25 - Brooch
Evening had begun settling over the Vernon estate.
Servants moved quietly through the corridors lighting wall lanterns. The golden glow spread slowly along the polished marble floors, replacing the fading daylight.
Inside the Grand Duke's study, however, the atmosphere was far less peaceful. Grand Duke Maximus stood behind his desk with his three sons gathered around him. Papers lay scattered across the polished wood as the discussion continued.
"You understand what I mean," Maximus said firmly.
Aguerico leaned against the bookshelf. "We do."
Eirwen nodded. "Mariana doesn't get left alone."
Alistair crossed his arms. "Especially if the Crown Prince is nearby."
Maximus exhaled heavily. "That man is-"
The door suddenly burst open. BANG. All four men turned instantly.
Mariana stood in the doorway, still wearing the ivory dress from the tea party, her golden braid slightly loosened from her earlier panic. Her eyes were narrowed. "Father."
Maximus blinked. "... Mariana?"
She marched straight into the room. "Yes, me."
Her hands landed on the desk. "Where is it?"
Maximus stared. "... where is what?"
"The gift."
Maximus' mind went completely blank. "... gift?"
Mariana pointed accusingly toward her brothers. "They said there was a gift in my room."
All three brothers froze. Aguerico slowly looked at Eirwen. Eirwen slowly looked at Alistair. Alistair looked very interested in the ceiling.
Mariana crossed her arms. "Well?"
Maximus' brain scrambled frantically.
Gift, right.
The boys had clearly used that excuse to remove Mariana from the tea party earlier. Which meant there was no gift. Maximus glanced quickly at his sons. All three of them avoided eye contact with impressive dedication.
Mariana's eyes narrowed further. "... Father."
"Yes?"
"You wouldn't lie to your daughter, would you?" Maximus broke into a cold sweat. Of course he would.
But saying that out loud seemed unwise. "Ah..." His gaze darted around the room desperately. Then something on his desk caught his eye. A small velvet box. Maximus grabbed it instantly. "Of course not!"
He shoved the box toward her. "Here it is!"
Mariana blinked. "... that was fast." She opened the box curiously. Inside lay a silver brooch shaped like a delicate starburst, set with a small blue crystal at its center.
Mariana's eyes widened. "... magic?"
Maximus nodded quickly. "Yes."
That part, at least, was true.
"It's an enchanted artifact," he added. Mariana picked it up carefully. The crystal caught the lantern light and shimmered faintly.
"What does it do?"
Maximus cleared his throat. "It nullifies a certain level of magical force."
Mariana's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?!" Her excitement filled the entire room. Aguerico blinked in mild surprise.
He had never seen his sister look so genuinely delighted. Mariana turned the brooch over in her hands, examining the intricate enchantment runes carved into the silver frame.
"This is amazing!" Her face brightened in a way none of them had expected. "In my-" she stopped herself quickly. "... I mean, I've always been fascinated by magic."
Maximus relaxed slightly.
Good, crisis averted.
"Think of it as... protection," he said.
Mariana immediately fastened the brooch to the front of her dress. "Thank you, Father!" Then she turned and waved cheerfully at her brothers. "Thank you for the gift!"
All three of them stared blankly.
"... you're welcome," Aguerico said slowly.
Mariana smiled brightly. Then she turned and left the study. The door closed behind her. Silence filled the room.
Eirwen looked at his father. "... that worked."
Maximus sank into his chair. "Barely."
Alistair rubbed his forehead. "Next time we invent a gift, we should probably prepare one first."
Aguerico nodded. "Agreed."
---
Meanwhile, Mariana walked happily through the corridor.
The brooch shimmered faintly on her chest. Her fingers brushed over it occasionally as she admired the magic artifact.
Actual enchanted equipment. Her previous life had been painfully normal.
Work. Commutes. Bills. Now she lived in a world where magical items existed.
She couldn't help smiling. "Maybe getting isekai'd isn't completely terrible," she murmured. She turned a corner and collided with someone. "Oof!" Mariana stumbled back slightly. "... sorry-" She froze.
Zafiel stood directly in front of her. The Crown Prince looked down at her calmly. For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Mariana's earlier excitement vanished instantly. "Oh." She took a careful step sideways. "Excuse me." Her plan was simple. Walk away. Quickly. Pretend this conversation never happened.
Unfortunately, she had barely taken two steps when a hand gently caught her wrist. Mariana froze again. Zafiel's grip was firm. But not painful. Just enough to stop her from leaving.
Slowly, she turned back toward him. "... Your Imperial Highness."
Her voice carried forced politeness. Zafiel looked down at her wrist in his hand. Then back at her face.
His expression remained calm. But there was that same focused look in his eyes again, the one that made Mariana uneasy. "You are avoiding me," he said quietly.
Mariana blinked. "... am I?"
"Yes."
She attempted a weak smile. "I was simply returning to my room."
Zafiel tilted his head slightly. "After receiving a gift."
Mariana glanced down at the brooch. Then back up. "... yes."
Zafiel's gaze lingered briefly on the enchanted crystal. Then returned to her eyes. "Interesting choice." Mariana shifted uncomfortably.
"... it was my father's gift."
Zafiel's fingers still held her wrist lightly. His thumb brushed against her pulse. Mariana's heart skipped. Then he spoke again. Softly. "Grand Princess Mariana."
"Yes?"
His eyes studied her carefully. "As I said earlier..." Mariana felt that familiar shiver return. "... welcome." His gaze deepened slightly. "To this world."