[Lavinia’s Office—Later—Lavinia’s POV]
The scratching of quills filled the air. I was hunched over parchnt, determined to stay focused, while Rey sat across the office scribbling away as though he were competing in a speed-writing contest. Sera, calm as ever, moved quietly between us, pouring tea into two cups with a grace that made jealous.
Then—SLAM!
My forehead t the desk with a thud that made the inkwell rattle. Rey jumped in his seat; Sera nearly spilled the tea.
"Ughhh... I can’t concentrate!" I groaned into the wood.
Rey leaned back with a sigh, twirling his quill between his fingers. "What’s wrong with her now?"
Sera gave him a look and replied softly, "Maybe she’s overworked."
Temple Library.
My thoughts had been circling it since the High Priest’s invitation. I wanted—no, I needed—to go there, to dig up anything about Marshi’s powers. But Papa had forbidden it, saying only the Emperor or Empress could enter.
Yet... I still rembered the flicker in his eyes. Not just sternness. Shock. As if he were hiding sothing.
Sera placed a steaming cup of tea by my hand, her brows knitting. "What troubles you, Princess?"
I lifted my head just enough to squint at her. "Sera... tell , if soone handed you the key to a locked door you were never ant to open, would you take it?"
Her eyes widened, puzzled. "...Depends. What’s behind the door?"
I leaned back in my chair, fingers drumming against the desk, my gaze sliding toward the tall window where moonlight poured in like liquid silver.
"That," I murmured, my voice low and sharp, "is the very question clawing at ."
Rey finally set his quill down, eyeing with that annoyingly smug smirk of his. "And which mysterious door is tornting you so much you’ve resorted to head-slamming the desk like a madwoman?"
"The Temple Library," I muttered darkly.
Rey stilled, his brows flicking upward in interest. Then, slowly, he leaned back in his chair and propped his boots on the edge of the desk like he owned the place. "Ahhh, I see. Then by all ans—you should visit. If fate dangles a locked door in front of you, it’s practically begging you to open it. Who knows what delightful secrets are waiting to jump out and bite?"
I turned my head to glare at him, blinking once, twice. "...You’re as bad as the High Priest. And why does everyone talk in riddles?"
Sera hid a small smile behind her teacup.
I threw my hands up dramatically. "I swear, if one more person answers in riddles, I’ll declare it illegal across the Empire."
Rey chuckled under his breath. "What a terrifying law. I’ll start practicing silence then."
"Good," I said with a huff, slumping back into my chair.
But even as I pouted, my mind returned—again—to the forbidden shelves of the Temple Library.
And guess what... now I have no choice but to enter. But I would have to do it without Papa knowing.
Because the way his eyes widened when the High Priest ntioned it... it wasn’t just disapproval. It was panic. He’s hiding sothing. Sothing so tightly locked away that even I wasn’t supposed to glimpse it.
I tapped my fingers against the desk, lips curling into a sly little smile.
"And I need to find that sothing..." I whispered, the words tasting like a promise. "...no matter what."
Rey groaned from across the desk, rubbing his forehead. "I don’t like that look. That’s the ’I’m plotting sothing reckless’ look."
Sera set her cup down with a soft clink, her eyes narrowing in quiet resignation. "Your Highness, please don’t tell you’re planning to sneak into the Temple Library."
I blinked at her innocently, batting my lashes. "...Crown Princess doesn’t sneak—she rely conducts imperial inspections under the guise of secrecy."
"Then what exactly do you call it?" Rey muttered.
I grinned, sharp and mischievous. "An imperial inspection."
Sera sighed heavily, muttering sothing about my terrible definitions of words, while Rey pinched the bridge of his nose like he was already regretting being part of this conversation.
But I leaned back, my eyes half-lidded, already envisioning the shelves, the secrets, and the answers hidden within that sacred library.
This wasn’t just curiosity anymore. It was instinct. And my instincts never lied.
***
[The Day of the Divine Benediction]
The days slipped by in a blur of preparations, each sunrise bringing the Divine Benediction closer.
And then—it arrived.
The day.
The whole palace was alive, humming like a hive on fire. Silk banners draped from the towers, the scent of incense and blooming flowers clung to the air, and courtiers scurried like ants with scrolls, gifts, and ceremonial robes in their arms.
But it wasn’t just the palace. The entire empire was stirring.
In the city below, bells tolled in every district, markets overflowed with color, and common folk shouted blessings to my na. For them, it was a day of pride. For nobles, however... ah, their expressions told a different story.
So smiled too widely, their eyes sharp with calculation.So whispered behind folded fans, twitching with envy and anger.So remained perfectly neutral, like stones in a river—unmoved but watching.
Because after today, I would no longer be just "the beloved daughter of the Emperor."
After today, I would be officially, irrevocably—the heir to the throne.
The next Empress.
Until now, Papa’s word alone declared it. That was enough to silence the court, but the Benediction would etch it into stone—binding, holy, undeniable. No noble faction, no scheming family, and no rival could question it again.
I should’ve been glowing with pride. And maybe a part of was. But beneath that, there was a restless fire flickering.
Because being Crown Princess had been almost comfortable—I managed palace affairs and handled the inside matters, the etiquette, and the order. But becoming the heir ant more.
I would soon have to take responsibility over actual territories—lands, people, economies, armies. To prove my worth, not just as a daughter, but as the one destined to rule.
I sank into the chair before the mirror, the polished surface reflecting my impatient gaze. Sera hovered behind , brush and comb in hand, her eyes sharp with determination. Today, I had to look perfect.
But... I also had another plan. The temple library. The thought made my fingers twitch beneath the silken drape of my ceremonial robe.
"Sera," I murmured, leaning back slightly, "it’s just a small ceremony. You don’t have to go to such lengths."
She didn’t even glance at , her hands already moving through my hair with precise, practiced motions. "No, Your Highness. Today, you must shine brighter than the sun itself. Every strand, every ribbon, every angle of your presence must speak of power and grace. So... stay still."
I let out a long, exaggerated sigh, placing my hands in my lap. "Ah, yes... shine brighter than the sun. Of course. I wouldn’t want the entire empire to think less of ."
Her lips twitched, but she didn’t stop. "Exactly, Your Highness. Now hold still—your crown awaits, and His Majesty grows impatient."
I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, "I swear, Sera... if shining brighter than the sun ans sitting here forever, I might combust before the ceremony even begins."
She gave a faint, amused smile but continued working. "Just a little longer, Princess. Soon, you will be the sun everyone bows to."
I bit back a laugh, tilting my head to watch her hands work with surgical precision. "Very well. Just... be quick. Papa must be waiting."
"Yes, Your Highness," she said, perfectly polite.
I sighed, resigning myself to her ticulous care, but inwardly my mind danced with anticipation. Today was big. The empire would see ascend... but I had a few little secrets of my own to uncover.
Of course, no ceremony of mine ever passed in peace. Nobles, cunning and venomous as vipers, would always find a way to strike.
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