The heavy doors of the emperor's study closed with a soft click, sealing the two men within. Emperor Xander reclined in his chair with the ease of a man unbothered by the weight of his crown, while Lord Gabriel Flynn stood before him, visibly perturbed.
"And for what reason have you summoned me, Lord Flynn?" the emperor asked, settling back into his seat.
Gabriel crossed his arms, frustration simmering just beneath his composed exterior. "I've heard the whispers circulating the palace halls."
Xander merely lifted a brow. "And?"
"And?" Gabriel repeated in disbelief. "Do you not realise the gravity of your actions? You made a public declaration without the counsel of your advisors. Do you know what that kind of recklessness could cost you?"
The emperor gave a half-hearted shrug. "The way you're fretting, one would think you were the emperor and not I."
Gabriel's jaw tightened. "Your mother…"
"Enough," Xander cut in, his tone sharp yet calm. "Do not bring her into this."
Unbeknownst to either of them, a figure stood quietly behind the partially ajar door. Lady Charlotte Cavendish pressed herself against the cool marble wall, her breath shallow as she listened.
"I'll see my mother soon," Xander continued. "It's not as though she truly cares. She'll simply attempt to orchestrate another convenient marriage to some highborn stranger. I only ask for a moment of freedom before I'm bound to a loveless union."
Lola exhaled softly and stepped away, heart aching. She had heard enough.
Later that evening, Lola stood before the emperor in the dim light of the drawing room. The fire crackled gently behind them, casting a golden hue across her features.
"So," Xander said, folding his arms with a knowing glint in his eye, "you heard all of it?"
She nodded. "Every word."
"And you still wish to go through with this farce?" he asked, watching her closely.
"I'm going to do my best as acting queen," she said, raising her chin. "But don't complain if I make a mistake."
Xander chuckled. "I'll take the heat for it."
"You promised," she said with a smile, though it faltered quickly.
He noticed the shift in her expression. "What is it?"
Her fingers toyed with the fabric of her gown as she looked away. "What if… What if you fall in love? Or I do?" she asked softly. "Will you let me go if that happens?"
Xander's eyes lingered on her face. He stepped closer, his voice lower, thoughtful. "Let us make sure it doesn't happen."
"But if it does?" she pressed, her voice barely a whisper.
He tilted his head. "Then perhaps it wouldn't be such a terrible thing."
There was silence.
Their eyes locked. The air grew heavier, warmer. His gaze fell to her lips, and for a fleeting second, it felt as though time itself stilled. He leaned in, just enough to blur the space between uncertainty and desire.
Lola's breath caught. She wasn't sure if she wanted to step forward or run.
Suddenly, Xander drew back, clearing his throat as if waking from a trance.
"My apologies, Lady Cavendish. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
She kept her gaze averted. "It's nothing, Your Highness."
"I trust…"
"I have something to attend to," she interrupted quickly. "I'll take my leave."
Without waiting for his dismissal, she turned and hurried from the room, leaving behind a man who had just realised that something in his carefully ordered world had shifted and he wasn't sure how to stop it.