Chapter 57 - I Need To Know Why (2/2)

“I heard that there was someone else His Highness liked.” I sucked in a shallow breath and continued. “You may have guessed it already, but that is the reason for my visit today.”

“Yes. Not just me, but His Highness may have guessed it as well.”

“After Odeletta’s visit, I suddenly remembered a conversation I had with him.” My voice trembled slightly as I recalled the encounter. “He asked me then, if your heart was already facing someone else, what would you do?”

“…I see.”

“I didn’t think it was important at the time, but I was suspicious. Perhaps you already knew his intentions since then, or long before…”

“I cannot answer that.”

I bit my lip. “Does that mean I’m not wrong?”

“It’s that I didn’t know,” he said.

“Sir Dilton,” I said in a firmer voice this time. “You deceived me and Odeletta.”

What did Sir Dilton really think about the two of us? Me, who was excited for the meeting, and Odeletta, who was truly looking forward to it. The reality was that Xavier already had feelings towards someone else.

“Did you have fun?” I shot towards Sir Dilton accusingly.

“I…Lady Maristella, I never thought of it that way. Believe me.”

“You should have at least hinted something towards me. Now it’s Odeletta who’s hurt.”

I tried to soften my anger at him, and he didn’t say a word and bowed his head in silent shame.

“More importantly, isn’t Odeletta your childhood friend? Is your friendship that shallow?” I condemned.

“I promise you,” Sir Dilton said in a quivering voice, “there were no impure intentions, Lady Maristella. I swear on the honor of my family and on my honor as a servant.”

“Then why did you help allow this to happen? I…I really cannot understand it.”

“I…”

Then, a voice cut in between me and Sir Dilton’s argument. “Lady Maristella,” the voice said.

As I slowly turned around, a familiar silver-haired man came into sight.

“…Your Highness.”

“Sir Dilton is innocent. I am at fault,” Xavier said with a calm expression. “You may interrogate me.”

“Interrogate.” I shook my head as if that were nonsense. “I cannot do that to the next emperor. And the purpose of today’s visit isn’t an interrogation, either.”

“No?”

“I came to have an audience with you and ask a question. Since I’m a third-party member, I don’t want to get too involved in this matter. I just want to do my part as the facilitator.”

I kept my voice steady so I could continue with what I wanted to say.

“I just wanted to know. Why did you accept my offer when you had feelings for someone else?”

Xavier fixed me with a stare, and then sighed. “If you want the answer to that question…then we should go inside. I cannot keep a guest waiting out here forever.”

“…Alright,” I said.

I followed Xavier to the parlor room. I sat down across from home at a beige circular table, and soon maids came in to serve refreshments. Warm green tea along with macarons was sure to bring sweetness to the mouth. I felt like he was being sensitive towards my preferences by bringing sweet food.

“It’s a new dessert served by the chef these days,” Xavier said.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” I replied with a polite smile, and lifted the china teacup to my lips.

I noticed Xavier contemplating me. He was keen enough to notice that I was acting different from usual. Because of the circumstances, I didn’t yet smile properly at him.

“It’s delicious,” I said after sampling the snacks.

Those weren’t empty words, they were true. The desserts at the Imperial Palace never failed to impress. That didn’t mean that my concerns went away and Xavier, sensing that, smiled lightly.

“I’m glad that you enjoy it.”

I decided to go straight to the point. “Your Highness. May I ask? Why…why you accepted the meeting when you already had feelings for someone else.”

He didn’t answer me immediately. I didn’t know if it was because he was choosing his words carefully or if he was searching for an excuse, but he was very cautious when he opened his mouth. I patiently waited for him to speak.

“It was because,” he began.