19 - Suspicion
For a brief moment after the Crown Prince's words, the entire garden remained silent.
"... I have been waiting to meet you."
The statement drifted gently through the cherry blossoms like a quiet ripple across still water. Several nobles gasped softly. Others exchanged excited glances. Mariana, however-blink. She blinked once. Then again. "... waiting?" she repeated slowly.
Her mind immediately began calculating.
Years? What years??
She had been in this world for barely over a week.
Ten days, if she counted the first few where she had spent most of her time locked in her room panicking about transmigration, divine artifacts, and the sudden expectation that she behave like a proper noblewoman.
Waiting years is mathematically impossible.
Mariana stared at the Crown Prince more carefully. Zafiel's posture was relaxed in his chair, one arm resting lightly against the armrest while he held his teacup. His dark hair shifted slightly in the breeze, but his eyes had not left her. Not even once.
A faint shiver ran down Mariana's spine. It wasn't the look of someone admiring a beautiful woman. It wasn't even the curiosity of someone intrigued by rumors.
No, that gaze was far too focused. Too deliberate. Too certain. As if he had just confirmed something. Mariana's instincts screamed quietly inside her mind.
Danger.
Around them, however, the nobles had drawn entirely different conclusions.
One lady whispered behind her fan, "Did you see that smile?"
"He must be enchanted already."
"Well, the Vernon princess does look radiant today."
"Ah, young love..."
At the main table, Maximus Vernon was gripping his teacup so tightly it nearly cracked. His brows slowly lowered as he watched the Crown Prince continue staring at his daughter.
Maximus had spent decades navigating the imperial court. He knew predators when he saw them. And the man sitting across from Mariana looked far too pleased. Absolutely not. Inside his mind, a protective father was already raising an army.
He is not taking my daughter that easily.
Meanwhile-
Darelene was thinking about something entirely different. Her gaze shifted thoughtfully between the two young nobles. The engagement agreement between their families had existed for years.
But until today, it had been little more than a political arrangement quietly waiting for the right time. Now, however, the Crown Prince's open interest had changed the entire dynamic. Darelene tapped her teacup lightly.
If Zafiel truly intended to pursue Mariana seriously, the engagement might need to be formally announced much sooner than planned. That would have significant consequences within the imperial court.
And within the Church. Especially now that Mariana had inadvertently revealed herself as the Saintess. Her eyes flickered briefly toward her daughter again.
The Saintess and the future Empress... The Church would not remain quiet about such a combination.
But before any of those matters could be addressed, Mariana finally sat down across from the Crown Prince. Her posture was graceful. Her expression composed.
Inside her mind, however, why is he staring like that?
She reached for her teacup carefully, hoping the motion would break the tension. It did not. Zafiel watched the movement with the same quiet focus. Mariana took a sip. Still staring. Another sip. Still staring. Why is he still staring?
Leonhard stood silently nearby, observing the situation with mild interest. After years of serving the Crown Prince, he had become familiar with Zafiel's habits. And right now, His Imperial Highness looked entertained. Dangerously entertained.
Mariana finally set her cup down. "... Your Imperial Highness."
"Yes?"
"Is there something on my face?"
Several nobles gasped softly at the direct question. Maximus nearly choked on his tea.
Mariana!
But Zafiel only smiled faintly. "No."
Mariana raised an eyebrow slightly. "... then why are you looking at me like that?"
The entire garden leaned closer without realizing it.
Zafiel tilted his head just a little. His gaze softened. "Because," he said quietly, "you are exactly as interesting as I expected."
Mariana froze for half a second. Expected? There was that word again. Her mind raced.
Had the original Mariana interacted with him before? Maybe through letters? Or at some distant court event?
But the memories she had inherited from this body contained nothing significant about the Crown Prince.
Which meant... Either her memory was incomplete. Or something else was happening. Mariana studied his expression again. The smile was polite. Charming. Perfectly suited for a Crown Prince greeting a noble lady.
But his eyes... His eyes were still searching her face carefully. Like someone examining a rare artifact. Mariana suppressed another shiver.
Yep, definitely dangerous.
Across the table, Maximus cleared his throat loudly. "Ahem."
Zafiel looked toward him. "Yes, Your Excellency?"
Maximus forced a diplomatic smile. "My daughter can be... somewhat unusual."
Mariana turned slowly. "Father."
Maximus ignored her. "I hope Your Imperial Highness will not be too surprised by her behavior."
Zafiel chuckled softly. "I would be disappointed if she were ordinary."
Maximus' eye twitched.
Wolf. That was the only word in his mind right now. A charming, well-dressed wolf sitting at his tea table. And that wolf was clearly very interested in his only daughter.
Darelene noticed her husband's growing irritation and spoke smoothly before the tension could escalate.
"I am pleased to see that Your Imperial Highness and Mariana are getting along."
Zafiel glanced briefly toward her. Then back to Mariana. "Yes." His voice was calm, but certain. "Very well."
Mariana felt that shiver again. Around them, the nobles had already begun whispering excitedly.
"The Crown Prince is clearly captivated."
"Did you see the way he smiled?"
"They look wonderful together."
Maximus resisted the urge to flip the entire tea table.
Meanwhile-
Mariana slowly realized something important. Everyone else thought the Crown Prince had just fallen in love at first sight.
But that was not what she had seen. Not even close. That look in Zafiel's eyes had not been sudden attraction. It had been recognition. As if he had already been searching for something. And had just found it.
Mariana lifted her teacup again slowly.
Great, so the future emperor is either suspicious of me...
She glanced briefly at him. Zafiel was still smiling calmly.
...or he knows something I definitely don't.
Neither possibility made her feel better.