45 - Dance
Morning sunlight poured gently through the tall windows of the Vernon estate.
Birds chirped in the gardens outside. Servants moved quietly through the hallways, beginning their daily routines. For most people in the estate, the day started calmly. For Mariana, however, it started with chaos.
A young maid burst into her room, barely containing her excitement. "Your Highness! Your Highness!"
Mariana groaned and buried her face deeper into the pillow. "Mmm... five more minutes..."
But the maid was already shaking her shoulder. "Your Highness, please wake up! There's important news!"
That phrase alone forced Mariana's eyes open.
Important news?
Her brain immediately panicked.
Did Zafiel come back?
She shot upright in bed. "What happened?!"
The maid blinked at the sudden energy. "Ah-well-" She clasped her hands happily. "His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince has been summoned back to the capital by Her Imperial Majesty!"
Mariana froze. "... what?"
The maid nodded enthusiastically. "He left the northern territory at dawn yesterday! The news arrived early this morning!"
For three seconds, Mariana simply stared at her. Her brain slowly processed the sentence.
Crown Prince... summoned... back to Luxor...
Then her eyes widened. "... HE'S GONE?"
The maid jumped slightly. "Ye-Yes, Your Highness!"
Mariana threw the blankets aside so fast they flew halfway across the bed. "HE'S GONE!"
The maid blinked. "... yes?"
Mariana grabbed the maid's hands dramatically. "You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"The Crown Prince went back to the capital?"
"Yes!"
"Not just visiting somewhere nearby?"
"No!"
"Not secretly lurking behind a pillar?"
"... no...?"
Mariana collapsed back onto the bed in relief. "Oh thank the heavens..." She covered her face with both hands. "I'm free..."
The maid tilted her head. "... free?"
Before Mariana could explain, another maid appeared at the doorway. "Oh! Your Highness, I was looking for you."
Mariana immediately sat up again. "What now?!"
The second maid curtsied politely. "Her Grace, the Grand Duchess, has requested that you come to her study."
Mariana froze. "... Mother?"
"Yes." The maid smiled. "She said there is further news regarding the Crown Prince."
Mariana's eyes widened.
Further news?
Her brain immediately began hoping.
Please let it be good...!
Without another word, she jumped out of bed. Still wearing her nightgown. Still barefoot. And ran out of the room.
The maids stared after her. "... should we stop her?"
"... probably."
But Mariana was already halfway down the hallway.
---
Inside the Grand Duchess's study, Grand Duchess Darelene was calmly reviewing several letters when the door suddenly burst open. "MOTHER!"
Darelene looked up. Just in time to see her daughter rush into the room like a small hurricane. Barefoot. Nightgown slightly wrinkled. Hair still messy from sleep. Darelene blinked. "... Mariana?"
Mariana rushed to the desk. "I heard the Crown Prince went back to Luxor!"
Darelene slowly set her quill down. "Yes."
Mariana leaned forward urgently. "And?"
Darelene raised an eyebrow.
"And...?" Mariana's eyes sparkled with desperate hope. "... is he staying there forever?"
Darelene sighed softly. "My dear child, that is unlikely."
Mariana visibly deflated.
"But," Darelene continued calmly, "there is additional news."
Mariana immediately straightened again. "Yes?!"
Darelene folded her hands. "The Empress has assigned the Crown Prince a mission."
Mariana leaned closer. "What kind of mission?"
Darelene's lips curved slightly. "A rather distant one."
Mariana blinked. "... distant?"
"Yes." Darelene calmly delivered the final piece of information. "The Crown Prince has been sent to investigate a coup forming in the far southern provinces of the Empire."
Silence. Mariana processed the sentence.
Far... southern... provinces...
Her brain slowly visualized the map of the Empire. Forebros. In the far north. The southern provinces. On the complete opposite side of the continent.
Her eyes widened. "... that's..." Her voice trembled slightly. "... the farthest possible place from here."
Darelene nodded calmly. "Yes."
For a moment, Mariana stood completely still. Then suddenly, she jumped. "YES!"
Darelene blinked.
Mariana spun in a circle.
Then she raised her arms and began doing a small, extremely enthusiastic dance. It involved hopping. Clapping. And something suspiciously similar to a celebratory victory shuffle from her previous world. "Yes yes yes yes YES!"
Darelene stared.
Mariana spun again. "The far south!" Hop. "The FAR south!" Clap clap. "Thank you, Empress Lilith!" Spin. "Best ruler ever!" Hop.
Darelene blinked again. Her daughter continued dancing. Completely forgetting she was in a noble study. Still wearing her nightgown. Barefoot.
Darelene slowly leaned back in her chair. "... Mariana."
The dancing stopped. Mariana froze mid-pose. "...yes, Mother?"
Darelene looked at her carefully. "... are you feeling well?"
Mariana slowly lowered her arms. "Yes."
"Truly?"
"Yes!"
Darelene tilted her head. "... then why were you dancing like that?"
Mariana opened her mouth. Paused. Closed it again. Because explaining "celebrating the removal of my terrifying future fiancé who was sent to the opposite side of the continent" felt slightly impolite.
"... I was just happy."
Darelene raised one eyebrow. "Happy?"
"Yes! Extremely happy."
Darelene studied her daughter for a moment. Then she sighed quietly. "Well." She picked up another letter from her desk. "I suppose that reaction is understandable."
Mariana blinked. "... it is?"
Darelene nodded. "The Crown Prince has a... reputation."
Mariana nodded vigorously. "Yes! Yes he does!"
Darelene glanced at her again. "... still." Her expression softened slightly. "Perhaps avoid celebrating quite so enthusiastically in front of the court."
Mariana coughed. "... of course."
Darelene smiled faintly.
Meanwhile-
Mariana's thoughts were celebrating wildly.
HE'S GONE. TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EMPIRE. FREEDOM.
For the first time since arriving in this world, the terrifying Crown Prince Zafiel was nowhere near her. And Mariana felt like she could finally breathe again.
Unfortunately-
Very far away in the southern territories, a certain Crown Prince was already traveling toward his destination. Completely unaware that the girl he intended to marry had just celebrated his departure with a victory dance.