Lola found her friends gathered in the courtyard salon, their laughter echoing through the air like birdsong. Emily, Ava, Ethan, Liam, and Julian were huddled around a tray of pastries, their spirits high, their conversations lively. But Sophia, noticeably, was not among them.
Julian was the first to notice her approach. "Lola, dearest, what's that expression? You look as though a bird dropped its misfortune on your favourite gown."
Their laughter followed, but Lola's expression did not lift.
"The Emperor has finally decided," she said, voice quieter than usual. "We're to be released by the end of next month. We're free to leave Aldovia."
The group stilled for a moment. Then…
"Well," Ethan said with a wistful sigh, "it was rather fun while it lasted."
"I certainly enjoyed myself," Liam added with a small smile.
But Emily, ever perceptive, furrowed her brow. "You don't look pleased, Lola."
The composure Lola had been clinging to fractured in an instant. She burst into tears.
Alarmed, the others rushed to her, save Ava, who remained seated. With an exaggerated sigh, she crossed her arms.
"She doesn't want to go," Ava announced plainly, her tone lacking any trace of mockery.
Realization struck like lightning.
"Oh-ho!" Julian grinned, settling back on the chaise. "Someone's fallen for our brooding emperor."
"I didn't mean to!" Lola sobbed, shaking her head in despair. "I didn't plan this, I swear. I don't even know when it happened."
Emily wrapped an arm around her. "Lola, darling, love does not ask for permission. It arrives quietly and stays uninvited."
Ethan knelt before her. "What matters now is that you make every moment count. You don't want to look back and wish you'd done something differently."
Emily nodded in agreement. "Let your heart speak. Even if the end is near, let it be beautiful."
"This is going to be a difficult time for you," Liam murmured, lowering himself beside her. "But you're not alone."
Meanwhile, across the palace, Emperor Xander strode through the eastern corridor, his mind adrift until he saw someone waiting at the threshold of his study, his cousin, Commander Ryker.
"Finally," Ryker said. "We need to speak."
Xander's jaw tightened. "Now is not the time. I'll summon you when I have need of you."
He reached for the door, but Ryker caught his wrist.
"You will listen to me," Ryker said, tone sharpened with restrained anger.
Xander turned slowly, his gaze glacial. "You forget your place. I am your Emperor, and you are a servant of my crown. Your duty is to command my army not to question my judgment." He yanked his hand free. "Leave my sight before I forget I am merciful."
He stepped inside, the door slamming behind him.
Ryker stood motionless for a beat, his pride bruised, his expression darkening. His eyes glinted not with obedience but ambition.
One day, he thought coldly, he will regret ever crossing me.