Mother's Plan

As the group stepped onto the deck, Heather's eyes followed Axel and Lila's every move with a mixture of jealousy and frustration. Unable to contain her growing disdain, she excused herself and made her way back to the palace. Her steps echoed through the grand halls until she arrived at the private quarters of the Empress Lamaine.

Heather found the Empress seated by a grand window, her presence commanding even in a moment of repose. Lamaine turned her head slightly as Heather approached, a cold smile curling her lips.

"Your Majesty, we need to talk about Lila," Heather began, her voice tinged with barely concealed anger.

Empress Lamaine raised an eyebrow, her eyes glinting with interest. "Ah, Heather. What brings you here in such a state?"

Heather took a deep breath, struggling to maintain her composure. "Lila is becoming a threat. Axel's attention towards her is undeniable, and it's clear she's starting to win his affection. We need to eliminate her before she causes any more trouble."

The Empress's smile widened, but it lacked warmth. "Eliminate her? My dear, you speak so rashly. Our plan was to make Axel fall for her, to strengthen our control over him through her."

Heather clenched her fists, her voice rising in frustration. "But why prolong this? If we get rid of her now, Axel will be free from her influence. We can find another way to secure his loyalty."

Empress Lamaine's gaze hardened, and she rose from her seat, towering over Heather. "Heather, you underestimate the intricacies of our plans. Killing Lila in an instant would only arouse suspicion and may even push Axel away from us. Patience is key."

Heather's thoughts churned with resentment. 'Why did the Empress, who raised Axel as her own, choose a path that can cause Axel in so much pain?' The contradiction gnawed at her, making her empathize with Axel's plight.

The Empress sighed, her eyes darkening. "For now, we proceed with our plans. Lila stays alive, and we continue to manipulate their emotions until the time is right. After that, we will kill her."

Heather nodded reluctantly, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness. As she left the Empress's chambers, her mind churned with thoughts of Axel. She understood his pain now more than ever, and it only fueled her determination to protect him in any way she could.

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As Heather left, a sense of tension lingered in the air. The servant's announcement cut through the silence like a knife.

"The Emperor requests the presence of Prince Mateo and Prince Axel at court immediately," the servant declared, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.

Axel exchanged a quick glance with Mateo, their expressions mirroring a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

As Mateo made his way out, Axel then turned to Lila with a smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like it's time for the real show to begin," he quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Lila rolled her eyes, a smirk mirroring Axel's forming on her lips. "Try not to charm your way into any trouble, Your Highness," she retorted, her sarcasm laced with amusement.

Axel chuckled, leaning in closer to Lila. "Wouldn't dream of it, darling. But if I do, you'll be the first to know," he replied, his voice low and teasing.

Lila shook her head, a fond smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Just make sure you don't end up in the Emperor's bad books. I don't think even your charm could save you then," she teased back, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Axel turned to Lila, his expression turning more serious. "I'll be back before you know it," he said softly, his gaze lingering on her.

Lila nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'll hold down the fort while you're gone. Just try not to get into too much trouble," she replied, her tone teasing but with a hint of genuine concern.

Axel flashed her a grin, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "No promises, but I'll do my best to behave," he said, before pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.

Lila's cheeks flushed slightly at the unexpected gesture, but she quickly composed herself. 

As Axel flashed her a charming grin, Lila couldn't deny the flutter of butterflies in her stomach. Despite her best efforts to remain aloof, there was something undeniably captivating about Axel's charm.

"I'll be back," Axel said as he walked away.

As Axel disappeared from view, Lila let out a sigh and made her way back to her chamber.

Alone in her room, she couldn't shake the lingering feeling of Axel's presence. Despite her best efforts to deny it, there was something about him that drew her in—a magnetic pull that she couldn't quite resist.

With a shake of her head, she pushed aside her thoughts of Axel and focused on the tasks at hand.

Lila's eyes fell upon the bouquet of lilacs adorning her table. Curiosity piqued, she turned to Annie, her maid. "Annie, do you know who sent these flowers?"

Annie nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "It was the Empress, Your Highness. She sent them as a gesture of goodwill."

Lila's mind raced with thoughts of gratitude towards the Empress. "I must thank her personally," she murmured to herself before making her way to the Empress's chambers.

Upon arriving, Lila paused at the door, her curiosity getting the better of her. Peeking through a crack in the doorway, she caught sight of Heather engaged in conversation with the Empress. Their voices were hushed, but Lila's sharp ears picked up snippets of their discussion.

"I trust that our plan with Axel and Lila is proceeding smoothly," the Empress said, her tone calculated.

Heather nodded, a smirk playing on her lips. "Yes, Your Majesty. Axel is falling for Lila just as we anticipated. Soon, he will be fully under our control."

Lila's heart skipped a beat as she processed the implications of their words. They were manipulating Axel, using him as a pawn in their political games. Anger and betrayal welled up inside her, but she knew she had to keep her composure.

She backed away from the door, her mind racing with thoughts of how to proceed. She couldn't confront them directly, not yet. But she would bide her time, playing their game until the moment was right to reveal their treachery.

With a steely resolve, Lila retreated, her facade of innocence masking the storm brewing within her. She would play along for now, but she would not forget their betrayal.