The smell of something burning filled the kitchen, and a loud clang echoed as Zayan yanked open the oven door, cursing softly. A tray of cinnamon rolls—charred beyond saving—sat before him. He reached in too quickly, forgetting to use a mitt, and hissed as the heat scorched his fingers.
Just then, Aveline walked in, blinking at the mess.
"What on earth are you doing?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zayan froze like a child caught in mischief. "Baking," he said, almost defensively.
Aveline's eyes widened. "Baking? For who?"
"Nora," he said with a small, sheepish smile. "Her birthday is tomorrow. She loves cinnamon rolls."
There was a pause before Aveline let out a soft chuckle. "Clearly, you don't know how to make them. Come on, let me teach you before you burn the entire mansion down."
For the next forty minutes, they worked side by side. Aveline guided him patiently—step by step—showing him how to knead the dough, how much cinnamon to add, and how not to burn them. Zayan, surprisingly focused, followed her instructions to the letter.
"Done," Zayan finally said, a note of pride in his voice as they pulled the fresh, golden-brown rolls from the oven.
Aveline looked at him, then at the tray, and asked softly, "Do you think she hates me?"
Zayan paused while wiping his hands. "Nora?"
Aveline nodded. "I don't think she'll ever be happy with me. I wasn't there for her. She grew up with so much pain… and she lost the one person who was like a mother to her."
He looked at her, his voice calm and reassuring. "Be alone with her. Make her understand your reasons. Talk to her… but not now. Wait until after her birthday. I don't want anything to ruin it."
Aveline hesitated. "Do you love her?"
Zayan smiled, that rare, gentle curve of his lips. "Yes. The devil is in love."
He gathered the cinnamon rolls into boxes and made his way to Nora's room. It was 11:59 PM. He quietly entered and sat beside her on the bed.
"Nora," he called softly.
She stirred and mumbled, "I wanna sleep more, Nana…"
He chuckled gently. "Nora," he whispered again.
This time, her eyes opened slowly. She blinked, and then smiled as she saw him. He patted her head affectionately.
"It's midnight," he said. "Happy birthday, my love." He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
She sat up, still groggy, but the sight of the boxes caught her attention. Her eyes lit up.
"Yayyy! Cinnamon rolls!" she beamed, instantly more awake.
As she reached for a box, her gaze fell on his bandaged fingers. Her smile faded.
"Your fingers…" she whispered.
"It's nothing," he said quickly.
"You did this… for me?" she asked, her voice tender and full of emotion.
"Anything for you, my love."
She hugged him tightly, tears threatening her eyes. "I'd do anything for you… anything you want. I promise to always be by your side."
Zayan felt his heart swell. She really loves me back, he thought. I will keep you safe, always.
Nora sat back on the bed and took a bite of the cinnamon roll. At the second bite, her expression changed. Memories flooded her—flashes of Nana's laughter, her warm hands, her comforting hugs. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
Zayan immediately moved closer, wiping them gently. "You miss Nana, don't you?" he whispered. "We can visit her grave… hm?"
She nodded and leaned into him, resting her head on his chest as silent tears fell. Within moments, she drifted to sleep in his arms.
From the slightly ajar door, Catalina and Aveline stood watching quietly.
Catalina smiled softly. "She really made the devil fall to his knees."
Aveline nodded, a small, genuine smile forming on her lips. "Yes… she did."