The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver hue across the palace, where the world had succumbed to slumber. But within Lady Charlotte's chamber, treachery stirred.
The figure moved silently in the dark, her steps calculated as she approached the dress that Emmeline had spent days crafting, a vision of elegance meant to dazzle the court at the royal ball. With swift, merciless hands, she tore through the delicate fabric until it was nothing but shimmering rags. She turned to leave…
And the lamps flared to life.
"What do you think you're doing?" Lola's voice sliced through the air like a whip. She rose from her bed, her gaze cold and piercing as Beatrix and Emmeline stormed in with three palace guards behind them.
The maid froze, trembling. It was Mary, Adriana's personal servant.
"My… my lady," Mary stammered, realizing too late she had walked straight into a trap.
The commotion quickly awakened the wing, drawing whispers and footsteps until the emperor himself appeared in the doorway, his expression dark.
"What is the meaning of this?" Xander demanded, eyes locking onto the maid, who now collapsed to her knees.
"My Lord," Beatrix said with a bow, "we caught this maid destroying the gown meant for my mistress."
"She could have poisoned her too," Emmeline added, voice sharp. "She entered your chambers without permission. Who knows what else she planned?"
"I swear on my life, I would never harm anyone," Mary sobbed, but the emperor's face was hard as stone.
"You entered my chambers with ill intent," Xander said, voice low and dangerous. "That alone is treason."
Gasps echoed down the corridor as another figure arrived, Lady Adriana herself, dressed hastily, her expression a picture of innocence and confusion.
"What's going on here? Why have I been summoned?" she asked, glancing between the emperor, Lola, and her kneeling maid.
"I should be the one asking you," Xander replied, stepping closer. "What do you know of this, Adriana?"
Adriana blinked rapidly, then composed herself with a soft sigh.
"I… I don't understand either. I dismissed Mary before I retired to bed. I had no idea she planned anything of the sort."
"How convenient," Lola murmured, crossing her arms. "Do you always lose control of your servants so easily?"
Adriana smiled tightly. "Lady Charlotte, please, I had no part in this. I overheard her speaking earlier about not wanting me to be outshined at the ball. I warned her, told her it didn't matter. If His Majesty has no interest, then I would not force his hand. I never imagined she'd act on her own." She bowed her head. "This is my failure, and for that, I apologize."
Her voice trembled at the end, whether from fear or performance, no one could say.
"I'm to believe that?" Lola asked, eyes narrowing. "What if it hadn't just been the dress? What if it were my life?"
There was a long, charged silence.
"What would you have me do?" Adriana asked softly.
Lola turned to Xander, her voice steady.
"I want her punished. A hundred lashes. Let every servant in this palace understand what awaits those who cross me."
A horrified cry erupted from Mary. "Please, no! I didn't mean… I was only trying to help her!"
"She will die from such a punishment!" Adriana gasped.
"Then let her," Lola said coolly. "She earned it."
Everyone turned to the emperor.
Xander stared at Mary for a long moment, then gave a curt nod to the guards. "You heard the lady. One hundred strokes."
Mary was dragged away, wailing, her screams echoing down the hall. Adriana remained frozen, her fists clenched at her sides as she watched Lola retreat into her chambers, the door shutting firmly behind her.
Xander lingered for a moment, then turned without a word and followed.
Left alone in the dim corridor, Adriana's face twisted with fury.
"Enjoy your moment, Charlotte," she whispered. "Because it'll be your last."