Chapter Two-The Lord, the Kiss, and the Accused

Xander remained rooted in place, drenched from head to toe, his fingers lingering at his lips. The memory of the unexpected kiss looped in his mind like a melody he couldn't silence. And rather than outrage, a smile curved the corner of his mouth. Truth be told, he had grown rather weary of the party long before the incident. Only his title kept him tethered to the evening's dull pleasantries.

"My, my," came a smooth voice behind him. "It is indeed a fine night, my Lord. Who would have imagined that you, my esteemed Lord, would be kissed so boldly by an unknown maiden?" Gabriel Flynn approached with his ever-present glass of wine, mischief dancing in his eyes.

Xander cleared his throat, shoulders squaring as he folded away his amusement. "Have the intruders been caught yet?"

Gabriel tilted his head with a smirk. "You know better than to ask, Xander. Surely you've not forgotten how swift your guards are?"

"You could have just said 'yes,'" Xander muttered, shaking his head. "I'm going to see them myself. Dismiss the guests in my absence."

Gabriel drained his glass and placed it on a nearby tray. "And miss the unfolding drama? Absolutely not."

Xander gave him a sideways glance as he strode off.

"I know that look," Gabriel called after him. "Oh, heavens. This shall be interesting."

Elsewhere in the castle, in a separate, dimly lit hall, Lola and her friends sat surrounded by palace guards. The grandeur of the room did nothing to ease their anxiety. Gilded mirrors and velvet drapes seemed only to mock their current predicament.

"This is all your fault, Lola," Emily snapped, arms crossed tightly. "We were having the time of our lives, and you just had to run into the field!"

"How was I supposed to know there were dogs?" Lola countered, flustered. "It's a palace, not a hunting lodge!"

Liam groaned, his eyes fixed on the ornate ceiling. "Have you ever heard the saying: all wrongdoers are eventually caught?" He sighed heavily. "We should have just stayed at home."

Their argument was cut short as the large double doors creaked open.

Two figures entered, one regal and commanding, the other with a roguish gleam in his eyes. Lola's heart sank as she recognized the man she had collided with.

"Your Highness," the guards intoned, bowing deeply.

Xander's gaze swept the group with calculated precision.

Gabriel leaned in, his eyes catching on one particular young woman, fair-skinned, calm, and undeniably beautiful. She showed no trace of fear, only quiet defiance.

"Well, well," Gabriel murmured under his breath, "thank the stars I followed."

Lola rose abruptly to her feet, chin high. "Excuse me, sir. Do you truly believe it just to imprison my friends and me for an accident?"

Her friends groaned in unison.

"Sit down, Lola," Ethan hissed. "For once, please, just hush."

But Xander appeared more amused than angry.

"You don't believe you deserve detainment?" he asked mildly.

Lola shook her head. "We meant no harm. I apologised. I even called you a kind gentleman."

"You crashed my event. You impersonated nobility. And you…" his brow arched, "kissed me without consent."

Lola folded her arms, exasperated. "Oh, please. You're acting like it was your first kiss."

A collective gasp echoed through the chamber.

"Lola!" Emily whispered furiously.

Julian covered his face. "This is it. We die tonight."

"We're going to be executed," Liam moaned, panic rising.

But Xander said nothing. He simply stared at Lola, a slow, unreadable smile forming on his lips.

Gabriel leaned toward him and whispered, "Do not say what I think you're going to say."

Xander's eyes never left Lola.

"Take her," he said softly, "to the east wing."

The guards moved instantly.

"What?!" Lola shouted as they seized her by the arms.

"Wait!" Ethan stood. "Where are you taking her?!"

But no answer came.

Only Gabriel's quiet chuckle echoed in the hall.

"Oh dear," he murmured. "The game has begun."