[Lavinia's POV—Imperial Palace—Private Garden—The Next Day]
Sera poured the tea with careful hands, though her eyes kept drifting toward the woman seated across from me.
Eleania.
Her posture was straight, but her gaze was lowered, as if she feared the garden itself might judge her. I studied her for a long moment before speaking.
"You can relax, Eleania."
She flinched slightly, then nodded. "I am… relaxed, Your Highness. I was only wondering why you wished to speak with me privately."
Sera stepped back behind my chair as I lifted my teacup.
"I wished to have a conversation," I said calmly, "with the future Grand Duchess of Eloria."
Eleania's fingers tightened around her cup.
I tilted my head. "Do you feel anger toward me?"
She shook her head quickly. "I would never dare, Your Highness. How could a mere commoner hold anger toward the Crown Princess?"
A faint smile touched my lips.
