CHAPTER 116: LOVE PORTION

Lilith flinched each time the gruesome sound of bones snapping and flesh being torn apart reached her ears. More than once, she had been tempted to peek through the window, just for a glimpse of what was happening outside with Hades and the creatures.

But the sounds alone were terrifying—agonized shrieks and monstrous growls that sent goosebumps racing across her skin. She curled deeper into her seat, arms hugging her body as fear prickled at her spine. After what felt like an eternity, nearly twenty minutes later, silence finally fell over them.

Lilith sat frozen. The sudden quiet could only mean one thing—the demons were dead.

The carriage door suddenly creaked open, making her jolt and nearly scream, but relief washed over her when she saw Hades climb back inside. Her wide eyes scanned his form. To her surprise, he looked as pristine as he had when he left, no blood, no torn fabric, not even a hair out of place.

"Are you alright?" she whispered.

Hades turned to her with a relaxed smile. "I am. Actually feeling much better now," he said, voice light, as though he had just taken a stroll rather than battled bloodthirsty demons.

The prince genuinely looked pleased, as if he found joy in the violence. He smiled like someone who had just plucked flowers, not taken lives.

Lilith managed a small smile in return. "Were you able to get any information from them?"

He shook his head. "That’s impossible. Even if you tear them apart piece by piece, they cannot betray their master. It’s bound by a blood oath, part of their summoning contract."

Lilith frowned. "Then... how will we know who sent them?"

"I don’t need them," Hades said casually. "I’ll find answers from creatures who aren’t tied by oath."

"Very well, Your Highness," Lilith murmured.

"Relax, darling," he said with a wink. "I have everything under control."

He rapped on the divider, and the coachman clicked his tongue, flicked the reins, and the carriage resumed its journey.

Lilith stared out the window, her mind restless. She didn’t know how long the ride to Dubliton would be, but she was already exhausted from sitting down. The trees blurred together, an endless wall of green and brown, and her thoughts kept circling back to the demons, even though Hades assured her it was over. She couldn’t help thinking of the demons returning to attack again.

With a sigh, she leaned back and closed her eyes, letting sleep pull her under.

When the carriage finally rolled to a stop, Lilith jolted awake. She rubbed her eyes, blinking the sleep away, only to realize her head had been resting on the prince’s shoulder. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she quickly straightened up.

"Forgive me," she mumbled. "I must have slept too deeply and got carried away."

Hades looked at her with amusement. "I told you to stop apologizing for every little thing. I don’t mind you using my shoulder as a pillow."

She nodded quietly, still half-dazed from sleep. Peering out the window, she noticed they were no longer surrounded by forest. Instead, they had stopped before a grand castle. Not as towering or imposing as the prince’s own estate, but beautiful in its own right.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"In Dubliton," Hades replied. "This is the king’s home."

"Are you ready to step out?"

Lilith nodded.

A footman, short and stout, dressed in a crisp black and white uniform, approached the carriage and opened the door with a bow. "Welcome to Dubliton, Your Highness."

Hades descended first, then turned and extended a hand to her. She hesitated for just a breath before placing her hand in his, allowing him to help her down.

As they were led to the grand entrance, Lilith noticed four figures waiting to receive them, two men and two women. The aura they carried, poised and regal, immediately marked them as royalty.

"Prince Hades," the eldest among them said warmly, stepping forward. His white hair gleamed under the sun, and his eyes, though aged, were sharp and wise. "Welcome to Dubliton. I hope your journey was pleasant."

Hades grasped the king’s hand firmly. "Thank you, King Danus. Our journey was... eventful, to say the least," he replied with a smile.

"How so?" Danus asked, his brows raised with mild curiosity.

"It’s nothing important," Hades replied smoothly, his eyes shifting to the woman standing beside the king.

"Ah, this is my dear wife, Estrella, you’ve met her before," the king said, gesturing to the elegant woman beside him, who offered a graceful bow. "And this is my sweet daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Elmer."

He motioned to a brown-haired woman and the tall man beside her. Both gave warm, polite smiles and bowed in greeting.

Hades gave a curt nod of acknowledgment, his expression calm, before turning his attention back to the king.

"Ah, Kathryn. It is always so lovely to see you again," King Danus said, his smile wide and genuine.

"It surely is, Your Majesty," Kathryn replied with a pleasant smile, lowering herself into a respectful bow.

