The ballroom in the castle gleamed, its chandelier casting prisms across the lilac marble floor. Lolita's braid draped over a pink cushion, her posture rigid. A quintet—piano, violins, cello—wove a soft, taut melody, filling the room with graceful guests.
Robin, in a classic tailored suit, leaned on his cane, raising a glass. "Happy sixty-fourth birthday, James! You're looking… leaner these days."
James forced a smile, his voice low. "Not tonight, Robin. Let's keep the celebration alive."
Chris approached with a younger man, his smile broad. "James, good to see you. I brought my son, Axel, to join the party. Hope that's fine?"
James nodded tiredly. "Of course, Chris. The more, the merrier."
Axel's eyes flicked to Lolita, a spark of interest in his gaze. "Who's that stunner by the pillar?"
James's gaze softened, then hardened slightly. "My daughter, Lolita. Want to meet her?"
Axel grinned. "Hell yes."
"Lolita!" James called, his voice catching with a faint cough.
She rose, smoothing her silver linen sheath dress, her face guarded, eyes wary.
James gestured. "Lolita, this is Axel, Chris's son. His father runs Gem City."
Axel leaned in slightly, offering his hand. "Lolita. That dress is killer."
Lolita shook his hand briefly, pulling back as he lingered too long. Her stomach twisted—another charmer, too eager, too close. "I need a drink," she muttered, turning toward the punch table.
Lolita arrived at the punch table with Axel behind her. "That dress hugs you just right. How old are you?"
"Nineteen," Lolita said, her tone clipped, arms crossed.
"Twenty-six here," Axel smirked. "You into cars? I've got a ride that'd turn heads in this castle."
Lolita's eyes narrowed. "Why are you tailing me?"
"Can't help it," Axel said, stepping closer. "You're hard to look away from. Got a boyfriend?"
"No." She rolled her eyes. "Let me guess—you want me for my father's money."
Axel shook his head. "I already come from money. My dad is a mayor, remember?
Lolita's gaze hardened. "That's not the same as being a ruler. You don't know what that kind of power does to people."
"Power?" Axel tilted his head. "I think you'll have it one day."
"Really?" Her lip curled, half-smirk, half-warning.
"You're too sweet not to be a ruler."
Lolita's expression turned cold. "Sweet?" she echoed, voice like glass.
Axel stepped closer, hand reaching for her waist.
She didn't flinch—she detonated.
"Get your fucking hands off me!" Lolita snapped, throwing her wine glass. Red liquid splattered across Axel's silver suit. Gasps ripped through the crowd of over five hundred people.
"Lolita!" Ethan roared, storming over, his face flushed with crimson, with a mixture of disbelief and utter humiliation. "What the hell is wrong with you? You can't throw wine at people!"
"Get the hell away from me! Pervert." Lolita yelled, shoving him hard.
Ethan grabbed Lolita's wrist, his grip like iron. "Don't fucking call me that, I'm your brother!"
Lolita struggled, trying to pull away. "Half-brother! Let go of me!"
"No!" Ethan snapped. "Not until you apologize to me."
Axel stepped in, his voice hard. "Let go of her." He grabbed Ethan's left arm, squeezing until his knuckles turned white.
"You're hurting her. She doesn't owe you a goddamn thing."
Ethan yelled, "No! Mind your damn business. She's been vulgar to me. Lolita, you need to leave the party. You've shamed us enough!"
"No!" Lolita cried, tears beginning to prick her eyes. "You can't tell me what to do! Let go of me! NOW!"
Ethan shook his head. Axel's right fist punched Ethan's nose. Ethan screeched in pain, let go of Lolita, and grabbed a tablecloth off the table to stop his bleeding. Lolita smiled inwardly at the sight of Ethan's bruised nose.
Axel turned and stormed out. His black loafers clacked sharply against the marble tiles. Outside, the cold air pressed against his fevered skin.
"Wait!" Lolita called.
Axel spun around on the quartzite cobblestone walkway. Moonlight bathed Lolita's dress in a soft glow.
"I'm heading home—" Axel started.
Lolita cut him off. "Wait. I want to talk." She looked away for a second, then back at him. "No one's ever stood up for me like that before."
"I'm sorry if I came on too strongly," Axel murmured. He reached into his single-breasted jacket, retrieved a satin handkerchief, and wiped his forehead.
Lolita hesitated. "I'm sorry about the wine on your suit. I've just been…"
"You've been what?" Axel stepped closer to her.
"Never mind." Her head shook quickly.
"No, really. What's the problem?"
"It's just that something happened to me. Makes it hard to trust you. Someone took advantage of me once."
"Who has taken advantage of you?" Axel raised an eyebrow.
Lolita shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it." She stared at her strapped high heels, the elegant silver suddenly feeling like heavy weights.
Axel's voice was calm, "Can you open up to me, please?"
"I barely know you." Lolita's eyes narrowed. "Why are you being nice to me after I threw my wine at you?"
Axel smiled. "You're daring whoever comes near you to stab you in the back."
"That stain looks set." Lolita glanced at the red stain on his white silk shirt. "I can buy you a new shirt at the Royal Mall in Gem City." Lolita dug into her sparkly purse to remove a card.
"Here." Lolita smiled. "My number is on it."
Axel accepted the card and tucked it into his black pants' pocket. "Thank you, but you don't need to buy me anything. I just want to understand. I promise not to judge you."
Lolita shook her head. "You won't believe me when I'm telling you the truth."
"Lolita, you can trust me. I promise, I won't hurt you."
"Ethan's uncle Desmond molested me for ten years. He started when I was six — sneaking into my bedroom and groping me under the covers. I told Ethan, but he said I was making it up. Then the bastard finally died of a stroke."
Lolita stepped into his embrace, her body stiff at first, then softening as tears fell. His shirt was soft. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She wondered if she had revealed too much.
Axel stroked Lolita's back. "You've been through hell. I understand why you've trust issues."
"I should let you go," she whispered, pulling back. "It's getting late."
Axel nodded. "I'll text you tomorrow." He gave her one last lingering look before sliding into his red sports car.