69 - Dress
For a moment, the world felt too small.
Too quiet.
Too centered around him.
Mariana stood frozen where she was, her pulse still uneven from his words—you’ll go nowhere but me. It echoed in her chest, tangled with her own stubborn resolve.
No. Absolutely not.
She refused to let that become reality. But before she could even gather her thoughts again, Zafiel moved. Slow. Unhurried. Like he had all the time in the world. "There’s something you should know.” He said quietly.
Mariana stiffened slightly. “Wha-What now…?”
His gaze dropped briefly—to the necklace.
Her hand instinctively followed.
“The necklace,” he continued, voice calm, almost conversational, “isn’t ordinary.”
“I figured..." She muttered dryly. “Considering I can’t take it off like a normal person.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “That’s intentional.”
Her brows furrowed. “Wha-What do you... mean…?”
Zafiel stepped just a little closer—not enough to invade her space, but enough that his presence felt… undeniable. "I had it modified.”
“… modified?”
“Yes.” His tone was steady. “By the best craftsman I could find.”
Mariana blinked.
Wait... wait wait wait...
Her stomach dropped. “Wha-What kind of modification…?” she asked slowly.
Zafiel didn’t hesitate. “It cannot be removed by normal means.”
“… I already noticed that.”
“Nor by magic.”
Her breath hitched. “… what?”
His gaze met hers again. Unwavering. “No external mana interference will unlock it. Not yours. Not anyone else’s.”
Silence.
Mariana’s fingers tightened around the pendant.
So even if I become stronger… even if I master magic… even if I reached Archmage level… it won’t come off??
A cold realization crept in. “That’s insane…” she whispered.
Zafiel didn’t deny it. “And…” he added.
Her heart sank further.
There’s more?!
“There’s a tracking mechanism embedded within it.”
Mariana’s entire body froze. “… excuse me?”
“It allows me to know where you are.” His voice remained calm. “At all times.”
Silence. Complete. Utter.
Her brain stopped working. “… twenty-four… seven...?” She asked faintly.
“Yes.”
And just like that, something snapped. “THA-THAT’S INSANE...!” She burst out, finally losing composure. “THAT’S NOT NORMAL...! THAT’S... THAT’S—”
“Effective.”
“IT’S TERRIFYING...!”
“I know.”
“That’s not something to be proud of...!”
Zafiel simply watched her. Calm. Unbothered. Almost… patient. Like he was watching something he found endearing rather than alarming.
Mariana took a step back, clutching the necklace.
“You... You put a tracking device on me...?!” she continued, her voice dropping into disbelief. “Without my permission...?!”
“Yes.”
“W-WHY ARE YOU SO CASUAL ABOUT THIS...?!”
“Because it’s necessary.”
Her eye twitched. “Necessary…?” She repeated.
Zafiel nodded once. “You’re a target.”
“I know that...!”
“And you disappear.”
“Tha-That was one time...!”
“It will not be the last.”
Mariana opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. No argument came out. Because annoyingly, frustratingly, he wasn’t entirely wrong.
But still—
“That doesn’t justify this...!” She shot back.
“It does for me.”
Silence.
Her fists clenched.
God, he’s impossible…!
For a moment, she genuinely considered trying to rip the necklace off right then and there. But she already knew it wouldn’t work. And that only made it worse.
Zafiel watched her quietly, then unexpectedl, his expression softened. "Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what...?”
“Like I’ve done something unforgivable.”
Mariana stared at him. “You literally did...!”
A pause. Then, surprisingly, “… maybe.” That caught her off guard. Because that was the closest thing to an admission she’d heard from him. But before she could respond, he continued. “I’ll send something to your villa later.”
She blinked. “… what?”
“A gift.”
“… I don’t want it.”
“You’ll receive it anyway.”
“Of course I will…” She muttered, defeated.
Zafiel stepped closer again. And before she could react, se leaned in. Soft. Deliberate. His lips brushed against her cheek. Warm. Lingering. Final.
