[Lavinia's POV — Dawnspire Wing, Next Morning]
When I opened my eyes, the world was already screaming. Not literally—but close enough.
The sound of distant bells echoed from the palace courtyard, followed by hurried footsteps and the distinct hum of chaos. Sera burst into my room before I could even blink, holding a stack of papers like she was about to announce my execution.
"Your Highness! The morning reports—!"
I groaned into my pillow. "If this is about Eleania's disowning, let me sleep, Sera. I am so tired."
"It's not about the Talvan family!" she squeaked, nearly tripping over Marshi, who made an indignant noise from under the bed. "It's worse!"
That made me sit up. "Worse than Disowning news?"
She shoved one of the papers toward me, eyes wide with horror and fascination. "See for yourself!"
The front page of the Imperial Morning Herald greeted me in bold, elegant letters:
"CROWN PRINCESS WALKED HAND-IN-HAND WITH IMPERIAL CAPTAIN — GRAND DUKE LEFT BEHIND!"
