Lola swept through the grand corridors of the West Wing, the echo of her heels barely louder than the pulse of newfound resolve in her chest. The Grand Empress's words lingered in her ears like a private anthem. Fight for him. Earn it.
She would.
They wouldn't see her coming until it was far too late.
Her thoughts danced ahead of her formulating, calculating until an unexpected figure stepped into her path.
Lady Adriana.
Of course.
It was always her. As if the woman had a sixth sense for intercepting moments meant to belong to someone else.
"Well, Lady Charlotte," Adriana greeted with a honeyed smile, tilting her head ever so slightly, "how curious that we keep running into one another. Almost poetic, don't you think?"
Lola offered a cool smile, collected and effortless. "Yes. I've noticed the coincidence."
Adriana's lips twitched with amusement. "Since fate keeps bringing us together, why don't we have tea? I do so enjoy our little chats."
"I'm afraid I must decline," Lola said, voice laced with grace and just enough chill. "Another time, perhaps."
Adriana's smile faltered, just a hairline crack, quickly covered by another gleam of false charm.
"Oh, of course. Another time," she echoed sweetly, before leaning in, voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "Though I must admit, I'm positively dying to know what the Grand Empress had to say to you. I mean, she did ask you to remain behind." A teasing giggle slipped from her lips. "Surely you can spare a little gossip?"
Lola's brow arched, her tone sharp with pleasant indifference. "That conversation is between Her Majesty and myself. If you're curious, I imagine you could ask her directly after all, you seem so very close to her."
That stung. Lola could tell by the second crack in Adriana's carefully constructed smile.
"Very well," Adriana replied. "No harm in asking, I suppose."
But just as she turned to leave, Lola's voice cut through the air measured, poised, and piercing.
"Lady Adriana," she said, "there's no need to pretend."
Adriana turned slowly, a faint flicker of surprise crossing her features.
"I know you don't like me," Lola continued. "You don't have to smile and feign sweetness. I would much rather see your true face than a painted one. At least then I'll know exactly what I'm dealing with."
The smile fell from Adriana's lips like shattered glass. For a moment, the air between them hung dangerously still.
"Is that so?" Adriana said, the edges of her voice no longer dulcet but sharp and precise. She stepped forward, her expression twisting into something far less innocent. "Well, I must confess, Lady Charlotte, I was beginning to tire of this little dance. But if we're being honest now…"
She leaned in, her voice a silky threat. "I do love a good game. Let's see how long you last, shall we?"
Then, with a pivot worthy of a duchess, Adriana swept past her, the scent of rose and venom trailing in her wake.
Lola remained rooted for a moment, heart steady, eyes narrowed. Her lips curved into a knowing smile.
Good, she thought. Now I know who my enemy is. And I intend to beat her at her own game.