Mariana froze completely. Her brain shut down. Her heart stopped. Restarted. Exploded.
And just like that, he stepped back. As if nothing had happened. “I’ll see you tonight." He said calmly. And then, he turned. And walked away. Leaving her there. Standing. Frozen. Processing absolutely nothing.
Three seconds passed. Five. Ten. Her hand slowly lifted. Touching her cheek. The exact spot where—
“… he just…” Silence. Then, “WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH HIM...?!” She screamed in a whisper.
Her face burned. Her entire body heated up. Her thoughts spiraled into chaos.
THAT WAS UNNECESSARY...! THAT WAS COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY...!! WHO DOES THAT...?! WHO JUST... JUST... KISSES SOMEONE LIKE THAT AND WALKS AWAY LIKE IT’S NOTHING...?!
She stomped lightly in place, flustered beyond reason.
“Unbelievable…! Absolutely unbelievable…!” Her fingers tightened around the necklace again. “… crazy yandere prince…” She muttered under her breath. And yet, her heart was still racing. Still. “Get it together…” She whispered, closing her eyes briefly.
Focus. Focus! You have a plan. Saintess. Archmage. Power. Influence. That’s your way out.
She exhaled slowly. Steadying herself. “I-I’m not losing to him...” She muttered. And with that, she turned. And walked back toward the gazebo.
---
By the time Mariana returned, the atmosphere had shifted again. Quieter. Calmer. But not unaware.
Empress Lilith’s gaze flickered briefly toward her. Then subtly, to her son’s empty seat. Then back to Mariana. She said nothing. But she already knew. Of course she did.
Darelene, too, noticed the faint flush on her daughter’s face. But like Lilith, she chose silence. For now. “You’re back.” She said gently.
“Yes…” Mariana replied, sitting down quickly, avoiding eye contact.
Lilith set her teacup down. “It’s getting late.” She said smoothly.
Darelene nodded. “Yes. We should return. The banquet is tonight.”
Mariana blinked.
Right... the banquet.
She had almost forgotten.
Lilith smiled faintly. “Rest well before then,” she added. “You’ll need your strength.”
Something about the way she said it felt… meaningful.
Mariana nodded slowly. “… yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”
They rose shortly after. Farewells were exchanged. Warm. Polite. But layered with unspoken understanding.
---
Head Maid Rani led them through the palace once more. Silent. Efficient. Until they reached the imperial gates. And there, a familiar figure stood waiting. Tall. Imposing. Unmistakable.
“Father!” Mariana called instinctively.
Grand Duke Maximus turned.
And the moment she saw him she ran. Without hesitation. Without restraint. Straight into his arms. He caught her easily. “… Mariana.”
Her grip tightened slightly. For a moment, everything felt normal again. Safe. Grounded. “I missed you…” she muttered softly.
A brief pause. Then, his hand rested on her head. "I can see that.”
Darelene watched quietly. Relieved. Because no matter how complicated things became, this remained unchanged.
---
The ride back to the villa was quieter. Heavier. Everyone lost in their own thoughts. And when they arrived, something was waiting. Right in the center of the living room.
Mariana blinked. “What is... that…?”
It was a dress. No, not just a dress. A masterpiece. Flowing fabric in shades of deep violet fading into pure white at the hem. A mermaid silhouette. Elegant. Refined. The lower half adorned with layered ruffles that cascaded like soft waves.
Golden embroidery traced intricate patterns across the bodice—spider lilies. Delicate. Beautiful. Dangerous. Pearls were woven seamlessly into the design, catching the light with every subtle movement.
It was breathtaking. And unmistakably intentional.
“Do-Don’t tell me…” Mariana whispered.
From the side, a voice spoke. Annoyed. Flat. “It’s from him.”
Mariana turned.
Grand Prince Aguerico stood there, arms crossed, expression irritated. “The Crown Prince.” He added.
Silence filled the room.
Mariana stared at the dress. Then at the necklace. Then back at the dress. Her eye twitched. “… of course it is.”