61 - Escapade
Luxor did not sleep. Not now. Not with the empire’s 1027th anniversary looming like a second sun over the capital.
From the highest terraces of the noble districts to the narrowest alleys of the lower quarters, the city pulsed with life.
Banners bearing the imperial crest draped across buildings.
Golden threads shimmered beneath morning light.
Street performers practiced routines in open squares while merchants arranged their stalls with almost frantic excitement.
Every noble house prepared for the banquet. Every commoner prepared for the celebration. And in the middle of it all, Mariana stood by the window of their villa, her chin resting on her hand, eyes practically sparkling. “It’s like a festival already...” she whispered.
Behind her, Grand Duchess Darelene observed quietly. “It will only grow livelier as the day progresses.”
Mariana turned slightly, her excitement obvious. “I want to see it!”
Darelene’s gaze softened just a fraction. “After your fittings.”
Mariana deflated. “… the banquet...” she muttered under her breath.
Excited for Luxor? Yes! Excited for the imperial banquet? Absolutely not...
---
That night, the villa fell silent. Servants retired. Guards rotated. The noble household rested.
And in one particular room, Mariana sat upright in bed, fully awake. “I’m going...” she whispered to herself. A pause. “… just a little.”
Famous last words. By dawn, she was already gone.
A neatly folded noble dress lay abandoned on the bed. In its place, a maid’s uniform. Stolen. Borrowed. Temporarily acquired.
“This feels illegal...” Mariana muttered as she adjusted the apron.
Then, a faint shimmer. Space bent. And in the next instant, she vanished.
---
Luxor at sunrise was… breathtaking. The streets were already alive. Vendors setting up stalls. Children running freely. The distant sound of music echoing through open plazas. Lanterns still glowing faintly from the night before.
Mariana stepped into a narrow alley, reappearing with a soft flicker of mana.
“… okay...” she breathed out. “… this is amazing!”
She walked slowly at first, carefully. Observing everything.
Imperial knights patrolled the streets in organized formations, their armor gleaming under the early light. Their presence was… heavier than expected.
“… security’s tight.” she murmured.
Crown Prince Zafiel’s doing, though she didn’t know that yet.
Children darted past her—some clearly noble by their attire, others commoners by their simplicity. Laughing. Playing. Unbothered. Food stalls lined the streets even this early. The scent alone was enough to make her pause.
“… I should eat—no,” she stopped herself. “… control.” She had priorities.
And somehow, those priorities led her to a small building tucked at the corner of a quieter street. A library. Modest. Unassuming. Perfect.
Inside, it was quiet. Peaceful. The kind of quiet Mariana hadn’t realized she missed.
Shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling. Books of every kind filled them—leather-bound, cloth-covered, worn with age or pristine with care.
Mariana stepped in slowly. “… wow…”
Her voice came out softer than she intended. Because to her, this wasn’t just a library. This was a dream.
In her previous life, books had been… limited. Expensive. Or digital. Downloaded PDFs. Read on a screen. Convenient. But not like this. Not real. Not tangible.
Her fingers brushed lightly against the spine of a book. “… I can actually read these…”
She picked one up. Opened it. And smiled.
Behind the counter, an old woman watched her quietly. Cile. She said nothing, only observed. Because she had seen many readers before. But not like this. Not someone who looked at books like they were… treasures.
Hours passed. Mariana didn’t notice. One book became two. Two became five. Five became—
“Wait...” She whispered, blinking. “… how long have I been here?” She glanced toward the window. The sun had risen fully. “Oh no...” And yet, she reached for another book.
“You seem to like romance.”
The voice came from behind her. Calm. Low. Close. Too close.
Mariana froze. Then slowly, “… what?”
She turned. And there he was.
Zafiel Abaddon von Clematis, dressed simply. Like a commoner. But there was no mistaking him. Not with those eyes. Amethyst. Sharp. Watching her.
Mariana’s heart skipped. “… you—”
She didn’t finish. Because in the next moment, he moved. Fast. Too fast. One step. Then another. And suddenly, she was pressed lightly against the shelf behind her. Caged. Not roughly. Not forcefully. But undeniably. Close.
“… yo-you can’t just—”
Zafiel leaned slightly closer. “Sneak out in disguise?” he finished for her.
Mariana blinked. “… that’s not—”
“Not what?” he asked quietly.
She faltered. “… none of your business...”
A pause. Then, “It is.”
Her breath hitched. Because his tone wasn’t mocking. Wasn’t arrogant. It was serious.
Behind them, Cile quietly stood. Smiled faintly. And slipped out of the library. Locking the door behind her.
“Young people...” she muttered, amused.
Back inside, the silence grew heavier. Zafiel’s gaze didn’t leave Mariana.
“You shouldn’t be here alone.” he said.
“I’m fine...”
“No.”The word was immediate. Firm. “You’re not.”
Mariana frowned. “I can handle myself...!”
A faint pause.
“I know.”
That caught her off guard. “… then why—”
“Because it’s not about your strength.” His voice lowered slightly. “It’s about theirs.”
Silence.
Mariana looked at him. Really looked. And what she saw wasn’t the cold, untouchable Crown Prince from the novel.
It wasn’t the terrifying figure who executed nobles without hesitation. It wasn’t the male lead she had expected to avoid. It was... a man. Watching her. Carefully. Seriously.
“… I’ve strengthened security across Luxor,” he continued quietly. “But that doesn’t mean they won’t try.”
Mariana’s heartbeat quickened. “… they?”
“The ones who attempted to take you before.” Silence. “I won’t let that happen again.”
Her breath caught.
Because there was no arrogance in his voice. No pride. No dominance. Just genuine concern. Raw. Unfiltered. And for some reason, that scared her more.
“… why?” she asked softly.
Zafiel didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his hand lifted, slowly. Carefully. And he took a small strand of her hair. Twirled it lightly around his finger. His gaze softened. “Because you’re mine to protect.”
Mariana’s heart slammed against her chest. “… that’s—”
“Selfish?” he offered.
“… yes.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “I know.” He leaned closer. Just enough that his breath brushed against her ear. “… then brace yourself.”
Her body went still.
“… because I don’t let go of what’s mine.” His voice dropped to a whisper. Low. Dangerous. “… and if something tries to take you…” A pause. “… I will destroy it.”
Silence. Heavy. Electric.
Mariana looked up at him. And for the first time, she didn’t see the story. Didn’t see the role. Didn’t see the “male lead.” She saw someone who meant every word.
And that realization made her heart race even faster. Because this wasn’t part of the novel anymore. This... was real.