Chapter 247: The Crack in our Silence
[Lavinia’s POV—Imperial Palace—Emperor’s Office—Later]
I gathered the ledgers into a neat—well, somewhat neat—pile, patting the last one down with a triumphant sigh. "Alright... let’s not waste any more time, Sera."
I tapped the stack like it was a weapon I was about to brandish in battle. "We’re taking this straight to Papa."
Sera nodded dutifully, though her lips twitched like she was suppressing a smile. "Yes, Your Highness."
As I swept out of the office, I called, "Marshi, Solena—let’s go!"
Marshi padded along behind me, yawning so wide his fangs gleamed in the light. His thick tail swished lazily against the polished floor, as if he were half-asleep already. Solena, on the other hand, fluttered down from her perch and landed gracefully on my shoulder, wings brushing against my cheek like a silken fan.
I nudged her feathery side with a finger. "And why, little lady, did you abandon your so-called favorite master and come here?"
She blinked at me with those jewel-bright eyes, gave a slow, deliberate flap of her wings, and edged even closer on my shoulder—as if to say: Because it’s far more entertaining here than there.
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Ah, so I’m the circus now, is that it?"
Marshi yawned again, his tail flicking lazily. I looked down at him with mock sternness. "You can go back and sleep if you want, you know."
He let out a soft huff through his nose and kept padding after me, gaze heavy-lidded but stubborn. If he could speak, I was sure he’d have said: I follow wherever you are. I’m not leaving your side.
My chest warmed at the thought, a smile tugging at my lips. These two divine beings—creatures feared and revered by thousands—looked so utterly content trailing after me like spoiled children.
"Sera," I said, glancing sideways with a grin. "Prepare their favorite snacks later."
At that, both Marshi and Solena perked up instantly—their eyes sparkling brighter than any jewel in the treasury. Solena even trilled softly, wings fluttering in excitement.
Sera chuckled, bowing her head. "Yes, Your Highness. I shall inform the chef immediately. Though, I suspect the chef may faint if I ask him to roast another barrel of meat just for Marshi."
I laughed, hugging the documents tighter to my chest. "If he faints, revive him and tell him it’s royal duty."
Sera sighed dramatically, though her lips curved into a smile. "Yes, Your Highness. As always."
I nodded firmly and thrust the stack of documents toward her. "Now, give me the papers. I will go to Papa by myself."
Sera handed them over without hesitation, her expression briefly softening into something almost protective. Then she stepped aside, letting me walk forward—ledgers in hand, companions at my heels, and mischief already stirring in my veins.
The hallway stretched ahead, sun spilling through tall windows. That was when I caught sight of Sir Haldor striding toward me. The moment our eyes met, he bowed low, then reached out with the kind of practiced swiftness only he possessed, plucking the ledgers from my hands.
"Allow me, Princess," he said smoothly.
I blinked, then arched a brow at him. "Well, aren’t you eager today, Sir Haldor? Planning to steal my work before I even reach Papa?"
A small smile tugged at his lips as he straightened. "Only to lighten your burden, Your Highness."
I tilted my head, still walking. "Mhm. And what brings you here, anyway? You don’t usually stalk hallways unless there’s a purpose."
He fell into step beside me without hesitation, the ledgers tucked neatly under his arm. "In truth, I was coming to find you. I wanted to request your permission to recruit additional imperial knights."
That made me pause mid-step, my brows furrowing. "New knights? Why the sudden need? Did all our old ones decide to take a vacation at the same time?"
Haldor gave a short, controlled chuckle before answering. "Half of our forces have already been dispatched to Irethene, Your Highness. Now that the hidden emperor has been exposed and Caelum... has been executed, His Majesty has decreed that Irethene will officially be absorbed into the Elorian Empire. Securing the territory will require more men."
I nodded slowly, tapping my hands with one finger. "That does make sense. We can’t claim an empire and then leave it bare, can we? Still, that’s a lot of knights stretched thin."
He inclined his head. "Exactly so. Which is why I seek your approval to bring in fresh recruits."
"Very well," I said, resuming my pace. "Prepare a permission letter, and I’ll sign it without delay. And if you think the situation calls for more than just a few—send as many as you deem necessary."
"As you command, Princess." His voice carried both relief and respect.
But something else tugged at my curiosity, and I glanced up at him again. "And what of Irethene’s nobles? Surely they haven’t all vanished into thin air."
His expression darkened ever so slightly. "Most of them fled before our forces could arrive. Those who remained have either gone into hiding or... simply disappeared. None dare contest the Emperor’s decree."
I hummed, thoughtful. "Cowards running away, treasures left behind." My lips quirked. "And their assets? Don’t tell me they packed up their gold and jewels in a single night."
"No, Your Highness," Haldor said with the faintest spark of amusement. "We’ve been collecting their holdings in full. Estates, treasuries, ledgers—it is all being transferred under the Empire’s management."
"Good." I nodded in satisfaction, brushing invisible dust from my sleeve. "Then it seems this conquest might not be such a headache after all."
He bowed his head slightly. "Thanks to Your Highness’s foresight."
"Flattery?" I teased, smirking. "Careful, Sir Haldor. I might start to expect it daily."
That actually made him cough lightly into his hand, which amused me more than it should have.
By then, the tall double doors of Papa’s office came into view. Just as I lifted my hand to push them open, they swung wide on their own—and Osric stepped out.
He froze, eyes widening as they landed on me.
I wasn’t surprised to see him there. No—deep inside, I’d already guessed why he would be coming out of Papa’s office. He must’ve told him. About my vision. About things he chose to keep from me.
And for the first time in my life, when I looked at Osric, he didn’t feel like my shield, my protector, or the man who had always stood at my side as my love. Instead, he felt... distant. Someone hiding something behind his smile. Someone whose silence weighed heavier than any truth.
I stared flatly at him. "What are you doing here, Osric?"
For a moment, he only stood there, watching me. Then, almost too carefully, he smiled. "Father had some matters to discuss with His Majesty. He couldn’t attend, so he asked me to come in his place."
Lies.I knew that smile. I knew that glance away. When Osric lied, he could never hold my gaze.
But I didn’t call him out. Not yet.
His eyes flicked to Solena, perched stubbornly at my shoulder. "...And I was wondering where she was. So she flew to you this morning."
Solena flapped her wings with sharp irritation and turned her head away, deliberately refusing to even glance at him.
"Oh," Osric chuckled softly, though there was no warmth in it. "Look at her... sulking."
I tilted my head, eyes narrowing. "You must have done something to make her upset."
His faint smile held. "Nothing serious. I simply ignored her for a day. I was... busy. She must have taken offense and flown to you for comfort."
"I see." My tone was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t pull it back. "Then be careful, Osric. Actions like that might separate her from you forever."
Silence fell.Heavy. Suffocating.
But the words I had spoken weren’t just about Solena. He knew it. I knew it.
Because this silence between us wasn’t hers. It was ours.
And though neither of us admitted it, the truth pressed sharp and cruel in my chest:I could forgive almost anything. Mistakes, anger, even distance.But a secret?A lie?
That was betrayal.
And I wasn’t sure if even Osric could ever mend that crack.