[Five Days Later—Lavinia's POV—Emperor's Chamber]
I lounged like a queen on the couch, one leg dangling off the edge, my head resting on Papa's shoulder. He was sipping his wine, looking every inch the fearsome tyrant… while I was busy demolishing a plate of macarons.
"Papa…" I drawled, stretching the word until it almost fell asleep.
He hummed in acknowledgment, not sparing me a glance, eyes still sharp on the wine goblet.
I eyed the glass suspiciously. That dark, glimmering liquid called to me like forbidden treasure. "Can I taste a little bit?"
His answer came fast and cold—like an execution order. "NO."
I gasped dramatically, clutching my chest. "So cruel!"
He sipped again, calm as ever. "Cruel? I am trying to save."
My eyes lit up, a smile spreading. "Me?"
His eyes flicked down at me, flat as a blade. "No. Them."
I blinked. "...Them?"
"The people," he clarified with a sigh, swirling the wine lazily. "From you."
