Lola glanced around the grand balcony of the mansion, noticing bodyguards stationed at every corner. All of them were neatly dressed in uniform, weapons concealed beneath their clothes. Behind Lola, anwhile, stood Florida, Slater, and the other two she had brought with her.
Her gaze shifted to the woman seated across from her on the divan, elegantly pouring tea.
Iris Bellemonte, she thought, studying the woman carefully. She’s so beautiful. And yet, Henrik hates her. She doesn’t look like a bad person.
For a second, Lola’s eyes twinkled at the beauty before her. But she ntally shook her head, reminding herself not to get distracted just because Iris looked like a female lead she would write.
Iris carefully placed the cup and saucer in front of Lola before pouring herself a cup of tea.
"Apologies," Iris broke the silence with a subtle smile. "A lot of things are happening, and I have no choice but to raise security in our territory. I hope this does not give the wrong idea."
"Understood," Lola nodded, smiling back. "Thank you for accepting my request on such short notice."
"Oh, please, Madam Zorken," Iris chuckled. "You know I would accept it regardless of whether I’d like to or not. Our house owes the Zorken family for rescuing our n from Ravah. There’s no need for pretenses — I’d prefer we drop them."
Her lips curved. "I am not like my husband, who indulges in politics. Or rather, I’m not very good at it. So apologies if I sound ignorant. That is not my intention."
"Haha. That makes the two of us," Lola laughed, crossing one leg over the other as she leaned back. "I don’t like politics, and I’m not good at playing it. Let’s leave that to our husbands."
"Then I assu we’re on the sa page." Iris’s smile softened. "Since we’ve found common ground, may I ask you a question, Madam Zorken? I’m afraid I won’t be able to ask it once we discuss the reason you ca."
Lola assessed her, then nodded.
"May I ask... why did you co here alone?" Iris tilted her head. "There’s already a council eting being held. So I was surprised when you sent a request."
"Ah." Lola cleared her throat. "Well, the council eting only requires the head of each founding family. And each seat can’t be filled by just anyone or a proxy, unless they’re the heir."
She paused, choosing her words carefully. "The agenda is Henrik Bellemonte’s disappearance, which you raised concerns about. So... how should I put this? As a wife, I would be worried for my husband as well."
"I see." Iris humd. "I didn’t know Madam Zorken was such a caring person. Thank you. Your attempt to console ans a lot."
"Console?" Lola raised a brow. "I’m sorry if sothing I said ca out differently. I didn’t an to cause a misunderstanding. I’m not trying to console you, Madam Bellemonte."
She tilted her head. "Since you said we should drop the pretenses and flattery, I’ll be direct. Like you, I am also a wife and the matriarch of the Zorken family. The Order is mine to protect, and my people are mine to bully."
The n standing behind Lola exchanged mixed looks.
Did she really have to ntion bullying them? They thought.
"Whether I kill one or two people in my own territory on a whim is no one’s business," she continued evenly. "However, it’s an entirely different matter if soone else does it."
Iris maintained her smile, though one brow arched. "Madam Zorken, what are you insinuating? Are you saying I have sothing to do with my husband’s disappearance?"
"No, not at all." Lola shrugged. "All I’m saying is... we will do our best to help find your husband and get to the bottom of who was involved. You and I both know how this affects our families — especially my family."
"Thank you," Iris smiled. "But I believe that is for the council to decide. Whether the Order is guilty or not... all I want is for my husband to return safely."
Slater scrunched his nose as he discreetly looked at Iris with disdain. Though he had to admit her appearance wasn’t bad — even by his standards — he was beginning to see why Henrik disliked her.
Lola saw it too. It wasn’t just that their marriage was one of convenience.
"If not... then there’s still a way to maintain peace in the secret society," Iris proposed, causing Lola’s brows to twitch. She smiled gently, a look that didn’t match her words. "Send his bastard ho."
Iris reached for her tea. "Madam Zorken, I’m sure by now you are aware that Henrik has a son from his mistress. As you know, my husband and I aren’t blessed with a child of our own."
"People think it’s because I can’t conceive," she continued, movents careful as she held the cup. She looked straight into Lola’s eyes and smiled bitterly. "That is not the case. I didn’t have that problem... until he made it my problem."
Deep lines ford on Lola’s face as she watched Iris sip her tea.
"He made like this, shoved pills down my throat, and killed our child the mont he found out I was pregnant," Iris added, eting Lola’s gaze. "He made sure I would never bear his heir, even while tornting every night."
Lola fell silent. It was a subject she hadn’t made peace with herself. She had been struggling with how to tell Atlas about her own situation, waiting for the right mont that never ca.
So hearing this from Iris stirred sothing different in her chest.
"Yet he thinks I would want to kill his son just because he killed mine," Iris continued, resentnt flickering in her eyes. "But I am not like my husband, Madam Zorken. I want his son to co ho, especially now that Henrik is missing. For one reason. His son is first in line, and without him, the seat would be empty."
"I could take the seat temporarily until our court decides to hand it over to soone else out of their greed," Iris let out a shallow breath. "I understand that you already have an opinion of , and I do not bla you. My husband has tarnished my na, my reputation, and my entire life to paint as the villain in his perfect story."
"However, this territory is also my ho," she added with a bitter smile. "As a matriarch, I don’t have ti to correct the narrative he has told the world. Stabilizing the Bellemonte Territory is my priority."
"I hope..." she trailed off, still holding Lola’s gaze, "...you understand my intention."
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