Regardless of Manaka’s status as a saint, Linus was the crown prince of another country. The way she spoke to him went beyond casual and into rude. Listening to the other girl speak almost made Fiona’s stomach knot with tension.
“As well, I don’t remember giving you permission to address me by my name.”
Though Linus had remained all smiles the whole time, an aura of displeasure cloaked him. Or, at least, that’s what it felt like to Fiona.
“Wh-What’s the big deal? You should be happy I even know it.”
“Interesting. So what you’re saying is that by dint of her position, a saint is allowed to address a foreign prince she hardly knows by his given name, even without his permission.”
“E-Exactly.”
Linus’ smile never wavered, but even Manaka sensed she was treading on thin ice, so she dialed down her arrogance slightly. Paul watched the exchange with a disgusted expression, then finally stepped forward in resignation to pull Manaka by the arm.
“Manaka, your disrespect knows no bounds. You, too, are a representative of my nation, and you need to behave accordingly. Don’t you understand our actions affect the relations between Slava and the Kingdom of Gene?”
“Blah blah blah! Can you be any more of a fuddy-duddy?! I’m dancing with Linus!”
The second Manaka screeched like a child throwing a tantrum, magic burst around them. The flowers decorating a nearby table wilted and decayed, and the dry, withered petals fell. Murmurs rose in the air as the sudden change caused by her scream caused a stir.
“While the Saint of Abundance has the power to encourage plants to grow plentifully, she can also do the opposite.”
Paul explained, his eyes aggravated as he stared at the dead flowers. The simpleness of his statement did nothing to undermine the terror of her power. Fiona realized the situation was much graver than she thought, and a chill ran down her spine. Because she finally understood the meaning of the contract Charles had mentioned. Summoning a saint from another world didn’t guarantee benefits for the country that did so. On the contrary, if such power was misused, it would be a catastrophe. Which was precisely why a contract needed to be formed at the time of summoning.
Frowning, Linus shifted his gaze from the dead flowers to Manaka, who seemed to be on the verge of exploding in fury again.
“At this rate, she’ll kill all the flowers in the ballroom, and we can’t have that happen… Fiona, forgive me, but I’ll be right back.”
He gently patted her head, then took Manaka’s hand and led her to the dance floor. Despite coming from another world, the girl danced fairly well. It made Fiona feel a bit embarrassed over her own awkward dancing.
“I’m terribly sorry, Saint of Cost Performance. Please allow me to escort you in exchange.”
“No, thank you. I’m fine on my own.”
She didn’t want to cause trouble for Paul, nor was she in the mood to dance. However, the flaxen-haired, handsome young man smiled sheepishly.
“If I’m being honest, I’m exhausted from babysitting her, and I desperately need a break from the mind-numbing conversations with the young ladies here. So I have a feeling no one will bother us if I escort you.”
Even the mischievous smile on his face enhanced his good looks. Were all princes such handsome young men?
“Oh, I see now. You’d like to rest. Very well.”
Fiona could understand becoming tired when one had to accompany the likes of Manaka. Though he was a prince, Paul was forced to bear such a heavy burden.
“Addressing you as the Saint of Cost Performance is a bit of a mouthful, not to mention overly stiff. Would you mind if I call you Fiona?”
“You may address me as you wish, Your Highness.”
“Then will you call me by my name as well?”
“No, I cannot be so discourteous.”
As ignorant as she was of high society’s mores, even Fiona knew it was rude to address a foreign prince by his given name. Even if it technically wasn’t a problem because Paul himself had given her permission, the mental strain was too much for her, so she didn’t want to give in.
“May I ask how you refer to Prince Linus?”
“As ‘His Highness.’”
“Then, it would be quite interesting indeed if you called me by name, hm… But I won’t coerce you.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Paul smiled in response to her words.
“Yes, I do appreciate how honest and charming you are.”
“Charming… Then do you as well have a preference for black hair, Your Highness?”
It was a shocking truth. Perhaps there was something in royal bloodlines that made their progeny obsess with black hair.
“I confess, I’m a bit lost by the topic, but I’m willing to indulge you. While black hair is lovely, that has nothing to do with your personal charm, Fiona.”
She froze, her eyes wide. Paul tilted his head in confusion at the sight.
“Is something wrong?”
“Oh, um, no, not at all. I’m simply not used to being told that, so I was just surprised.”
“Don’t tell me Prince Linus doesn’t shower you with such compliments to the point you grow weary of them?”
She found it strange to hear him describe it as if it was natural to become fed up with the words, but she couldn’t deny Linus did often say similar things.
“His Highness’ flattery is akin to a daily greeting, so I’m sure there isn’t any deep meaning to them.”
When Linus and Charles often said she was “adorable,” Fiona knew they meant it as “our little girl is the cutest.” They saw her less as a woman and more as a younger sister and daughter, respectively. She might even go so far as to say that the way they doted on her was closer to how they’d treat a flower or a pet.
Except Paul burst out laughing, clutching his stomach when he heard that.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise? Despite wearing that dress and those jewels, you don’t understand Prince Linus’ words at all. You are an absolute delight.”
As he wiped his tears away, still chuckling, Fiona wondered what exactly was so funny.
“You’re lovely, Fiona. That includes your black hair, of course, and your beautiful eyes. Frankly, you’re a vision in that dress.”
“Huh? Oh, um, thank you very much.”
Unused to such compliments, she unwittingly stumbled over her reply. Paul laughed again in response.
“Since we may not have another opportunity, won’t you dance with me? One song is all I ask.”
“I’m originally a priestess and a commoner, so I can’t dance very well…”
Then, she recalled Linus’ words buried in the back of her mind.
“Fiona, at times like this, you’re supposed to say, ‘It would be my pleasure’ with a pretty blush on your cheeks.”
In the face of a foreign prince who had made an effort to interact with her and even now politely stretched his hand out, seeking a turn on the dance floor, would it be embarrassing of her to refuse? It was either that or stepping on his feet constantly while they danced, and she couldn’t decide which of the two was ruder.
But if she took Linus’ words into account, then for now, the normal thing to do would be exactly as he had suggested. Accept the invitation with a “It would be my pleasure.” Making herself blush was too difficult, so she chose not to. Right now, Fiona could only manage one hurdle at a time.
“Um, it would be my…”
“Paul, stop bothering Fiona.”