CHAPTER 204: TEA, RUMORS, AND REBELLION

[Lavinia’s Pov—Princess Office—The Next Day]

"Aahhhhhhhhhh... I miss my marshi! My fluffy pillow! My golden furball! My bestie! My baby! My cheeky boo! My lazy panda in a tiger’s disguise! My—"

THUD!!

A scroll landed right in front of me, nearly knocking my nose flat.

"Your Highness," Sera’s voice was dangerously calm, "please... look at the list. These are the nobles I’ve selected for your tea party. You need to finalize them so I can start sending letters."

I wilted in my chair like a dying flower. "You know... sometimes I feel like you’re busier than me, Seraaa..."

Her gaze cut into me like a dagger dipped in sarcasm. "I am busier than you."

"...Huh?"

"I manage your accessories, your gowns, your shoes, your teas, your desserts, your documents, your golden fur—"

"Hey!" I puffed my cheeks. "Marshi is not golden fur! He is a sacred treasure from the heavens!"

She ignored me completely. "—and... your moods."

I blinked. "..."

Wow. Terrifying. With that blank, cold stare, she looked less like my lady-in-waiting and more like an exhausted government clerk who’s this close to filing a complaint about her boss.

I gave her a nervous smile. "Hehe... you... sure are very busy, huh?"

Her lips didn’t twitch. Not even once. "And I am not even paid properly."

... Ouch. That guilt landed right on my conscience like a boulder.

When did she become like this? At first, she was so meek she could barely breathe near me. Now she’s looking at me like I’m the villain boss in her tragic drama and she’s the underpaid heroine.

I slumped against the desk, groaning. "...Should I... maybe hire a personal assistant?"

"That," Sera’s eyes suddenly sparkled—like she’d been praying for this moment every night—"would be an excellent idea, Your Highness."

I froze.

She... she heard me.

And now... I have no choice but to actually hire one.

But I should burden off her work a little. I sighed like a tragic heroine. "About the dresses and shoes... I can manage those on my own, Sera."

She blinked once. "Are you going to call the seamstresses yourself, Your Highness?"

I squinted at her. "...Should I?"

She tilted her head, eyes gleaming like a fox. "Why don’t you try looking at ready-made dresses this time?"

"Ready-made?"

Sera nodded. "Yes, your Highness, it will save both time and sanity."

I slumped, groaning. "Fiiine... maybe... I’ll talk to Papa about it."

"Or," she countered smoothly, "you could simply call boutique owners here. They will crawl to the palace with their entire stock."

"Yessss... but Seraaa," I clutched my chest dramatically, "half the fun of shopping is wandering through shops, hunting for the one, the perfect dress that makes your heart go—boom!"

For the first time today, her lips curved. She actually nodded. "I agree. But first—"

And then it happened.

Her eyes lit up. Her spine went ramrod straight. She slammed her palms on the desk with a battle cry that shook my very soul.

"FIRST, LET US SET THE DATE FOR THE TEA PARTY!"

I yelped. "W-what the—?!"

"This will be your FIRST tea party, Your Highness, and I—" she jabbed her finger at her chest, eyes blazing like a general preparing for war, "—I. WILL. MAKE. SURE. EVERY. INCH. EVERY. CORNER. EVERY. PETAL OF EVERY FLOWER... IS PERFECT!!!"

Was she... glowing? Was that actual fire behind her? Or am I hallucinating again because I skipped breakfast?

I blinked rapidly, staring at my lady-in-waiting, who had just transformed into a war goddess.

Then I chuckled softly, "I almost pity the poor souls who’ll end up working under her. Almost. May the heavens grant them strength—because they’ll need it more than I do.’"

And...I should really raise her pay.

Nanny did well when she chose her for me. Sure, sometimes she acts like my boss instead of my subordinate... but maybe...

Maybe I just found a female friend in her.

Then—

KNOCK. KNOCK.

My eyes lit up like the night sky. I shot up from my chair, nearly tripping over my skirts in excitement. It must be Osric!

I bolted to the door, grinning like a fool, but before I could yank it open, Sera smirked, her voice dripping with mischief.

"Hehe... look at you, Your Highness. I swear, I can see little stars twinkling above your head."

I froze mid-step, heat rushing to my cheeks. With all the dignity of a royal, I spun on my heel, glided back to my seat, and picked up the quill as if I had been writing a grand decree.

"Come... in," I said, as regal and calm as a mountain.

Inside, though? My heart was bouncing like a drum, waiting to see that gorgeous, dashing face—

"How are you, my princess?"

