96 - Lick
For a while, Zafiel didn’t move. He simply watched. Mariana had completely forgotten him.
It was obvious in the way she wandered from shelf to shelf without hesitation, the way her fingers brushed reverently against book spines, the way her eyes lit up every time she recognized a title or discovered something new.
There was no fear in her expression now. No tension. No guardedness. Just… her. Unrestrained. Curious. Alive.
Zafiel exhaled softly. “Good.”
But even as he said that, his gaze lingered on her a moment longer before he finally pushed himself off the wall.
She hasn’t eaten yet.
Without a word, he turned and left the library.
Mariana didn’t notice. Of course she didn’t. She had already found a corner.
Not even a proper reading nook—just a small space between two towering shelves where sunlight streamed in just right. She sat on the floor without a second thought, dress pooling around her as she flipped through a book on ancient magic theory.
“… this is insane…” she murmured, eyes scanning the pages eagerly.
“This level of detail… this is better than the archives…” Her fingers moved faster as she turned the page.
“Oh wait, this connects to that leyline theory—no way...” Another book lay open beside her.
And another. And another. She was already building a pile. “… I’m not leaving this place...”
The words slipped out unconsciously. And for once, she meant it.
By the time Zafiel returned, the scene had changed. Books. Everywhere. Mariana sat in the middle of it all like she had claimed the space as her own, completely absorbed, her brows furrowed in focus.
Zafiel paused at the doorway, holding a tray. Dark chocolate muffins, small slices of chocolate cake and a glass pitcher of cold milk.
He watched her for a moment. “… as expected.” He walked in quietly. Still, no reaction. “Iana.” Nothing. He stopped a few steps away. “Iana.”
“Huh...?” She muttered absentmindedly, not even looking up. “Wait... no, that’s not right, if the mana flow reverses here then...”
Zafiel stared at her. A pause. Then, he moved.
“Hey, wait... what are you doing...?!” Mariana yelped as the book was suddenly taken from her hands and she was lifted off the floor. “Your Imperial Highness...!”
“I told you to eat.”
“I am busy—”
“That’s not an excuse.”
Before she could protest further, he carried her to a nearby seat—a cushioned chair positioned by a small table—and placed her down firmly.
Mariana glared at him. “I was reading…!”
“And now you’re eating.”
“I don’t want—”
“Iana.” She froze. The tone. Calm. Soft. But firm. Zafiel set the tray in front of her. “Eat.”
Her eye twitched. “Or what??”
He tilted his head slightly. “I’ll feed you myself.”
Silence.
Mariana stared at him, then immediately grabbed a muffin. “I can eat on my own, thank you very much.”
Zafiel smiled faintly.
She took a bite—grudgingly at first—but her expression betrayed her almost immediately. “… it’s good…” She muttered. Of course it is. She chewed slowly this time, glaring at the muffin like it had personally offended her. “… unfair demon…”
Zafiel chuckled softly under his breath. A quiet moment passed.
Then, “Why do you call me ‘Iana’...?”
Zafiel blinked once.
Mariana glanced at him, her expression suspicious now. “That’s not a normal nickname.”
“It is.”
“No, it’s not.”
“It’s a shortened version of your name.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Explain.”
“Mariana.” He said simply. “Mar—iana.”
She paused. “That’s... it?”
“Yes.”
Mariana stared at him, suspicion lingering. Because that was her name before. Iana. Not Mariana. Not here. Before.
“… you’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
She frowned deeper. “The-Then it’s a coincidence...?”
Zafiel didn’t respond. Which only made it worse.
Mariana took another bite of her muffin, quieter now. “Still suspicious…”
Zafiel leaned slightly against the table. “Then call me ‘Zai.’”
She choked slightly. “What...?”
“I asked you before.”
“I... remember...”
“And?”
“N-No.”
Zafiel’s gaze darkened slightly.
Mariana crossed her arms, holding the muffin defensively. “We’re not close enough for nicknames.” Silence. “We’re barely even acquaintances.”
The air shifted. Subtle. But unmistakable.
Did I say something... wrong...?
Zafiel’s expression didn’t change much. But his eyes did. Darkened. Sharpened. “Acquaintances?” He repeated quietly.
Mariana stiffened slightly. “Ye-Yes?”
A pause. Then, “You’re my life.” Her breath hitched. “You’re my truth.” Her heart skipped violently. “You’re—” Zafiel stopped as if realizing he had said too much.
Silence fell.
Mariana stared at him, wide-eyed. Her heart was beating too fast. Way too fast. “… you’re getting ahead of yourself…” She muttered, lowering her head quickly, her face burning.
Why is my heart reacting like this...?!
Zafiel watched her. Then, he smiled softly, almost pleased. “Then call me ‘Zai.’”
She froze. “Wha-What...?”
“Or I’ll kiss you.”
Her brain short-circuited. “Za-Zai...!” The word came out instantly. Too fast. Too loud. Too panicked.
Silence.
Then, “Good girl.”
Her face exploded in heat.
Zafiel looked happy, actually happy. And his cheeks, very faintly, were flushed.
Mariana immediately looked away. “Thi-This is bad…” She needed to change the topic. NOW. “W-Why did you chain me...?" She blurted out.
Zafiel blinked. Then, “I thought you’d like it.”
Silence.
“… what?”
“You said,” he continued casually, “that something thrilling might make things more interesting.”
Mariana’s soul left her body. “Wha...t…?”
“It speeds up attraction.”
“S-STOP TALKING...!!”
She shot up from her seat so fast the chair nearly tipped over and lunged toward him. Smack. Both her hands clamped over his mouth.
“YO-YO-YOU, YOU, YOU...!!” Her entire face was red. “No one was supposed to know that...!!”
That's private...! PRIVATE!! From my old life. From my brain. From—
Zafiel stared at her, his eyes gleaming. Amused. Interested. Something else. Before she could pull away, his hand moved. Fast. Firm. He caught her wrists, holding them in place.
Mariana froze. “Wha-What are you—”
And then—warmth. Her breath hitched. Zafiel’s tongue brushed against her palm. Slow. Deliberate. Her entire body went rigid.
“…!” Her mind went blank.
His amethyst eyes met her golden ones. Dark. Gleaming. A hint of something dangerous flickering beneath the surface.
Mariana’s breath came out shallow. “… wha…”
She couldn’t even finish the word. Her heart pounded violently in her chest. Her hands trembled slightly in his grip.
And for the first time since entering that library, she remembered exactly where she was. And who she was with.