[Lavinia's POV — Imperial Palace]
"I need you to keep an eye on Count Talvan," I said calmly, fingers resting against the arm of my chair. "And the nobles clustered around him. Especially him."
Rey inclined his head, already thoughtful, already ten steps ahead. Haldor sat beside me—close enough that I could feel the warmth of his shoulder, solid and reassuring.
"I can do that myself if you wish, Your Highness," Haldor offered at once, earnest as ever.
Rey and I turned to him in perfect unison.
"Haldor," I said gently but firmly, "tomorrow is the announcement. You won't have the luxury of watching shadows."
He blinked. Once. "I… won't?"
"You'll be standing beside me as Crown Prince, not as Captain," I continued, meeting his eyes. "You'll be surrounded by envoys, nobles, council members—"
"And," I added, a faint smile curving my lips, "you'll be facing my grandfather. And my brothers."
His spine straightened instinctively. "Are… they dangerous?"