My heart soared.

But then...

"...Rey?"

The sparkles shattered. The excitement died a tragic death.

There he was, strolling in with that insufferable smugness plastered across his face, eyes roaming around like he owned the place.

"So... this is where you work. Hm. Bigger than my office," he said, clicking his tongue before his gaze landed on my desk. His lips curled. "...And you even get a golden quill. Hah. I don’t have a golden quill."

Sera muttered under her breath, "I wonder... how exactly did he freely walk in here?"

That’s when it hit me.

Shit.

If anyone saw him here—in my private office chambers—alone, in broad daylight—this would blow up into a scandal hotter than the palace kitchens.

"Sera! Close the door!" I hissed.

She didn’t even hesitate—BAM!

The door slammed shut.

I grabbed Rey by the wrist, dragging him closer, whisper-yelling through clenched teeth. "What are you doing here in the morning? Strolling in as if you own the palace? What if someone sees you, you idiotic moron!"

He blinked at me, then leaned in, lowering his voice, that teasing smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh? So you’re... worried about me, my dearest princess?"

For just one reckless second, I faltered—then I stomped hard on his foot.

"Be. Serious. Stop flirting, you shameless pervert!"

He winced, sucking in a sharp breath, but instead of backing off, his grin only widened, eyes gleaming like a predator who found new prey.

"Ouch. You wound me, Princess. But... the way you worry for me—" he leaned even closer, voice dropping to a purr, "—isn’t that just another form of love?"

"LOVE?! HA!" I shoved him back. "The only thing you’ll get from me is a restraining order."

Rey only grinned like I’d just confessed eternal devotion and flopped onto the couch, lounging as if it were his throne. "Relax, princess. No one saw me."

"Are you sure?" I hissed, pacing like a trapped cat. "Because if anyone did—"

"—they’d probably faint with my handsome look," he cut in smoothly, stretching out and folding his arms behind his head. "After all, who wouldn’t want to sneak into the chamber of the empire’s most dazzling jewel?"

"..."

Before I could strangle him with my quill, Sera crossed the room with the calm poise of someone used to this circus. She tilted her head at him, lips twitching. "Shall I bring you desserts, like always?"

Rey turned his gaze on her, and I swear if eyes could worship, his just built her a temple. "Yes, please. With honey tea. You really are a goddess, Sera."

She smirked. "Careful. If you flatter me any more, I might just charge you."

"Worth every coin," he shot back without missing a beat.

I threw my hands up. "Great. Now you’re corrupting my lady-in-waiting."

Rey chuckled, entirely too pleased with himself.

I rubbed my temples. "Forget tea and temples. Did you find something about Caelum?"

At that, his grin dimmed a little. He tapped a finger against his knee, eyes narrowing. "Patience, princess. I can’t conjure secrets out of thin air." Then his lips curved again, sly and dangerous. "But—I do have something far more entertaining. About Eleania."

"What about her?"

Rey leaned forward, eyes glittering. "Eleania’s tongue is sharper than a viper, princess. She’s spreading whispers in the court... about you."

I stiffened. "Whispers?"

His smile curled cruel at the edges. "That your sudden ’talent’ for ruling—your reports, your council orders, your speeches—isn’t yours at all. That you’re nothing but a puppet with a pretty face... and a dangerous ambition."

My breath hitched. "...Ambition?"

"Oh yes," Rey purred. "According to her, you’ve been slowly... tightening your grip. Replacing the Emperor’s advisors with your people. Steering policies to weaken him. Acting the dutiful daughter on the outside—while secretly plotting to seize the throne."

My blood ran cold. "That’s—that’s treason! And why would I seize the throne when it’s mine?"

Rey’s laughter was low and wicked. "Exactly. A delicious little seed of suspicion, planted right where it hurts. If it grows... well. Even a whisper of treason can destroy a reputation. And the nobles love nothing more than tearing down someone too bright for their liking."

I leaned back against the table, crossing my arms. My lips curved in a cold smile.

"So... when she failed to brand me wasteful over a few scraps of food, she decided to crown me a rebel child scheming against my own papa?"

Rey’s eyes gleamed. "That’s the story she’s selling."

I tilted my head, smirking, letting the silence drag just long enough to sting. "Then... let’s play this game, too."

His brow arched. "Oh? And what wicked little plan is dancing in that clever head of yours, princess?"

I slid my gaze to the parchment on my table—the neat list of noble families invited for tea. My finger tapped the page once, deliberately.

"Then let’s set the date. Ten days from now. My first tea party... and their first trap."