While the emperor stood amid a gathering of noblemen, deep in conversation about foreign tariffs and the kingdom's grain reserves, his gaze continued to drift, drawn like a moth to flame toward one particular corner of the ballroom.
Lady Lola.
She stood amongst the court's sharpest tongues, masked in lace and rouge, laughing softly and smiling with just enough grace to silence her critics. But Xander knew better. The palace, for all its grandeur, was a nest of vipers.
He frowned, folding his arms.
"She'll be fine," Gabriel murmured, leaning toward him with a smirk.
Xander blinked, caught in his own thoughts. "I know not what you mean."
Gabriel chuckled. "Lady Lola is not porcelain. She can handle these women in silk and smugness. Trust her, Your Majesty."
"I do trust her," Xander replied, though the edge in his voice betrayed his worry.
Gabriel followed the emperor's gaze, only his eyes landed elsewhere. Across the ballroom, Lady Ava was in conversation with two lords, laughing at something one of them said. Gabriel's jaw clenched. In all the weeks he'd known her, she'd never offered him such a smile.
His brooding was cut short by a sudden commotion.
Gasps echoed through the gilded hall.
Xander turned, heart leaping into his throat. From the far end of the room, the group of ladies around Lola had scattered. He caught a glimpse of her, toppled over, her hands bracing the floor.
Without hesitation, the emperor surged forward, parting the crowd like a wave crashing through still water. Gabriel and Lord Caspian followed, just as Lola's friends rushed toward her, panic etched across their faces.
But only moments before, in that very circle of silk-clad serpents...
Lola had smiled sweetly as she raised her glass, the one given to her by a woman who wore flattery like a second skin. Under Lady Calantha's hawk-like gaze, Lola had mimicked every sip with elegance. But the instant Calantha turned her head, Lola acted swift and silent, switching the glasses.
She exhaled. "This drink is incredibly tasty," she said, a coy smile dancing on her lips.
The women murmured agreement.
"It should be," said Lady Iris, proud to be the one who had presented it. "Only the finest for tonight's guests."
But within minutes, her demeanor began to shift. She clutched her side, her posture faltering. "My lady... I... I think something is wrong," she whispered hoarsely to Lady Calantha.
The latter turned swiftly, eyes narrowing at Lola, who feigned concern with practiced innocence.
"You need to leave. Now," Calantha snapped under her breath.
But it was too late.
Lady Iris suddenly let out a shriek, then began laughing, wildly and erratically. Heads turned. Murmurs spread like wildfire. The room hushed, all eyes drawn to the spectacle.
"You did this!" Lady Calantha spat, pointing a trembling finger at Lola.
"Prove it," Lola replied smoothly.
"What?"
"I said," she stepped forward, her voice unwavering, "prove that I did it."
Lady Calantha's face twisted in fury, but before she could speak again,
A voice cut through the chaos, deep and thunderous.
"What is going on here?"
The crowd parted.
And there stood Emperor Xander, his expression unreadable, his gaze locked on Lola.