18 - Innocence
Morning sunlight poured gently across the grand veranda of the Vernon estate.
Tables draped in pale ivory cloth had been arranged in careful rows beneath blooming cherry trees. Porcelain teacups gleamed beside delicate trays of pastries. Servants moved quietly through the garden, refilling cups and adjusting chairs as nobles slowly gathered.
The atmosphere was refined. Elegant. And buzzing with curiosity. Because today, the Vernon family was hosting a tea gathering in honor of the Crown Prince.
Lower-ranking nobles from across Forebros had eagerly accepted the invitation. It was not every day that the heir to the Empire visited their city.
Small groups whispered behind fans.
"Have you seen him yet?"
"They say the Crown Prince is exceptionally handsome."
"I heard he's also terrifyingly intelligent."
"And that knight beside him-what was his name? Leonhard?"
"Yes! The one who can move like a phantom!"
At the center table, Grand Duke Maximus laughed heartily while entertaining several visiting barons. "You honor us with your presence!"
Nearby, Aguerico Vernon stood with his arms crossed, occasionally answering polite greetings from the other nobles. But the true orchestrator of the event stood at the head of the gathering.
Grand Duchess Darelene.
Her posture was elegant as she welcomed each guest with serene composure. Everything about the gathering had been planned carefully. The seating arrangements. The food. The atmosphere. And most importantly, the timing.
Zafiel sat calmly beside her, dressed in dark imperial attire trimmed with silver embroidery. The sunlight filtering through the blossoms cast soft shadows across his face.nHe looked entirely at ease. Leonhard stood quietly a short distance behind him.
Maximus lifted his teacup enthusiastically. "Your Imperial Highness, I hope the accommodations last night were satisfactory!"
Zafiel inclined his head politely. "Very comfortable, Your Excellency."
Maximus beamed. "Excellent! Excellent!"
But as pleasant conversation continued around him, Zafiel's eyes occasionally drifted toward the estate doors. Darelene noticed. Of course she did. Her gaze followed his for a moment before returning to the guests. "... she is late," he said softly.
Darelene sipped her tea. "Deliberately."
Zafiel's lips curved faintly. "I suspected as much."
Across the garden, several nobles whispered quietly. "Isn't the Vernon princess attending?"
"I heard she rarely appears at social gatherings."
"They say she's quite... spirited."
"Spirited?" another lady muttered. "That's a generous description."
Aguerico overheard and snorted quietly.
Meanwhile-
Inside the estate. Chaos. Pure chaos. Three maids were currently attempting to restrain Mariana long enough to finish dressing her.
Mariana twisted around in the chair. "Mother cannot be serious."
"She was very serious, Your Grace," one maid replied nervously.
Another carefully adjusted the ribbons on Mariana's dress. "Grand Duchess Darelene specifically ordered this gown."
Mariana looked down at herself. "... this is a saintess dress."
The gown was soft ivory silk, layered with delicate embroidery resembling holy lilies. The sleeves were light and flowing. The neckline modest. The entire design radiated one specific message. Innocence. Purity. Virtue.
Mariana stared at her reflection in the mirror like it had personally betrayed her. "I look like a church painting."
The maid behind her coughed politely. "That was... somewhat the intention.
Mariana groaned. "And why is my hair braided like this?"
Another maid replied cautiously. "Her Grace said it would highlight your... gentleness."
Mariana stared blankly at the mirror. "... my what?"
No one answered.
After another minute of final adjustments, the maids stepped back. "There."
Mariana stood reluctantly. She barely recognized the girl in the mirror. Her golden hair had been braided loosely over one shoulder with small pearl pins. The ivory dress made her appear almost ethereal in the morning light.
Mariana sighed deeply. "Mother is declaring war."
Then one maid added carefully, "Also... His Imperial Highness is already present."
Mariana froze. "... already?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
Mariana turned slowly toward the door. "... wonderful."
---
Back in the garden.
The conversation paused when the estate doors opened. Nearly every noble present turned instinctively. Mariana stepped outside.
For a moment, the entire garden went silent. The whispers stopped. Even the wind through the cherry blossoms seemed to pause. Because the woman stepping into the garden looked nothing like the rumors people had whispered about for years. Mariana walked slowly down the stone path.
Her ivory gown moved softly with each step. Sunlight caught the gold of her hair. She looked calm. Gentle. Almost shy. Exactly as Darelene had intended.
Several nobles stared in stunned silence.
"That's... Mariana Cherustine la Vernon?"
"I thought she was supposed to be unruly."
"She looks like a saint."
Darelene watched the reactions calmly.
Yes. This would work perfectly.
Meanwhile-
Zafiel had stopped moving entirely. His eyes were fixed on Mariana. Leonhard noticed immediately. Because the Crown Prince had not blinked once since she stepped into the garden.
Mariana approached the main table and curtsied politely. "Your Imperial Highness."
Zafiel did not answer immediately.
Instead, he smiled. Not the polite diplomatic smile he had worn all morning. But something softer. Warmer. Leonhard raised an eyebrow slightly. Because he had seen that smile only a few times before.
Zafiel finally spoke. "... Grand Princess Mariana." His voice carried quiet satisfaction.
Mariana glanced up briefly.
Their eyes met. For a fraction of a second, something passed between them. Recognition. Curiosity. And something far older than either of them acknowledged.
Zafiel leaned back slightly in his chair. He studied her carefully. The golden hair. The calm expression. The very same girl who had sprinted away from the Grand Basilica disguised as a maid.
His smile deepened just a little. "... I have been waiting to meet you."
Mariana blinked. "... waiting?"
Zafiel lifted his teacup calmly. "For many years."
Across the table, Darelene quietly observed everything.
And for the first time that morning, she began to suspect something.
Because that smile on the Crown Prince's face.
.. was not the smile of a man meeting a political fiancée.
It was the smile of someone who had just found exactly what he had been searching for.