New year celebration part 4

While the story took place in the main characters' early twenties, there was a whole arc where the heroine shared her experience in full detail when she was sent as the honored guest or war prisoner of Loate to Vanifi after facing several casualties.

If the second prince of Vanifi and Margaret were the antagonist characters that made the heroine's life a living hell in her teen years, the ones who were helping her in Vanifi were the pope and the saintess.

In the story, the role of the pope and the saintess were to simply help the heroine so that she will not lose her sanity from the continuous harassment she was facing. They never appeared anywhere else in the book, other than the part where they congratulated prince Diego from his victory against Chejada.

It was one heck of a flashback.

...

After the second song, prince Diego who was dying to have a dance with me went to me as fast as he could so he can ask me to dance with him.

I knew that and was waiting for him but instead, right beside me, the pope is asking me to dance with him?

Everyone was taken aback by the sight of the pope, who has never dance with anyone in public, to ask me to dance.

"That is alright with me, your holiness"

The pope smiled softly.

After a minute, the third song started.

"You are the baroness from the kingdom of Loate, baroness 'Emond', correct?"

"Yes I am"

Just now... why did he...

He lean down and pulled my waist closer to him.

"Does that mean you are the villainess of the story?"

"..."

I stayed quiet and look at him with a rather confused expression.

"There is no need to hide it, baroness. The Goddess have already told us all about it"

"The Goddess of life and creation?"

"That is correct!"

"Then tell me, what is my name"

"Easy. Your name is Dianna Emond"

That is impossible. Seeing that the things and events that are happening is the same as it was in the novel, for a fake deity that was created it is impossible for a side character of the story to pull someone us into this world. Even if they are Gods or demons.

"Maybe, maybe not"

And since he doesn't even know what my real name is, it is obvious that someone fed him with little information.

"There is no need to deny it, baroness"

If he did knew about the story from the Goddess that he worship, he would have used a term like 'Transmigrator' or something similar.

"I am not denying anything, your holiness"

Someone as smart as him wouldn't do something as stupid as this.

"No need to be cautious. Sir Frederick won't hear anything as long as I am here"

"...."

"Well, there is no need to hasten such things as there is still a lot of time before the day of judgement comes"

Our conversation continued as the song reaches its end.

"I shall wait for your answer"

Before going back the table where the saintess is sitting at, he left a small paper in my palm.

Although I hid it swiftly, John most definitely found out about the pope giving me a secret letter.

"Baroness... Emond..."

Prince Diego was panting as he brisk walk as fast as he could after the third song.

"Your highness, if you want, you could take a moment to relax to our table"

"Of course..."

He followed me and sat beside me.

To make sure that the nobles will be able to dance till dawn from midnight, three songs will be played every one hour. And it is an unspoken rule that you must dance at least once every hour, if not, it will also be regarded as a disgrace.

The only exemption to this rule would be the emperor and the empress.

...

After catching his breath, he knelt down which took the attention of those who were close to us.

"Will you dance with me at the next song, my lady?"

Nobles who were near us started to whisper. Whisper that the first prince, prince Diego's rumored blinded love to me is indeed real.

Instead of calling me a 'baroness' by my title, he called me a 'lady'. And in the empire, that is commonly used when a man directly wants to tell the woman that he wants to court her.

"That would be an honor, your highness"

"Really?"

"No"

"Why?"

"Because I only wanted to dance with John and prince Trevor to repay their kindness"

'Speaking of prince Trevor, where is he?'

I ignored prince Diego's ranting as I look for prince Trevor. I then saw him entering the balcony with the empress and Sir Aiden.

By any chance, no way...

'Phoenix, go spy on them'

-Understood, master.

"Baroness!"

I want to complain to whoever created this childish side of prince Diego.

"You... you're not attracted to his holiness, are you?"

"Of course not. As I said before, I do not like men with long hair"

"Do you have something against with men with long hair? Isn't that prejudice? Shouldn't you be fair to everyone"

What is this guy talking about?! For ages, men have fought whether bigger boobs or bigger ass is better. And I can't even have my own preference?!

I look at the prince with a disgusted and foul look. He, who is narrow minded about such things, dared to tell me, that I am being biased. WHAT THE FUCK!!!

"Your highness, I want to ask something to you"

I ask with an angelic smile.

"Go ahead!"

"What is your ideal woman?"

"Someone who is strong willed and is knowledgeable. Someone who can stand on my level"

"Exactly! Now, listen here you naive little shit, would you have been attracted to me if I was stupid and timid who know nothing about the world?"

"...."

The prince sat still.

"Would you have been this eager to court me if I was someone who is being mocked by other people due to my lack of knowledge and skills?"

"...."

He didn't made any sound and continued to look down on the floor.

"That's what I thought. Now, I hope you would think before you speak. That is my advice for you"

I am glad that he is honest. But being insensitive is another thing.