[Lavinia's Pov---Imperial Palace--- Continuation]
I… am married.
No, let me repeat that properly.
I. Am. Married.
I blinked once. Twice. Then stared at my own hands like they might explain themselves.
When did this happen?
Yesterday, I was a child rolling across Papa's bed, stealing his ink pens, and watching executions like they were street performances. Yesterday, I was arguing with nobles and threatening people twice my age with a smile.
And today—Today, I kissed a man in front of the entire empire and signed my life away with a ring.
A ring.
I lifted my hand again.
Still there.
Very shiny. Very real. Extremely married.
"How," I muttered internally, "did I go from 'being single' to 'this one is legally mine' in such a short span of time?"
Haldor walked beside me, tall, calm, and knightly, pretending like he hadn't just been assaulted by a princess in public.
My husband.
Oh gods...he is my husband now.
I glanced up at him.
He looked… fine.
