[Lavinia's POV — Outside the Training Hall—Some Days Later]
After successfully convincing Papa to accept my Osric as his son-in-law, I truly believed the universe was finally on my side.
I thought… finally… no more hiding behind the bushes just to steal a kiss. No more ducking behind the marble pillars to exchange secret glances. No more whispering sweet nothings like we were spies committing treason!
We could finally—finally!—love each other openly, freely, gloriously!
But… but… BUT—WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT PAPA WOULD SINGLE-HANDEDLY SHATTER EVERY ROMANTIC DREAM I EVER HAD!!!???
CLANG!!! CLANG!!! CLANG!!!
The deafening sound of swords clashing echoed from the training hall like thunderous heartbreak.
"...Tch. With that strength of yours, Osric…" Papa's cold, tyrannical voice rang out between strikes: "...my daughter will have to protect herself."
My jaw dropped.
