Lola sat quietly in the resting room, her thoughts adrift, replaying the stolen kiss again and again. She barely noticed Sophia bounding toward her with a gleeful laugh.
"You wicked creature!" Sophia teased, throwing herself beside Lola. "Why did you not tell us? The Emperor has claimed you, and in the most scandalous fashion, with a kiss no less!"
Lola sighed heavily, resting her forehead against her hand. "You heard?" she murmured, her heart restless.
"Heard?" Emily said, lifting a delicate teacup to her lips. "My dear, the entire kingdom is ablaze with the news. It is the only thing anyone talks about."
"You are one fortunate woman," Ava added warmly, offering a soft smile to her friend.
Lola shook her head, the weight in her chest refusing to ease. "I do not know if I should call it fortune. I am to leave Aldovia soon… and I would not have my heart tangled in a web it cannot escape."
Sophia rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Lola. Live in the moment! Happiness is fleeting, and the future is ever uncertain. All that matters now is that the Emperor is utterly smitten with you."
"Indeed," Emily agreed, her voice gentle. "Be happy, my dear."
Before Lola could reply, the sound of the herald's voice echoed from the entrance.
"His Majesty, Emperor Xander Rykhard."
Sophia giggled behind her hand. "Speak of the devil."
The Emperor entered, his presence commanding immediate attention. His gaze, however, softened when it landed upon Lola.
"I hope I am not intruding upon the sweet gossip between friends," he said, his tone teasing.
"You are doing no such thing, my lord," Sophia said with a mischievous grin. "In fact, I am due to meet Lord Caspian. So, I shall take my leave." She winked exaggeratedly at Lola before sweeping from the room.
"Lord Caspian, hmm?" the Emperor mused as Emily chuckled into her teacup.
"And you, Lady Emily?" the Emperor asked smoothly. "Is there no lord who holds your fancy?"
Emily tilted her head thoughtfully. "And what of you, my lord? Is there a lady who yet holds your heart captive?"
The Emperor laughed, the sound rich and easy. "Touché, my lady. Yet I have never seen you with any gentleman, nor heard even a whisper."
"As you say, my lord," Emily replied. "I am already wed to a merchant of some repute in my homeland. We have a son together."
Surprise flickered across Xander's face. "That, I did not know."
Emily's smile faltered briefly. "My husband and I… we were on the cusp of separation. I came to Aldovia to gather my thoughts, to seek solace. Being here has taught me much, that I realize now that I still love him dearly. I shall return… once I am certain we are meant to continue together."
The Emperor inclined his head solemnly. "I hope you find the peace you seek."
Then, turning his gaze back to Lola, he smiled more warmly. "May I steal away my queen for a moment?"
Lola flushed, biting her lower lip.
"You need not ask permission, Your Majesty," Ava said with a knowing smile.
"I shall take my leave, then," Emily said, rising gracefully.
Ava remained seated, staring absently into the distance.
"Ava, will you not be lonely?" Lola asked with concern.
Ava offered a small, almost sorrowful smile. "Do not trouble yourself. I am perfectly well."
Lola hesitated. "I have not seen Lord Gabriel in some time. I daresay he would have kept you from such solitude," she said softly, squeezing Ava's hand before leaving with the Emperor.
As the heavy doors closed behind them, Ava's smile crumbled. A shadow fell over her heart as she recalled her last, bittersweet encounter with Gabriel. An encounter that had left more questions than answers.
And now… he was gone.