[Lavinia's Pov—Council Chamber—Later]
As the council chamber doors opened, Haldor and I stepped inside together. At once, every noble rose.
"We greet Her Highness and His Highness," they said in near-perfect unison, bowing deeply.
I observed them calmly. Some faces held curiosity. Some carried seriousness. Some were amused. Some… clearly displeased.
Papa did not stand.
Of course.
His crimson gaze shifted briefly to Haldor, sharp and unmistakably possessive.
"From now on," he said flatly, "you will sit opposite her."
Haldor immediately bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
And just like that, his place was fixed. Not behind me. Not beneath me.
But beside me.
He took the seat next to mine, directly before Grand Duke Osric. The shift was small—but politically loud.
I sat gracefully and folded my hands. "Let us begin."
The High Minister cleared his throat. "First agenda—border taxation from the western ports. Trade has increased by twelve percent since last quarter."
