Chapter 235: Fangs in the Forest
[Imperial Palace—Lavinia’s POV]
"Alright, let’s go. Papa must be waiting," I said, rising from my seat. The silken hem of my ceremonial robe whispered against the marble as I stepped out of my chamber.
Marshi, Sera and Sir Haldor immediately fell into place—her light steps careful and precise, his heavy boots echoing like distant thunder behind me.
"Princess," Sera asked as we descended the corridor, "what about Lord Osric? Should he not be with you today?"
I allowed a small smile to tug at my lips. "Not today. Today, he stands as heir of Everheart. His place is at the temple with his family."
Her brows softened, and she nodded, though a flicker of curiosity lingered in her eyes.
We turned at the grand stairway, the hall spilling open beneath us, sunlight cutting through the tall windows and painting the white stone in gold. Each step downward rang like a drumbeat, steady and commanding.
Behind me, Sir Haldor’s deep voice rumbled. "The path has been secured, Your Highness. But remain cautious. A day like this draws eyes—both loyal and... otherwise."
I glanced over my shoulder, my crimson eyes catching his for the briefest second. "I’m always cautious, Sir Haldor. It’s the vipers who should fear the sun today."
***
[Imperial Palace—Courtyard—Lavinia’s POV]
As we stepped out into the sunlight, the courtyard was already alive with polished armor and gleaming banners. Ravick and Papa stood tall by the royal carriage, knights flanking him like statues of steel. His face softened the moment he saw me, his smile deep and proud.
"Are you ready, my girl? Today is your big day," Papa said, stretching out his hand.
I couldn’t help the grin that curved my lips as I placed my hand into his. "Your daughter is always ready, Papa."
He smiled, eyes twinkling as though he saw me as both the child who once clung to him and the woman now stepping toward her throne. With that, he guided me into the carriage.
Just as I settled into the cushioned seat, Rey suddenly appeared, blocking the doorway with his usual confidence. "Sera," he called casually, "you can come with me."
Both Sera and I blinked. "Huh?" she asked, her brows knitting. "But I should stay with the Princess."
Rey’s smile widened, but there was something unusually soft about it when his gaze shifted toward her. He turned to me, bowing ever so slightly in mock formality. "Your Highness... may I borrow Lady Sera’s company for the ride?"
I tilted my head at him, suspicion tickling the corners of my mind. "...Huh. I mean, yes, sure—if Sera doesn’t mind."
The moment I said it, he extended his hand toward her, palm up, waiting. "Now then, shall we?"
Sera froze for half a heartbeat, her lashes fluttering as though her brain had short-circuited. A faint pink touched her cheeks before she quickly bowed her head. "I shall... follow the carriage behind you, Princess."
I raised a brow, biting back a smirk as she stepped carefully toward Rey. He offered his arm, and after a moment’s hesitation, she accepted. His smirk deepened just slightly, but not in his usual cocky way—this time, it was almost... protective.
I leaned back against the cushions, hiding my grin with the tips of my fingers.
Is something going on between those two? Since when?
My eyes lingered on them through the carriage window as they moved toward the second carriage, the air between them faintly awkward yet threaded with an unmistakable pull.
Interesting. Very interesting.
***
[Carriage Ride—On the Way to the Temple—Lavinia’s POV]
The carriage swayed gently as the wheels rolled across cobblestones, the rhythmic clatter echoing through the streets. Outside, the city was alive—banners fluttered from balconies, shopkeepers paused mid-trade to bow, and children ran alongside, their eyes wide with awe as they pointed at the royal crest on the carriage.
"The city seems brighter today," I murmured as I and Marshi leaned closer to the window.
"It shines because today, its light belongs to you." Papa followed my gaze, his expression softening before his voice grew deep and steady. "The people watch this carriage not for me—but for the future it carries. Today, you cease being just my daughter. Today, you become their official heir. Their Empress-to-be."
My breath caught, the words sinking like iron into my chest. Their Empress. The weight of it pressed down, heavy and unyielding.
