Ella snorted, unimpressed."Of course he said it like that," she laughed, nudging Diana. "My brother doesn't do subtle."
The afternoon slipped by in warmth. Two princesses, neither acting like royalty, shared tea, laughter, and secrets. They mocked their brothers, compared training scars, and bonded like sisters separated at birth.
Night fell. Ella walked Diana to the guest room.
The moment the door closed, Diana flopped onto the bed, hugging the pillow as a foolish, uncontrollable smile overtook her. She felt light… almost weightless… alive.
But then—
Instinct sharpened. Someone was there.
Eyes still closed, Diana turned her head slowly.
A tall figure stood in the shadowed corner. Hair black as midnight. Eyes darker, predatory. Watching. Waiting. Silent.
Before she could react, sleep yanked her under like a riptide, dragging her into,
A nightmare.
The sky bled red.Clouds twisted like dying beasts.Rivers of corpses: human, demon, creatures she couldn't name.
On a mountain of bodies, a shadowed man stood.
Right hand: a severed angel's wing, blood still dripping.Left hand: a demon's head, its expression frozen in terror, the same terror as Daciel's last moment.
Diana's chest tightened. Breath caught. Her heart froze.
Death wasn't an idea. It was a weight pressing down, cold and absolute.
The figure turned slightly.
Golden eyes. Brilliant. Cayn's eyes.
But twisted… ancient… monstrous. Something older than wrath itself.
He did not speak. He did not move.
Just that glance… it killed her.
Diana bolted awake, screaming into the silent room, sweat drenched, hands clutched at her throat, chest, arms, her body checking itself against the impossible.
Because she knew.
In that vision… she died.
Minutes passed before her breath steadied. Guards unnoticed. Maids unmoved.
She forced herself not to dwell… not until she saw him.
The next day passed in a blur. Ella dragged her across the palace, chattering, unaware she was steering Diana away from the creeping dread.
But Cayn… nowhere.
Evening approached. Ella helped Diana prepare.She rarely cared for appearances, but tonight… she wanted to impress.
The black dress she chose hugged her toned figure, elegant yet lethal, soft yet undeniably dangerous. Even she had to admit, it revealed a side of her she often kept hidden.
She gave herself a small smile in the mirror.
Outside, Cassis waited. He froze.
Ella shoved Diana forward."Go. You'll be late."
Diana smiled at her brother.
Cassis, flustered, whispered, "Tomorrow night…?"
"Why tomorrow?"
"I—uh—you might need time…"
"So I don't look good now?"
"NO! You're… beautiful!" he stammered.
Ella's eyebrow rose, victorious.
Diana left, head high.
Outside the palace gates, she finally saw him.
Cayn.
Black shirt clinging across broad shoulders, sleeves rolled, forearms veined. Dark hair falling across sharp brows. Golden eyes glowing softly in lantern light.
He was… sin in human form.
She felt heat rise to her cheeks.
He extended his hand. She placed hers in his palm.He lowered his head, lips brushing her knuckles.
"You look beautiful," he murmured, eyes piercing.
Her heartbeat stuttered."You… look handsome too," she whispered.
He helped her into the carriage. Once inside, he did not look away.
"W-what?" she stammered, shrinking under the intensity.
"You saw me… in the dream," he finally said.
Her stomach dropped. She had forgotten entirely.
"I knew it was you," she said, voice steadier than she felt.
He smiled faintly, secretive, as if he carried the weight of worlds.
"What was that vision? And the figure in my room?" she asked.
Cayn leaned back, voice calm."You seem more annoyed by the intruder."
"Answer that first, then."
"That was my sworn brother."
"…He's—what?"
"A god," Cayn said simply. "An archangel."
Her breath hitched.
"The Archangel? The right hand of the Primordial? And… you know him?"
He nodded.It sounded impossible, absurd… and yet the dream had shown her something undeniable.
"And why show me that?" she asked.
"A test," he said.
"To see if I'm worthy of you," she whispered. "And if I had failed—?"
