CHAPTER 138: QUESTIONING

"Have you perhaps seen her this morning?" Viktor asked.

"No."

"How about last night?"

Hades turned to him, brow raised. "What’s with all the questions? I haven’t seen Lilith since I checked on her in the new room."

Viktor tugged at his collar. "She’s not in her room. A maid found her clothes outside, left overnight. And when Charlotte checked her chambers, the bed was untouched. No sign of her."

"Have you asked around?" Hades asked.

"No, I thought she spent the night with you. But now that I know that’s not the case, I’ll start asking."

"Very well. Report back once you find something." Hades turned back to the mirror.

"I will." Viktor hesitated, eyes lingering on the prince’s reflection for a moment longer before leaving the room.

He headed straight to the kitchen, where he found Fiona and Eldric busy with their morning chores. The scent of baked bread filled the room, but there was no warmth in Viktor’s tone as he entered.

They greeted him with polite bows. Viktor gave a curt nod before speaking.

"I need to ask, have either of you seen Lilith recently?"

"I haven’t seen her in two days," Fiona replied, concern lacing her voice. "Is she missing?"

"I hope not. She didn’t sleep in her room last night."

"Isn’t she with the prince, then?" Eldric asked.

"No, she isn’t. I’ve already checked. Is there anywhere else you think she might be? Any suggestions would be appreciated."

Fiona rubbed a hand across her face. "I truly can’t think of anywhere. If she’s not with the prince, she’s usually with us or in her chambers."

Viktor turned to Eldric. "How about you? Any ideas?"

Eldric cleared his throat. "I don’t know either. Like Fiona said, if she’s not with you or in her room, she’s usually with us."

"Are you certain?" Viktor narrowed his eyes.

Eldric glanced at the others, then back at Viktor. "I’m sure."

"Then why do you look nervous?" Viktor asked, leaning closer. "You look like you’re hiding something."

Eldric let out a nervous chuckle. "You’re staring at me like I’m responsible for her disappearance, of course I’m nervous. But I haven’t seen Lilith in a while, and I don’t know where she is."

Fiona sharply nudged him in the side with her elbow, making him wince.

"Forgive him, my lord," she said quickly. "He’s had a rough morning, not an excuse, I know. He spoke rudely and it won’t happen again. Right?" She shot Eldric a hard glare.

"Mmm." He blinked, then frowned. "Forgive me, my lord," he murmured, bowing his head.

Viktor sighed. "If you see or hear anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Lucian." With that, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Fiona gave Eldric another, harder nudge. "You always seem to forget yourself, El. You don’t speak to a lord like that."

Eldric rubbed his side with a wince. "Like what? I was just being honest. He looked at me like I’d done something wrong."

"You’re hopeless." Fiona rolled her eyes. "Dear gods, I hope they find Lilith soon." She brought her hands together, elbows resting on the table, and offered a quiet prayer.

"I hope so too," the cook added softly before stepping out of the kitchen.

~~~

Viktor questioned the guards who had been on duty the previous night, asking if they’d seen Lilith leave the castle. All of them denied seeing her exit. They also reported that only a few carriages had passed through the gates and each one had been thoroughly searched before entering or leaving the palace.

He urged the guards to remain vigilant and report immediately if they saw or heard anything. Frustrated, Viktor ran a hand through his hair and turned back toward the building. As he approached, he spotted Kathryn stepping outside. She looked much better than the last time he’d seen her, she was dressed in a striking green gown, her hair curled neatly around her shoulders.

He paused and waited until she was out of sight before entering the castle. There was a flicker of relief in him, at least she seemed to be moving on from the prince. She would have to leave the castle by the end of the day.

With another sigh, Viktor jogged up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. When he reached the hallway leading to the prince’s chamber, he slowed and exhaled deeply before knocking and pushing the door open.

To his surprise, Hades was still standing in front of the mirror, unmoving. It was strange.

"I asked around, Your Highness," Viktor said. "No one knows where she’s been."

Just then, Lucian stepped into the room. "Someone surely knows. She couldn’t have just vanished into thin air."

Viktor turned. "How did you find out about Lilith?"

"I overheard Charlotte questioning a maid about her disappearance," Lucian replied, stepping further into the room.

"Oh. Alright." Viktor murmured.

Lucian looked at Hades. "What’s our next step, Your Highness?"

There was a brief silence before Hades finally turned around, his expression calm and composed. "Did she do her laundry herself?"

"I believe so. Charlotte didn’t mention a maid helping her," Viktor answered.

"Then find the guards and servants who were on duty during the time she likely did her laundry, and again just before the rain began. I’m guessing she stepped outside to collect her clothes before the rain started. Whatever happened to her likely occurred during that window."

He paused before continuing. "Gather everyone in the courtyard for questioning. Ask them where they were during the time Lilith did her laundry and when she might have gone to collect it. You and Lucian will handle that."

Lucian frowned slightly. "What about you?"

"I have something else to take care of," Hades replied. "I’ll join you once I’m done. You may leave."

Viktor and Lucian exchanged a look before turning to leave the room. Hades stood silently in his chamber for a moment longer before stepping out, heading toward the forbidden and abandoned wing of the castle.