The grand dining hall of the Northern Empire's palace was bathed in the warm glow of chandeliers, their light reflecting off the polished surfaces of the silverware and crystal glasses. The table was laden with an array of delicacies, each dish meticulously prepared by the royal chefs. But despite the opulence, an uncomfortable tension hung in the air, palpable to everyone present.
Axel sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as he toyed with the food on his plate. Across from him, Empress Lamaine maintained her composed demeanor, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she delicately sipped her wine. Beside her, Heather, the woman who had been thrust into the role of Axel's "wife," chattered nervously, her voice breaking the heavy silence.
"…And I thought the roses in the garden were particularly lovely this morning," Heather said, her tone light and forced as she tried to engage Axel in conversation. "Perhaps we could take a walk there tomorrow?"
Axel's gaze was distant, his thoughts far from the conversation at hand. He barely registered Heather's words, his mind preoccupied with the recent letter from Mateo and the impending disaster it foretold. The weight of his responsibilities and the gnawing fear for Lila's safety pressed heavily on him, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
Heather's attempt at conversation faltered as she noticed Axel's lack of response. Her words trailed off into an awkward silence, and she glanced nervously at Empress Lamaine, hoping for some guidance. But the Empress simply continued to sip her wine, her eyes flickering with a barely concealed amusement.
The servants moving around the room exchanged uneasy glances, their discomfort evident. They were acutely aware of the strained atmosphere, the underlying currents of tension that swirled around the table. The normally vibrant and lively meals in the palace had become stifled and awkward, a reflection of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.
Finally, Axel broke the silence, his voice low and edged with impatience. "Where is Theo?"
The question seemed to hang in the air, cutting through the forced pleasantries like a knife. Empress Lamaine's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she quickly regained her composure. She set her glass down with a soft clink and turned her attention fully to Axel.
"Theo is resting, my dear," Empress Lamaine replied smoothly, her tone dripping with feigned concern. "He's still recovering from the ordeal with the fire, as you know. The doctors have advised that he remains in bed for the time being."
Axel's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded the Empress. He didn't trust her—he hadn't trusted her for a long time, not since he'd begun to piece together the web of deceit that she had spun around the palace. Her words, though carefully chosen, did nothing to ease his suspicions.
"And where exactly is he resting?" Axel pressed, his voice carrying a note of challenge.
Heather, sensing the tension, looked between Axel and the Empress, her discomfort growing. She opened her mouth to say something, to try and diffuse the situation, but the words died on her lips as Empress Lamaine raised a hand, signaling her to remain silent.
"Theo is in his chambers, of course," Empress Lamaine replied with a slight tilt of her head, as if puzzled by the question. "There's no need for you to worry, Axel. Everything is under control."
Axel's jaw tightened. He could feel the carefully concealed condescension in her words, the way she dismissed his concerns as if they were nothing more than trivial worries. But he knew better. He knew that the Empress was playing a dangerous game, one that threatened everything he held dear.
He pushed his chair back abruptly, the sound echoing through the hall, and stood up. The sudden movement startled Heather, who looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Excuse me," Axel said curtly, his gaze never leaving Empress Lamaine's. "I've lost my appetite."
As Axel turned to leave the dining hall, Empress Lamaine's voice cut through the air, cool and composed. "Axel, before you go, there's something you should know."
He paused, his back still turned to her. His expression was unreadable, but inside, he could feel the tension winding tighter, like a coiled spring ready to snap. Slowly, he turned to face her, his gaze locking onto hers.
The Empress remained seated, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp as she studied Axel's reaction. "Prince Mateo has extended an invitation to the Northern Empire," she said, her tone casual, though the underlying intention was anything but. "He wishes to host a grand celebration in honor of his upcoming wedding."
Heather, who had been watching the exchange with growing unease, cast a confused glance between them. The servants, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, subtly withdrew to the edges of the room, their presence becoming almost invisible.
Axel's heart pounded in his chest, but he kept his expression carefully neutral, masking the storm of emotions that threatened to break through. He knew what Empress Lamaine was doing—she was testing him, probing for any sign that he remembered Lila, that the news would provoke a reaction. She wanted to see him crack, to reveal the truth he had been so meticulously hiding.
"A wedding?" Axel's voice was flat, almost disinterested. He raised an eyebrow, feigning mild curiosity. "Who is the lucky bride?"
Empress Lamaine's smile widened ever so slightly, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "You might find it interesting," she said, her words slow and deliberate. "The bride is someone who was once known to you… or perhaps she still is, though I understand you no longer remember."
Heather's confusion deepened, but she kept silent, sensing that she was missing something crucial in the conversation. Axel, however, remained outwardly calm, even as the name threatened to choke him.
"I can't say I'm familiar with many in the Southern Empire," Axel responded coolly, his gaze never wavering from the Empress's.
There was a brief pause, the tension in the room thickening as the Empress considered his words. She was waiting, watching for any crack in his facade, but Axel had spent years mastering the art of deception. His true feelings, the anger and fear swirling within him, remained buried deep, out of reach.
Finally, Empress Lamaine nodded, as if accepting his response. "You're right," she said, her voice laced with feigned empathy.
Axel inclined his head slightly, his expression betraying nothing. "If that's all, Your Majesty, I'll take my leave."
The Empress allowed him to go, her eyes following him as he exited the room. The moment he was out of sight, Axel's calm exterior cracked, his hand curling into a tight fist as he walked briskly down the corridor. His mind raced, the image of the invitation burning in his thoughts.
Lila, married to Mateo? The thought was unbearable, but he couldn't afford to react now. Not here, not in front of the Empress. He had to stay focused, keep his emotions in check, and continue the charade. The stakes were too high, and any slip could cost him everything.
As he reached his chambers, Axel leaned heavily against the door, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He had to get to Raul, had to find out what had happened. The realization that Mateo had Lila, that Raul might be in danger, made his blood run cold. But no matter the cost, he would get them both back.
For now, he had to remain patient, had to play the game the Empress had set in motion. But when the time was right, Axel knew he would strike back with all the fury he had been forced to suppress. And when that moment came, he would make sure that no one—neither Mateo nor the Empress—would stand in his way.