Spotlight on the Saintess
A loud voice drew the nobles' gazes to one spot. There stood Yurina Florence, the ball's protagonist who had come of age today. As the Empire's saintess, she was the most eye-catching presence at the ball.
Until Abigail Carpoem made her entrance.
The saintess, Yurina, wore a pink dress adorned with white frills. It perfectly matched her pastel hair, yellow at the top and fading to pink at the ends. She exuded the grace of a fairy from a fairy tale, capturing the attention of the imperial nobles in an instant. But unlike her appearance, she maintained a cold demeanor toward anyone who approached her. She offered only stiff, polite smiles in conversation, her words and actions clearly keeping others at a distance. So it was the first time anyone had seen her excited at the sight of someone.
"Lady Yurina?"
"……!"
When a name slipped from Abigail's parted lips, the nobles gasped in unison, their eyes widening in shock. Calling the saintess by name! Even among nobles, people didn't use each other's given names unless they were quite close. And this was the Empire's saintess. No matter that she was the heir to the Carpoem ducal house at the pinnacle of power, it was still improper to address her without permission.
Yet the saintess, whose name Abigail had called, approached her with an even brighter smile.
"Lady Abigail! I'm so happy you remember me!"
"Ha, haha. How could I forget the Saintess?"
Surprisingly, the two made a picture-perfect pair. They seemed close since they used each other's names, but they also looked like a well-matched couple, drawing even more attention. In particular, the noble ladies and matrons who had been subtly glancing at Abigail from behind their wide fans had been doing so since earlier. It was because Abigail, in her uniform, looked far more attractive than most young lords.
They refused to admit they were drawn to her, yet they couldn't easily tear their eyes away. Her jet-black hair, unseen in the south, and her frightening yet mysterious crimson eyes. Every time those intense eyes swept past indifferently, their hearts stirred inexplicably. The ladies and matrons fanned their faces furiously, trying to look away from Abigail. But with the saintess now engaged in conversation with her, they couldn't help but keep glancing over—it was inevitable for all of them.
* * *
Mindful of the eyes around us, I asked cautiously,
"Have you been well, Lady Yurina?"
Six years ago, I first met the original story's heroine, Yurina, while rescuing Annie's siblings in the north. After that, I heard she'd successfully completed her pilgrimage to the holy site and been recognized as a saintess. Meeting her again like this made me realize the original story was finally beginning.
The imperial ball where the original tale kicked off. The vicious villainess Abigail. The noble saintess and heroine Yurina, drawing all eyes at her coming-of-age. And finally, the crown prince's grand entrance.
But unintentionally, I'd formed a connection with Yurina before the original story even started. Instead of fearing or wary of the villainess Abigail, she looked at me with warm eyes.
"Ah, may the grace of the god of light, Lumine, always be with you, Lady Abigail Carpoem."
"……What?!"
Yurina seemed aware it was a formal occasion and greeted me politely. With her blessing, no less. The imperial court hadn't even officially announced it yet, but this was as good as the temple acknowledging me as the official heir to the Carpoem ducal house.
As she slightly bowed her head and gracefully extended her hand, a bright light emanated from Yurina. I closed my eyes briefly, savoring her divine power. It was warm and gentle mana, just like her kind heart.
"Thank you, Lady Yurina."
I bowed in return and lifted my head with a smiling face.
"Lady Yurina."
"Ah, Sir Illein."
Speak of the devil—Illein Saiche approached Yurina and fixed me with a cold stare. Holding champagne in both hands, he must have gone to fetch drinks and come looking when she vanished. Just like in the original, Illein was Yurina's partner for the ball. I inwardly smiled at how perfectly they suited each other. Yurina, once a girl six years ago, had grown into a beauty, making them an even more pleasing couple to behold.
"It's been a while, Sir Illein."
"…Indeed it has, my lady."
He clearly didn't like me being near Yurina. Was he annoyed I'd stolen her time? Or was it because my body belonged to the villainess Abigail? Meeting his displeased gaze sparked a strange defiance in me.
"I see you're attending as Lady Yurina's partner for the ball."
"Yes, that's right."
Chosen by the saintess, he looked immensely proud. Too bad the male lead is the crown prince, I thought with a mental tsk tsk, turning back to Yurina.
"Must be nice having such a handsome partner."
"Pardon? Ah, well…"
Yurina's face flushed red with embarrassment. As she floundered, her eyes landed on Ren standing behind me.
"But who's the gentleman behind you, Lady Abigail…?"
"Ah."
I called Ren in a soft voice.
"Don't just stand there—come closer."
"Yes, Lady Abigail."
I'd hesitated introducing Ren to my father the duke, but now there was no need. With a much lighter heart, I introduced him to Yurina.
"This is Ren Magicus. A senior mage from the Magic Tower, dispatched to the north and now working with me."
