Ting...ting...ting...
The bell rang signalling that it is now midnight. Everyone cheered joyously for a new year of success to come for the empire of Vanifi.
"By any chance, do you fell cold my lady?"
"Not at all John"
Despite having a huge banquet in the middle of the night, they are able to make sure this entire banquet hall feel like I am under the shade of a tree in summer. But the most terrifying about this banquet is the fact that no one is allowed to go out until dawn unless you have health problems.
But even with the excuse of having a health related problem, it will still be regarded as a disgrace to go out.
Basically, the nobles of the Vanifi empire were made similar to party animals at this time of the year.
"...I want to strangle the one who even came up with this"
"Is something wrong, baroness?"
"No, nothing"
I have to be careful not to let my thoughts get out.
I look at the direction where Sir Aiden was, base on his flustered look, he didn't hear me mumbling about it.
The music started.
One by one, pairs were starting to gather in the center to dance.
"Baroness, will you-"
"Stop. Prince Trevor, I apologize but this will be my first time dancing in public which is why I want it to be special"
I turned around and saw John who was smiling at me.
"John"
"Yes, my lady?"
"Will you have a dance with me?"
His smile broke. Confused, he tilted his head a bit and smiled again.
"I don't think that I am worthy for such an honor"
"You do actually"
"...Then, I shall gladly accept it"
Before going, I lean close to prince Trevor's ear and whispered, "I want my first dance to be with the one who was busy protecting me all this time. I hope you understand" and went to the dance floor.
Looking back, his anxiety from getting rejected was not there anymore after hearing my reason.
If I hadn't explained the reason to him, he would have felt betrayed by the one and only person he is close with in this country where no one wants to get themselves associated with him.
It makes me think I'm taking care of someone else's child for some reason.
"My lady, shall we?"
"Let's go"
1-2-3...1-2-3...
Since the banquet will last for a long time, the first few musics' tempo are always a bit slow so that the nobles won't get tired in the middle of the banquet.
The two of us were dancing without a care.
Before I noticed it, countless people were already looking at us.
'Why are they...? Oh. I see'
The mysterious and handsome vice-captain of the imperial knights who is greatly favored by the empress herself was the aloof type even though he sounds like a social butterfly.
There are many ladies, noble or not, who wants to seek his hand in marriage. After all, a strong, handsome and a young man that is greatly favored by the empress would be someone that has a high rank in the marriage market.
I got so used to seeing handsome men that it doesn't feel special at all.
Before finishing the dance, many ladies were throwing daggers with their eyes at me for not only stealing the first prince, but also John who is one of the five most sought after bachelor in the empire.
The song ended.
"It was my pleasure to take your first dance, my lady"
"It is my 'thank you' to you for keeping me safe all this time"
"I was only doing as I was told to therefore it is still an honor for me"
"Okay, okay. Let's leave it at that then"
After looking around, I saw prince Diego being cornered by dozens if not several ladies to ask him for a dance. It almost seems like they are barricading him from me.
"Baroness"
"Yes, prince Trevor?"
"May I ask to have a dance with you?"
"Of course!"
Shortly after, the second song started while the first prince of the empire was visibly showing his displeasure of having to dance with another lady.
Seeing me dancing with the prince of the fallen kingdom, many were suspicious of my action.
I am currently being favored by the empress, even more so than anyone else in the entire empire. And for me to dance with prince Trevor, who the empress hates due to his barbaric behavior back then, many were thinking whether I have lost my mind.
"I am sorry, baroness. It looks like you are being criticized because of me"
"Don't be. It is not like I care what other people think about me. What's more, the fact that they find you unpleasant means that the nobles in the empire are either blind or stupid"
"Ahahaha!"
Sir Aiden bursted into laughter which caught the attention of some nobles.
Curious, the empress ask him why he laugh so suddenly. He then whispered to her majesty the reason and laugh as well as the two look at me.
I suppose he was paying close attention to me now.
"Still, won't it be bad for you if they think badly about you?"
Naturally, but what they don't know is that, despite being hated by the empress because of prince Trevor's behavior back then, the empress still acknowledge the prince as he is highly known warrior, the best knight of Chejada.
If it the imperial family did not have the trait of having super physical abilities, prince Diego wouldn't be able to beat prince Trevor. Statistically, he would win about seven out of fifty tries. That shows how great of a knight he is.
"I won't say this again, your highness, so listen carefully. Do not underestimate yourself. No matter what other people think of you, stand tall with your chin up high. Letting such remarks get ahead of you is the same thing as undermining the things you have achieve so far"
He faintly smiled at me showing that he was both thankful about the fact that someone thinks highly of him and the fact that he was being supported by someone who is supposed to be overwhelm about the situation.
"Thank you. I really mean it"
"If you are thankful, make sure to drop the honorifics. I will also do the same"
The song ended once more.
Thankfully, I am wearing low heels, I would be killing myself had I wore high heels.
"Baroness, I-"
"Will you have a dance with me, baroness?"
Huh? Why is the pope asking me for a dance?