Later that afternoon, Lola found herself standing before the arched entrance to the West Wing gardens, the scent of roses lingering in the spring air. She had come with the hope of a quiet visit to the Grand Empress perhaps to distract herself from the ache that had taken root in her chest.
But as fate would have it, she found the Empress already seated at a wrought iron table beneath the shade of a blossoming tree, deep in conversation with none other than Lady Adriana.
Lola exhaled slowly, her gaze narrowing. Must she be everywhere? she thought bitterly. A dark and delicious idea flitted through her mind: that perhaps, if she could simply push the lady into the fountain and bury her beneath the hydrangeas, no one would ever find her. The thought made her lips curve into a small, almost imperceptible smile.
"Lady Charlotte," the Grand Empress's voice called out, slicing through her thoughts. "What are you doing standing there like a statue?"
Lola straightened and offered a graceful bow. "Good day, Your Majesty."
Her eyes flicked briefly to Adriana, offering her the politest nod she could manage. Adriana smiled in return, all perfect teeth and smug serenity.
"I came to see you," Lola said, keeping her voice light. "It's been some time, and I thought to inquire after your health. But it appears I've come at a rather inopportune moment."
"Nonsense," Augusta waved a hand dismissively. "You are always welcome here. Come, join us."
She gestured toward a third chair, and at once, her maid stepped forward.
"Martha, fetch another cup. Lady Charlotte will be joining us for tea."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Martha replied, already moving.
"How have you been, child?" the Empress asked, settling back into her seat.
"Well, thank you," Lola replied with a composed smile as Martha returned with a delicate porcelain cup. "I appreciate the hospitality."
Augusta turned to Adriana with an indulgent smile. "Ana was just sharing her experiences in Everia. I must say, she's quite the accomplished young woman. She would make a fine empress, don't you think?"
Lola's heart clenched but her smile didn't falter.
"Come now, Your Majesty," Adriana said with a laugh, feigning modesty. "You flatter me too much."
"She's modest too," Augusta added, looking directly at Lola before turning back to Adriana. "Go on, dear. Continue."
The conversation resumed, and Lola became a silent observer as Adriana regaled them with tales of diplomatic receptions, courtly strategies, and languages she had mastered. They spoke as if Lola weren't there at all except when Adriana turned to her with feigned curiosity.
"Lady Charlotte, surely you've attended such affairs before?" she would ask sweetly.
But before Lola could reply, the conversation would pivot elsewhere.
More than once, she opened her mouth to speak only to be brushed aside, their laughter rising like a wave that drowned her voice. She smiled when expected, answered when asked, and bore the invisible cuts as gracefully as possible.
But inside, she bled.
When the tea had gone cold and the sun began to dip behind the hedge walls, Augusta rose with a sigh of satisfaction.
"What a delightful afternoon," she said. "Informative and entertaining."
"You are too kind, Your Majesty," Adriana replied with a blush and a bow.
But just as she turned to leave, Augusta's voice rang out again.
"Ana, dear," she said. "Would you be so kind as to excuse us? I'd like a word with Lady Cavendish."
A pause. A flicker of surprise in both young women's eyes.
Adriana hesitated but only for a second.
"Of course," she said with a measured smile. "As you wish."
She bowed once more, cast Lola a curious glance, and disappeared into the corridor beyond the hedges.
The silence that followed was not uncomfortable it was heavy.
"Sit, Charlotte," the Grand Empress said, her tone changing.
Lola obeyed at once, smoothing her skirts as she took her seat again.