After some silence, Haizea once again took reign of the conversation. “Please forgive me for being so blunt, but have you perchance fallen in love with Prince Kai?”

Eh, What?

Did… Did she just…?

Fall in love? Me? With Prince Kai? Wha…?

“…Pardon?” I stared at the girl in front of me, dumbfounded.

Nani the hell did she just say?!

Trying my best to at least control my expression, I managed to show a stiff but passable smile. “I have only met his highness Kai Reigieren today. If we were to talk about someone I would be in love with, wouldn’t my dear elder brother be a more accurate topic?”

I would rather be known as a brocon at this rate…

Haizea’s topaz orbs slightly widened. “If your elder brother fell in love with someone else, how would you react?”

What…? Him falling in love is his business not mine though? Why is she asking these kinds of questions?

Confused, I answered Haizea’s question honestly. “Whoever he falls in love with is his business. As long as his relationship with that person does not have a huge negative impact on him, myself or my family then I would accept that person as family.”

Hearing my answer, Haizea’s expression changed to a pensive one and she began to mumble to herself. “Huh…? Based on the story’s official timeline, isn’t Velloa supposed to be in love with Prince Kai right now?”

“Eh? ‘Official timeline’?” I repeated in surprise and bewilderment.

Haizea’s body noticeably jumped after hearing my reaction. “Oh my, please don’t mind my words and forgive me for being rude.” She quickly said in a terse tone.

‘Official timeline’ is what she said, right? There’s no mistaking it. Is she a reincarnator too? If so, as a self-aware side but major character, whose side is she on?

“The first question you asked, why would you assume such a thing? Would it be wrong of me to fall in love with his highness? After all, at least regarding the political side of things, wouldn’t I be a suitable marriage candidate for his highness?” I decided to push and test her.

I could see Haizea nervously sweating at my words. “No! I was merely curious! The both of you seemed to be quite friendly despite his initial cold attitude towards others, so I was wondering if the two of you shared a special relationship…” Her ringlet-styled side ponytail bounced as she anxiously spoke.

Good excuse, but I’m not going to give up on our little interrogation just yet…

“But why were you so curious about me being in love? Especially when it came to my reaction to my dear brother one day finding a partner? Also, you mentioned this ‘official timeline’, what is that? And why would such a thing mention anything about me and his highness?” I shot out question after question and I could see Haizea further break into cold sweat at each query.

“I- I…” Her gaze swam about as her internal panic leaked out.

Trying to keep a firm and stern stance, I straightened up as I folded my arms. “Please go ahead and explain.”

After a visible gap of silence, Haizea broke down with a downtrodden sigh. “You wouldn’t believe me though…”

Oh? It looks like she’ll spill the beans…

“This is the world of Gaea, there are a plethora of things that exist which would seem unbelievable.” I urged her.

With upturned eyes filled with apprehension, she spoke in a low voice. “I have memories of a past life…”

WELL, LOOK WHAT WE HAVE HERE!

“In this past life, there existed this… ‘story’ as a work of fiction, and in this story, it described a world much like Gaea.” Haizea paused to look at me, most likely trying to gauge my thoughts and reaction, but through sheer willpower I was able to keep a straight face. Seeing that I was still interested, she gulped and continued speaking.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I also didn’t miss the way she said the word ‘story’.

“This story was one about romance, and it focused on certain individuals in the country of Ogygia.”

I raised a question in order to further urge Haizea to explain. “So, you’re entailing that this tale from your past life’s memories involves his highness and I?”

Haizea nodded. “Yes, and it was called ‘Hera: Captured Hearts’. It was a popular story that had Prince Kai, your brother, Dmitri Hammond and my younger brother Zephyr as its protagonists.”

My eyes widened. There’s no mistaking it, this person is a reincarnator too and one who knows about either the ‘Hera: Captured Hearts’ game or anime… Or maybe even both.

“And so, what is my role in this tale? I can assume that I’ve had some significance to this story’s plot, otherwise you would not have mumbled about the ‘original timeline’ before.” I already knew the answer, but I needed to know if she was someone I could trust.

I watched as Haizea’s topaz gaze swam about. “W-well, a-about that…” She stuttered.

I hardened my gaze, this was her no so literal do or die moment. Whilst Velloa does have the villainess role, it’s clear to see that she wasn’t an ultimately bad character, especially in the anime where the harem route was basically taken.

