  The electronic structure of BaFe$_2X_3$ ($X$ = S and Se) and CsFe$_2$Se$_3$
in which two-leg ladders are formed by the Fe sites are studied by means of
x-ray absorption and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy. The
x-ray absorption spectra at the Fe L edges for BaFe$_2X_3$ exhibit two
components, indicating that itinerant and localized Fe 3$d$ sites coexist.
Substantial x-ray linear dichroism (XLD) is observed in polarization dependent
spectra, indicating the existence of orbital order or fluctuation in the
Fe-ladder even above the N\'{e}el temperature $T_N$. Direct exchange
interaction along the legs of the Fe-ladder stabilizes the orbital and
antiferromagnetic orders in BaFe$_2$S$_3$, while the ferromagnetic molecular
orbitals are realized between the rungs in CsFe$_2$Se$_3$.
