Dear My Friend - Chapter 59

Chapter 59 – I Could Forgive Her For Anything

***

The meeting ended with a more easy-going atmosphere than I expected. When I first arrived at Thurman Palace, I had been tense with anxiety, but I left with lighter shoulders. Xavier was a good friend after all, even if the situation had twisted out of shape.

‘I hope they do well, but am I being selfish?’

After all, I don’t know who Xavier liked. There was no guarantee that it would be Dorothea like in the story.

I was out of my depth, and I couldn’t figure out whether I should like it or hate these current developments. I was happy that Xavier didn’t fall in love with Dorothea, but the other problem was that the person he was in love with wasn’t Odeletta.

‘Who the hell would it be?’

What kind of fiendish woman captured Xavier’s heart? The mystery of it all only made me more curious. Whoever she was, she must be beautiful and have a great personality.

‘Should I ask Sir Dilton?’

However, as soon as I considered the notion I tossed it aside, since it was unlikely that such a loyal man would tell me such a secret.

When the carriage halted, I opened the door and stepped out. The grand spectacle of the Trakos mansion came into view.

“You’re here, Lady Maristella?”

Robert Joyce, the butler of Trakos mansion, was the one who greeted me at my arrival. I smiled back at him.

“Hello, Mr. Robert. How are you?”

“I’m always the same. I was surprised when your message arrived so suddenly.” The old butler gave me a kind smile and spoke in a slightly excited voice. “I’m glad you came. Lady Odeletta has been feeling depressed lately. Something must have happened, but I’m worried because she won’t tell the Master or Mistress of the house.”

“Oh…” I mumbled. I knew the reason, but all I could do was smile awkwardly. Revealing the truth may hurt Odeletta’s pride and, most importantly I couldn’t let such things leak without her consent. If Odeletta wanted people to know, she would have said something beforehand.

I followed Robert into the Trakos mansion and towards Odeletta’s room. It had been a long time since our meeting place became this room, not the reception room for formal guests.

Knock knock.

After knocking twice on Odeletta’s door, I leaned in and waited for her reply. After a moment, a despondent voice answered from beyond the door.

“…I don’t want to eat, you know.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Miss,” I replied jokingly, and the door swung open exactly five seconds later. It opened so suddenly that I almost lost balance and fell forward, but fortunately I managed to catch myself. I smiled and greeted Odeletta with a wide-eyed expression.

“Hi, Odel.”

“Marie…?” Odeletta said in surprise. “How… You didn’t contact me.”

“I just missed you so much that I came right away. I’m sorry if it’s rude of me.”

“Not at all, Marie. I’m sorry. It’s nothing like that,” she said in a trembling voice. “I’m glad you came.”

“Then I’m glad too.” I smiled again and followed her inside the room. As usual, it was a cozy and well-organized space. “What were you doing?” I asked.

“Just…” Odeletta began, then shook her head. “I’ve been feeling upset. So I’ve been embroidering.”

As if to prove her words, an embroidery frame on the table caught my eye.

“That’s good! Self-reflection can help stabilize the mind,” I praised.

“Yes. It’s certainly calmed my mind.”

My heart cracked at the sight of the miserable-looking Odeletta. It couldn’t have been easy for her to recover from the shock. I wanted to dispel this glum atmosphere as soon as possible, and I opened my mouth to tell her about earlier.

“Odeletta, actually…”

But just then, I stopped my lips.

‘If she knows that I met Xavier to talk about her, it might hurt her pride.’

Odeletta was an aristocratic woman who regarded her dignity and pride as her highest value. She may take offense if she knew I talked to the Crown Prince about what happened. My lips naturally closed shut.

“What’s wrong, Marie?” she asked me, and I stared at her blankly for a moment. Eventually, something random fell out of my mouth.

“I saw a flower that bloomed on the side of the road, and it was so pretty.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The wild flowers are so beautiful… Now that I think about it, it’s a pity that they haven’t been picked.”

“A flower is most beautiful when it’s still blooming in its place,” Odeletta said with a smile. “It’s good. You gave other people the opportunity to see the flower and be happy.”

“You’re truly…”

Good, Odeletta.

I couldn’t say it, and I simply walked over to her and pulled her in for a hug. She was startled by the sudden embrace, but she soon adjusted to the situation and wrapped her arms gently around my body.

“…How are you?” I asked carefully. After a moment, an answer came back.

“I’m not alright,” she confessed.

I paused when I heard the anguish in her voice, but I continued to hug her without saying anything. Right now, one hug may be more effective than ten words.

“Marie, you know…” she started haltingly.

“Yes, Odel,” I encouraged.

“I don’t think I can give up on His Highness.”

At the determination in her words, I gave a nod. “Yes. Not yet. You don’t have to give up.”

Xavier was still single. A state where he was not married or courting anyone.

“Do what you want to do. I will cheer for you,” I said.

“…Really?”

“Of course.”

After that, Odeletta drew away from my arms, and our eyes met. She stared at me with an expression that made it hard to know what she was thinking, then she said my name.

“Maristella Janice La Bellafleur.”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to be by my side until the very end?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“No matter what I do?”

“Anything but murder, but yes.”

“Even if I act a little badly…can you forgive me?”

That was a strange question from someone who lived so nobly. I wasn’t sure what she meant by ‘acting badly’, but it was probably part of her plan to win love. And I thought, if it wasn’t murder, then I could cover for her.

“I will forgive you, Odel.”

“…Really?”

“Really.” I was quiet for a moment. “I am your friend.”

“…”

Immediately after I said that, I felt a warmth surround my shoulders. Perhaps Odeletta was shedding silent tears, so I simply patted her without saying a word.

My pretty friend. My pitiful friend. If only she could be happy in this life, I could forgive her for anything.

***

Time passed quickly after that. I still had a strong friendship with Odeletta, and she only occasionally mentioned Xavier in passing. At most, she would say something like, “Do you think His Highness would like this dress?” or “Will His Highness like this color?”

That was all.

The Imperial Family did not hold any parties that we could attend, and the girl who was hurt by her unrequited love quickly regained her original dignified appearance. Odeletta’s inner self seemed to become stronger, and after observing her for a while I relaxed.

One day, I found myself talking to Odeletta again.

“Look, Marie,” Odeletta said with a smile as she showed me a navy dress. “I’m going to wear this dress at the Escliffe mansion party. What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful. Calming.” I looked up and down at the dress and nodded. “It reminds me of the night sky. It looks good on you, too.”

“Really? That’s a relief,” Odeletta said, her cheeks blushing until they looked like peaches. “His Highness should also like it.”

“I don’t know his taste, but it looks so beautiful to me, Odeletta,” I said adoringly.

“You are too kind to me. Sometimes you’re more generous than my mother.”

“Haha.” I gave a low chuckle in reply.

“What dress are you wearing?” she asked.

“The pearly dress I mentioned before.”

It was the dress I had chosen after the mental war with Dorothea.

“Ah, I see,” Odeletta replied with a nod. “What color heels will you wear?”

“Um…maybe silver. Florinda has been telling me for days that I have silver heels to match my dress.”

“Silver…”

“Why are you asking all of a sudden?” I asked with a puzzled expression. “You’ve never asked before.”

“Oh,” Odeletta said briefly. She paused for a moment, then her original smile returned to her face. “I wanted to wear matching high heels with you. Does that offend you?”

“Huh? No. Not at all.”

We were friends. I couldn’t be childish