72 - Vow
The moment their feet touched the center of the ballroom, the atmosphere shifted. It wasn’t subtle. It was absolute.
The musicians, as if guided by an unspoken command, softened their melody. The tempo slowed—gentler, more intimate. The kind of music meant not for grand displays, but for something far more personal.
Mariana noticed immediately. “W-Why did it slow down…?” She whispered under her breath, though she already had a terrible feeling she knew the answer.
Zafiel did not respond. Instead, his hand at her waist adjusted—just slightly—but enough to pull her closer. Closer. Too close. Her breath hitched.
“Wa-Wait—” She started, instinctively trying to create distance, but his hold remained. Not rough. Never rough. But firm. Unyielding. Like a boundary she couldn’t cross no matter how gently she pushed.
“Stay.” He murmured.
And somehow, that one word carried more weight than any force could.
Mariana’s fingers curled slightly against his shoulder, her body betraying her as it adjusted to the rhythm he led. She wanted to step back. She really did.
But he didn’t let her. And worse, her heart refused to cooperate. It kept beating faster. Louder. Traitorously.
From the sidelines, Grand Prince Eirwen’s eyes narrowed.
He had been watching from the moment Zafiel pulled her into that dance. Watching the way Mariana stiffened. The way her shoulders tensed. The way she tried—subtly, carefully—to create distance. And failed.
His jaw tightened. He took a step forward. Only to be stopped. “Mother?” He muttered, glancing down slightly.
Grand Duchess Darelene stood beside him, her hand lightly gripping his arm. Not forceful. But enough. “Not here.” She said quietly.
Eirwen frowned. “He’s—”
“I know.” her voice was calm. Too calm. “But making a scene will only worsen things.”
His gaze flickered back to Mariana. To the way she was being held. “I don’t like this...” He muttered.
“Neither do I.” Darelene replied.
And yet, neither of them moved. Because they couldn’t. Not without consequences.
At the elevated platform, two figures observed in silence. Empress Lilith. And beside her, Emperor Consort Belial.
Lilith’s gaze remained steady on the dance floor, her expression unreadable. But her fingers, resting lightly against her fan, tightened ever so slightly.
“He didn’t even wait...” She murmured under her breath.
Belial let out a quiet scoff. “That boy…” He muttered. “He’s worse than I ever was.”
Lilith glanced at him briefly. “You’re not wrong.” There was a pause. Then, softer, “Poor child.”
Because no matter how composed Mariana appeared, Lilith could see it. The tension. The confusion. The way her body responded despite herself.
Back on the dance floor, Zafiel’s gaze never left Mariana. Not once. Not even for a second. “You wore it.” He said quietly.
Mariana blinked. “Wha—”
“The dress.” He clarified.
Her face immediately heated up. “I-I didn’t have a choice…!” She muttered.
“You did.”
“I didn’t…!”
“You could have refused.”
“And start a political incident??” She shot back under her breath.
A faint smile touched his lips. “It suits you.” He said. Her breath caught. “I know,” he added softly, his gaze lowering just slightly—to take her in fully. “I had it made with you in mind.”
Mariana’s heart skipped. Again.
Unfair…!
She looked away slightly, unable to hold his gaze. “You’re saying things like that again…”
“I mean them.”
“Sto—”
“I’m looking forward to our future meetings.”
Her voice caught in her throat.
Future… meetings?
Her grip on his shoulder tightened slightly.
Then, “Also…” His tone shifted. Still soft. Still calm. But colder. Sharper. “Don’t talk to other men.”
Silence.
Mariana blinked. “What...?”
Zafiel’s gaze didn’t waver. “Anyone else.” He clarified.
Her brows furrowed. “Excuse me??”
“If you do…” his voice dropped slightly, almost thoughtful, “… they might not see the light of day again.”
Her entire body stilled. A shiver ran down her spine. That wasn’t a joke. That wasn’t exaggeration. That was real.
“Yo-You’re insane…” She whispered.
“Maybe.”
“That’s not normal…!”
“I’m not normal.” That answer came too easily. Too honestly. Her heartbeat spiked again—not just from fluster now, but from something else entirely. Danger. And yet, “I’m not sharing you with anyone.” He continued, his tone quieter now. “That much won’t change.”
Her breath hitched.
Why does that sound like a vow…? No... no, don’t think like that... Don’t get affected. Don’t—
“I’ll let you do anything you want.” He added suddenly.
Mariana blinked, caught off guard. “Wha-What?”
“Anything.” he repeated. “Go wherever you want. Speak to whoever you want.” A pause. Then, “Just don’t cheat on me.”
Her brain stopped. “Wha-What kind of logic is that?!”
“Simple logic.”
“It’s not simple, it... it doesn’t even make sense...!”
“At the end of the day,” he continued calmly, cutting through her protest, “you’ll still be mine.”
That was it. That was the line. Something snapped. Mariana’s gaze sharpened. “No.” The word came out firm. Clear. Unwavering.
Zafiel stilled. “No?” He repeated softly.
“I won’t be yours.” she said, her voice steady now despite the racing of her heart. “Not now. Not ever.”
The air around them shifted. Subtly. Dangerously.
“I don’t care how powerful you are,” she continued, her grip tightening. “I don’t care if you’re the Crown Prince. I don’t care if I have to drag every influential figure in this empire to stand against you.” Her eyes locked onto his. “I will not give up my freedom.”
Silence. The music continued. The dance didn’t stop. But everything else paused.
For a moment, Zafiel said nothing. He simply looked at her. Really looked. And then, he smiled softly. “You haven’t changed.”
Mariana blinked. “Wha-What...?”
“That personality.” he murmured. “That stubbornness.” His gaze softened. “That’s one of the reasons I can’t give you away to anyone.”
Her breath caught.
Wait... give away…? What does that—
Before she could process it, he leaned closer. Too close. His lips near her ear. His breath brushing against the sensitive skin of her neck.
Mariana’s entire body reacted instantly. Her face flushed. Heat rushed up her spine. Her gaze dropped instinctively.
But, his fingers moved gently. Firmly. Tilting her chin upward. Forcing her to meet his eyes again. “Don’t look away.” He murmured.
Her heart was going to explode.
Up close...! Too close...!
His gaze was overwhelming. Intense. Unavoidable. And there was something in it, something that made her feel like she was being seen completely.
“Look at me.” He said softly.
She did. She couldn’t not.
And in that moment, Zafiel smiled again. Not teasing. Not mocking. But something far more dangerous. “You’re beautiful like this.”
Mariana’s breath caught. Her face burned. Her thoughts scattered completely. And worst of all, her heart refused to calm down. Even now. Even after everything he said. Even after everything she declared. It still beat for him. Fast. Unsteady. Uncontrollable.
“Thi-This is bad…” She muttered faintly.
Because if this continued, if she kept reacting like this, then her plan, her resolve, everything might not be enough.