Who could have spread the rumor?
I looked around the hall, mind racing.
Arabella wasn't there, I had noticed her absence immediately, because who else could I believe was responsible for this? But Penelope and Ingrid stood near the refreshment table, whispering behind their fans and shooting me venomous looks.
Could one of them have seen us? Followed us to the orangery?
The whispers grew louder.
"Spoiled slave girl—"
"No shame at all—"
"Kissing a Duke before they're even properly engaged—"
"Absolutely scandalous—"
"SILENCE."
The Emperor's voice put an instant end to the gossip, and the hall went quiet instantly.
Every eye turned to where he stood, his expression thunderous.
He looked at me. Then at the Duke. "Is what I am hearing true, Roxanne?"
My heart stopped. "No, Your Majesty! No, it was an accident. I tried to grab an orange and I tripped on him. That's all that happened."
The Emperor's gaze shifted to Lucien. "Duke Asterion. Is this true?"