"Magicus…"
"……!"
Yurina and Illein's reactions were no different from anyone else's. But I believed Yurina would be different. Because she was the heroine. An angel among angels who wouldn't despise the cursed Magicus clan or reject Ren for killing his master to become Magic Tower Master. And sure enough, Yurina opened her mouth with a radiant smile.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Yurina Florence."
"The pleasure is mine, Saintess."
"……."
I watched their exchange with keen interest. It was the meeting of the heroine and a sub-male lead. In the original, Ren had felt something at first sight for her, or so my hazy memory recalled—their first encounter was quite intense. So I watched them expectantly.
But disappointingly, they both turned back to me right away.
"Lady Abigail, I'm so glad to see you again. I've missed you."
"Lady Abigail, are you thirsty? I'll fetch you something to drink."
"……."
Why are you both looking at me? Your fated one is right there. Talk more! Even spoon-feeding them the chance, the two oblivious fools drew closer to me instead.
"Lady Abigail?"
"Lady Abigail?"
"……."
Are they twins or something? Talking and acting in perfect sync.
The dual stares from both sides were quite overwhelming.
"No, um… don't you two have more to talk about…?"
"……?"
"……?"
They tilted their heads in unison, utterly baffled, faces screaming, Why would I talk to him/her?
I'd been looking forward to this original event. With a complicated gaze, I looked away from them—only to lock eyes with Illein standing behind Yurina.
"Sir Illein, mind if I have that?"
"……."
Illein, looking like he'd tasted something bitter, silently handed me a glass of champagne. It felt oddly like I'd shaken him down, but I took it without a word. I was thirsty anyway.
Then Ren and Yurina spoke up simultaneously again.
"Lady Abigail, I'll get you a different drink."
"Lady Abigail, I'll fetch some dessert."
"……."
A strange tension crackled between Ren and Yurina as their eyes met. But not the pink spark of romance I'd hoped for—more like they wanted to devour each other. Sparks practically flew from their glares.
"No, this'll do."
I took a sip of Illein's champagne and spoke, and their faces fell at once.
I was stuck in this awkward situation when—
"The sun of the Rampas Empire, His Imperial Majesty Damian Lux Rampas, and the little sun of the Rampas Empire, His Highness Crown Prince Michael Lux Rampas, are entering!"
The nobles' attention snapped to one spot. At last, the protagonists had arrived.
* * *
"Gasp…!"
Xavier Rector jolted awake with a start. His sweat-soaked body twitched in spasms. Sitting up in bed and gasping for breath, he looked around in confusion.
"This is…"
Then he recalled fleeing frantically from the monsters and safely making it back to the castle. After that, a raging fever had kept him delirious and sleeping nonstop.
"Ah, Lady Abigail."
Pressing his forehead, Xavier snapped to attention and rushed out of the room. He had to tell her what he'd seen. But no matter how hard he knocked on the office door, no voice bid him enter.
"Lady Abigail?"
Pushing open the unlocked door revealed only pitch darkness greeting him. The office was empty.
As he headed to Abigail's room instead, Xavier ran into someone along the way.
"Sir Xavier. You're awake."
"Ah, Sir Jade."
Seeing Jade Mare, Xavier hurried over.
"Where is Lady Abigail right now?"
"Pardon? Ah, you wouldn't know since you've been ill, Sir Xavier."
"What do you—?"
To the puzzled Xavier, Jade replied slowly.
"Lady Abigail left for the capital a week ago on imperial orders."
"T-The capital?"
Xavier's eyes widened in shock, and Jade nodded.
"Yes, she has to attend the ball."
"N-No way…"
"Is there something urgent you need to tell her?"
"Ah, well…"
At Jade's question, Xavier trailed off. He'd been set on telling Abigail everything right away, but now that she was gone, he wasn't sure what to do.
"Any idea when she'll return?"
"Hard to say."
Jade rubbed his chin and frowned. The emperor would try to keep Abigail in the capital by any means. He wanted her to marry the crown prince. But given her personality, she'd probably raise hell and return to the north somehow.
"Probably soon, I think."
"Haa."
"What's the matter?"
Jade felt puzzled seeing the usually composed Xavier so flustered.
"N-Nothing. I'll tell her myself when she returns."
"Very well."
But Jade let it pass without much thought. When they'd first built this forward base, the castle had always buzzed with tension. Now, six years later, that edge was gone. Battles led by Abigail always ended in victory, with few injuries or deaths. Ironically, it had made the strong knights a bit complacent.
With a nod, Jade slowly vanished down the corridor. Watching him go, Xavier sighed and looked down at his clenched fist.
"Haa."
Something he'd managed to grab while fleeing. Gazing at the tiny, crumbling fragment in his hand, Xavier sighed once more.