CHAPTER 217: THE NIGHT REFUSES TO END

[Dawnspire Wing—Lavinia’s Chamber—Later—LAVINIA’S POV]

The moment we reached my chambers, I collapsed dramatically into Osric’s lap, sprawling as though the world itself had tried to murder me with boredom and gossip. Resting my head against the firmness of his thighs, I threw my arms up toward the painted ceiling and groaned, "Gosh... Papa was so right. All nobles are traitors, filthy liars, and cowards—every last one of them! I swear, the empire is one gigantic pigsty dressed in silk."

"Every last one?" Osric’s voice was smooth, amused, and far too calm for my storm of frustration. He leaned down just enough to poke the tip of my nose with his finger. "Careful, Lavi. Don’t forget... I’m a noble too."

I blinked up at him, caught red-handed. His eyes narrowed into that mock-suspicious squint, the kind that always made me feel like a child being scolded for stealing cookies.

Like a professional at covering my tracks, I turned my gaze dramatically toward the ceiling, avoiding his stare as if it were too much to bear.

"Ah... correction then." I cleared my throat with fake seriousness. "Not all nobles. Just... most of them. Ninety-nine percent."

I grabbed his hand with both of mine, placed it firmly atop my head, and said sweetly, "Now come on... give me a little massage, my love. Your princess demands compensation."

He sighed. And it was purposefully exaggerated, dripping with false agony. "So I’m the sacred one percent?" His fingers still found their way into my hair, gentle and slow, kneading the tension from my scalp as if he couldn’t help himself. "Should I feel honored now?"

I closed my eyes, melting instantly beneath his touch. "Mm, yes. You should feel worshipped. I’m practically declaring you a saint. Saint Osric of the Suffering Princess."

He laughed low, the sound vibrating through his chest and against my ear where I leaned into him. "Suffering, hm? You sounded awfully powerful back there in the garden, threatening half the empire. And now here you are, whimpering in my lap like a spoiled kitten."

"Shh," I mumbled, nuzzling closer, hiding my smile against him. "Kittens bite when teased."

"Oh?" He bent lower, brushing his lips against my temple, his breath warm against my skin. "Then maybe I should risk it. Saints are supposed to face danger, aren’t they?"

I tilted my head, smiling slyly before pushing my lips into a pout. "Alright then... give me a kiss."

He chuckled low, as if amused by my demand, and leaned down to brush the lightest peck against my lips. Barely there.

. . .

. . .

I froze, blinking at him. Definitely offended. "What was that?"

"A kiss."

"It wasn’t."

"It is." His mouth quirked into a smirk, clearly enjoying himself.

My jaw dropped. I sat up, leaned closer, and narrowed my eyes. "Sometimes," I whispered slowly, dramatically, "you behave like... like an angry grandpa."

He flinched as though I’d stabbed him. "WHAT! I am not a grandpa."

I shrugged innocently, resting my chin on my palm. "You behave like one. Grumpy, miserly with affection, stingy with kisses—very grandpa-like."

The silence that followed was so heavy it was almost comical. Even Marshi and Solena, who had been busy plucking each other’s fur and feathers in their usual chaos, paused mid-swipe and blinked at us. Then, as if deciding our nonsense wasn’t worth their attention, they resumed their little battlefield.

Before I could smirk at him again, Osric suddenly tugged me closer, and I stumbled right into the firm line of his chest. My hands pressed against him, but instead of pushing away, I melted against his warmth. His right hand slid down, brushing against the bare skin of my thigh where my gown had shifted. His fingers lingered, deliberate, burning a path of heat against me.

My breath hitched.

He leaned down, his voice dropping lower, husky, and dangerous. "Should I... prove what I am, Lavi?"

My eyes widened. My hand flew to slap at his wandering one, though my touch was weak, more flustered than furious. "A-Are you seducing me... in daylight?"

The corner of his lips lifted, wolfish, as his gaze flicked lazily to the tall windows where the sun was dipping low. "Daylight?" he murmured, his voice brushing against my ear like velvet. "Look again, love... the night is already about to start."

I swallowed hard, caught between laughter and the heat pooling in my chest. My fingers curled into his shirt. "You... you really are impossible."

