While the mythical guardian of Vanifi was never mentioned in the novel, I do know something about it due to Jessica's ranting.
The great guardian of Vanifi, Phoenix, is a high ranking spirit who is neither good or evil.
He is someone who does not side with people just because he can determine someone is kind hearted or is filled with malice. Instead, he serves those who are worthy and in need of his power.
And unlike the phoenix from the mythologies in my previous world, the Phoenix in this world is simply a high ranking spirit who has the power to control the wind.
"I wish to be under you. Will that be alright, miss?"
The guardian of Vanifi, Phoenix bowed his head to me.
Phoenix's action was another big wave that left everyone baffled once more.
-Will you accept him, master?
'The more the merrier, right?'
-Of course!
Knowing my cute spirit is fine with it, I step forward and squatted.
"Of course. Please take care of me from now on"
"Thank you very much, miss-no, I mean, master"
After some time, the knights and servants were able to move again. The prince and the noble men who gave me their catches went back as well. As for the viscount, he thanked me once more and left.
"Wow~ What a crazy day it is today"
...
Two days passed, and within that time, the news about the guardian of Vanifi being under me and all kinds of rumors.
Apparently, viscount Taylor was interrogated. And in response to the questions from the journalists, he simply stated that he met Phoenix by chance.
Due to this uproar, the winter festival became even more intense.
Some celebrated for the emergence of the mythical guardian of Vanifi while some hated the fact that an outsider, like me who has no ties to the empire, was the one who was acknowledge by Phoenix.
"Another one, my lady?"
"What can I say? He was gifted to me though. On that note, why did you follow viscount Taylor?"
"Because there was a faint sign of God's power on him. And that power came from you"
"You're saying I'm a God?"
"No, master. What I mean to say is that when a God or a Goddess have their eyes on someone they will need to put a fragment of their existence to be able to freely watch an individual. And you have that fragment"
"So you are saying that there is a God watching me?"
"Yes. And anyone who you are close with will naturally get mark as well. Although, it does fade over time"
While there is no such thing as 'Heaven' in this world, I already assumed that the Gods and Goddess here are real. There was a fifty-fifty chance of the Deities here in the novel to materialize to complete the setting of the story.
There is the Goddess of Life and Creation, Thesis, who is being worshiped in the Vanifi empire.
The Goddess of Night, Nyx, who is being worshiped in Mheodure.
The God of War, Skanda, who is being worshiped in Nuguetan and Quelnaron.
And, the Goddess of Beauty, Venus, who is being worshiped in the empire of the North.
Four Deities in total.
And among those four, the most likely one would be Thesis since I'm already here in the empire.
Then again, there is also a chance that an unknown God could be the one behind this.
"My lady"
"Yes, Xavier?"
"Where is the other spirit?"
"Almas? Well, he is eating right now. He should be eating the human liver stew I made in the third floor underground dungeon of the imperial palace"
"...!"
"Is something wrong?"
"No-well, yes there is. I am just surprised how you can say and do something like that without even batting an eye"
"Those who can see the future are mentally old"
"Still, it is my first time seeing a young human girl to be so natural at it"
"Let's just leave it at that"
...
Another day passed and everyone in the entire capital have heard of the news of the emergence of the mythical guardian of Vanifi. And at least half of the entire empire.
"My lady, a letter was sent and it is from her majesty"
And here it is.
I took the letter from Monica and red its content. And in the letter, her majesty have asked for me to attend the monthly council meeting which happens at the last day of the month to review issues that occur of each nobles' territory.
"My lady, here is the fur coat that was made from the first prince's tribute to you"
"Thank you John"
Thanks to the fur coat my walk to the diamond palace was bearable.
"Baroness Emond has arrived" Announce by the grand chamberlain.
The nobles in the council look at me with wary eyes, especially at Phoenix who is resting on my shoulder.
"I greet her majesty, the sun of the empire"
"Sit"
I sat down beside her majesty, on her left side. Because of that, some nobles were noticeably displease with the empress' decision.
It would have been fine if I was engage to someone from the imperial family, but for me to sit beside her majesty as an outsider goes against tradition in the empire.
"Now that everyone is here, let us begin"
A middle aged woman then stood up after the empress gave the green light.
"Our main topic for this monthly council meeting will be regarding about Baroness Emond and the mythical guardian of Vanifi"
The one who started the meeting was Sir Aiden's mother, Leah von Theano. Since the duke is died early she is the one who is managing everything in the Theano duchy.
"With that in mind..."
And the one who hates me the most.
"Baroness Emond"
"Yes, Duchess Theano"
"Let me be frank with you: Do you have any thoughts of living here in the empire?"
In response to her question, I gave a quick and firm answer, "No"
"I heard that prince Diego likes you"
"Yes. And?"
"Sigh"
As if irritated by my behavior, the duchess sighed with her hand on her head.
"Since you are young I supposed you do not understand what I am trying to say"
"Please enlighten me"
"What do you think about marrying the prince?"
I raised a circle with an 'X' on it and said, "Rejected"
The nobles then gasp and was enraged by my behavior.
"Marrying the prince would mean that the ties of Vanifi and Loate will be strengthen. As a noble, it is your duty to do so"
Oh my. If the prince heard this, he would have been mad at the duchess. I suppose that is why the empress didn't call for him today. She must have known beforehand that someone would say something like this.
"As I said, my answer is no. Yes, I am a noble who have the duty to help my kingdom to prosper. And logically speaking, marrying the prince is the best answer to that"
"Then, why do you oppose the thought of marrying the prince?"
"Because I do not love him"