Chapter 72: From Giggles to Gasping

Chapter 72: From Giggles to Gasping [Emperor Cassius’s Pov] I leaned back in my chair with a sigh, letting the weight of my position settle over me like a heavy cloak. Regis sat across from me, his eyes fixed on me with that all-too-familiar intensity. He couldn’t hide it; I knew exactly what he was after. "Stop staring and speak up," I growled, my voice dripping with the kind of authority only an emperor could muster. Regis leaned forward, an eager glint in his eyes, as if he was about to ask something of great importance. "Did you think about it?" There it was, the ridiculous notion that had been swirling in his mind for days, slowly poisoning everything around him. The idea that he thought might be somehow acceptable. And yet, I allowed the silence to stretch, playing the game, letting him believe I was unaware of his thoughts. "What?" I asked, a single word laced with mock innocence. Regis’s smile was far too wide, far too eager. "About our kids... getting engaged to each other." I blinked, a slow, deliberate motion. Then cursed myself inwardly. I really should throw him in the dungeon for a year. Maybe two, just for his own good. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that. Instead, I let a smirk curve my lips saying, "I did." Regis’s eyes practically glowed with excitement. "Really?" he asked, barely able to contain himself. I nodded, leaning back in my chair with a confidence that was second nature. "Yes. I thought... marriage is a very crucial and sensitive topic. And I cannot decide my daughter’s future without her permission." The eagerness in his eyes was unmistakable, like a starving dog waiting for a bone. "Oh, well, we can just ask them, right?" I couldn’t believe he was still going with this. A four-year-old child. I wasn’t about to entertain this nonsense. "The princess is four," Theon interjected, his voice calm, rational—everything Regis was not. "I’m sure she doesn’t know much about marriage." I smirked, leaning forward just a bit, my pride swelling. "That’s right. My daughter doesn’t know about marriage. In fact, she told me just yesterday that she would marry me." Regis blinked, looking utterly lost. "She said that?" I nodded, my chest puffing out in absurd pride. "Yes, she did. And it’s quite clear that my daughter wishes to stay with me forever. She has no intention of living without me." Regis looked like he wanted to argue, but I wasn’t in the mood to listen to his ridiculous reasoning. I raised my hand to silence him before he could speak. "But I won’t disappoint you. Since you are loyal... and, perhaps, a friend by your own delusions, I will ask my daughter about it." His eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Really?" I nodded, leaning back once more, savoring the moment. "Yes. I’ll ask her when the time is right." Regis, like a dog being dangled its favorite treat, leaned forward, practically vibrating. "When will you ask her?" I didn’t hesitate for even a second. "Maybe...at her coming-of-age ceremony." For a moment, Regis just stared at me, mouth agape, before he exploded. "WHAT?! But... but that’s too long!" I stared at him, my patience wearing thin. "Then do you want me to ask my four-year-old daughter about her marriage plans, Regis?" He froze, instantly shrinking back as if struck. Good. He should understand his place. Regis sank back into the couch, defeated. "I knew... I knew you would decline my proposal." A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "Good. That means you know me." Regis muttered something under his breath, something about how he "really wanted our children to get married." I didn’t bother replying. There was nothing to say. Let him stew in his disappointment. I had far more important matters to attend to—matters that didn’t involve the foolish dreams of the Grand Duke. Still, I couldn’t resist one final thought, my lips curling into an almost imperceptible smirk. As expected... I’ll be the one to decide my daughter’s future. No one else gets a say in this, no matter how many ridiculous proposals they make. *** [Lavinia’s Pov] I sat by the window, my tiny feet dangling off the edge of the cushioned bench, staring out at the vast palace grounds. The birds flitted by, the wind made the trees sway, and everything just felt... so peaceful. But not in a good way. Gosh... I sighed loudly, slumping over dramatically. I am so bored. How was this possible? I was four. Four! And yet, here I was, bored out of my mind. There was so much I could be doing, so many things to explore, but instead, I had to sit in this nursery all day. Boring. Boring. Boring. Then there was a sudden sparkle in my eyes. I know what to do! I jumped up, pumping my tiny fists in the air. "I’m going to meet Papa!" I announced, filled with a new burst of energy. I strutted toward the door, each step echoing across the marble floor. My tiny shoes went click click click, and in my mind, I was already halfway to Papa’s arms, being lifted up high and smothered in love. But just as my hand reached the door handle, a large figure appeared in front of me like a boss at the end of a level. "No, Princess, you cannot." It was Ravick. I blinked up at him. "Huh?" What was his problem? I tilted my head, asking, "Why not?" Ravick stood there like a castle gate with legs. "His Majesty is busy with something important, Princess. I suggest you wait for him." Busy? Hmm... suspicious. Papa was always busy. He was the emperor, after all. But no matter how busy he was, he always made time for me. Before I could launch into an epic debate about parental priorities, Nanny swooped in behind me with her usual I’m-about-to-lie-to-you smile. She patted my head and said, "Princess, why don’t you read some books?" Books? I blinked. I squinted at her like a tiny detective. "Nanny... I haven’t even started my studies yet. And let’s be real, I don’t plan to for a very long time." She flinched like I’d just slapped her with a hardcover. "W-Well," she stammered, "you could... You could look at pictures!" Now I narrowed my eyes. Okay. This is weird. Why were they so desperate to keep me here? What was going on? Were they hiding something? Was Papa okay? Was the palace being attacked by giant frogs?! (Probably not, but still.) I was a princess, not a porcelain doll. I needed adventure! Excitement! At the very least, I needed Papa! I planted my hands on my hips and gave them my fiercest glare—the kind that could shatter glass (or at least crack some nerves). Then an idea hit me. A brilliant, wonderful, genius idea. I grinned like a villain in a bedtime story. "LOOK, IT’S A UFO!" I shouted, pointing dramatically at the ceiling, as if the very air was filled with otherworldly objects. Of course, it was a completely empty ceiling, but my audience—Ravick, Nanny, Marella, and the rest of the servants—looked up at the ceiling as if they had just spotted a flying saucer. Every single one of them. I was totally winning. I mean, honestly, what would a UFO even do in a nursery? Kidnap me for being too cute? Without missing a beat, I bolted. "SORRY NANNY, BUT I AM GOING TO SEE PAPA!" I shrieked gleefully, dashing out the door with the speed of a squirrel who just stole a cookie. Behind me, chaos erupted. "Princess, no!""Wait, come back!""It’s dangerous!" Too late. The great escape had begun. I zoomed down the hallway, my tiny feet slapping against the floor, my giggles echoing like triumphant music. This was the excitement I needed! A chase! A rebellion! An act of pure toddler defiance! As I rounded the corner, I grinned to myself, feeling unstoppable. Gosh, being a princess is way too easy when you’re as clever as me. I dashed straight toward Papa’s office, already imagining him dropping everything just to scoop me into a hug. But when I reached the door, it was... empty. Weird. Just then, I saw a group of knights sprinting down the corridor—toward the throne room. My steps slowed. They looked... tense. No, scared. And they weren’t alone. Several nobles I didn’t recognize were hurrying behind them, whispering urgently to one another. I tilted my head. Did something happen? Curiosity burning in my chest, I tiptoed after them, my earlier giggles now replaced by quiet breaths. When I reached the throne room, I peeked out from behind a tall pillar. And then I froze. My eyes went wide. My heart dropped. Papa’s hands were drenched in blood. Blood that dripped onto the marble floor like something from a nightmare. My lips trembled. My breath caught. "Papa... is he... Is he injured?" I wanted to run to him, but my feet wouldn’t move. I was frozen, my heart too loud, my thoughts too quiet.