The mood in the Grand Empress's chamber had lightened considerably. Her maid had just brought in a delicate tray of honeyed pastries, sliced fruits, and warm herbal tea, filling the room with the soft scent of cinnamon and mint. Conversation flowed easily, and Augusta, usually so quick to scowl, seemed genuinely content with Xander and Lola seated on either side of her.
She watched them closely, though they didn't notice. The way they each laughed at the same time, the subtle glances exchanged when one spoke, the unspoken tension that danced between them like a violin string drawn taut, Augusta saw it all, and though she said nothing, a private smile curved at the corners of her mouth.
They reached for the same apricot tart.
Their fingers collided, brushing lightly.
Both froze.
Xander's gaze locked with Lola's, and for a moment, the world fell into silence. Her breath caught. She looked away quickly, her cheeks blooming with color.
"Sorry," he murmured.
"It's okay," Lola said softly, barely meeting his eyes.
They turned back toward Augusta, pretending to refocus on the conversation, though their words faltered more now, pauses longer, breaths held tighter.
Eventually, the Grand Empress sighed and leaned back against her pillows. "I'm suddenly tired."
Xander straightened, concerned. "Are you unwell, Grandmother?"
She waved a hand as though swatting away his worry. "I'm perfectly fine. I simply need rest. Old bones and young conversation, it's exhausting."
She turned to Lola with a fond smile. "It was lovely having you here, my dear."
Xander feigned offense. "I was also here, in case you missed it."
Augusta gave him a look of pure disdain. "Sometimes I wonder if we're even related."
Lola pressed her fingers to her lips, stifling a laugh.
"And I love you too," Xander said with mock affection, bending to kiss her forehead. "Rest well."
She scoffed. "You act like I'm dying. Now go, both of you. Your presence is making me ill."
They exchanged bewildered glances as they rose to their feet.
"You're really something else," Xander muttered, shaking his head.
"Something exceptional," Augusta replied under her breath, watching them with barely disguised amusement as they exited the room. Once the door closed, she smiled to herself, pressing a hand to her lips to smother a rare laugh. "Fools, the both of them."
The corridor outside was quieter, and the silence stretched between Xander and Lola like a fine lace veil, fragile, elegant, and impossible to ignore. They walked side by side, yet the space between them felt far more intimate than it ought to.
Lola glanced at him from the corner of her eye. His brow was furrowed, lips set in a deep line. He looked troubled, and her heart twisted with concern.
"You don't need to worry so much," she said gently. "The Grand Empress will be well. She's stronger than she looks."
Xander turned to her, and for the first time, she realized his frown had little to do with Augusta.
"I'm not worried about my grandmother," he replied quietly.
"Oh?" Lola asked, her curiosity piqued. "Then what troubles you, Your Majesty?"
He paused, his eyes resting on her like a secret waiting to be spoken.
"…You."