"And with that title," Papa continued, his tone turning sharper, the warmth edged with steel, "comes burden. From today forward, you will no longer handle trifles of the court. You will carry the Empire itself."
I let out a small sigh, slumping slightly into the cushions. "That sounds... unbearably heavy, Papa. But still...I will try my best."
He turned to me then, eyes gleaming with that strange mixture of affection and tyranny only he could wield. "Do not mistake me, Lavinia. You need not be the best. You need only be right."
"Right?" I echoed quietly.
"Yes." His voice was firm and low, a ruler’s decree wrapped in a father’s care. "A good ruler is not gentle with all. She is cruel to the snakes who slither in her halls and tender only to those who truly need her hand. The common people—your people—must know your protection is absolute. The nobles, however..." His eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "...the nobles must know your leash is around their throats. That they may act only as much as you allow them to. And if they dare test the boundary..."
He raised one gloved hand, curling it into a slow fist. "...you remind them of who holds the power."
I stared at Papa.
I guess...my life is going to change from this point after Divine Benediction. Sigh...I hope I will be a good ruler like Papa.
Then Papa held my hand, saying, "Do not worry, my child. Just be true to yourself. Cruel when you must be. Tender when it matters most. That balance will make you more feared... and more beloved... than any ruler before you."
I smiled, saying, "Thank You Papa."
***
[On the Way to the Temple—Later]
And then the carriage rolled towards the small forest of the empire, the path narrowing as the trees swallowed the light. It was calm... too calm. Marshi yawned, curling against my feet—until suddenly the carriage jolted to a stop.
"Huh? What happened?" I muttered, peering toward the window.
Before I could see, Sir Haldor and Ravick burst to the side of the carriage, their faces pale, their voices low and urgent.
"Your Majesty... Your Highness..." Sir Haldor drew a breath. "We are surrounded. Assassins. They’ve sealed the path from all sides."
"What? Assassins?" I said.
Papa’s hand clenched into a fist, his eyes narrowing as he leaned back against the seat—cold, calculating, and simmering with restrained fury.
"Of course," I muttered darkly, almost amused. "We’re already late, and now vermin dare crawl into our way? Always such nuisances."
But Papa’s lips curved into a cruel smile. "So—the vipers bare their fangs at last? Hmph. Bold... but very foolish."
Ravick bowed his head. "Your Majesty... Your Highness... what are your orders?"
Papa’s gaze shifted to me, molten with anger, yet sharpened with something else—expectation. His words came slow, heavy, and deliberate.
"Lavinia..."
"Yes, Papa?"
"Today is not only the day you ascend as heir. It is the day you prove yourself worthy of that title. Show me—show the Empire—how sharp your blade has become. Crush these crawling snakes. Let their poison drip into the dirt, and let them die knowing who cut them down."
A thrill ran through me. My lips curved as I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, the silk of my skirt tugging against my knee.
"It will be troublesome to fight in this skirt..." I smirked, drawing in a deep breath. "But no matter. I’ll show you, Papa. I’ll show them all—just how much your daughter has sharpened her steel."
And with that, I stepped down from the carriage. "Let’s go... Marshi. Burn them alive."
Marshi answered with a roar that shook the leaves, a living furnace coiling behind me. As the carriage door slammed shut, the world snapped into focus: a line of figures ringed the road, faces wrapped in cloth, horses snorting steam—assassins, dozens strong, blades glinting like cold teeth.
Behind me, Rey’s hand found the pommel of his sword, Sir Haldor’s jaw set like iron, and Ravick’s shoulders were a solid wall of readiness.
Rey’s voice was a dry rasp. "People sure know how to get on nerves."
A small, dangerous smile crept to the corner of my mouth—the kind I kept for the best kinds of fights, the kind that tasted like iron and victory. "Then it’s our job," I purred, each word drawn out slow and deliberate, "to teach them exactly what it means to get on nerves. Now—shall we?"
Steel sang, breath met breath, and the forest held its breath as we moved forward. Today, we would make them remember whose blood ran in these halls. Today, we would show Papa exactly how sharp I had become.