105 - Guest
Days passed, and for the first time since Mariana's arrival in Clematis, something changed. It happened so quietly she almost missed it.
No dramatic announcements. No terrifying decrees from Zafiel. No ominous prophecies from Astrid. Just a breakfast tray.
When Mariana stirred awake that morning, sunlight was already spilling through the curtains in soft golden ribbons. The other side of the bed was empty.
"...?" She blinked sleepily.
That was unusual. Normally, Zafiel lingered long enough to watch her wake up, which Mariana found deeply unsettling. This morning, however, only a note sat beside a carefully arranged breakfast.
Fresh bread. Honey. Fruit. A small omelet. Tea that was still warm.
Mariana picked up the note.
"Eat everything."
She stared. "... that's not even a greeting."
There was another line beneath it.
"I'll be busy today. Be good."
Mariana immediately put the note down.
"He writes like he's talking to a puppy."
Still, despite herself, she smiled faintly. Then her eyes landed on the final line.
"I'll bring you something you'll like."
Her brows rose. Now she was curious.
-
Hours earlier. Outside the Crown Prince's chambers, Zafiel stood silently. The bedroom door closed behind him.
Or rather-their bedroom.
His gaze lingered on the door for a moment.
The room already smelled faintly of Mariana's favorite tea. Her books occupied nearly half the shelves. Several dresses had mysteriously migrated into the wardrobe.
As far as he was concerned, the matter was settled. It was their room now.
A deep sigh escaped him. "If today works..." A faint smile appeared. "It should make her happy."
And if Mariana smiled, perhaps the mountain of problems threatening to bury him wouldn't seem quite so heavy.
Aura surged. The air distorted. Then he vanished.
-
After washing up, Mariana stood before the large mirror in the dressing room.
Her gaze drifted downward-the necklace. The amethyst spider lily. For several moments, she simply stared at it. The gemstone caught the morning light beautifully. Deep violet. Elegant. Almost hypnotic.
Mariana gently touched the pendant. "... it's actually really pretty." She frowned immediately afterward. "Wait, why am I only noticing this now?"
She had spent so much time being alarmed by Zafiel's obsession that she'd barely appreciated the gift itself.
The craftsmanship was incredible. Delicate silver vines intertwined around the amethyst flower. Tiny details decorated every petal. It looked expensive enough to buy a small kingdom.
"The Imperial Family really has excellent taste..." She nodded to herself. That part, at least, couldn't be denied.
Soon afterward, she changed into a comfortable lilac-colored dress. Simple. Elegant. Easy to move in. Just as she finished adjusting the sleeves, a knock sounded at the door.
"Grand Princess?"
"Come in."
A maid entered and bowed. "Your guest has arrived, Your Highness."
Mariana blinked. "Guest...?"
"Yes."
The maid smiled politely. "They are currently waiting in the drawing room."
For a moment, Mariana simply stared. Then realization struck. Her eyes widened. "No way."
-
The moment Mariana entered the drawing room, she barely had time to react. A blur launched itself at her.
"Marianaaaaaa!"
"GYAH-"
Arms wrapped around her tightly. Very tightly.
Mariana nearly lost her balance. "Sadia?!"
"You're alive!"
"I wasn't dying!"
Sadia ignored that completely and hugged her even harder.
Mariana wheezed. "I can't breathe!"
"Oh." Sadia finally released her. "Sorry."
"You say that but you don't look sorry."
"I'm not."
Mariana sighed.
Some things never change, huh?
And strangely enough, that made her feel better. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was talking to someone familiar. Someone normal.
Well, mostly normal.
The two settled onto a couch while servants brought tea and snacks.
Sadia immediately launched into updates. "You have no idea what's happening outside."
Mariana groaned. "Please don't tell me the empire exploded..."
"Not yet."
"That answer concerns me."
Sadia nodded seriously. "It should."
And then the stories began. Villages disappearing. Entire minor noble households murdered. Rumors of strange monsters appearing where they shouldn't. Trade routes becoming dangerous. Whispers of rebellion, of war and of something worse.
Mariana listened quietly. Occasionally offering comments. Sometimes asking questions. Sometimes simply absorbing everything.
