[Lavinia's POV]
It's been two days.
And the palace has been… too busy. Too loud. Too fast.
People keep coming and going—nobles in thick robes and fancy boots, their faces pale like they'd seen ghosts. Some were shouting. Some were whispering. Papa's eyebrows always stay low, his jaw tight, like he is chewing something bitter.
I heard some things. Not everything. Just... bits.
They said someone attacked the Everhart estate. Not bandits. Not rebels. They said it was from another empire. A real, proper enemy.
Someone tried to shake Papa's empire by hitting something strong. And that strong thing... was the Everharts.
And Grand Duke Regis?
He still hasn't woken up.
He lies there like a sleeping statue. Pale and still and too quiet. I peeked once—just a little peek—and I saw a healer light dancing over his chest, like a candle flame that refused to go out.
