blazer jacket and see that it gets delivered to the palace through my father.” Even as I spoke, I was quite worried. Wouldn’t a jacket worn by the Crown Prince be super expensive?

That’s not enough to bankrupt my family, right? We’re still a noble family… it should be fine, right?

“No, Lady Maristella. It seems like you are misunderstanding something.” He smiled a noble’s smile and continued. “I would like to talk to you regarding a different topic, My Lady.”

“Did I do something to offend you, Your Highness?”

“Not at all, Lady Maristella. Nothing of that nature, so you needn’t be so terrified,” Xavier replied softly as he gazed into my eyes. I felt as if I should avert my gaze this time, so I went with my instincts and pulled my gaze away.

Until I heard what came next, that is.

“Why did you not recognise me?” he asked.

“…“

“I’m quite curious to know, Lady Maristella.”

Oh, Lord. I am majorly screwed.

I was in such great panic that I stared straight into Xavier’s eyes out of reflex. Not long after, I once again slowly lowered my eyes.

I admit that I have no excuse, trust me.

But you said so yourself that it’s fine to not know you!

“I, um…” I mumbled.

“…“

“Well…”

That’s it, Oh Mari. Just give up. Let’s be honest—what excuse do you have in this situation? I guess the best option is for you to claim that you’re prosopagnosic. Wait, do the people here even know what that is?

I was almost about to say those words, but I stopped myself when I figured that I’d just be treated like a crazy woman.

“I suppose you have no excuse for yourself,” Xavier said, halting my thoughts.

“…I’m sorry.” When there was no excuse, a quick apology is the next best thing to offer. However, my suffering did not end there.

“But Lady Maristella, I fail to understand. It’s not like I’m the Emperor’s hidden child. I was named the Crown Prince as soon as I was born and entered the high society when I was merely five years old,” Xavier said as he looked at me curiously.

“…“

When you put it like that… I really have nothing to say, Your Highness.

I just continued to keep my eyes towards the floor.

Suddenly, Xavier’s face popped into my sight.

Wait a second… Why did he shrink all of a sudden?

“I see you have taken a liking to the floor, Lady Maristella.”

He had kindly bent his knees just for me.

Thanks a lot. I sighed deeply with an helpless expression. Handsome Prince, why in the world are you subjecting me to this?

“Let us dance together and talk deeply, Lady Maristella.”

“…“

“Perhaps then I will come to understand why you didn’t know who I was.”

“…Yes, Your Highness,” I said in defeat.

In other words, I had no choice from the very beginning.

***

“Who is she?”

“I don’t know. She doesn’t look familiar.”

“No, I know her! We saw her at Trakos Family’s tea party last time!”

“But who is she?”

“Give me a second. Where was she from again…?”

“Not from a family of significance, I guess.”

“I remember it not being terrible, but also not outstanding. Just normal, I guess?”

“Wait, I remember.”

“Which family?”

“The Bellafleur Family, I think.”

“That’s unexpected. I thought that she’d at least be the daughter of a duke if the Crown Prince himself chose her. Isn’t the Bellafleur Family a little… lacking in connections with the Imperial Family?”

As I overheard the muttered whisperings of the crowd, I grew uneasy.