The more Sadia spoke, the more Zafiel's warnings returned to her mind. The world is already collapsing. At the time, she'd thought he was exaggerating. Now? She wasn't so sure.
Finally, Sadia paused to sip her tea. Then she tilted her head. "Enough about that." Her gaze softened. "How are you?"
Mariana immediately crossed her arms. Then she narrowed her eyes accusingly.
Sadia blinked. "... what?"
"Where were you??"
Sadia froze. "Excuse me?"
"You disappeared!" Mariana pointed dramatically. "I got kidnapped...!!"
"Technically-"
"I got kidnapped...!!"
"Okay, fair."
Mariana continued glaring. "You didn't even visit!"
Sadia looked deeply offended. "I tried...!!"
"You did?"
"Repeatedly!" Mariana paused. Sadia threw her hands up. "Zafiel wouldn't let anyone near you! He basically told everyone to mind their own business. Actually, I think Leonhard threatened three people by that yandere prince's order."
Mariana sighed. That sounded entirely believable. Then a thought occurred to her, a mischievous one. "Heh."
Sadia immediately looked suspicious. "Heh...?"
Mariana smirked. "Maybe you were too busy chasing Sir Leonhard."
The reaction was immediate. Sadia beamed, actually beamed like sunshine. Like a woman who had achieved victory. "Oh, Leon?"
Mariana nearly choked. "Leon?!"
Sadia nodded proudly. "Leon."
Mariana stared. "H-He lets you call him that??"
"He does!"
"..."
"He even responds now!"
"..."
"He smiled once."
"..."
"It was glorious."
Mariana covered her face. "You're hopeless..."
"I'm winning."
"That's not the point!"
"It absolutely is."
Mariana groaned. Meanwhile, Sadia looked absurdly pleased with herself. The conversation somehow devolved into ten minutes of Sadia enthusiastically analyzing every interaction she'd ever had with Leonhard.
Mariana suffered through all of it. Like a true friend. Eventually, however, another question surfaced. "What about Joana-eonni?" The words slipped out naturally.
Sadia blinked. "... Joana what?"
Mariana froze. "... Joana-eonni?"
Sadia stared, then burst out laughing. "Oh my gods."
"What?"
"Where did that come from?"
Mariana immediately realized her mistake. Too much K-drama. Way too much K-drama. And now it's affecting her, albeit so late. "Forget I said anything."
"No."
"Please."
"Absolutely not."
Mariana buried her face in her hands.
Meanwhile, Sadia was still laughing. Eventually she calmed down enough to answer. "Joana's coming tomorrow."
Mariana perked up. "Really??"
"Mhm."
"Why not today...?"
"She's accompanying her mother."
Mariana blinked. "Her mother?"
"Yes."
Curiosity immediately appeared. "Wait." She straightened. "Who's her mother?"
Sadia stared, confused. "... how do you not know?"
Mariana blinked. "Know what...?"
Sadia looked genuinely baffled. "Joana's mother is Marchioness Antonette."
"... should I know who that is?"
Sadia nearly dropped her teacup. Mariana watched as her friend experienced visible emotional damage.
"You really don't know?"
"I've been kidnapped...!"
"Fair point."
Sadia sighed dramatically, then she explained. "Marchioness Antonette is one of the Empress's closest advisors."
Mariana blinked. "Oh?"
"Not just an advisor." Sadia leaned forward.
"One of the most influential women in the Empire.
" That got Mariana's attention. Sadia continued.
"According to Joana, Grand Chancellor Keiran is constantly balancing power between the Edinburgh Archduchy, the Forebros Grand Dukedom, and the Antonette Marquisate. "
Mariana went still. Suddenly, pieces clicked together.
Joana's confidence. Her composure. The subtle authority she carried. The way people listened when she spoke. The reason she'd always seemed important despite acting relatively normal.
"That's why..."
Sadia nodded. "Exactly."
Mariana leaned back slowly, then laughed. "So I've been casually talking to the daughter of one of the most powerful women in the Empire...?"
"Pretty much."
"Huh..."
For some reason, that explained a lot. And yet, it didn't change how she viewed Joana. She was still Joana. Still reliable. Still kind. Still someone Mariana wanted to see again tomorrow.
For the first time in days, she found herself looking forward to something.