Rafael and Karma exchanged looks before speaking at the same time.
"WHAT?"
"Let me explain first!" Lavinia raised her hands in defense.
Rafael exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple before nodding. "You better."
"That was harsh," she muttered, placing a hand over her chest in mock offense. When he remained silent, she huffed and cleared her throat.
"Nora will do it. But you—" she pointed at Rafael, watching as his expression darkened at the mention of Nora's name alongside his, "—you will help her."
A snicker escaped Karma, and Rafael shot her a death glare before turning back to Lavinia.
"What the hell are you planning?"
Lavinia grinned. "Ah, my dear Rafael, it's good to see you're catching up. You know as well as I do that there is no one better suited to protect Nora than you. And I, for one, have no intention of losing her. So, you better do your job perfectly."
Karma barely stifled her laughter as Rafael's scowl deepened.
"She'll spread rumors," Lavinia continued, her tone sharpening. "And you will make sure she remains unharmed. It's obvious my dear stepmother will hunt down the source, and by then, I hope we will be long gone."
Rafael crossed his arms. "You're taking her with you?"
Lavinia arched an eyebrow. "You disapprove?"
His jaw tensed. Before he could respond, Karma snorted, trying and failing to suppress another laugh.
Rafael hesitated before muttering, "I can't live without her." He shifted uncomfortably under Lavinia's pointed stare. "I think you can manage without her. Don't you?"
Karma let out a choked sound, covering her mouth as her face turned red from trying to hold in her amusement.
Lavinia ignored her and focused on Rafael, unimpressed.
A knock at the door interrupted the moment.
All of them turned toward it as the door creaked open, revealing Nora. She hesitated under their collective gazes before quickly bowing. "Your Highness."
Lavinia smiled. "Sit down, Nora. We were just talking about you."
Nora raised an eyebrow, gaze flickering between Rafael and Karma. Rafael was silent, his face unreadable, while Karma was smirking like a cat that had just found a new toy.
Nora sighed. "What is it?"
"See? She already knows something is up!" Karma laughed, pointing at her.
Lavinia rolled her eyes before turning serious again. "We're sticking to the plan, but there's a new risk involved. Rafael will handle it."
Nora turned to Rafael, who was already watching her. Their eyes met. He nodded. She nodded back.
Before she could speak, their attention snapped toward the door.
A shadow loomed just beyond the entrance. Someone was eavesdropping.
Lavinia's expression darkened as she silently approached the door. With a swift motion, she yanked it open.
A maid stumbled forward, her face drained of color.
"Well, well," Lavinia drawled, tilting her head. "What a surprise."
The maid's legs shook, but she didn't dare move. The princess's gaze felt like a blade pressed to her throat.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" Her voice was laced with mockery.
Rafael stepped forward, his presence alone making the maid flinch. "Who sent you to spy on Her Highness?"
"I—I'm sorry, Your Highness, I didn't mean to—"
Lavinia scoffed. "There, there. Don't lie to me. I can smell liars a mile away, and for your information—" she leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper "—I hate them."
The maid collapsed to her knees, tears spilling as she begged for mercy.
Lavinia rolled her eyes and flicked her fingers toward Rafael. "Take care of her."
Without hesitation, Rafael called for a guard. The maid was dragged away, sobbing.
Lavinia turned back to find Karma watching her, lips curled into an amused smile.
"What?" Lavinia asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Nothing." Karma smirked. "Don't mind me."
Lavinia narrowed her eyes suspiciously but let it go.
"Keep her alive," she instructed Rafael.
He tilted his head slightly, considering, before giving a small nod.
Karma crossed her arms. "The empress is afraid."
"Indeed." Lavinia tapped her fingers against her arm. "She knows I'm planning something. But sending a maid to eavesdrop? That was sloppy of her."
Rafael exhaled through his nose, his gaze flickering toward Nora, who was deep in thought. "It won't be long until you're trapped in that marriage. We need to move faster."
Lavinia's expression hardened. "I will be damned before I let that happen."
Karma grinned. "Oh, I'm sure you won't."
Nora finally spoke up. "I'll handle the rumors as planned. I'll start right away—we don't have time to waste."
They all turned toward her, weighing her words.
Karma nodded. "We also need to consider the emperor's reaction. If we make the wrong move, the empress will twist the truth and turn him against us."
A heavy silence filled the room.
"I'll take care of the emperor." Lavinia's voice was steady, resolute.
She turned to Nora. "Do you know her?" She gestured toward where the maid had been.
Nora hesitated for a second before nodding. "Yes."
And just like that, the next move in their dangerous game was set.