The double doors swung open with a heavy creak, causing the animated chatter to halt at once. Every woman in the room held her breath, their eyes trained on the entrance, waiting for the announcement. But when the herald's voice echoed through the silence, it was not the name they had expected.
"Duchess Aurelia Blackwood," the announcer called, his voice reverberating through the space.
Lola's heart skipped a beat. The Duchess. The very woman whose reputation preceded her, powerful, sharp, and undeniably regal. Her unexpected arrival felt like a cold draft, unsettling yet electrifying. Lola stood tall, her smile steady, though the nerves within her threatened to break through.
"Duchess Blackwood," she said, her voice as composed as she could manage, though her pulse raced. "It's an honor that you are here. Do you care to join us?"
But Aurelia's response was not what Lola had anticipated. The Duchess didn't acknowledge the invitation. Instead, she gave Lola a cold, deadly look, her eyes like sharpened steel before turning on her heel and storming away, the rustle of her gown the only sound as she exited the room.
The room fell into a stunned silence, and Lola felt the sting of the Duchess's disdain like a slap across her face. Her shock was immediate, but she masked it with practiced grace, turning to the other women who were now looking at her with a mixture of confusion and concern.
"Don't worry about it," Lola said, her voice light, though her insides churned. "I'm sure she's under a great deal of stress. Why don't you all go back to what you were doing? All is fine."
But the unease lingered. The whispers began again, soft at first, then growing louder. Lola knew that doubt, once planted, could spread like wildfire. And she could feel it now, the weight of it creeping into the air, ready to shatter the fragile peace she had worked so hard to build.
Outside, in the quiet of the corridor, Lady Calantha stood with her back pressed against the wall, her face pale. Her hand instinctively reached up to touch her cheek where the sting of a slap still burned. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Why had the Duchess slapped her so, with such fury? The sound had echoed in the hall, loud enough for all to hear.
"What have I done for you to slap me, my lady?" Lady Calantha asked, her voice trembling as she faced Duchess Aurelia, who was walking briskly ahead, her dark eyes flashing with ire.
Aurelia didn't stop, her pace quickening. "You're useless," she hissed. "Didn't you say that that bitch's plan would fail? That you knew those women?" Her voice was laced with venom. "Think again. The rumors were true. They are dining, laughing like worms from the earth singing her praises. Can you do anything right?"
The Duchess's words cut through Lady Calantha like a blade, leaving her momentarily stunned. She wanted to speak, to defend herself, but the Duchess had already stormed off, leaving her standing there, seething with fury.
Lady Calantha clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. She stood there, silent, but her rage bubbled to the surface, threatening to explode. She could feel the bitter taste of humiliation in her mouth. Just because she wanted to gain favor with the Emperor didn't mean she had to endure this…this… this mockery. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Her jaw tightened, her heart pounding. This was far from over.