Adriana stood frozen, her gaze locked on Lola with a venom that could have turned stone to ash. Every peal of laughter from the nobles surrounding Lady Cavendish echoed like mockery in her ears. Lola stood at the center of attention radiant, smiling, admired. Adriana could hardly believe the turn of events. She had not anticipated that Charlotte Cavendish would possess such hidden finesse. And worse, she had revealed it with perfect timing, stealing every ounce of admiration from her.
She did it deliberately, Adriana thought. To humiliate me.
A fresh wave of fury rose in her chest. But then, as she observed Lola being pulled into yet another flattering conversation, a thought struck her. A devilish little scheme curled itself around her smile.
"Let's see how you charm your way out of this," she murmured, smoothing her skirts as she glided forward with feigned grace.
"Ah, Lady Valmont," an elder lord called cheerfully. "How splendid to see you join us. Lady Cavendish has just astonished us all. Quite the surprise, no?"
"Indeed," Adriana replied sweetly. "The Emperor certainly surrounds himself with individuals of... singular talents."
A few lords chuckled.
"You speak with wisdom, Lady Valmont," another added.
Their conversation drifted toward political reforms, the Empire's arts fund, and upcoming legislation. Adriana offered polite nods, interjecting just enough to remain present but not so much to be noticed. She waited for her moment.
"If you'll excuse me," she said after a pause, her tone modest, "I find myself rather fatigued. I believe I shall retire early tonight."
"Oh no, must you?" one of the lords lamented.
"You always offer such brilliant perspective," another added.
She gave them a soft, apologetic smile. "You are all too kind, but alas, I am quite weary."
The gentlemen relented, nodding their goodbyes. Adriana turned gracefully to leave just as a terrible sound shattered the air.
Crash. Clatter. Shatter.
Plates, goblets, and silverware came crashing from the banquet table to the floor, scattering across the marble tiles in a deafening clamor.
Gasps echoed through the hall. Heads whipped around.
Adriana stood frozen in horror, the entire tablecloth tangled around her hem.
"What in heaven's name…?" she whispered, mortified.
Her cheeks burned as silence rippled through the room. Lords and ladies stared. Footmen scrambled. Even Victoria stared wide-eyed, her fan now folded and pressed against her chest.
"Gracious Lord," the Empress Dowager whispered, her voice tight.
Sophia stifled a laugh beside Ava. "Oh, this is even better than I hoped," she said, eyes gleaming.
Ava smirked. "I'd pay gold to relive that moment."
"I must say," Caspian chimed in behind them, "I haven't seen such theatre since the Royal Opera in Évarra."
Sophia turned, amused. "Then you've led a tragically dull life, my lord."
He grinned. "I'm starting to see that."
Meanwhile, Adriana's eyes slowly shifted toward Lola who stood serene and untouched, offering only the faintest smile. A smile that said I know what you tried to do. A smile that said and I beat you at your own game.
Adriana's breath caught in her throat. How? Her mind raced. She couldn't have known. I tied the cloth discreetly…
And yet... somehow, her trap had snapped on her own foot.
She clenched her jaw. No. This isn't over.
She turned, humiliated, and stalked from the room, while murmurs rose like wildfire behind her.
From across the room, Lola didn't move. But her gaze followed Adriana like the final note of a perfect performance lingering, unshakable.
And then, quietly, she turned to the Emperor... just as he began to walk toward her.