21 - Gift
The tea gathering continued beneath the drifting cherry blossoms.
Polite laughter filled the garden. Porcelain cups clinked. Nobles spoke in gentle tones while exchanging the usual compliments about weather, trade routes, and flower gardens.
To most observers, the event looked perfectly pleasant. Mariana, however, still felt the faint chill crawling up her spine.
She lifted her teacup again, pretending to listen to the noblewoman beside her. The lady was enthusiastically describing the rare lilies cultivated in her estate greenhouse.
"Yes... fascinating," Mariana murmured politely.
But her thoughts were elsewhere. Because every few moments, she could feel it.
That gaze...
Mariana subtly glanced across the table.
Zafiel was speaking to a visiting viscount, nodding thoughtfully at whatever the man was saying.
Yet somehow, his eyes drifted back to her again.
Not constantly. Not enough to appear improper.
But just enough that Mariana's instincts kept whispering the same warning.
Danger.
She still did not know why. She simply knew that something about the Crown Prince felt... unsettling. Not hostile. Not threatening. Just... too focused. Mariana suppressed a quiet sigh.
Maybe I'm imagining things.
Just as she reached for another pastry, two figures suddenly appeared beside her chair.
"Mariana."
She looked up. Aguerico stood on her left. And beside him was her second brother, Alistair.
Mariana blinked. "... what are you two doing here?"
Aguerico crossed his arms casually. "We came to find you."
Alistair smiled lightly. "We have something for you."
Mariana tilted her head. "A gift?"
Aguerico nodded. "In your room."
Mariana's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?" The sudden brightness in her expression caught both brothers slightly off guard. She clasped her hands together happily. "Thank you!"
Aguerico blinked. "... you're welcome."
Alistair coughed into his fist.
That had been easier than expected.
Mariana immediately turned toward the table. "Mother, Father," she said politely, rising from her chair. "My brothers have something they wish to show me. May I be excused for a moment?"
Darelene observed the three of them carefully. She immediately understood what the boys were attempting. Her lips curved faintly. "... of course."
Maximus also realized the plan. And silently approved.
Excellent, remove her from the wolf's sight.
Mariana curtsied politely to the guests. "Please excuse me."
Several nobles nodded pleasantly. "Of course, Grand Princess Mariana."
"Do enjoy your gift."
Mariana beamed at her brothers before walking back toward the estate. Aguerico and Alistair exchanged quick glances.
Success.
They had removed her from the Crown Prince's immediate attention. Mission accomplished. Or so they thought.
Because the moment Mariana disappeared through the garden door, Zafiel set down his teacup. Leonhard noticed immediately. The Crown Prince rose smoothly from his chair.
"I will take a brief walk through the estate gardens," he said calmly.
Maximus' eyes widened.
Oh no you don't.
The Grand Duke was already half rising from his chair. "Your Imperial Highness-" But before he could finish, a hand lightly touched his sleeve. Maximus froze.
Darelene. She was still smiling politely at the guests. But her voice was quiet. "... sit down."
Maximus turned toward her in disbelief. "But-"
"Sit."
It was not a request. The Grand Duke slowly lowered himself back into his chair like a scolded schoolboy.
Across the table, Zafiel inclined his head politely. "Please continue enjoying the tea." And then he walked calmly toward the estate. Leonhard followed at a respectful distance.
Maximus leaned toward his wife urgently. "Darelene!"
"Yes?"
"He's going after her!"
Darelene lifted her teacup. "I know."
"Then why didn't you stop him?!"
Darelene took a slow sip. Because stopping the Crown Prince in front of half the nobility of Forebros would cause far more problems than it solved.
But more importantly, she wanted to see something. Something she had been quietly wondering since the moment Zafiel arrived. Darelene lowered her teacup. "... let us observe first."
Maximus stared at her in horror. "You are letting the wolf follow our daughter."
Darelene's smile remained calm. "Yes."
Inside, however, she was watching very carefully.
---
Meanwhile, inside the estate.
Mariana walked down the familiar hallway toward her wing. The quiet of the castle felt like a blessing after the suffocating politeness of the tea gathering. She stretched her arms slightly. "Finally."
Her brothers had said there was a gift waiting in her room. She was curious. Also relieved.
Because leaving the garden meant escaping that strange tension she kept feeling from the Crown Prince. Mariana reached her door and pushed it open. The room was quiet. Peaceful. Exactly as she had left it.
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "... now then." She looked around. "Where's the gift?" No boxes. No packages. Nothing. Mariana blinked. "... did they forget to bring it?" She sighed and walked toward the window.
Behind her-
The hallway door opened quietly. Footsteps entered the room. Mariana didn't hear them. She was still scanning the room in confusion. "... seriously, what gift?"
A soft voice spoke behind her. "Your brothers appear to have miscalculated."
Mariana froze. Slowly. Very slowly, she turned around. And found Crown Prince Zafiel standing inside her bedroom.