22 - Confirmation
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Mariana stood near the window, the afternoon sunlight framing her ivory dress. Across the room, Zafiel stood just inside the doorway as though he had always belonged there. The quiet between them felt strangely heavy. Mariana's mind, however, had already exploded into chaos.
Why is he here?!
Her heart lurched violently in her chest as every memory she had about the Crown Prince resurfaced at once.
The tyrant of the Empire. That was the title whispered in the original story.
Zafiel Abaddon Morrigan von Clematis.
A ruler feared by the nobility, ruthless toward corruption, merciless toward betrayal. The aristocracy trembled at his judgments. And yet, the common people revered him. Because he punished injustice without exception. No matter the rank. No matter the name.
A man like that was not someone Mariana wanted staring at her inside her bedroom.
Instinctively, she took a step back. Zafiel noticed immediately.
His gaze lowered briefly to the distance she had created between them. Then he looked back at her. "... you are afraid." It was not a question.
Mariana stiffened. "... should I not be?" Her voice was quieter than she intended.
Zafiel did not answer immediately.
Instead, he studied her expression carefully. Not the polished noblewoman she had presented during the tea party-but the unguarded version standing before him now. The wariness in her eyes. The tension in her shoulders. The unmistakable alertness of someone who felt cornered.
After a moment, Zafiel spoke again. "...
I see." His tone remained calm. But Mariana did not relax.
Because his eyes had sharpened slightly.
Like someone confirming a suspicion. Then he said something that made her blood run cold.
"Allow me to welcome you." He took a slow step forward. "To this world."
Mariana froze. The air vanished from her lungs. Her heart slammed violently against her ribs.
What?
Her fingers trembled slightly at her sides. Because those words those words did not sound like a polite greeting. They sounded like recognition. Like he knew something.
Something impossible. Her mind raced frantically. Arrival. He had said arrival. The shiver returned, stronger this time. Because there was only one arrival that mattered. Her own.
The moment she had opened her eyes in this unfamiliar world. The moment she had realized she had been isekai'd. Her thoughts spiraled.
How could he know that? Did he just guess? Is he testing me? Or worse-does he actually know?
Mariana's instincts screamed again.
Danger.
Her breathing quickened. The Crown Prince took another slow step forward. Not threatening. Not aggressive. But deliberate. Like someone approaching a skittish animal.
"... you seem surprised," Zafiel said quietly.
Mariana snapped. "Stay there...!" Her voice came out sharper than she intended.
Zafiel stopped. His expression did not change. But the faintest hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. Which somehow made the situation worse. Mariana's thoughts were now sprinting in panic.
He knows something. He definitely knows something.
And if the tyrant of the empire discovered she wasn't truly the original Mariana... That she was an outsider inside this body... The consequences were impossible to predict.
Nope, absolutely not.
Her survival instincts made the decision for her. Without another word, Mariana rushed toward the door. Zafiel watched the movement calmly. He did not try to stop her. The door flew open. Mariana practically shoved him out into the hallway.
Then-SLAM. The door closed directly in his face. The sound echoed down the corridor. Inside the room, Mariana leaned against the door immediately. Her heart was pounding so loudly she could hear it.
"... breathe." She pressed a hand over her chest. "In... out..."
Slowly, she forced herself to calm down. Her mind replayed the conversation again.
Allow me to welcome you... to this world.
Mariana squeezed her eyes shut. "... there's no way." Maybe he had meant something else. Maybe she was overthinking it. Maybe, her heart was still racing. "... nope."
That had not sounded like a coincidence.
Meanwhile-
Outside the door, Zafiel stood silently for a moment. He looked down at the closed door. Then he chuckled softly.
Leonhard, who had been waiting quietly down the hallway, raised an eyebrow.
"Your Imperial Highness?"
Zafiel turned calmly and began walking back toward the garden. "I believe," he said mildly, "I frightened her."
Leonhard considered that statement. "... that seems accurate." They walked together through the quiet corridors. "Shall I remain nearby?" Leonhard asked.
Zafiel shook his head. "No." His expression returned to its usual calm composure. "Not yet."
By the time they reached the garden again, the tea gathering was still in full swing. Nobles were chatting. Cherry blossoms continued drifting through the air. Maximus immediately noticed the Crown Prince returning alone. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Where is Mariana?
Zafiel resumed his seat as though nothing unusual had occurred.
Darelene observed him carefully. "... did you enjoy your walk, Your Imperial Highness?"
Zafiel lifted his teacup. "Very much." His eyes drifted briefly toward the estate. And his smile returned.
Because the reaction he had just seen had confirmed something very important. Something he had suspected for a long time. And now, he was certain. The girl hiding behind that bedroom door was not quite the same person everyone believed her to be.