"You swan, how dare you pass a love letter to the king—he is mine. Mine alone!" Lola's voice sliced through the hall like poisoned silk. The cane in her hand rose, then came down with brutal certainty.
THWACK!
A sharp crack echoed off the sandstone slabs.
"If you dare drop that gown."
The cane struck again, landing mercilessly against Fiona's skin.
Fiona staggered, a muffled gasp escaping her lips as she clutched the fabric tighter, trembling under the sting of fresh welts.
"Confess," Lola hissed, stepping closer, her eyes blazing. "Who put you up to this? That useless bitch? Is that it?"
Her final strike cut through the air—
THWACK!
Silence followed, heavy and suffocating.
The grand doors opened.
"'The Queen has arrived,' someone announced."
Audrey entered with unhurried grace, each step measured, echoing faintly across the vast hall. The atmosphere shifted instantly, tightened. Even breath seemed to hesitate in her presence.
Her gaze lifted.
