When Mia got warmed up to her shoulders and was feeling more comfortable.
[By the way, Princess Mia. Did you know an entrance party is going to be held the day after tomorrow?]
Rafina asked.
[Entrance party? I didn't know...]
Mia tilted her head.
She doesn't remember hearing about something like that. Not now nor in the previous timeline.
What on earth? Mia's question was solved shortly after.
[It is a dance party to welcome the new stutends, in case you didn't know. I thought someone had invited you do dance already.]
As soon as she heard the word "dance", lightning ran down on her spine!
(That is right! I've completely erased that awful time from my memory!)
In the previous timeline, Mia thought she was going to date Prince Sion.
Because of that, she took for granted he would invite her to dance and she told everyone around her that it was the case.
So, on the day of the party, she went through hell.
After all, Prince Sion had no intention of inviting her. But because she said it in advance, no one would invite her either.
Around the end of the party, some people finally noticed her alone and approached her, but they were all familiar faces from her own country.
They all had concerned, troubled smiles on their faces, so, Mia's pride didn't allow her to accept the offer.
In the end, Mia was force to enjoy a lonesome night.
(Ah! I don't want to go through that again!)
Fortunately, she didn't lie about having a dance promise with Sion this time. There is certainly someone interested in inviting her... Maybe.... Probably.
(Please let there be...)
Mia fainthearted lets out a prayer before shaking her head abruptly.
(You can't be that weak. Besides, this is a great opportunity to build connections!)
Yes. There are two goals Mia set for herself.
The first is to avoid making connections with dangerous people. And the second is to make connections with people who can help her.
The first already went downhill. But it is just the beginning for the second. I want to actively look for opportunities.
In the past, Mia tried to win over the top bachelor in the world. Sion Saul Sankland.
After all, Sion is handsome and his smile is very refreshing.
Furthermore, there were no match for his swordmanship. Not even his seniors, let alone his classmates.
In tournaments, he bravely confronts his opponents, even if they are bigger than him. But he is usually kind and gentle , so, there is nothing to complain there.
At least, that is what Mia thought.
.... It was a huge mistake.
Mia, who was guillotineed because of him, though not directly, knew his personality was false (That's how it works in Mia's mind)
That said, regardless of his personality, it was impossible for her to take the first prince as a husband to begin with.
There is no way Mia, the only heir to the Tearmoon empire would be sent to marry abroad. And it is very unlikely the Kingdom of Sunkland would send their first prince to marry matrilineally.
(Rather, the right target to aim for shouldn't have that much of a chance of inheriting the throne. Something like a second prince or lower.)
While she was thinking about it, one person came to her mind.
The Tearmoon Empire and the Kingdom of Sunkland. while not as large as those two first-class nations, there is another nation, relatively large among the middle-class ones, boasting substantial military power.
Moreover, although it is a little far from the Tearmoon Empire, it is located on the opposite side of the Kingdom of Sunkland.
The country is called the Kingdom of Remno.
And fortunately, Abel Ramno, the second prince of the kingdom, is a classmate of Mia.
If Abel was to marry her, or at least become a lover, she would be able to ask for reinforcements when the Kindom of Sankland attacks.
This way, they could go for a pincer attack.
(I was planning on approaching him slowly after school started, but it seems that is no longer possible!)
As soon as they left the public bath and entered their room, Mia said to Anne:
[We are having a strategy meeting! Anne, I'm mobilizing all of your knowledge about love and romance.]
Upon hearing Mia's words, Anne quickly straightened her posture.
[I undertand, Mia-sama. I, Anne, will devote all my energy and wisdom to you.]
Mia nodded satisfactorily to the enthusiastic reply.
..... Mia didn't know.
That Anne's knowledge, which she was relying on, came entirely from the romance novels written by her sister.
She never imagined that Anne, who is five years older than her, was a novice in romance who hasn't even had her first love yet...
She didn't even imagine...
[I will be counting on you, Anne. I feel like I have an army of 10,000 troops by my side.]
The 10,000 troops are nothing more than paper mache, however.