Sophia stood poised beneath the shade of a flowering arbor, her arms folded delicately across her waist as she observed Lord Caspian from a short distance. He had not yet noticed her presence, his eyes scanning the garden with clear purpose.
She tilted her head, voice light but edged with curiosity. "If I may be so bold, my lord… What brings you to the imperial gardens? Have you come to admire the ladies of court as they sip their tea and flutter their lashes?"
Lord Caspian startled slightly, caught off guard by her sudden presence. "Of course not," he replied quickly, straightening. "I am not that sort of man."
Sophia raised a brow, lips twitching with amusement though she tried, rather poorly, to conceal it.
"I'm searching for someone," he continued, producing a delicate mask from within his coat. "A maiden who left this behind."
She let out a low hum of amusement that did not go unnoticed. Caspian narrowed his gaze, watching her carefully now. The timbre of her voice, the scent of jasmine and honey on the breeze… it struck a familiar chord.
"You're her, aren't you?" he asked quietly, stepping closer.
Sophia offered a coy smile. "What gave me away?"
He shrugged, though his smile betrayed the pride of deduction. "I have my ways."
"Well," she said with a small, triumphant bow, "it certainly took you long enough."
"You expected me?"
"Of course I did. I know myself, and what I'm capable of," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Besides, I am positively unforgettable."
Lord Caspian chuckled. "So arrogant."
"If it pleases my lord," she said with a mock curtsy, her grin widening.
"And now that I've found you," he said, folding the mask and tucking it away, "may I ask a favour?"
Sophia tilted her head. "I'm listening."
"I would like you to keep me company for the duration of my stay in Aldovia. I do not particularly care for simpering ladies or shallow gossip. But you…" His eyes danced. "You might just make this place tolerable."
She clapped her hands together, delighted. "Oh, you've chosen well. I shall make it splendid."
He chuckled softly. "Do you have anything in mind for our first adventure?"
Sophia paused, pretending to ponder before her lips curved in a mischievous smile. "Come with me," she said, already walking ahead.
Elsewhere in the Palace…
Lady Calantha lounged upon her chaise, her head propped by one hand as the other toyed lazily with a gemstone ring. The room was too still, the silence far too loud. Ever since the Emperor's humiliating dismissal that morning, her mood had soured. She waved a maid over with a sigh.
"My temples are throbbing. Massage my left," she instructed with a snap of her fingers.
Just then, a cloaked figure entered the chamber, bowing low.
"My lady," he began, his voice hushed but urgent. "I bring news."
Lady Calantha sat upright, her posture sharpening. A slow smile spread across her lips.
"At last," she murmured. "Something worth hearing."