Time passed by in the blink of an eye.
The moments I spent with my mother, indulging in my whims, flew by so quickly. And finally, the day of the much-anticipated banquet had arrived, a day that the entire Empire had been eagerly waiting for.
“Tina!”
In the hall of the banquet, where countless nobles were engaged in conversation, a loud voice that could draw everyone’s attention echoed.
The owner of the voice, a woman with long, violet hair flowing down, exclaimed with an ecstatic expression directed at me.
“Sharione!”
“Tina…! How long has it been?!”
Sharione, one of my patrons, warmly welcomed me with a display of joy she usually reserved for her dignified noble demeanor.
Had she missed me that much? I struggled to suppress the quivering corners of my mouth and instead forced a pure, bright smile.
“It’s been a while, Sharione. I’ve really, really missed you.”
Without hesitation, I rushed into her embrace. Sharione lightly hugged me, and we began to catch up on each other’s lives.
The protagonist of the banquet, the Saint, had not yet arrived, allowing the nobles to chat amongst themselves around the banquet’s periphery.
In the meantime, other young ladies began to gather around Sharione and me, and I naturally blended into the crowd of high society.
“Do you know how lonely it’s been without Tina to pet and cuddle?”
One young lady gently stroked my hair as she spoke.
“Exactly! Without Tina’s smile, the atmosphere has become dreary.”
Warm words from passing young ladies enveloped me, and before I knew it, I was fully back in high society.
Another young lady gazed at me with kind eyes and said, “I’m so relieved you’re back. You’ll continue to attend the banquets, right, Tina?”
Sharione gently seated me on her lap. With the affectionate touches of the young ladies around me, I wore a bright smile.
“Yes! Now that I’m free, of course!”
I caught a fleeting glimpse of Sharione’s eyes trembling slightly. However, she soon returned her bright expression and smiled at me sweetly.
‘Still pretending not to know.’
I could guess the emotions hidden behind her smile, but I just kept matching her cheerful vibe.
She must have heard about my story from the Merdellia Duchy. The way she didn’t mention it made me realize once again how impressive the Duchy’s influence was.
As casual greetings and small talk flowed by, the conversation naturally transitioned to the topic of the banquet’s main event.
“By the way, a Saint… I was really taken by surprise.”
“Right? It’s been 500 years since a prophecy about a Saint was announced, hasn’t it?”
As the conversation about the Saint unfolded, the atmosphere around us grew even more heated. The news circulating was simply that a prophecy had come to pass; no one had any details about who she was, what her personality was like, or even her age.
Nobody knew if she was a young girl or an old woman. It was no wonder curiosity ran high.
‘What kind of expressions will people have when they find out the Saint is a commoner?’
I suspected they would be utterly flabbergasted.
A Saint of a lower status than mine.
Naturally, Lilian was bound to become gossip fodder for the nobles.
For a while, countless people would undoubtedly throw her under the bus and mock her. Especially those from high society, like Sharione, would likely be the most hostile towards Lilian.
No matter how much of a Saint she was, it would be hard for them to accept a commoner being on the same level as themselves. Moreover, considering the Saint’s role was to bolster the power of the empire and the temple, she was certainly an unwelcome figure to the wealthy nobility.
Even in the game, Lilian had to endure numerous same-class nobles’ harassment. But unlike Viviana, whose mentality was flimsy, Lilian having a strong mental fortitude wouldn’t face an insurmountable challenge.
Slowly gathering her allies, expanding her influence, and solidifying her position in high society was the primary goal of Lilian’s character.
The process of winning over those noble families who had initially looked down on her was one of the most exhilarating elements one could experience while playing as Lilian.
In fact, it wasn’t that hard either.
With Lilian boasting charisma stats nearing max level, expanding her influence was a breeze.
The first time I saw NPCs’ favorability toward her rising just by exchanging pleasantries, I thought to myself, “Is there another cheat-like character out there?”
In just two years, the entire Empire would likely venerate the Saint, heralding her as an angel descending from the heavens.
‘Not my concern, though.’
What ultimately happened to Lilian was of no relevance to me.
In the early stages, Lilian faced a multitude of attacks from the nobility.
I had no intention of getting caught up in unwarranted trouble.
She could live her life, and I would live mine just fine.
Having finally settled my family’s debts, all that remained was to slowly accumulate wealth and spend my days joyously in the mansion with my mother, without a care for our future.
“Tina.”
Sharione’s soft voice interrupted my thoughts. I cozyingly leaned my head against her shoulder, adding a bit of charm.
“In fact, there’s someone who really wants to see you right now.”
“Someone wants to see me?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t just one or two people desiring my presence.
“They’re waiting for you anxiously over there by the balcony.”
Sharione only said that, without revealing who the person was.
A sense of caution arose regarding this unknown figure, but I doubted anyone would do anything strange at a banquet hosted by the palace.
“Umm… Okay. I understand.”
I stood up, my mind laden with curiosity. Sharione smiled and lightly stroked my hand.
“It’ll be alright, Tina.”
It hadn’t been until just now that I was alright.
Her words started to nag at me for no reason.
But it wasn’t like I had any reason to express such feelings to Sharione. While not as powerful as Viviana, she was certainly a noble of considerable influence from the Count family.
I left her with a brief smile and moved on.
Escaping the bustle of the banquet, I paused to catch my breath. As I opened the door to the terrace, a brisk evening breeze greeted me.
At the end of the balcony, a woman stood.
