They entered the ballroom together, bathed in candlelight. Veronica ignored the stares and whispers as she entered the ballroom with Rhenvar.
"So, do you see her?" Rhenvar asked. "Your rival who stole your man in the last life?"
Veronica's eyes scanned the crowd. "I do. But there's a problem; she's not alone. There's a girl with her. Someone I don't recognize."
"We did change things, ruined the book's plot. Butterfly effect ya know?"
I still don't believe we're in a romance novel. Such a ridiculous thought.
"But hey," Rhenvar said with a grin. "Good thing your knight in shadowy armor is charming as hell. I'll peel the friend away."
Veronica scoffed. "With that commoner look? Please, Sir Var, you'd be lucky to marry a commoner."
"Pfft, I was engaged to a princess, for your information, and it's Rhenvar ya goof."
"And yet you still look like you were forged in a cave." She let her eyes linger on him. "Though I will admit, you look tolerable in that suit. Almost handsome."
Rhenvar stood still.
Don't act weird again.
"Everything ok?" She asked.
He only laughed. "I just feel naked. Do you know how rare it is for me to be out of armor in hostile territory?"
I'll admit that armor doesn't fit his personality. This man reminds me of a jester. I'll tease him a little.
"So, you got no experience with the ladies, huh?" She smirked. "If you were such a womanizer, you'd feel naked wearing armor at a ball."
"Whatever. Bitch…"
"Oh, don't act surprised. You already know how venomous I can be."
"Yeah, you fucking poisoned me after the blessing assessment. I shit for hours."
"Well, you wanted to taste my blood, Rhenvar." She chuckled.
"And it was delicious. Anyways, remember the plan; you befriend the princess. Win her trust, bring her to our side."
"Standing on business, are we?" She teased him again. "Did you drink before we came?"
"Of course I did. I'm buzzed as hell. Makes this place almost tolerable."
"Gods above…" Veronica rubbed her temples. "Alright. Once the music starts, you pull the unknown girl into a dance. That'll give me time to speak with the princess. She's from another kingdom and a social outcast here. If I befriend her, it will help her reputation in my kingdom's high society."
"Teamwork makes the dream work. I'm weirdly into this," Rhenvar said. "You poison people, like me. I dance with some cute mystery girl. Fun undercover work in a ballroom."
"At least you're focused." Veronica folded her arms. "The Gods must truly favor me."
The sound of violins filled the air.
"They do. That's why I'm here." He winked. "Let's go."
Rhenvar moved across the ballroom with sharp confidence, bowed with an exaggerated flair and took the girl's hand uninvited. She hesitated, but he spun her into a dance anyway.
That's surprising, he acted like a true noble.
Veronica turned and approached Princess Felicia. "Your Highness," she began smoothly, "I believe we haven't- "
"Oh my GOD! Veronica Venenatus?!" Felicia gasped. "You're even more beautiful in person!!"
Veronica blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I'm such a huge fan! You're my favorite character!"
…What?
"I mean don't worry, I'm not into the Crown Prince," Felicia added quickly, "I know you love him and he loves you. Please don't try to kill me! Let's be friends!"
Veronica stood frozen.
"I- I actually came over to be your friend," she finally said cautiously.
"No, way!" Felicia squealed. "So, this time you're not going to use your elixir blood stuff to poison me?"
Veronica paled.
She knows my blessing… that's impossible.
"Oh wait, sorry, spoiler," Felicia said, covering her mouth. "Forget I said anything."
Gods above, what is going on? There's no way we changed the future this much? How does she know all this?
Veronica couldn't even wrap her head around it.
"Wait- you know the future as well?" She asked.
"Of course I do! Oh my God no way, you regressed, didn't you?!" Felicia's eyes lit up.
"Regressed?"
"Yeah! You died and reset to a younger version of yourself with your memories intact!"
"…That is what happened," Veronica admitted slowly. "You too?"
Felicia beamed. "Not exactly. I got hit by a truck in Aerok and transmigrated into this novel."
"Transmigrated-wait, novel! What's Aerok?"
"Oh boy." Felicia laughed awkwardly. "Okay, you're a regressor. I'm a transmigrator. Two flavors of weird. Got it."
Veronica narrowed her eyes. "Hold on. Calm down. Did you say a novel? Tell me I'm not crazy but were you sent by the Gods too?"
"No? At least I don't think so?"
"Then how do you know I originally poisoned you?"
"Oh, that's because I read the original story. But honestly, I always thought you were misunderstood and treated unfairly. A tragic villainess type, sure yes you killed Felicia, tried to blame Charles, all due to a misunderstanding with Theo…" She lowered her voice. "I was rooting for you though. To be with Prince Theo. Though, the murder part was not cool."
Veronica blinked again. This was not how she expected the conversation to go.
We're getting sidetracked. Focus!
"Listen, got it, you know the future," she said, regaining her composure. "There's going to be an attack, demonic beasts. Do you remember?"
"I do!"
"The man who stole your friend for a dance, his name is Rhenvar. He and I are going to expose the Second Prince and the mage working with him."
"No way! That's exactly what Willow and I were planning!" Felicia turned to glance at the dance floor. "Wait… Rhenvar?" She paused. "Was he from another world too?"
"He was sent by the Gods, yes."
Felicia squinted at the dance floor.
"No way, he's here? And dancing with Willow?!" Her face lit up like a girl reading a steamy romance. "This is amazing! They both don't even realize it? My makeup technique really is flawless!"
Veronica wasn't sure if she should be thrilled or concerned.
Is this girl insane?
"Do they… know each other?" Veronica asked.
"Oh hell yeah they do! Willow is madly in love with Rhen. Like super in love."
"I see…"
Well makes sense. That girl certainly was pretty. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen someone so beautiful.
"Hey, don't tell me you're crushing on Rhen too," Felicia was playing with Veronica's hair.
"I'm not," Veronica slapped her hand away. "Do you at least remember when the beasts attack?"
"Uh…" Felicia tapped her chin. "During the royal toast later. So, we have time."
Ok, I'm starting to believe we are in a romance novel. Or am I just insane? But it doesn't matter. All I know is that Gods are involved. And I intend to change my fate.
"Then let's prepare." Veronica smirked.