Gulping down her nervousness, she finally continued. “You are the main female protagonist’s adversary…”

Oh~ what a nice way to word ‘stalking horse’, ‘cucker’, ‘privileged rival’ - the list can go on.

Not quite liking my silence, Haizea spoke up once again. “You haven’t met her yet since the story is set at Yohso Academy, but even though my character was set to be the female protagonist’s friend, I hope you understand that I am on your side!”

I really want to give in, but not just yet…

“And what makes you think that I can fully trust your words? Who’s to say and guarantee that this is not some large plot of yours to betray me once this so-called protagonist appears?” I uttered my final questions to her.

Haizea’s side ringlet bounced as she suddenly dropped to her knees and clasped her hands together in this world’s version of a kowtow. “In my previous life, I had a best friend who believed your future self suffered an injustice. In honour of that person who, despite all my strange qualities, stayed as my precious friend - I swear on this life and the previous one that I mean you no harm and only wish the best for you!”

Wait, I know that there were 8 billion people in Earth, but… Wow… Fate must be working hard in this world…

“Two lives and you still haven’t stopped that bad mumbling habit of yours.” Haizea’s eyes widened at my words. “You really need to learn to keep your thoughts inside that weird brain of yours.” I took her clasped hands and pulled her up.

The caramel haired girl’s mouth flapped open and shut like one of those saloon doors in an old west movie. “…No way.” With a gasp, she grasped both of my palms. “Two lives and you still troll people with that angry glare and voice!”

After a brief pause, we suddenly burst into laughter and hugged each other with beaming smiles.

“Omigawd! I can’t believe you! I thought I was about to be sent into some mental asylum!” Haizea wiped away the small tears that gathered at the corner of her eyes.

“You know how Velloa ends up! What makes you think I could trust anyone who was supposed to be on Ariana’s side!” I lightly chastised.

With a light-hearted sigh, Haizea made a sarcastic expression. “Yeah, that’s true. If I were you, I wouldn’t have bothered showing up to this place.” After a moment of calmness, her tone changed to a serious one. “Hey, how much of your previous life do you remember?”

With a bitter smile, I told her the truth. “I have memories up to the last night we ended our playthrough of the game. I have memories, but… No specific details of who or even where I specifically was on Earth. Not even a name, let alone a face.”

“The same goes for me…” Haizea’s topaz gaze was downcast. “I don’t get it, why here? Why us? Why even have those memories? My character is literally a tutorial guide, what’s the significance of this? Or is there even any significance at all?”

I frowned. This old friend of mine was an unusual one, but she definitely had better questions and priorities than I did. I may have thought these things, but I only tossed them aside since I was scared and decided to distract myself with the harem route that the MC might take…

“I have no idea, sorry…”

Haizea nodded with a helpless expression. “No, don’t be. These bodies are only seven years old. We can’t even leave our homes without an escort or two.”

“I doubt that we can leave our homes at all without an escort. We’re a part of noble households, Haizea. No matter what age, we’ll always have to be watched over.”

“Ah, that’s right…”

Hooking an arm through Haizea’s left arm, I turned us back to the palace building. “Speaking of us being noble children. I think we should be heading back soon.”

At my words, Haizea gave me a cheesy smile that gave me a strong sense of nostalgia. “You’re right, we have lots of time to discuss this and more.”

Turning my gaze to where we were going, I spotted Cain down the hall. Good thing we ended our conversation right there. I may have been joking earlier, but I might not be wrong about fate working its wonders in this world…

Spotting Cain’s approaching figure, Haizea began to speak teasingly. “Velloa may have gotten the unfortunate villain role, but you sure got lucky. Seriously, before the MC even appears you get a first taste of her har-” I cut her off with an incredibly tight squeeze to her arm.

“Cain! I made a new friend!”

He’s literally a spy in training, I really hope he didn’t catch any of Haizea’s weird ramblings.

Giving the both of us a gentle expression, he spoke. “That’s good to hear, Velloa.” He turned his sparkly gaze to Haizea. “My name is Cain Alvar, Velloa’s current elemental instructor. I hope that you take good care of my precious student.”

Visibly flustered, she could only stutter out a reply. “A-ah, yesh! Of c-course!”

Ah, she bit her tongue.

----------CHAPTER END----------