Adriana lifted the violin to her shoulder with a graceful tilt of her chin. As her bow touched the strings, the room stilled. Each note floated through the air like a spell cast over the ballroom. The audience was transfixed, one could almost hear the hearts beating in time with the melody. When the final note faded into silence, a wave of applause broke out, warm and genuine.
"Well done, Lady Adriana!" Lord Kesslin declared, clapping enthusiastically. "A performance worthy of court itself."
"Exquisite," Lady Elizabeth said with a dainty clap, her tone sweet but her eyes sharp. "You've truly outdone yourself, Adriana." She turned then, her gaze sliding toward Lola like a blade drawn from silk. "Which reminds me, Lady Cavendish… what is it you do?"
Lola didn't answer at first, her expression unreadable. Elizabeth pressed on, her voice rising just enough for those nearby to hear.
"You've been in court for quite some time now, yet no one seems to know anything about your accomplishments. Can you even play a single musical note?"
Lola's lips parted, but before she could reply, the Empress Dowager's voice sliced through the room like ice cracking.
"Indeed. Aside from warming her way into the Emperor's bed, what else is she capable of?"
A stunned hush fell. A few gasps broke through the stillness. Then came the whispers, poisonous and eager.
Xander's jaw tensed. "What are you doing, Mother?" he muttered through gritted teeth, but Victoria only lifted her wine glass with feigned indifference.
"Your Majesty," Adriana interjected gently, her smile softening the tension, "that was hardly necessary. I'm sure Lady Cavendish meant no harm." She turned to Lola, lips still curved in politeness. "Right, Lady Cavendish?"
But Lola said nothing. Her posture remained composed, but her eyes had gone cold.
Without a word, she stepped forward. The room parted instinctively, making way as she approached the dais where the instruments sat in waiting. She selected a large violin, an Everian piece, deep mahogany, gleaming under the lights. Taking a seat, she settled into position, lifted the bow… and played.
The first note rang out, low, haunting, rich with grief and resolve.
A hush fell so absolute, even the orchestra dared not breathe.
Lola played not for applause, not for praise, but with a raw, aching precision that spoke of sleepless nights and buried fire. The ballroom, once so full of murmurs, fell under her spell. The very air quivered with the beauty of her music.
Xander stood frozen, his hand half-clenched at his side, his breath caught somewhere in his throat.
Even Victoria blinked in disbelief, her fan momentarily forgotten.
Across the room, Sophia laughed quietly. "And they thought they could shame her."
Caspian folded his arms, shaking his head with a grin. "They never learn, do they?"
"Thank heavens she took those lessons," Ava added as she joined them.
"You all always have some trick up your sleeve," Caspian muttered.
Sophia smirked. "If you want to survive in court, you must. Otherwise, the wolves will feast."
"Remind me never to cross you," Caspian said.
"Wise choice," Ava replied with a wink.
They all turned back toward the stage, captivated.