Romantic Relationships

## **Zane Euphoria & Amber Lucifer**

In the year 2010, following the death of her mother, Amber Lucifer took a trip to Earth while the Underworld figured out their next steps. After getting lost in the forest and being separate from her guards, Amber bumped into a young boy around her age who had vibrant blue eyes and jet-black hair—she had never met a mortal before. Offering out his hand, the boy—who introduced himself as Zane—helped guide her through the forest, bringing her to a river that flowed for as long as the key could see. Though the two did not spend much time together, they promised they would see each other again one day, hoping to become true friends by then.

10 years later, on his way home from school, Zane would be left to die after a soul pawner injured his soul. After being saved by an SZ-Class Mage named Divinos, Zane would be placed into the recently-resurrected guild known as Black Crown, which coincidentally was led by Amber. Quickly recognizing the situation, Amber decided to hide her identity as the black-cloaked figure Zane had met years ago, pretending to not have met him before.

Despite that, however, the two would soon begin to develop feelings for one another through the course of the series as they faced more and more challenges. In Book 2, *Black Crown & The Dragon-King Alliance,* Zane Euphoria would defeat Felix McKnight in the Royal Blood Tournament. As part of his wish for his victory, Zane would ask Lucifer for the right to one day marry his daughter.

In Book 3, *Black Crown & The Path to Tartarus,* Zane and Amber express worry for each other as the events of Afeus Clover's Chess Game unfolds. As Zane's mental health begins to decline, Amber seeks to comfort him, though she slowly starts to see a different side of him come out—a more obscure side. At the end of the book, Amber throws him a birthday party, revealing her true identity as the black-cloaked figure he had once met and befriended.

Throughout the events of Book 4, *Black Crown & The Ironworks of Conquest,* Zane becomes increasingly more violent and short-tempered, picking fights with Amber and the other members of Black Crown at each opportunity. After a fight, Zane and Amber refuse to speak to one another, putting the guild at a strain and endangering their current mission. Following Zane's rage against Hylax, Amber would confess her feelings—and her love—to him, stating that though she doesn't fully understand how she feels, that she cares for him. At the end of the book, though Zane is still hesitant to give a proper response, he expresses his care for her.

Book 5, *Black Crown & The Anti-Devil Society,* would detail one of the biggest roadblocks to Amber and Zane's relationship. After leaving Black Crown to work the Shinriyoku, Zane would fight against his former teammates, believing that it would be best if the Underworld and Earth be separated from one another. On Pointbreak Bridge, the two of them would face off against one another in their first real battle, with Amber once again expressing her love, and Zane seemingly admitting he felt the same way. As Galvamesh, the book's main antagonist, unleashes the Black Winter, Amber would make the choice to say on Earth rather than remain in the Underworld. Concluding Part 1 of the series, Zane would visit Amber once again, finally confessing how he felt and telling her that he would be leaving indefinitely after the two share a proper kiss. As he leaves, Zane promises that they would meet again one day.

Kicking off Part 2 of the series, *Black Crown & The Phantom Shield* would tell the story of Zane and Amber's reunion as the gap between the Underworld and Earth is reopened. At first, Amber is upset with Zane after he abandoned her for two years without a word, putting him on trial and questioning him on his actions. Throughout the book, the two attempt to navigate their feelings, and by Book 7, *Black Crown & The Chains of Heaven,* it is stated that the two are officially dating.

By the end of the series and Part 3, the two of them are married.

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Notable Quotes

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* *"I'm not saying we have to be friends or anything, but it would be better if we could just cooperate."* (Amber to Zane; Book 1, Chapter 4)
* *"I just want to be reminded that you're here"* (Amber to Zane; Book 1, Chapter 23)
* *"Besides, if you died, I wouldn't have anything to do"* (Zane to Amber; Book 2, Chapter 1)
* *"As long as you think it's the right choice, I'll trust that it'll be the best bet"* (Zane to Amber; Book 2, Chapter 9)
* *"If you really wanted to test my focus, you could tell me more about yourself and watch how easily I get bored."* (Zane to Amber; Book 3, Chapter 3)
* *"Surprise."* (Amber to Zane; Book 3 Finale)
* *"Would you be friends with someone, even knowing all of the bad that they've done?"* (Amber to Zane; Book 4, Chapter 1)
* *"I'm just glad I didn't hurt you of all people"* (Zane to Amber; Book 4, Chapter 22)
* *"You know, I use to think you were just some clueless Princess with a superiority complex. And maybe you were, but I'm glad that isn't true now, because to be honest, I think I really like the way you are now*"
* *"In your eyes, we'll never be equals"* (Zane to Amber)
* *"I'm pretty sure that I love you, Zane"* (Amber to Zane)
* *"If you got hurt, I'd be pretty upset*" (Zane to Amber; Book 5, Chapter 1)
* *"I already told you how I feel, so don't do anything stupid"* (Amber to Zane; Book 5)
* *"Can you still love me knowing that?"* (Zane to Amber; Book 5)
* *"I won't kill you, but I'll hurt you as much as you've hurt me*" (Amber to Zane; Book 5)
* *"Then it's too bad that I love you"* (Zane to Amber; Book 5)
* *"As captain of the guild, it was my job to look after you, and I didn't really do a good job of that"* (Amber to Zane; Part 1 Finale)
* *"I'm saying that I really do love you, Amber."* (Zane to Amber; Part 1 Finale)

## **Kristina Kaye & Byakuya Dierenji / Divinos**

Born to an abusive family, Kristina would suffer most of her life under the care of her parents. In the year 2018, she would run away from home, soon meeting Marc Castellan, a peaceful boy who would promise to take her somewhere better. After accepting his offer, Kristina and Marc would agree to meet up the next day; however, Kristina would be killed by a stray devil possessing Fire Magic just before.

Right before she could die, however, she would be reincarnated as a devil by the SZ-Class Mage named Divinos—Marc's true identity. Deciding she would be better off without him, Divinos leaves Kristina under the care of a mage named Hyberion, which would turn out to be a bad desicion as Kristina relives her abuse. Realizing her made a mistake, Divinos would return and slay Hyberion using the Sacred Staffs, deciding to put her in a guild known as Black Crown.

As time went on, Kristina would befriend Marc once again after he would begin attendance at her school; unbeknownst to her, he was really Divinos, the mage who had saved her twice. Throughout the course of Book 1 and 2, Divinos, while not appearing frequently, would speak in a different manner towards Kristina, even agreeing to battle against Spencer when she asked him to.

In Book 5, *Black Crown & The Anti-Devil Society,* Divinos reveals his identity to Kristina—but not the reader nor anyone else—and tells her that he regrets not spending more time with her, as she is the first person he seemed to have grown a fondness for. Throughout Part 2 of the series, the two become increasingly closer.

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Notable Quotes

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* *"The strong do not falter to the weak. I resurrected you because you have a powerful persistence."* (Divinos to Kristina)
* *"Please. I'm asking you to be my sword one more time"* (Kristina to Divinos; Book 2, Chapter 9)
* *"Your sword cuts as deep as your words"* (Divinos to Kristina; Book 4 Finale)
* *"I guess I should have spent more time around you. Maybe then I could have learned to really appreciate something*" (Divinos to Kristina; Book 5)