The long golden hair flowing down from her back shimmered softly in the moonlight. Among all the people I knew, there was only one person with hair that glowed in such a golden hue.
“…Huh?”
She turned and looked at me.
Between elegantly long eyelashes, her blood-red eyes pierced me. Looking into those eyes made my body freeze involuntarily.
“It’s been a while, Tina.”
“M-Mardian.”
“When we’re alone, I told you to call me sister.”
Her burning gaze, reminiscent of a beast, seemed to ensnare me.
“You don’t seem happy, Tina.”
A smile spread across her lips. While her lips appeared friendly, the image of the villainess she projected made it hard for me to move.
But that didn’t last long.
After some reflection, I realized there was no need to be afraid of her anymore.
I was simply flustered from seeing her after so long, but it was only natural for Mardian to be here.
It was the palace hosting the banquet.
It was only natural that she couldn’t miss it for trivial reasons. I merely made the mistake of not considering Mardian’s presence.
Moreover, several months had passed since that incident. The period of her reflection for the crime of assaulting me must be nearing its end.
“Tina, isn’t it a joyous reunion after such a long time?”
Mardian spread her arms and approached me. I unconsciously took a step back.
The red eyes filled with insidious desire remained unchanged.
Although the situation was unexpected, I had no reason to be scared.
In fact, I could even consider it fortunate.
“It’s been a while, Miss Mardian.”
I took a step closer to her. She raised an eyebrow in apparent surprise.
“That’s not the reaction I was expecting.”
“What reaction did you expect?”
“I thought you would tremble like a scared bunny, but you seem healthier than I thought.”
“Though there is a past, the past is the past.”
“…Oh my.”
Mardian’s arm wrapped around my waist and, in an instant, drew me toward her.
With no time to process the sudden situation, she whispered closely into my ear.
“What a shame. It would’ve been adorable to see the little bunny shaking and crying.”
“Ugh.”
Her silky yet graceful voice seeped into my ears. Mardian buried her face into my neck and drew in a deep breath.
Her breath brushing against my skin made my body stiffen. Uncomfortable feelings intertwined with an odd tension swirled within me.
“Ah… how I’ve missed this scent all this time.”
“…T-this…”
“I just want to love you right now.”
“…”
Mardian’s depraved hands roamed over my side. She was still trying to unleash her abnormal desires upon me.
People truly never change.
During her period of reflection, I was curious whether she would have altered, but our villainess remained the same.
Now, she had openly begun to express her ominous intentions toward me.
But that was okay.
Honestly, I was relieved Mardian hadn’t changed.
“Miss Mardian… I’m still quite scared.”
I cautiously pulled away from her embrace. Mardian looked down at me with her crimson eyes, eyes filled with unshed tears, displaying a sorrowful expression.
A single tear glistened at her lash line.
I purposely trembled, lightly grasped the hem of Mardian’s dress, and gazed up at her with my soulful eyes.
“I liked you— I mean, I still do, Miss Mardian. I want to slowly build a relationship with you.”
“…”
Her red eyes flickered wildly, but Mardian remained speechless.
The night air on the terrace grew colder, and after a while of waiting, Mardian softly sighed and nodded.
“Well, I appreciate you not avoiding me.”
Avoiding her?
Mardian was the ultimate villainess in this world. There would be no benefit in having her as an enemy. Maintaining a halfway decent relationship with her was the most sensible choice.
“Let’s take it slow and build our relationship, just like you said.”
“…Okay, Miss Mardian.”
Regrettably for you, Mardian.
It seemed you wouldn’t have time to concern yourself with me any longer.
[The Saint has arrived!]
A booming voice echoed throughout the banquet hall. It was so loud that it even traveled out to the terrace.
I temporarily halted my conversation with Mardian and listened for the reactions from inside through the window. The announcement of the Saint’s arrival caused quite a stir within the hall.
‘Nice timing.’
I felt grateful to our protagonist for showing up at just the right moment.
“Miss Mardian, let’s hold off our reunion for now and go see the Saint.”
“…Hmph.”
The only reason I wasn’t worried about Mardian was due to one person.
Lilian.
She was the soulmate of Mardian.
They were inseparable.
Lilian was the one who would turn Mardian into the worst villainess.
Just as Batman needs the Joker to be complete, only Lilian could fulfill Mardian’s character arc.
Thus, Lilian was the reason for Mardian’s existence.
No matter which route was chosen in the game, the connection between Lilian and Mardian would remain unbroken.
Even when the executioner’s noose loomed over Mardian’s neck, their relationship would reveal depths deeper than that of lovers.
In such a situation, it was unlikely Mardian would show interest in me as before.
“…You seem to have quite an interest in the Saint?”
Mardian looked at me with narrowed eyes.
I smiled softly in response.
“Yes, she’s the Saint who’s appeared after 500 years!”
I took Mardian’s hand and together we walked toward the terrace’s railing.
Glancing up at the vast night sky for a moment, I peeked toward the entrance of the banquet.
‘Found you.’
With no need to search painstakingly, I recognized her at a glance.
Her pink hair stood out vividly, shimmering with a lovely glow. The fair skin—whiter than mine—seemed to evoke a protective instinct within me.
The white dress she wore evoked an image of purity and serenity one would associate with angels, resembling a beautiful flower blooming beneath the endless night sky.
‘…She really is beautiful.’
Her delicate features seemed sculpted by the gods, with a bashful smile revealing a coy girl’s charm.
Lilian Eldoria.
At last, the second protagonist had made her debut in high society.
