65 - Gazebo
The tension inside the villa did not ease. If anything, it settled deeper into the walls—quiet, suffocating, waiting.
Mariana had barely changed out of the maid uniform when a knock came at the door. Soft. Precise.
“Enter." Called Grand Duchess Darelene.
A maid stepped in, bowing respectfully, holding a silver tray. Atop it—an envelope sealed in deep violet wax. Imperial.
Darelene’s eyes sharpened slightly. “From the palace?” she asked.
“Yes, Your Grace. Delivered with urgency.”
Darelene took the letter without another word.
Mariana, standing nearby, instinctively straightened. Even without opening it, the atmosphere shifted again. Heavier. More serious.
Darelene broke the seal. Her eyes scanned the contents once. Then again. And slowly… her expression softened.
“It’s from Her Imperial Majesty.” she said.
Mariana blinked. “The Empress...?”
Empress Lilith.
Darelene nodded faintly. “She asks after our well-being.” That alone was already significant. The Empress did not send personal letters lightly. “She also…” Darelene paused briefly, “… invites us to visit her before the banquet.”
Silence.
Mariana felt her stomach drop slightly. “Before the banquet...?” She repeated.
“Yes.”
That meant today. Soon. Very soon.
Darelene folded the letter carefully. Her decision came instantly. “We will accept.” Of course they would. Refusing was not an option. “Prepare appropriate attire.” She instructed calmly.
The maids moved immediately. “Yes, Your Grace.”
“I’m coming with you.” The voice was firm. Grand Prince Eirwen stood near the doorway, arms crossed, gaze steady.
Darelene turned to him. “No.”
Eirwen frowned. “Mother—”
“You will remain here.” Silence. “To await your father,” she continued. “And your brothers.”
Grand Duke Maximus. And the other Grand Princes.
Eirwen’s jaw tightened slightly. “With all due respect, that is precisely why I should—”
“No.” The word was quiet. But final. Darelene’s gaze did not waver. “The villa must not be left unattended by someone of authority.” she said calmly. “And if your father arrives in our absence, he must be informed immediately.”
Eirwen exhaled slowly. He understood. He didn’t like it. But he understood. “… fine.” He muttered. His gaze flicked briefly to Mariana. “Be careful.” He added.
Mariana nodded faintly. “… I will.”
---
The journey to the imperial palace was nothing like the streets of Luxor. Where the city had been lively, chaotic, full of color, the palace was controlled. Perfect. Every step measured. Every guard precise.
Mariana sat beside Darelene in the carriage, hands resting neatly on her lap.
Her dress had been changed—something elegant, refined. And carefully designed to conceal the necklace. Still, she could feel it. The faint weight against her skin. The reminder.
“… I don’t like this…” she muttered internally.
Darelene glanced at her briefly. “Nervous?”
“… yes.”
“Good.”
Mariana blinked. “… what?”
“It means you understand the gravity of where we are going.”
That… did not help... at all...
The carriage came to a smooth stop. The doors opened. And the imperial palace rose before them. Massive. Magnificent. Overwhelming. Mariana stepped out slowly, trying not to stare too much.
“This is insane…” she whispered under her breath.
Even in her past life, nothing compared to this.
They were led through the palace without delay. Servants bowed. Knights stepped aside. Everything moved like a perfectly orchestrated machine.
Until, they reached a quieter part of the palace. A garden. At its center, a white marble gazebo streaked faintly with violet. Elegant. Serene Waiting.
“This way, Your Grace.” The voice belonged to a woman walking ahead of them. The Head Maid. Rani. Her posture was flawless. Her steps silent. She stopped just before the gazebo. “Her Imperial Majesty awaits.”
Darelene stepped forward. Mariana followed.
And there, seated gracefully within the gazebo was the Empress. Empress Lilith. She looked up. And immediately, she smiled. Not the cold, distant smile of a ruler. But something warmer.
“… Darelene.”
She stood. And without hesitation, she walked forward and embraced her. Darelene returned it just as naturally.
“It’s been a while.” Lilith said softly.
“It has.”
They pulled back.
And then, Lilith’s gaze shifted to Mariana. For a brief moment, she simply looked at her. Studied her. And then, her expression softened even further. “So this is her.”
Mariana froze slightly. “… Your Imperial Majesty.” she greeted, bowing politely.
Lilith waved a hand lightly. “No need to be so formal.”
Then, to Mariana’s complete surprise, she reached out and gently took her hands. “You’ve grown beautifully.”
Mariana blinked. “Thank you…?”
Why does this feel like meeting a very affectionate aunt?
“Come,” Lilith said warmly. “Sit.”
They did. Tea was already prepared. Everything was calm. Peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
Lilith lifted her teacup gracefully. Then, as if remembering something. “Rani.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Inform the Crown Prince to—” Before she could finish—
“That won’t be necessary.”
The voice came from behind. Mariana froze. Her entire body stiffened. Because she recognized that voice immediately. Slowly, very slowly, she turned.
And there he was. Crown Prince Zafiel. Standing casually at the entrance of the gazebo. As if he had always been there.
Mariana’s face exploded in heat. Her mind instantly replayed the library. The closeness. The necklace. The almost—
Nope. Nope. Stop. Stop thinking...!
Her posture snapped straight. Her thoughts spiraled.
Why is he here?! Why now?! Why does he look so calm?! Does he remember—OF COURSE HE REMEMBERS—WHY AM I HERE—
She was internally screaming. Outwardly, perfectly still.
Darelene noticed. Of course she did. But before she could react—
Lilith’s gaze shifted. Sharp. Precise. It landed exactly where it needed to. On Mariana’s neckline. The place where the necklace was hidden. Or rather, not hidden well enough.
Silence fell. And then, slowly, Lilith turned her head toward her son. Her eyes blazed. “… Zafiel.”
It was just his name. But it carried weight. Danger. Understanding. Zafiel met her gaze. For exactly one second.
Then, he looked away casually. As if nothing was wrong. As if he hadn’t just committed something extremely questionable. Because technically, he had. He stole it from the Imperial Treasury.
Lilith’s fingers tightened slightly around her teacup. “You—”
She stopped herself.Because Darelene was here. Because Mariana was here. Because this was not the place. But her gaze said everything.
Explain later.
Zafiel remained silent. Unbothered. Or at least, appearing to be.
Meanwhile, Mariana sat there, dying internally.
They know... they definitely know...! I’m going to disappear...! I’m going to evaporate...! I’m never leaving this gazebo alive...!
And yet, despite everything, her hand unconsciously lifted. Resting lightly over the hidden necklace. And for some reason, her heart started racing again.