too early for marriage!

Her hand cupped my cheek, her thumb brushing against my skin in slow, deliberate strokes, sending shivers down my spine. My breath hitched, my heart hammering so loudly that I was sure she could hear it.

I forgot how to think.

I forgot how to breathe.

The only thing that existed in that moment was her—her presence, her warmth, the way her deep emerald-green eyes held me captive, unreadable and entirely too mesmerizing.

She leaned in—closer, closer still—so close that I could feel the soft exhale of her breath against my skin, warm and intoxicating.

Was this really happening?

Her gaze flickered down to my lips for a split second before returning to my eyes, her touch lingering against my cheek. A silent question. A quiet test.

And I—frozen, utterly helpless in her gravity—could do nothing but stare back.

Then, with deliberate slowness, she tilted her head and finally—her lips pressed against my cheek.

Soft. Warm. Lingering.

The kiss wasn't rushed or teasing—it wasn't a fleeting brush of playfulness or mischief. It was intentional, slow, intimate.

She stayed there for a moment, just long enough for me to feel the full weight of it, for my body to register the way my heart clenched in my chest at the tenderness behind the gesture.

And then, just as slowly, she pulled away.

When she did, I was left stunned, my body locked in place, my skin burning where her lips had been.

Diana smiled—a small, knowing smile, one that sent another wave of heat rushing up my neck. Her thumb traced my cheek one last time before she let go, stepping back ever so slightly, giving me just enough space to breathe, but not enough to think.

"You're adorable when you're flustered," she murmured, voice low, velvet-soft, dangerously pleased.

I opened my mouth—to say what, I had no idea.

But no words came out.

I was still too busy reeling.

Still too busy feeling.

And from the way Diana's smirk deepened, I had a sinking suspicion that she was very aware of the effect she had on me. 

"Don't…" I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper, but the heat in my cheeks burned like fire.

She tilted her head, her smirk widening. "Hmm?"

I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to ground myself, but it was useless. My emotions were in a whirlwind, spiraling too fast for me to keep up. The lingering warmth of her lips on my cheek, the way her voice curled around her words like a secret meant only for me—it was too much.

"Don't do that out of nowhere, idiot!"

And before I could stop myself, I hugged her.

I threw my arms around her shoulders and buried my face into her collarbone, squeezing tightly like my life depended on it. My heart was pounding—wild, erratic, completely out of control.

For a moment, Diana just stood there, frozen.

"...Eh?" she finally muttered, stumbling back slightly, completely caught off guard.

For once, I had surprised her.

I didn't even know why I did it. Maybe it was to hide my burning face. Maybe it was because I didn't trust my expression not to betray me. Or maybe—it was because I couldn't stand the distance between us for a second longer.

Either way, I didn't let go.

Her scent—a faint mix of lavender and something warm, something uniquely Diana—wrapped around me, making my thoughts even more of a tangled mess.

Then, her arms slowly came around me, hesitant at first, before pulling me close.

"You're full of surprises today," she murmured, her voice quieter now, softer. Different.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to ignore the way my chest tightened at her words.

Faster.

My heart was beating faster than when I was with Lillian.

And that realization only made it beat faster.

Diana had too much fun with this. I could feel it in the way her fingers curled snugly around mine, in the way she smirked every time I tried to protest.

"What a lovely couple."

The unexpected voice startled me, making me jump back slightly—or at least, I would have, if Diana wasn't holding my hand hostage.

Turning toward the voice, we found an older couple standing a few feet away, both grinning from ear to ear. The woman, dressed in a neatly buttoned coat, clutched her husband's arm affectionately, while the man—equally well-dressed—stood tall beside her, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Young children these days," the old lady said, shaking her head with a chuckle. "They just keep getting more and more romantic."

"We're not—" I began, about to desperately clarify the situation, but Diana, being Diana, smoothly cut in before I could get another word out.

"Thank you very much," she said, her voice dripping with warmth and undeniable charm. "We haven't been together for very long, but I hope it'll last."

She squeezed my hand, giving me a side glance that screamed, just play along.

I sputtered, my face heating up like a furnace, but the old couple was already too engrossed in their own nostalgia to notice my internal suffering.

"Time flies so fast when you're with the one you love," the old lady mused, sighing wistfully as she looked up at her husband. "How many years has it been, love?"

"Almost forty," the old man answered, glancing down at her with an affectionate smile.

"Forty years?" I echoed, blinking in disbelief.

