[Lavinia's POV — Imperial Palace—Emperor's Chamber—The Next Morning]
I knocked once. From inside, Papa's voice followed immediately—sharp, commanding, and unmistakably awake.
"Come in."
Marshi and I peeked inside at the same time. I smiled widely. Too widely.
"What are you doing, Papa?" I asked sweetly, stepping in like I hadn't just woken up with an empire-sized dilemma sitting on my chest.
Papa blinked.
Once.
Then he stared at me.
Long.
Hard.
Suspiciously.
"…What do you want?" he asked.
I gasped—dramatically, hand flying to my chest. "What? I can't come visit my own father?" I fluttered my lashes shamelessly. "Just… you know. Casually. Out of love. I can't even do that?"
I even leaned forward slightly. Adorabombs. Full force. Marshi, traitor that he was, immediately copied me—tilting his head, widening his eyes, and swishing his tail in what could only be described as coordinated manipulation.
Papa's gaze flicked between the two of us.
Then narrowed.