He chuckled low, clearly satisfied at flustering me.

I slipped off his lap with a dramatic huff, smoothing down my gown like I hadn’t just been seconds away from melting completely in his arms. "Alright, enough of that. Just... go back. The day is over."

Stretching my arms high above my head, I let out a wide yawn, not even trying to hide it. "Yawn... I’ll take a bath, have dinner with Papa, and then sleep immediately. I feel exhausted after dealing with those dreadful nobles. Truly... nothing drains the soul faster than their endless scheming."

Osric chuckled again, this time softer and warmer. Before I could step away, his arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me into the firm comfort of his chest. He pressed a lingering kiss against my cheek, his lips warm, his presence grounding.

"Alright," he murmured near my ear, his voice velvet and tender. "I shall leave, then. Rest well, my love. Take care."

I waved lazily over my shoulder, though a smile tugged at my lips. "Go, go. Before I change my mind and demand more kisses."

His laugh followed him as he slipped out of the chamber, saying, "Solena, let’s go."

***

[Imperial Dining Hall—Later]

My eyes were swollen with sleep and red from fatigue, and yet... there I was, slumped at the dining table, still chewing through dinner. Because if I didn’t eat now, I just knew my stomach would start growling like a beast in the middle of the night.

Papa’s large, calloused hand brushed gently against my cheek, his touch feather-light. "Are you truly that sleepy today?"

I blinked slowly, half-asleep, head tilting toward his palm like a cat seeking warmth. "Mhm... yes," I murmured, my voice drowsy.

"Should I feed you, then?"

"Yes."

He smiled faintly before cutting a piece of tender meat and lifting it to my lips. I chewed obediently, and he asked, "So... how was the tea party?"

A smirk tugged at my lips—mischievous even through my haze of sleep. "I made sure they understood, Papa... in the future, they will work under me." My words slurred slightly, but the edge of victory was clear. "And you were right, Papa... nobles are traitors!"

Papa’s chest rumbled with laughter, though his eyes gleamed with pride. "Very good. You realized that truth sooner than most. I am proud of you, Lavinia."

"Thank you papa."

"Alright," he said softly, spearing the last bite of food. "This is the last one."

He guided it to my mouth, and I accepted it with a faint smile.

Around us, Ravick and the attending maids stood quietly, their faces softened with warmth. No emperor, no crown princess, no court. Just a father and his daughter, sharing dinner as if the world outside did not exist.

***

[Dawnspire Wing—Lavinia’s Chamber—Later]

At last. My bed. My sanctuary. My one true love.

Marshi was already sprawled on the other side of the mattress, snoring peacefully, his big belly rising and falling like a lazy drumbeat.

I kicked off my slippers, tossed my robe halfway across the room, and launched myself toward the soft embrace of my blanket like a knight charging into battle. Sweet, blissful sleep was just a heartbeat away—

KNOCK. KNOCK.

I froze mid-pounce.

...That was not the balcony. That was my door.

"Goooosh," I groaned, dragging myself upright like a corpse risen too soon. "Who is it now?"

Dragging my half-dead body across the floor, I yanked open the door—only to find Rey leaning casually against the frame, smirk in place, hand raised in a little wave.

"Hey there, princess."

I blinked once. Twice. Then immediately tried to slam the door shut. "GET. LOST. I. AM. GOING. TO. SLEEP."

His hand shot out, catching the door before it closed. "Now, now. Don’t be so cruel. This is urgent."

"Urgent?" I snapped, my eyes barely staying open. "Rey, the only urgent thing right now is me and my blanket. We can talk tomorrow morning. Can’t you see my eyes? They’re literally shutting against my will."

His smirk only widened. "Oh, but this news will wake you right up, princess."

I shoved against the door, scowling. "Rey, I swear, if this is another one of your dramatic speeches, I will personally throw you off the balcony. Just get lost. I don’t want to hear anything—"

"CAELUM IS THE HIDDEN EMPEROR!"

My hands froze on the door.

My breath caught.

I turned slowly, wide-eyed, staring at his infuriatingly smug face.

...And just like that, all thoughts of blankets, sleep, and dreams vanished into smoke. So much for a good night’s rest.