Lila returned to the emperor's chambers, a bouquet of vibrant flowers cradled in her arms. The soft scent of roses and lilies filled the air as she entered the room, but something was off. The once cold and commanding presence of Empress Lamaine was nowhere to be found. The room was eerily quiet, save for the faint, labored breaths of the unconscious emperor.
Frowning, Lila set the flowers on the bedside table, arranging them carefully before taking a step back. She glanced around the room, half-expecting the empress to emerge from the shadows, but there was nothing—just the unnerving silence. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that lingered in the back of her mind.
Deciding not to dwell on it, Lila exited the room and made her way back into the palace gardens. The evening sun cast a golden glow over the manicured lawns, and the fragrance of blooming flowers hung heavy in the warm air. As she walked along the stone path, her gaze was drawn to a figure lying casually on a bench beneath a large oak tree.
For a moment, her heart skipped a beat. The figure looked exactly like Axel, his posture relaxed and his eyes closed as if he were taking a peaceful nap. She quickened her pace, her thoughts racing. 'Could Axel have returned from the battlefield already?'
But as she drew closer, Lila noticed something was off. The man's features were strikingly similar to Axel's, from the strong jawline to the tousled dark hair, but there was a playfulness in his expression, even in sleep. And then, she saw it—the eyes that fluttered open, a startling shade of red.
Lila stopped in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat. The resemblance between this man and Axel was uncanny, as if they were twins. But those eyes… they were nothing like Axel's.
The man stretched lazily, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he noticed Lila standing there. "Caught me napping, did you?" he said, his voice smooth and teasing. He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bench and leaning forward with a playful glint in his eye. "And here I thought I could sneak in a quick rest without being discovered."
Lila blinked, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. "Axel?" she asked hesitantly, though she knew deep down that this wasn't him.
The man laughed, a light, carefree sound that was so unlike Axel's more serious demeanor. "Close, but not quite," he replied, winking at her. "The name's Theo. Axel's little brother—well, little by a few minutes anyway."
Lila's eyes widened in realization. "Theo," she repeated, more to herself than to him. The resemblance was indeed striking, almost as if they were twins. The same sharp features, the same strong build. But where Axel exuded a sense of duty and seriousness, Theo seemed to carry an air of mischief and lightheartedness.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Theo teased, standing up and stretching his arms above his head.
Lila shook her head, trying to regain her composure. "I didn't expect you two to look so much alike when you close your eyes."
Theo chuckled, stepping closer to her. "We get that a lot. Though, I like to think I got all the charm and good looks, while Axel got stuck with the brooding and serious bit."
Lila couldn't help but smile at that, though her mind was still spinning. The resemblance was uncanny, but the differences were becoming more apparent with each passing moment. Theo's playful demeanor, his light-heartedness, it was a stark contrast to Axel's usual sarcasm.
"So, what brings you out here?" Theo asked, tilting his head slightly as he studied her. "Looking for my big brother, or just enjoying the gardens?"
"I was… I was just bringing some flowers to the emperor's chambers," Lila replied, her voice a little steadier now. "I thought I saw Axel, but…" She trailed off, still somewhat bewildered by the encounter.
"Ah, the old man's not doing too well, is he?" Theo's expression softened slightly, though the playful glint never quite left his eyes.
Lila nodded, though her thoughts were still racing.
As Theo continued to talk, his tone light and teasing, Lila found herself relaxing a bit. There was something about him that put her at ease, even if it was in a completely different way than Axel did. But even as she smiled and conversed with Theo, a part of her couldn't shake the thought of the empress's strange absence from the emperor's chambers. There were secrets in this palace, and Lila knew she was only beginning to uncover them.
Theo's voice pulled her back to the present, and she focused on him, determined to keep her wits about her. There was more to this man than met the eye, just as there was more to the situation at hand. Lila couldn't afford to let her guard down—not now, not with so much at stake.
"Theo," she began, her tone more earnest now, "do you know any news about Axel? Has he been in touch with anyone here or—"
Theo's expression softened, and he gave a small, thoughtful nod. "Ah, you're worried about him, aren't you?" he said, his voice carrying a hint of genuine concern. "Well, he's been wrapped up in the war, as you know. The fighting's been relentless, and he's been busy trying to manage things on the front lines."
Lila's heart sank slightly. "But have you had any communication with him? I've been trying to reach him through letters, but I haven't heard back in a while."
Theo's eyes reflected a mix of sympathy and regret. "I wish I had better news. The war's taking a toll on all of us, and he's been caught up in the thick of it."
Lila's shoulders slumped slightly, her anxiety palpable. "It's just… I worry about him. It's been so long, and I haven't heard anything. I need to know that he's okay."
Theo's gaze turned thoughtful, and he rubbed his chin in contemplation. "I haven't had a chance to speak with him directly in a while. The last thing I heard, things were tense, and the situation was far from stable. As for when he'll return, it's hard to say. It depends on how quickly things can be resolved."
Lila's eyes searched Theo's face, hoping to find a glimmer of reassurance. "So, you haven't heard anything specific from him lately?"
Theo shook his head slowly. "Not recently, I'm afraid. The communications have been sporadic, and I haven't been able to get a clear picture of what's happening out there. It's been chaotic."
Lila nodded, though her mind was racing. She was grateful for Theo's presence and his attempts to reassure her, but she couldn't shake the unease that settled over her. "Thank you for letting me know," she said, trying to mask her concern with a grateful smile. "I appreciate it."
Theo offered a sympathetic smile in return. "Don't worry too much," he said.
Lila forced a smile, her thoughts still clouded by worry. She couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease about Axel's prolonged absence and the current state of affairs. As much as Theo's words were meant to comfort, the uncertainty of the situation left her with more questions than answers.