Xander's glare was sharp, his voice low and suspicious.
"Did you do this on purpose?"
The Grand Empress Augusta rolled her eyes with all the grace of a woman who'd outlived patience.
"How are you even my grandson? You're dreadfully slow."
He blinked. "That's not a very kind thing to say."
"I could have said worse. You clearly left your wits in your cradle."
Xander opened his mouth to argue, but a knock at the door interrupted him. It creaked open, and Lola's head appeared, her voice light and polite.
"Your Majesty, I heard you were unwell. I thought I should come see you."
She hadn't seen him yet. Not fully.
"Thank you for your care, dear. Come in," Augusta replied warmly.
The moment Lola stepped in and caught sight of Xander, the words on her lips faltered. Her breath hitched ever so slightly, her eyes flicking between grandmother and grandson.
"Your Majesty," she said with a composed bow, her voice steadier than she felt. "I didn't know you were here."
She turned back to Augusta quickly. "I didn't mean to intrude. If you're in the middle of something, I can return when you're less occupied."
"Nonsense," Augusta said, waving her hand dismissively. "Stay, my child. If he feels uncomfortable, he's free to leave. You came to keep me company, so you'll sit right here." She patted the space beside her with deliberate intent. "Come. I insist."
Her eyes narrowed toward her grandson. "Well? Are you staying or going?"
Xander turned to Lola, really looking at her for the first time in weeks. Her presence hit him like thunder cloaked in silk, elegant, poised, and painfully distant. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed her until now.
"I came to see you, Grandmother," he said, slowly returning to his seat. "And that, I shall do."
Augusta gave a satisfied nod and called out for her maid.
Lola hesitated only a breath before sitting beside the Grand Empress. Neither she nor Xander spoke, but the tension in the room pulsed like a heartbeat loud, persistent, and entirely unfinished.