Chapter 274: Surprise Guests (The Dangerous Kind)
[Everheart Estate—Regis’s Office—Some Days Later]
"...What!?" I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Father just nodded, face dark and stormy, like a thundercloud that could crush me with one glare. He mumbled, "...that’s right...... Osric. Cassius is trying to take away my daughter-in-law from me, and... I cannot let that happen."
I froze, blinking at him.
. . .
. . .
Wait... what? He’s obsessed with making Lavi his daughter-in-law? I’d known my father had quirks, but this... this was a new level of eccentricity. And at his age? Really?
Then he slammed the desk so hard I thought it might crack and stood up, voice booming: "He cannot go to the family picnic with my dearest daughter-in-law... without his complete family!"
I blinked. "And... who exactly counts as the complete family?"
Father didn’t even flinch. He pointed at me like a general commanding an army. "ME. AND YOU."
I blinked again. Slowly. "...You... you do realize I’m the groom, right?"
He wheeled on me, eyes blazing. "Then plan to propose to her, Osric! Make it so grand, so spectacular, that even Cassius cries!"
I tried to imagine the scene.
His majesty crying, huh? Yeah... right. More likely he’d raise his sword and stab me on the spot. I couldn’t help but mutter under my breath, "...or just decapitate me where I stand."
Father didn’t hear me—or maybe he did and just ignored it like I was an annoying insect. He folded his hands behind his back and muttered, almost to himself, "Now... I have no choice but to make an official announcement soon."
I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose.
Of course. Of course my life had become a romantic comedy written by someone who clearly hated subtlety. I was the groom, my father was a war general, and His majesty... well, His majesty was a deadly storm waiting to ruin everything.
I rubbed my temples. "Father... I hope you recall... I’m the one proposing here, not you. And I have, you know... feelings to consider."
Father whipped his gaze at me, sharp as a blade. "Exactly! So make it unforgettable. Make it so grand that even the stars weep and the mountains bow... and if Cassius dares complain, he’ll wish the earth swallowed him whole!"
I opened my mouth, ready to argue. But really... what could I even say? "Sure, Dad. Totally subtle. Totally normal. No pressure."
And just like that, my life had officially turned into a battlefield of romance, grandeur, and impending sword fights.
Anyway... proposing to Lavi had always been on my life goals list. Check that—top of the list, above "don’t get decapitated by His majesty." Now the real question: how the hell do I do this?
Should I make it public?
No... that would be a royal disaster. His Majesty would separate my head from my neck so fast I’d need a new one for dinner or he’d probably organize a duel on the spot just for the spectacle.
Proposal under the moonlight?
Romantic, yes. But let’s be honest—mosquitoes love me more than anyone else on this planet, and I guarantee Lavi would smack me with a pillow before I could get past the first "Will you..."
Dinner proposal?
Classic, elegant... and very likely to end with me choking on something expensive while Lavi tries to hide her laughter.
Picnic proposal?
Cute idea—except my father would probably show up with his ceremonial sword just to "protect his daughter-in-law," turning a romantic moment into a training exercise for assassins.
I groaned, rubbing my temples. There had to be a perfect plan. Something romantic, dramatic, unforgettable... yet survivable.
Maybe... just maybe... I could bribe the stars to align, hire a choir of nightingales."
I sighed dramatically, flopping back in my chair. Romance had never felt this dangerous. But then again... for Lavi, I’d gladly march into a dozen royal executions.
And maybe... just maybe... she’d laugh at my chaos and say yes anyway.
"Anyway, Osric..."
Father’s voice cut through my thoughts—tired, sharp, and impossibly commanding all at once.
"Yes, Father?" I asked, sitting straighter.
He studied me with those piercing eyes of his, the weight of the empire in his gaze. "Now... since you will soon be officially declared Crown Prince by the Emperor himself, do not forget—your position will make you the center of attention... and, very likely, the center of danger."
I froze for a heartbeat, my heart picking up pace.
Father continued, voice lowering but heavy with gravity. "Once you are engaged to the Crown Princess... you will share not only her title but also the burdens of her life... and the dangers that follow. My son... I hope you understand the responsibility you are about to shoulder. Protect her, protect yourself... protect the throne."
I swallowed, nodding slowly. "Don’t worry, Father. I will always be with Lavi."
He gave a slow, approving nod, but his eyes darkened with something I couldn’t read. "And... I have reason to believe... Count Talvan may be conspiring against the throne."
I furrowed my brows. "Count Talvan? Father... he’s always been loyal to the Emperor. Why would he—"
Father’s gaze sharpened. "Do not forget... he is also the brother of the previous Empress... the one Cassius killed."
I fell silent. The room seemed to shrink around me, the weight of history pressing down.
"He may wear the mask of loyalty," Father continued, voice low and deliberate, "but masks can slip. Talvan’s sincerity... may only be a performance. Even his own family cannot be trusted completely. Danger is never far from the throne, Osric... and sometimes, it comes from where you least expect it."
I nodded, tension knotting my chest. "Yes, Father. I will keep my eyes open... and my guard up."
He allowed himself a single, brief nod. "Good. Remember... vigilance is your crown before the crown is even placed upon your head."
"Yes, Father," I replied, forcing a steady tone. And just like that, I left his office, the weight of his words pressing down on me with every step.
Count Talvan... now that I thought about it, wasn’t Eleania also adopted by him? In my previous life, it had been Marquiess who adopted her—but in this life, it was Count Talvan.
Which meant... Marquiess, Caelum, and Eleania... were they all merely pawns in Talvan’s game? Was he the one pulling strings, orchestrating everything—even in my previous life?
I rubbed my temples, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. "Everything is so... confusing," I muttered under my breath. "And yet... I still have to figure out whether Count Talvan is truly conspiring against the throne... or if I’m just chasing shadows... or if there’s someone far more dangerous out there, waiting in the dark."
The corridors of the palace felt heavier as I walked, every whispered echo a reminder: in this life, nothing is as simple as it seems. And the line between ally and enemy... is thinner than I ever imagined.
***
[Lavinia’s POV — The Birthday Picnic]
I stretched my arms high, the sun warming my face, as I stood beside the carriage, decked out in my full picnic gear—round hat, comfy dress, and the very serious intention of having zero responsibilities today.
"All set... totally ready for the picnic!" I announced, spinning around like a princess who owned the outdoors.
Marshi stretched too, his tail wagging so furiously I was afraid it might knock someone over. He’d been cooped up forever, and now we were finally going somewhere far, far away.
"Let’s have fun, Marshi!" I cheered.
He let out a roar of happiness, practically vibrating with joy.
And then... a voice behind me froze my smile.
"We are ready... daughter-in-law."
I blinked, spun around, and—oh no. My instincts screamed doom.
Osric and Grand Duke Regis were standing there, looking far too composed. Too calm. Too dangerous.
Grand Duke Regis waved a hand casually, like he didn’t just appear out of nowhere to ruin a perfectly innocent birthday picnic. "So... where are we going, my dear?"
I swallowed, feeling a pit form in my stomach. Something about this felt very... doomed.
And then—oh, the worst possible sound—"YOU... YOU BASTARD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
My papa’s roar thundered behind Regis, shaking the ground, and yes... that confirmed it. He was doomed.
I glanced at Marshi, who froze mid-wag, and muttered, "Yep... this picnic just turned into disaster in a carriage."