"And who are these lovely young ladies with you?" Danus asked, his gaze now shifting to Lilith and Charlotte.

"Charlotte and Lilith," Hades said curtly, offering no further explanation.

Danus pressed his lips into a thin line, clearly noting the prince’s brevity, but he let it go. "I shan’t keep you standing. You must be tired from your journey. Please, come in. My daughter will show you to your rooms."

He turned and began walking into the castle, with Hades and the others following behind him.

At the bottom of the grand staircase, King Danus stopped and faced them once more. "I’ll leave Elizabeth to show you to your rooms. Maids will be sent shortly to attend to your needs. The ball begins this evening. Do enjoy yourselves."

He excused himself, with Queen Estrella trailing after him.

Lilith allowed her gaze to wander as Princess Elizabeth led them up the sweeping staircase to the second floor. The interior was stunning, every corridor lit by soft golden sconces, and polished floors that gleamed underfoot.

They reached the left wing, where five doors lined the hallway.

"This room will be for the prince," Elizabeth said, stopping at the first door. "You may choose any of the remaining four."

"Thank you, Princess Elizabeth," Hades said with a nod.

She smiled, bowed lightly, and took her leave, disappearing down the hallway.

Hades turned to Lilith. "Which one are you taking?"

Lilith glanced at the options. "Hmm. I don’t know... I guess I’ll take this one," she said, pointing to the room directly next to his.

"Oh, I was planning to take that one," Kathryn interjected, stepping forward. "Would you mind picking a different room?"

Charlotte groaned. "Oh please, Kathryn. Can you stop this childish behaviour of yours?"

Rolling her eyes, she slipped her arm around Lilith’s shoulders, marched her to the room beside the prince’s, and opened the door. With one last glare at Kathryn, she stepped inside, pulling Lilith with her and shut the door before Kathryn could say another word.

Viktor chuckled under his breath. "Well, I guess that room’s taken," he said with a mocking smile before striding into the next room down the hall.

Kathryn’s face darkened. She gritted her teeth and turned toward the prince only to realize he was already gone, having entered his room without a word.

Left standing alone in the hallway, her expression twisted in frustration. With a low growl, she stomped into the remaining room and slammed the door behind her.

"Argh, I cannot stand that lousy woman," Charlotte sighed, walking toward the window. She pulled the curtains open and looked out at the sprawling landscape filled with vibrant greenery. "What a beautiful sight," she admitted, then turned to face Lilith, who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"It is indeed," Lilith replied softly. "Has Kathryn always been this way?"

Charlotte crossed her arms over her chest. "I haven’t known her that long, but the little time we spent together at a ball years ago was enough for me to decide I didn’t like her. She’s obsessed with the prince and completely loses it if another woman so much as breathes in his direction. And the most embarrassing part? The prince doesn’t even want her. I remember once, she poured hot tea on a lady’s hand just because the woman was openly admiring the prince."

"That’s awful," Lilith said, her brows furrowed. "I thought maybe she had changed... I wanted to believe she was trying to be a better person."

"She can’t change—at least not while she’s still infatuated with him. You need to be careful around her. She might pretend to be your friend, but don’t trust her. She has no limits when it comes to getting what she wants, especially if that something is the prince." Charlotte narrowed her eyes. "Honestly, I’ve even wondered if she tampered with the prince’s food the day you dropped his bowl."

Lilith’s eyes widened. "Tamper? Are you saying Kathryn tried to poison the prince?"

"Not poison him," Charlotte clarified. "She knows poison doesn’t work on him. It might’ve been something else maybe a love potion or some spell. I remember seeing her with a tiny bottle that she hid the moment I pointed it out. She looked nervous. I forgot about it until her dramatic outburst after you dropped that bowl. I’m not saying I’m sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me."

Lilith stared ahead blankly. As much as she wanted to dismiss Charlotte’s theory, she couldn’t shake the nagging thought in the back of her mind. Kathryn had been in the kitchen with her... and standing near the prince’s food.

"Anyway, I need to go check out my chamber and rest before the ball," Charlotte said, making her way to the door.

"Very well. Thank you again—I really appreciate your kindness," Lilith said with a warm, genuine smile.

"Take care," Charlotte replied, then slipped out of the room, leaving Lilith deep in thought.