95 - Library
The balcony doors slid open with a soft sound. Zafiel stepped back inside as if nothing had happened, his expression calm—almost amused—as Mariana stood there in the dress he had prepared.
It fit perfectly. Of course it did.
Mariana crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her face still flushed from a mix of embarrassment and irritation. “You’re unbelievable,” she muttered. “Seriously, what kind of stalker-level nonsense is this…?”
Zafiel didn’t respond to that. Instead, he walked toward her slowly, his gaze sweeping over her—not in a crude way, but in a quiet, assessing manner. Then he nodded once, satisfied. “It suits you.”
“That’s not the point…!” She snapped, but her voice lacked its earlier bite.
Because despite everything… it did suit her. And that annoyed her even more.
“Come here.” Zafiel said, gesturing lightly toward the bed.
Mariana stiffened immediately. “Why??” Suspicion laced her tone.
“Your hair.” He answered simply.
She hesitated. Her instincts screamed at her not to listen, not to obey—but at the same time… it was just fixing her hair, right?
Right? Don't misunderstand anything. It doesn't mean anything but how it is.
“Fi-Fine.” She muttered reluctantly, walking toward the bed like someone approaching a trap she was fully aware of.
She sat down stiffly, her back straight, shoulders tense. Zafiel moved behind her. For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then she felt it. A gentle tug. Mariana flinched slightly, her hands instinctively gripping the fabric of her dress as Zafiel began combing her hair.
“… huh?”
The sensation was… unexpectedly gentle. No pulling. No roughness. Just slow, careful strokes, the comb gliding through her hair with surprising ease.
Mariana blinked. Her shoulders, tense just moments ago, slowly began to loosen. “What…” She murmured under her breath.
Zafiel said nothing at first, simply continuing, methodical and calm. The rhythm was steady. Almost soothing.
Mariana hated how… relaxing it felt. Her eyes softened slightly despite herself. “This is... weird…” She muttered quietly.
“And yet,” Zafiel replied, his voice low behind her, “you’re not stopping me.”
She froze. "Shu-Shut up.”
But she didn’t move. The comb slid through her hair again. Silence settled between them—not suffocating like before, but… quieter. Heavier in a different way.
After a while, Zafiel spoke again. “I’ll show you many things.”
Mariana blinked, her thoughts pulling away from the strange calm. “What things?”
“Things you’ll like.”
Her brows furrowed slightly. “And how are you so sure about that?”
A pause. Then, simply, “Because I’ve seen it.”
She frowned. “That’s not an explanation.”
“It’s enough.”
Mariana turned her head slightly, trying to glance back at him, her golden eyes narrowing. “You’re being vague on purpose, aren’t you??”
Zafiel met her gaze briefly, then gently guided her head forward again. “Sit still.”
Her eye twitched. “I am sitting still…!” But she complied anyway.
He gathered a portion of her hair, tying it loosely—half up, leaving the rest to fall naturally down her back. It was simple. Elegant. Exactly the kind of style she would’ve chosen herself.
“Again..." She muttered under her breath.
“What?” Zafiel asked.
“… nothing.” A pause. Then, quieter this time, almost reluctant, Mariana spoke. “… this is too much.”
Zafiel’s hand stilled for just a moment. “What is?”
“All of this.” She gestured weakly. “The food. The clothes. This…” Her fingers brushed lightly against her hair. “I didn’t do anything to deserve this.” Her voice dropped slightly. “… I’m not that kind of person.”
Zafiel resumed his movements, unbothered. “Then become one.”
Mariana blinked. “… what?”
“Someone who deserves more.” He said simply.
She frowned. “That’s not how that works…”
Zafiel finished tying her hair, then rested his hand briefly on her head. “You should want more.” He said.
Mariana went quiet. “… I shouldn't.”
“You should.”
“I shouldn't.”
“You should.”
She clicked her tongue. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet,” he said calmly, “you’re still here.”
Her jaw tightened. “No-Not by choice.”
“That will change.”
She didn’t respond to that. Because she didn’t know how to.
After a moment, Zafiel stood and walked back toward the dresser. Mariana watched him cautiously. He returned holding a pair of shoes. Flat. Elegant. Simple. Matching her dress perfectly.
“Yo-You’ve got to be kidding me.”
He knelt in front of her.
Mariana froze. “Wha—! Wait, what are you doing…?!”
“Your shoes.”
“I can put them on myself…!”
“I know.”
“THEN WHY—”
But he was already slipping them onto her feet. His touch was careful. Precise. Not lingering longer than necessary. And somehow… that made it worse.
Mariana’s face burned slightly as she looked away. “This is ridiculous…”
Zafiel stood once he was done. “Come.” He said.
“Where...?”
“You’ll see.”
Mariana narrowed her eyes. “If this is another weird room—”
“I’ll carry you if you don’t walk.”
“I’m walking...!” Immediately.
Zafiel smiled faintly. They stepped out into the halls.
The palace was just as grand in daylight—maybe even more so. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, illuminating polished floors, intricate paintings, and expensive vases that probably cost more than her entire past life.
Servants bowed as they passed. Mariana walked beside him, trying to keep up. Which was difficult.
Why are his legs so long…?!
“Slow down…” She muttered under her breath.
Zafiel didn’t respond—but his pace shifted subtly. Just enough. Mariana noticed.
That...
She didn’t comment.
They continued like that—walking through corridors, turning corners—until they stopped in front of a large door.
Zafiel gestured toward it. “Open it.”
Mariana hesitated. “If this is another trap—”
“It isn’t.”
She gave him one last suspicious look. Then slowly, she reached for the handle and pushed the door open. And froze. “Wow!” Her breath caught. It was massive.
A vast library stretched before her, shelves upon shelves reaching high toward the ceiling, filled to the brim with books. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting a warm glow across the room. It felt… peaceful. Quiet. Endless.
Mariana stepped inside without realizing it. “… no way…”
Her eyes lit up, completely forgetting Zafiel was even there, she walked further in, her gaze darting from shelf to shelf. Romance novels. Magic theory. Ancient history. Folklore.
“This is...”
She pulled out a book. Then another. And another. Her face brightened in a way it hadn’t since she arrived.
“These are all things I like…” Her voice was soft. Genuine.
She moved deeper into the library, flipping through pages, scanning titles, her movements growing more animated.
“This one too?! And this... wait, this is a rare edition!”
For a moment, she forgot everything. The chains. The fear. Zafiel. All of it. She just… smiled.
Back near the entrance, Zafiel leaned against the wall quietly, watching her. His gaze softened. “Good.” He murmured under his breath. “It was worth it.”
All the preparation. All the waiting. Everything. Seeing her like this, excited. Alive. Happy. He closed his eyes briefly.
Thank you… to the version of me who made sure this existed.
Because right now, watching her smile freely in a place he created just for her, it felt like everything had finally fallen into place.
···
A/n: I reco another novel I js started: