[Lavinia’s POV — Imperial Palace—After the Picnic—Irethene City]
"...Huh? But why, Nanny?" I asked, watching her deft fingers comb through my hair.
"Princess," Nanny said, her tone gentle but firm, "do not forget—you are the crown princess. And crown princesses never neglect their duties."
Sera, busy arranging my clothes, nodded vigorously. "I agree with Nanny, Princess. Even if the nobles are... well, the worst, you should still hold a birthday event. It’s about appearances, after all."
I leaned closer to the mirror, tilting my head as I examined the braid Nanny was crafting. "But... the birthday is over, Nanny. Can’t I just... relax for a bit?"
She smiled, brushing a loose strand behind my ear. "Then perhaps you should organize another event, Princess," she said softly, her eyes meeting mine. "... I don’t want my princess’ reputation to suffer."
I raised an eyebrow, squinting at her. "Nanny... did you hear people gossiping?"
She froze, and I couldn’t help but smirk. "Ah... so you really can’t hide your feelings, huh?"
Nanny chuckled, her cheeks tinged with pink. "I... suppose I’ve become too old for secrets."
I pulled her into a hug, laughing softly. "No, Nanny. You’re not too old—you’re just too innocent. But... you’re right. I should hold an event."
She patted my head fondly. "That’s my girl. Now... which style shall I braid your hair into?"
I grinned mischievously. "Something... sexy."
Her eyes widened, and then she chuckled softly. "Ah, very well, Princess. Something sexy it shall be."
As Nanny began weaving the braids, I stared at my reflection, muttering under my breath, "I should talk to Papa about this."
***
[Imperial Palace of Irethene City—Hallway—Later]
I draped my shawl around my shoulders and strolled down the marble hallway toward Papa’s chamber. Sera fell in step beside me.
"Marshi played so much today, he fell asleep almost instantly," she said, shaking her head with a laugh.
I smiled. "Well... he bounced around like a lunatic with Solena earlier. No wonder he’s out cold."
Sera chuckled. "Honestly... half the time I forget these are divine animals, not oversized, hyperactive pets."
I leaned against the window, letting the moonlight spill across my face. "Irethene is beautiful, isn’t it? Even from up here."
Sera peered out beside me. "It really is. Too bad Caleum and that priest turned into a disaster, but... I’m glad you handled it. Smartly, too."
"Of course," I said proudly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "It’s part of Elorian now, after all."
Sera nodded thoughtfully. "I heard the forests here are vast... full of wild animals. Perfect for hunting."
I froze mid-step. "Huh? Hunting?" I muttered, eyebrows raised.
Sera glanced at me, curious. "What’s the matter, Your Highness?"
I spun to face her, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Sera... imagine this! A hunting festival! Our empire never had forests this vast for hunting... but now? We could host something grand!"
Sera’s eyes widened. She tapped her chin, thinking. "That... actually sounds amazing, Your Highness. It’s exciting, and it’s perfectly suited for the land. Nobles will love it—and it’ll show off Irethene beautifully."
I grinned like a mischievous child. "Then it’s settled! Let’s pitch it to Papa and see if he falls for it—or explodes first."
Sera laughed, shaking her head. "Honestly, Princess, I don’t know which is more likely... but I can’t wait to see it!"
I twirled down the hallway, shawl fluttering, and muttered to myself with a laugh, "A hunting festival... Papa won’t know what hit him."
***
[Emperor Cassius Chamber—Later]
BRUST!!
SLAM!!
"PAPA—LET’S ORGANIZE A HUNTING FESTIVAL!!!" I practically exploded into the room, breathless and every inch dramatic.
Papa flinched mid-sip, his wine trembling in the glass. He blinked at me slowly, very much like a man who’d been yanked from the middle of an excellent brooding.
"A... what?" he asked, one eyebrow arching.
I took one dramatic step forward and peered at his wine as if it were a conspirator. He followed my eyes, which were at a wine glass, and he set the glass down with exaggerated care and looked back at me.
"No," he said with mock severity, "you may not have wine."
"I didn’t ask for any," I protested, rolling my eyes.
He gave me that infuriating half-smile. "Don’t be foolish. I can read your mind from here, Lavi. All the way to the mischief."
"Tch."
"Now...what were you saying?" He asked.
I sighed and then flopped onto his bed with theatrical exhaustion. "Papa... I was thinking. Since I couldn’t hold my birthday event properly, why not a hunting festival? Irethene has the forests, the wilds—everything we need."
He squinted, lips pressed. "And why, pray tell, does my crown princess care about the nobility’s amusement?"
I turned, eyes glinting with a very dangerous sort of mischief.
"Because—" I leaned in conspiratorially, "—I’d like to show them a live demonstration of how the princess does not hesitate to murder. Today it’s an animal; tomorrow...it could be their necks. Imagine their faces when they realize entertainment can have teeth."
There. I said it. I felt wicked and oddly satisfied.
Papa’s expression flickered—first shock, then the faintest reluctant amusement. He set his chin on his knuckles and studied me like one studies a particularly intriguing chess piece.
"Where did you get that tyrant streak, eh?" he asked, half-admiring, half-warning.
I shrugged, perfectly innocent. "From you, obviously."
He let out a sound that was almost a laugh—low and approving. The fearsome emperor softened into a father: his voice gentled, warm and proud. "Of course. Of course it comes from me. My daughter would be a dull thing without a little edge."
But then he straightened, and the air shifted. The warmth drained from his smile and something steelier slid into his tone—sharp as a blade.
"If you go through with this festival," he said, voice slow and dangerous, "it will not be a parade for pompous nobles. It will be a lesson. Nobles should always be reminded what we are, everytime. Let the nobles watch as their frivolity meets the wild. Let them be reminded whose land they trespass upon and whose hand holds the law."
I grinned. "So... a show and a lesson? Excellent. Do we get banners?"
He smirked, a flash of his old emperor self returning. "Banners, guards, and cages where needed. And anyone who mistakes sport for mercy will find themselves learning humility very quickly."
I rolled my eyes, but my smile was all mischief and pride. He reached out and ruffled my hair—gentle, indulgent.
"Very well," he said, softer again. "Organize it. But you consult with me first, lest your ’fun’ turn into a diplomatic incident that requires my head—rather than theirs."
"Deal," I said, hugging him. "Also—can we have lanterns? And music? And maybe a tiny fireworks display for the finale when you announce the winner?"
"Alright...do whatever you want."
I laughed, stepping back. "Then I should start the preparation. Good night, Papa."
He smiled, the rare soft curve of his lips reserved only for me. "Don’t stay up too late, Lavinia. Take a rest too."
"Alright, Papa." I waved lightly, stepping out of his chamber, where Sera waited patiently.
I stretched my arms theatrically, feeling the thrill of planning bubble through me. "Alright, Sera, let’s start sending invitations. Call Osric and Rey—they need to be in on this from the beginning. I am not writing the invites myself. I totally want their interference!"
Sera raised an amused brow, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "As you wish, Princess. Shall I ready the stationery and ink?"
"Yes!" I clapped my hands. "And make them elegant but intimidating. It’s a hunting festival, after all—fun."
Sera chuckled softly, shaking her head as she left to gather quills and parchment. "Very well, Princess. Let the festival preparation begin."
***
[Princess Office—Later]
Rey, blinking sleepily, squinted at us. "Wait... are you saying we need to write the letters now?"
I nodded eagerly. "Yes... it’ll be fun!"
Osric grinned, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Alright... whatever you want, Lavi."
Rey stared at us, completely dumbfounded. "Wow... love really is blind, isn’t it?"
Sera immediately snapped her head around, eyes sharp. "I heard that, Rey."
Rey flinched, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I was just kidding, darling!"
I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound mingling with the quiet rustle of the palace corridors.
And just like that, the palace halls buzzed with energy. We started drafting invitations, sealing each one with my personal crest. Messengers were prepared, letters stacked neatly, ready to be dispatched at the first opportunity. The air was electric with anticipation, every corner of the palace seeming to hum with the promise of what was to come.
I could hardly contain my excitement. A hunting festival—my first chance to hunt wild animals.
A small, dark smile curved my lips. Who would’ve thought this festival would teach me more than sport and skill... who would’ve thought that during the hunt, it would extend beyond the forest?
Who would have imagined that I would hunt not a wild animal, but a noble—one wrapped in silk and lies, now summoned to face the forest and my will?
And when the moment comes, Osric will kneel before me to beg for that person’s life.