Chapter 31 – I Like You

There was an unspoken pressure telling them to stop fighting in front of me. They seemed to get the message, and Claude and Xavier clamped their mouths shut. Only then did I smile.

Ah, that was better now.

"It's not that bad between us. As you know, we're from the same class," Claude said.

"…"

Xavier looked puzzled when he heard that, but Claude continued on casually. "But the Crown Prince has a rather heartless side… So sometimes we're at odds."

"…Me?" Xavier sputtered.

"Maybe you don't realize it, but in fact, you're very heartless and cold. So I understand to some extent why you haven't been married yet. I believe the ladies nowadays prefer friendly and funny guys."

I tilted my head in confusion at Xavier. "Well…I don't think you're heartless."

The Crown Prince's face suddenly brightened, but Claude smirked from the other side.

"You were completely fooled. You don't know how heartless he is—"

"I think that's enough, Duke. You're about to cross the line," Xavier in a warning tone, and Claude gave him an odd look. There seemed to be something else in their relationship, but as a third party, I had no idea. Instead I smiled awkwardly and did my best to close this topic.

"Both of you are good people."

Thankfully, Xavier steered the discussion to something else. "More importantly, Lady Maristella, does Duke Escliffe come here every day?"

"Yes, Your Highness," I said, nodding without thinking, and a crease furrowed Xavier's brow when he heard my answer. I looked at him questioningly. "Is there a problem?"

"No, nothing." Xavier smiled faintly and nodded, then spoke again a moment later. "But there's one thing I'm a little worried about."

"Worried?"

"You should check with your maid to see if there's anything missing."

"Pardon?" I didn't understand what he was going on about, and Xavier continued to speak with a serious expression.

"Actually, Duke Escliffe has a habit of stealing. He's famous for that since he was young."

So…he meant that Claude might be stealing my jewelry?

"But His Grace is wealthier than me. Besides, there's nothing particularly valuable in my room…" I said disbelievingly.

Then, Claude interjected in a flustered tone. "Lady Maristella, don't believe him." The look in his eyes was of someone who was wronged. "That's when I was very young. I was at an age that didn't know what morality and ethics are. There's no way I would do that now. This is a slander."

"Old habits die hard," Xavier said.

"Your Highness," Claude growled. "I'm really curious to know why you're defaming my reputation by talking about my immature childhood."

Xavier scoffed. "I just want her to be careful. Don't be so sensitive. And it's not like I was lying."

"…"

Claude didn't say anything in return, as if Xavier's words were true. But aren't quite a few kids like that when they are young?

Or…not?

Anyway, I knew I had to change the subject again quickly, because dragging this conversation down this path might end in a fight. Before I could do so, however, Xavier spoke first.

"Oh, Lady Maristella. Come to think of it, there was something I forgot to give you."

"Something you forgot to give me?"

"Here…" Xavier took something out and held it out to me.

It was a small, flat box. I accepted it and opened it with a curious look, and inside I saw a white handkerchief. In one corner were Maristella's initials and an embroidered red rose. The fabric the handkerchief was made of was of luxurious quality.

A smile bloomed on my face at the unexpected gift.

"This is…"

Xavier smiled softly at me. "I wanted to give you earlier… But you were in an accident, so I didn't have a chance to."

The smile widened on my face. "Thank you, Your Highness. I didn't expect you to remember."

"One should keep one's promise. I don't know if it's to your liking."

"Of course. It's really pretty."

Xavier hesitated for a moment. "A-and…" he stammered.

"Yes?" I prompted.

"I embroidered it myself."

"…Pardon?" I blinked in surprise. Xavier embroidered this complicated pattern himself? "Really?"

"The handiwork may look a bit poor… If you don't like it, I will replace it with a handkerchief embroidered by an expert."

I shook my head quickly. "Ah, no, Your Highness. This is pretty enough." I closed the lid on the handkerchief box. "I will keep your sincere gift. Although I'm not sure if I can accept something this precious…"

"I don't know how someone so busy supposedly had time to do embroidery," Claude snorted in disapproval, but Xavier ignored him and continued to speak.

"I learned it here and there. I'm embarrassed because this is my first time."

"This is your first time?" My surprise couldn't help but grow. To anyone's eyes, these weren't the skills of someone who embroidered for the first time. "You're this good even though it's your first time… You have a talent, Your Highness," I murmured in a trembling voice.

Xavier blushed slightly. "My skill is not good enough to be praised." The pink on his cheeks caused my heart to flutter at the sight.

Ah, wait a second. A blushing face wasn't supposed to be this good-looking.

Claude insisting on interrupting again. "More importantly, Your Highness, I know you're busy. I don't know if you can keep on staying here."

Come to think of it, due to Claude's unexpected visit, Xavier's own time here had dragged on. I, too, became worried that I was taking up Xavier's time.

"I'm afraid you should go now, Your Highness."

"I'm fi—"

Claude jumped in. "I know you have many books to read by tomorrow. But you seem to be too slacking, Your Highness. If the Emperor knows, I'm sure he'll be concerned."

"…"

Xavier fixed Claude a silent stare, then gave a small sigh as if in defeat. Then he turned to me.

"I think I'm going to have to go, Lady Maristella," he said.

"Yes, Your Highness. I'm sorry that I took up too much of your time."

Xavier rose from his seat with a graceful smile on his face plastered onto his face. But then, he let out a low groan.

"Urgh…"

"Your Highness?" I said worryingly, but he didn't answer me and just stared at Claude with a fierce look.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?" I called again.

"Ah… Nothing, Lady Maristella. My foot just suddenly hurt…"

"Is it the foot I stepped on back then?"

"No, Lady Maristella. This was already from a long time ago," Xavier said with a smile and a shake of his head. He then said that he really did have to leave, then left the room. Finally, only Claude was left. I drank the rest of my tea before turning to him.

"Aren't you going, Your Grace?"

"I just arrived, Lady Maristella."

"So you're going to stay longer?" I asked.

He looked at me. "Unlike His Highness, I didn't have time to talk to you alone."

"Do you have to talk to me alone?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It's for your mental treatment."

"…"

No, my mental condition was fine now, thanks.

I shook my head. "You're welcome to go. I've had enough treatment today."

"…"

When he heard that, Claude suddenly looked like a puppy in the rain. The sight of it surprised me, but I then asked him the question that I wanted to ask him before.

"But how long are you going to keep coming here? I'm all better now—mentally and physically."

"…"

Claude put on a serious look again at my remark. "Do you not want to see me every day even after your recovery?"

"After?"

"I'm asking if you'd like to keep seeing me every day."

"Why should I—?"

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I asked him purely out of curiosity, but the hurt look on his face made me stop. I wondered for a moment if I did something wrong.

No, I just asked him out of curiosity. Was that such a deadly question?

"That's because…" he began.

"Because…?" I prodded.

"I like you."