CHAPTER 133: TRAGIC EVENT

It was Viktor’s turn to frown. "Why is that? I thought she was staying in the room opposite yours?"

"She was. But she has to move now. We’ve both agreed it’s best to create some distance between us," Hades replied.

Viktor’s frown deepened. "I don’t understand. Why would you want that? I thought your relationship was getting stronger."

Hades sighed. "That’s exactly the problem, Vik. We need to stay apart, at least until I find a way to keep Zal locked away permanently."

"Oh shit." Viktor’s face fell. "The demon’s already showing itself? How the fuck did I forget about that?" He dragged his hands down his face. "What are we going to do now? Is it... very serious?"

"I still have control of my body and soul," Hades explained. "We just need to slow the demon’s progression. For now, keeping distance is our best option."

"Alright. That makes sense. Is there anything I can do to help?" Viktor asked.

"Yes. I need to search the library for a particular book on possession and demons. I started looking yesterday but haven’t found it yet."

"Very well, then. I’ll help you with that. Should we go now?"

"You go ahead. I just need to grab something and I’ll join you," Hades replied.

Viktor narrowed his eyes, as if he were about to ask another question, but thought better of it. He gave a small nod and left the room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Hades threw his head back, clutching his chest as he struggled to breathe. Black veins began spreading across his neck, and one eye flared bright red.

Gritting his teeth, he rubbed at his chest as the pain intensified, forcing his eyes shut.

’Hades, Hades, Hades... why do you continue to fight me?’ The voice slithered through his mind. ’You’re growing weaker and tired with each passing day. Let me take control, I’ll show you what true power is.’

"Fuck you!" Hades spat between clenched teeth.

’Suit yourself, Your Highness,’ Zal sneered, voice laced with mockery. ’Keep suffering.’

A deep, unsettling laugh echoed through Hades’ skull.

For several long minutes, Hades fought for breath, exhaling shakily through his mouth. Slowly, agonizingly, the pain in his chest began to fade. It took nearly fifteen minutes for it to fully subside.

Sweat slicked his forehead and neck as he let out a trembling sigh of relief. Rising from the chair, he took a few unsteady steps toward the mirror.

He pulled his shirt open. Thick, black veins sprawled across his chest like roots. Swallowing hard, Hades buttoned his shirt again and checked his neck and arms, the dark veins there had faded.

Another deep sigh.

He turned away and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

~~~

The maids had already moved Lilith’s belongings to her new room.

It was beautiful, with a view overlooking the servant quarters and the laundry area. Beyond the line of drying clothes, Lilith noticed something she hadn’t seen before, a well, covered with a white iron lid. Grasses had grown thick around it, giving the impression that it hadn’t been used in a long time.

She frowned, curious.

"Oh dear Lilith, are you going to be staying here?"

Charlotte’s voice drew her attention. The other woman had entered the room and now came to stand beside her.

"Yes," Lilith replied, smiling softly. "Yes, I’ll be staying here until further notice. You’re quite blessed with a wonderful view."

She hoped Charlotte wouldn’t ask why she had left her previous chamber. Thankfully, she didn’t.

"It is quite lovely indeed," Charlotte agreed, placing her hand on the railing. "Although... seeing that well unsettles me deeply."

Lilith turned to her. "How so?"

"I heard one of the servants lost her child in that well," Charlotte whispered. "He was a curious little thing, it was a rainy day. The ground was slick, and he slipped and fell in."

Lilith gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

"It was tragic," Charlotte continued, voice somber. "No one noticed until evening. By the time they realized where he was... it was too late. The poor boy had already drowned."

Sadness washed over Lilith. "That is truly horrible. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must have been."

"I feel the same," Charlotte said softly. "After they buried the boy, the prince ordered the well sealed, never to be used again. That’s why there are no open wells within the palace walls now to avoid another such tragedy."

Lilith glanced out the window again, her heart heavy. "Now I don’t think I’ll be able to look out here without thinking of that poor child and the well."

Charlotte laughed lightly. "It was a long time ago. The family has had two more children since then, delightful little ones, I must add. They’ve brought joy back into the household."

She nudged Lilith playfully.

"I suppose that makes me feel a little better," Lilith admitted, smiling faintly. Her gaze shifted to a nearby basket filled with clothes. "Speaking of which, that reminds me, I have laundry to do."

"I just had mine taken care of yesterday morning. You could always have one of the maids help you with it," Charlotte suggested.

"I do prefer doing my laundry myself," Lilith replied with a smile. "And today, I feel like doing so. It’s a beautiful day."

"It sure is. Well, I’ll leave you to attend to your affairs while I go find something to eat, my stomach is waging war against me," Charlotte said with a playful grin.

Both of them laughed softly. Charlotte then excused herself, leaving Lilith alone in the room.

After carefully arranging her clothes in the wardrobe and placing a few personal belongings on the dresser, Lilith picked up the basket of laundry, left the room, and descended the stairs toward the door leading to the back of the castle.

Outside, she found three maids already tending to laundry. Two of them were washing clothes together, chatting softly. The third maid stood a little apart from them, focused on her task.

Lilith’s gaze lingered on this third woman. She was tall and lanky, with a stiff, unnatural posture. Something about her seemed out of place, too rigid, too controlled, as if she didn’t quite belong.

Strange, Lilith thought. If she were new, the other maids would surely have noticed or mentioned it.

Deciding not to dwell on it, Lilith began washing her clothes. Yet, an unsettling sensation prickled at her neck, the feeling of being watched.

When she looked up, her suspicion was confirmed. The tall maid’s eyes were on her, though she hastily looked away each time their gazes met. At first, Lilith tried to ignore it, telling herself it might have been an accident.

But it kept happening. Again and again, those eyes returned to her, lingering too long and often. The woman’s feigned embarrassment had lost any credibility.

This is no coincidence, Lilith thought, her wariness growing.