[Lavinia's Pov]
I still couldn't believe it.
Papa actually—actually—forbade me from going to the Holy Temple.
Me. His only daughter. The heir to the empire. Future Empress. Tamer of a divine beast. The reason half the palace staff doesn't sleep at night.
And he said no.
To me.
Over a library.
"I just wanted to know more about Rakshar," I grumbled, dunking my face beneath the warm water and blowing bubbles like an offended carp. "That's all. I wasn't even going to light anything on fire this time."
"Is the water warm, Princess?"
Marella's voice floated into the room, all soft and sunny like a basket of fresh laundry.
I peeked at her from the edge of the bathtub, cheeks puffed up. "Yeah… it's warm. It's good, Marella."
She smiled in that way grown-ups do when they're definitely up to something. "Good. Now, eyes closed, please."
I sighed with tragic drama—because apparently, even in my own royal bath, I wasn't allowed peace—and slapped both hands over my face.
