Chapter 53 - I Wish Your Acquaintance Luck (2/2)

“Lady Odeletta, welcome to Thurman Palace,” a man’s voice said.

“Dilton?”

“It’s been a long time, Lady Odeletta,” Sir Dilton greeted in a rather mischievous voice, and Odeletta responded with a tone overflowing with joy.

“How long has it been?” she said.

Sir Dilton gave her a questioning look. “Didn’t I meet you with your mother last time?”

“But it’s true that we haven’t met much since you became the chamberlain of the Crown Prince. Is that why? I feel happier to meet you here.”

“Perhaps it’s because you’re meeting a familiar person in an unfamiliar place,” Sir Dilton said thoughtfully.

“Yes. Perhaps,” Odeletta replied. Sir Dillon smiled as if her answer made sense.

Sir Dilton was a childhood friend of Odeletta. Since his mother, Countess Orus, and Odeletta’s mother, Marchioness Trakos, were also childhood friends, they had been together since they were children.

One wouldn’t be surprised to hear rumors about them circulating in society, but the two were almost like same-sex friends that it didn’t matter. A rumor almost caught fire once, but both of them denied it so emphatically that the rumor never surfaced again.

In any case, their mothers still liked to flaunt their friendship, so Odeletta and Dilton also encountered each other quite often, if not as often as they did when they were young. Ever since Dilton had been working at Thurman Palace as Xavier’s servant, the number had dropped considerably.

“So where is His Highness?” Odeletta asked.

“He sent me to pick you up.” Dilton gestured to her. “He’s waiting in the dining room. Come along.”

At Dilton’s words, Odeletta picked up the skirt of her dress and followed him. As they made their way to the destination, Dilton spoke up.

“Do you really like the Crown Prince?”

The question had come out of the blue. Odeletta slightly raised her eyebrows. “What are you talking about?”

“The question is, do you really like the Crown Prince?”

“Yes, of course,” Odeletta answered affirmatively. Her expression turned strange. “Why are you suddenly asking something like that?”

“Why else? I was just curious if you really like the Crown Prince.”

“You’re asking all sorts of questions. You don’t dislike me getting involved with the Crown Prince, do you?”

“Not at all.” Dilton looked at Odeletta and forced a smile. “Why should I think like that?”

“Maybe you like me,” she teased. When she realized that she had uttered those words, an involuntary laugh escaped her lips. It was clear that she had gone crazy. How could she say that to anyone, let alone Dilton Orus?

Odeletta shook her head at the gaffe. “Sorry. That was a mean joke between us. That kind of thing has happened many times, hasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“From now on, let’s address each other formally. We have been too casual in the Crown Prince’s palace.”

“…Of course, Lady Odeletta,” Sir Dilton said after a pause.

“So how much further is the dining room, Sir Dilton?”

“A little more, Lady Odeletta. Are your feet already hurting?” He glanced downwards to check on her feet. She was wearing high heels. A weary sigh left his lips. “You’re wearing those damned high heels,” he said beneath his breath.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, Lady Odeletta,” Dilton said in a dismissive voice. After walking nonstop, they finally arrived in front of the dining room.

“Your Royal Highness, Lady Odeletta is here,” Dilton announced through the door.

“…Bring her inside,” a voice replied.

“Come in, Lady Odeletta,” Dilton said, opening the double doors and then gesturing to Odeletta.

“Thank you, Sir Dilton,” Odeletta thanked politely, then entered through the doors.

Dilton stared at her retreating back until the doors were closed and soon turned around without a word.