Natalia was pleasantly surprised when her father allowed her to stay back in the house, telling the servants to clean up her room for her. If she had known in her past life it was this easy, she would've come back years ago. Of course, the change could be attributed to Sebastian's contribution, which was something that never happened in her past life. Her father was a stubborn man and normally would turn her back from the gate but he didn't ask why she was there and just allowed her to stay for as long as she liked.
Count Selene's party soon rolled around and Natalia was escorted by the strangely excited Sebastian. She was dolled up more that day since the servants were excited to see her again and went over and beyond to make her look more beautiful. Their squeals of joy whenever they addressed her as Grand Duchess nearly deafened her but she was glad they were happy.
"So, why are you so excited?"
"Did you hear of the plague in the north?"
"Yes, I did"
In her past life, the plague happened a while before she got married. It took time for news of the plague to reach the capital since the messengers all kept dying but the king finally learnt of it and sent magicians from the church of Ducroft but no one was able to find a solution to the plague for several years. Eventually, it became a bigger problem, especially with the war going on. The reason why the saintess became so popular was because she was the only one able to find solution to the plague.
"There's no reason to be excited about a plague"
"There is if there's a cure to be found so suddenly to such a devastating event"
".....cure?"
"Count Selene contacted me a few days ago and told me about a young magician with healing powers that could rival that of the legend. With the help of her powers, the kingdom has been able to contain and resolve the plague. Count Selene is introducing her in this event"
"Sebastian, can you tell me what this young magician's name is?"
"Hmm, He said her name is Adelie Grayson, the second daughter of Baron Grayson. They're a family of magicians with fairy blood, I hear"
Fairy blood. No wonder it was so easy for her to make a contract with the Fairy mother in the past. Humans with fairy blood were rare. They had a closer connection to Fairies but this also applied to every other non-human race. It was also why she was able to contact the king of dragons.
"I hear she's being contacted by the church. There's talk about her being the saintess. I'm interested in meeting her"
"Finally interested in meeting a woman?"
"I'm not meeting her as a woman. I'm meeting her as a competent magician"
"Sure, sure. But I want you to know that if you get interested in her as a woman after meeting her that she isn't as simple as she looks. Someone that's going to become the saintess is definitely going to an enemy of ours"
"You're right. That's why I'm going to meet her as a fellow magician"
"I'm glad you understand, brother"
The carriage stopped in front of the mansion with open doors. Sebastian helped her disembark, holding her hands as they walked into the mansion. By the entrance was a pleased elderly man standing with his wife, looking a bit excited as the Adamantine siblings walked up to them.
"We greet the Grand Duchess"
"It's nice to see you again, Count Selene, Countess Selene"
"I feel the same way. So, where's the young magician?"
"You seem very excited, Bastian" Countess Selene chuckled.
"Of course, aunt Chloe. It's the first time I've seen someone with such magnitude of raw magic, except my sister of course"
"If only you can get over your sister complex, you can find yourself a wife"
"I will forever worship the ground my sister walks on, Count Selene"
"Sure, sure. Let's go in. The party has already started and the special guests like yourself have only just arrived"
The four of them walked into the building with bustling music and people dancing merrily. It was always a pleasure to walk into any of the parties organized by Count Selene, regardless of political affiliation.
"It was only out of obligation but the Grand Duke didn't come?" Countess Selene asked as they made their way in.
"The Grand Duke is busy with official matters. It was unavoidable"
"If you're here to represent the Grand Duke, then I'm sure it would be fine. You are after all, the flower of the capital"
"Now that I'm a married woman, that title cannot apply to me"
"You are our treasure, Natalia. The reason you're so revered, even above the princesses and most noble ladies in the kingdom is because you are a very strong woman with a kind heart and a good head to go with it"
"I'm always grateful for your compliments, Lady Chloe"
"Ah, she's already here. Lord Adamantine, Duchess Kristen, I want you to meet the current runner for Saintess, Lady Adelie Grayson"
Natalia felt a shiver run up her spine as the lady walked up behind them in a gray hood and a robe that extended to cover her feet. She lowered the hood to reveal a delicate face with a small nose and perfectly puckered lips. Her blue eyes seemed to draw people in and she made an innocent impression with her long green hair, a native trait of the fairies.
"It's a pleasure to meet the only Grand Duchess of the kingdom"
"It's…..a pleasure to meet the impressive young magician and the savior of our kingdom. May your ancestors guide your way"
"...you know the greeting of my family" she smiled warmly. Natalia felt sick to her stomach. It was the same as when they first met. It was on the battlefield and she was coated with blood. She looked harmless even then but with one look, the seasoned general could find something off with the saintess.