Diana hummed in interest. "That's impressive. Any advice for us?" she asked, her voice so smooth and composed, you'd think we were actually dating.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Diana…" I whispered, low enough that only she could hear.

"Shh," she whispered back, lips twitching into a mischievous grin.

The old lady brightened at the question, lifting her left hand to show off a ring that glimmered in the evening light. "Well," she said with a chuckle, "first bit of advice—don't be like my old man here. Took him far too long to ask the question."

I let out a laugh at that, watching as the old man gave his wife an amused, playfully exasperated look.

"In my defense," he said, adjusting his glasses, "I wanted it to be perfect."

"You nearly lost me to a baker's son," the old lady teased.

Diana chuckled. "Noted. I'll make sure not to waste too much time."

Huh?

I turned to her in mild panic. "What do you mean by that?!"

Diana merely winked at me before returning her attention to the couple.

The old woman smiled knowingly, then gave one final piece of advice. "But don't rush either, dears. True love takes time—it's all about balance. Be patient, be kind, and most of all, enjoy every moment together."

Her words were gentle, but they hit something deep inside me.

It was a simple sentiment, but it lingered.

I… wasn't sure what to make of it.

"It's been lovely talking to you two," the old lady continued, looping her arm through her husband's. "But we'll let you continue your date. We've got our own romantic walk to enjoy."

"No worries, we were just about to leave too," I said quickly, still trying to regain my composure. "Thank you for your words, we'll keep them in mind."

Diana flashed them a charming smile. "Yes, we'll take your advice to heart."

As they walked away, I finally yanked my hand free, spinning to face Diana with as much indignation as I could muster.

"Okay, what was that?!"

Diana laughed, clearly unbothered. "What? I was just being polite."

"You were being a menace!" I huffed. "You—you basically implied that—"

"That I'd marry you one day?" She arched an eyebrow, looking way too pleased with herself.

"DIANA!"

She only grinned, hands behind her back as she casually strolled ahead, leaving me behind to sputter in sheer embarrassment.

This was a mistake.

A huge, irreversible mistake.

And somehow…

My heart was still racing.

And, unfortunately for me, Diana absolutely knew it.

As we made our way back to The Velvet Petal, the air was a little too quiet—or maybe it just felt that way because my mind was still short-circuiting from the whole marriage implication.

She was messing with me. She had to be messing with me… right?

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. The food should be finished by now, and all that was left was double-checking everything—making sure all the pastries were boxed up neatly, the drinks secured, and that nothing was missing before we brought them back to the academy.

Yes. That's what I should be thinking about. That's what's important. Not Diana. Not her stupidly charming smile. Not the way she—

Wait.

Something felt off.

I blinked, glancing down.

My hand.

More specifically, my hand in Diana's.

She was holding it. Again.

"Huh?"

Diana, who had been walking so casually, so naturally, like this was the most normal thing in the world, merely hummed in response.

"Diana," I said, slowly, carefully, like I was pointing out a crime scene. "You're holding my hand. Again."

Her smirk was instant. "Oh? Am I?"

"Yes! You are!" I gestured toward our very much intertwined fingers. "When—how—why?!"

Diana simply tilted her head, completely unfazed. "Why not?"

"Because!" I sputtered, practically malfunctioning. "Because—Because I need my hands to—to function! To do things! Like, I don't know, carry things?!"

Diana chuckled, squeezing my hand just enough to make my face heat up. "Oh, I think you're functioning just fine, love."

Love?!

I nearly tripped over my own feet. "Diana. Stop calling me that."

She grinned. "Why? You don't like it?"

"That's not the point!"

"Then what is the point, dear Sera?" she mused, tilting her head as if she genuinely wanted to know. "You don't seem to be trying very hard to let go."

I froze.

Oh.

Oh no.

She was right.

I wasn't pulling away.

My entire body betrayed me.

Diana leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to something warm and teasing, something that brushed against my skin like a whisper.

"Just enjoy it, love."

I was done for.

I yanked my hand away so fast, I nearly sent myself stumbling into a stack of pastry boxes as we reached the café.

Diana just laughed.

Laughed.

Like she had already won.

"You're too easy, Sera," she teased, reaching for the door.

I crossed my arms, desperately trying to act unaffected. "One of these days, I swear—"

"Oh, darling." Diana glanced at me over her shoulder, smirking as she held the door open. "I already know."

This was a disaster.

A full-fledged disaster.