"You wouldn't have." His tone left no space for doubt. "You're not the kind of woman who breaks."
She stared. Why does he believe in me so completely?
"You men are stupid," she muttered. "Anyone would fear a scene like that. And honestly… your circles are insane. God, archangel, sworn brothers… how strong are you?"
He smiled."Not a god. Just me. Human. Reincarnated. Normal, if you wish. Your soon-to-be fiancé."
Her heartbeat faltered. Human? Reincarnated? She stared at him, trying to reconcile the man before her with the worlds he had lived, the gods he had known, the battles he had survived, concluding from that vision.
"You… you've lived entire lifetimes beyond this one," she whispered, barely able to process it. "And you… you came here. You're here."
She felt small, humbled, but also electrified. The man before her was not just strong; he was shaped by centuries of experience, by things mortal minds couldn't fathom. And yet, he stood here, calm, patient, human, with eyes that seemed to see straight into her soul.
Awe and desire tangled in her chest. How could one man be both terrifying and irresistible? Dangerous and endlessly compelling?
She laughed softly."You are anything but normal."
A thousand questions filled her mind, yet she held them back. His composure, cold and absolute, left no need to interrogate further.
"When you're ready," she said softly, "I hope you'll tell me everything. Whatever you went through, you became someone good. Someone worthy. I'm proud… and as your future fiancée, I hope to care for you."
Cayn froze.
Slowly, a real smile spread across his face."Thank you… for choosing me."
Her chest fluttered violently.
"But you should be scared," she warned.
"Oh?"
"The real struggle starts now. You'll have to deal with me, be used by me, handle me… love me."She grabbed his collar, pulling him close. "…your whole life will revolve around one word. Diana."
His breath warmed her cheek."I feel like the king of the world," he murmured.
She practically flung herself toward the window, mortified.He didn't flinch.They peeked at each other, stolen glances charged with mutual fascination.
Arriving at a two-story building, he escorted her, her hand resting on his arm and chest.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
The private, candlelit dining area awaited them upstairs.
Cayn pulled out her chair with a gentleness that felt earned, not soft, mature, but never cold.
"You really hate crowds," she giggled.
He paused at her smile, then composed himself."Tonight, I want to focus on one sound," he said.
Her head tilted."What sound—?"
Her hand flew to her chest.
"Oh."
He chuckled. Her heartbeat staggered."Breathe," he teased, hand lightly over hers.
She glared.Her heart obeyed.
Conversation flowed, her father, his mother, shared glances, quiet smiles.
Her mind reeled. He was a man who had known gods, who had walked through worlds, who had faced horrors she could barely imagine, and here he was, here, paying attention to her, noticing her, even smiling at her blush.
She held his gaze, and the truth revealed itself in the smallest detail.
There was no softness in his eyes.No swell of feeling.Only a steady, unreadable calm, as if he were studying a storm through glass.
It hit her then: whatever stirred in her chest was not mirrored in him.Not yet.Maybe not ever.
And strangely, that didn't shake her.
Diana was not a girl who needed her emotions reflected back to exist.She wasn't built for fragile hopes or foolish expectations.She was forged for crowns, for command, for battles of will.
If anything, the realisation grounded her.
He wasn't in love with her.He wasn't even close.
He was simply… curious.Drawn to her in that silent, sharp way he had, like a man observing something rare, something he didn't quite understand but couldn't look away from.
And that was enough.Not comforting, she didn't want comfort.Not romantic, she wasn't naïve.
But honest.
Pure.
Undiluted.
He offered exactly what he had.She accepted it for what it was.
Whatever they were building… it didn't need a name yet.
After dinner, he stood, taking her hand."Dessert is elsewhere."
She followed, curiosity piqued.
"It's mine," he said simply.
She blinked."You… will cook for me?"
He kissed her hand, slow and warm, before stepping back."Watch."
He tied an apron around his waist.
Diana's breath caught.
This man. In an apron.Far too dangerous. Far too unfair.Sinfully… irresistible.