"How dare the emperor make such a declaration without consulting me first, and that, to a common street rat he knows nothing of," Empress Dowager Victoria Valentina hissed, her jeweled fingers curling tightly around the handle of her fan.
A tense silence hung in the drawing room, broken only by the flickering of the fire. Several council members, all handpicked allies of the Dowager, sat in grave silence.
"The emperor must be called to order," one of them finally said, an earl whose loyalty lay more with tradition than the throne. "This sort of impulsive decision might endanger the very foundation of the kingdom."
Victoria let out a long, exasperated sigh. Her silhouette, draped in violet silk and silver lace, remained still as she turned away from them, her eyes narrowing at nothing in particular.
"Leave him to me," she said coldly. "I know precisely what must be done."
Elsewhere, the ballroom glittered on.
Lola had joined the circle of finely dressed women, all smiles and gloved hands, yet their words were laced with as much venom as their perfumes were with roses.
Lady Calantha stood among them, her smile thin and sharp, the kind that never quite reached her eyes. She tossed occasional glances at Lola, daggers wrapped in silk. One such glance was followed by a subtle signal to a nearby lady, who gave a discreet nod.
Moments later, Lady Elianora stepped forward with the kind of saccharine grin that could rot one's teeth. Her voice rang sweet, but hollow, like a porcelain doll's.
"My lady," she said, her tone syrupy. "Your dress is simply… exquisite. I must say, I've never seen anything quite like it before."
Lola's lips curved into a measured smile. "Thank you, Lady Elianora. It is, indeed, rather stunning, especially given the miracle it took to wear it tonight."
A flicker of confusion crossed Elianora's face, but Lola's gaze had already slid toward Lady Calantha, who pretended not to notice.
"But I thought His Majesty had gifted you a different gown," Lady Elianora continued innocently. "I saw one arrive earlier. Why the change?"
Lola turned her gaze back to her. "Ah yes, he did. A beautiful creation, it was," she replied smoothly. "But alas, someone in this palace saw fit to destroy it. Ruined, torn to shreds truly, quite the melodrama."
Gasps circled the group, though they were muffled beneath fluttering fans.
"Fortunately," she added with poise, "a miracle worker appeared just in time. And as you can see, not even sabotage could keep me away from this ball."
Lady Calantha's lips pressed into a thin line. Her next signal was sharper.
Another lady stepped forward, her voice cheerful. "Let me fetch you a drink, my lady," she offered, moving swiftly toward the refreshment table, where sparkling wines and gilded goblets sat glistening.
But Lola's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
She had seen the way they whispered. She had caught the barely concealed looks, the timed movements. She was no fool. Whatever game they were playing, she was already ten steps ahead.
She accepted the drink with a polite smile… but made no move to bring it to her lips.
Instead, she turned to the group with a laugh, her eyes scanning each face with subtle calculation. "Ladies, it seems this evening may be full of surprises," she said lightly. "Let us hope they're all pleasant ones."
As she raised the goblet in mock toast, her gaze locked with Calantha's, two wolves in gowns, and only one intended to survive the night.