[Emperor Cassius's Pov—Imperial Palace—Later]
Rey lounged across from me, draped in shadows as though the darkness itself bent to cradle him. His lips curved into that infuriating smirk—half amusement, half blasphemy.
"The tea is… fantastic," he drawled, swirling the cup lazily. "As expected, the royal palace never fails. Your desserts, your tea… truly the best in the Empire."
Ravick scoffed, folding his arms. "As if you've ever had the desserts of the palace."
Rey's smirk deepened, eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, I have. The princess always feeds me… whenever I visit her."
"What—?!" My chair scraped against the floor as I surged up, hand flying to my sword. My voice thundered like a storm breaking over stone. "You dare—YOU DARE wander around my daughter's chamber? YOU FILTHY—PERVERT!"
Rey didn't so much as flinch. His tone was flat, maddeningly calm. "Both father and daughter have already given me the 'pervert' title, it seems."
