The girls exchanged sly glances, giggling softly as they clutched Lola's robes in their hands.
"The emperor wishes to have breakfast with you," Emmeline revealed with a gleam in her eye. "In the royal garden."
Beatrix nodded eagerly. "He asked us to help you prepare, my lady."
Lola's heart gave an undeniable jolt, but she schooled her features with practiced grace.
"And what is there to be excited about?" she asked, feigning boredom as she tossed the covers aside. "He probably just wants to poke fun at me and tease me senseless."
Without waiting for a response, she dashed toward the washroom, barefoot and blushing before her maids could catch the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
The royal garden was bathed in soft morning light, dew still clinging to the petals of the emperor's prized roses. Birds fluttered above the trellises as the scent of lavender and warm bread lingered in the air.
Lola arrived dressed with exquisite elegance, a pale blue gown that shimmered like morning frost, her dark curls pinned with silver combs. She walked with the poise of a woman who knew eyes would follow her… especially his.
Emperor Xander stood as she approached, his gaze unabashedly traveling from the sweep of her skirts to her eyes. He smiled.
"You look beautiful this morning, Lady Cavendish."
Lola dipped into a curtsy, her lips twitching. "You're not looking so bad yourself, Your Majesty."
He chuckled, smoothing the lapel of his embroidered coat. "Of course. I do clean up rather well."
"Cocky much?" she asked, raising a brow as he laughed again.
"Come. Sit," he said, pulling out a chair for her with a gentleman's flair. "Let us dine before the palace begins to stir with politics and gossip."
She settled into the chair, glancing briefly at the silver dishes before her. "And why, may I ask, have you requested to dine only with me at this ungodly hour?"
Xander gave a nonchalant shrug, reaching for his napkin. "I simply wanted to have breakfast with you, Lola. There is no hidden motive. No court trickery."
She gave a thoughtful nod as the kitchen maids arrived, placing steaming plates and chilled fruits before them. "Very well, then," she replied politely, whispering her thanks to the servant who poured her tea.
The emperor carved into his meat with precision, then spoke again, his tone softer.
"You need not trouble yourself about Lady Calantha," he said without looking up. "Nor the others. I won't allow them to trouble you."
Lola gave a light shrug, taking a bite of roasted tomato.
"I'm not worried about that," she said.
He paused, fork suspended mid-air. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, dabbing her lips with a cloth napkin. "I already know what to do."
The emperor tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Do you?" he asked, studying her closely.
Lola met his gaze squarely, her voice calm and measured. "Indeed, I do."