CHAPTER 159: MY MISTAKE

Lilith could see the surprise and the flicker of shock on her stepsisters’ faces as they laid eyes on her. It was clear their father hadn’t informed them of her arrival. A small, almost smug satisfaction stirred in her chest as one of them turned visibly pale, her gaze sweeping from Lilith’s feet to her face and back again, wide with disbelief.

"Please, sit," Gerald said, gesturing to the empty seats around the dining table.

Lilith was the first to move, settling at the far end of the table. Her fingers curled slightly around the napkin in front of her. To her right, Viktor took his seat, while Charlotte sat to her left.

"Father, you didn’t say she was the one visiting," Prudence leaned over and whispered to her father.

"I didn’t," he replied in a low voice. "I didn’t want to ruin your mood for the day. I know how you feel about her."

"Well, it’s ruined now. I hope she isn’t planning on staying here," she muttered. "Like... actually staying?"

"I don’t think so," he said with a slight shake of his head. "She has no reason to. I believe she’s only here to see her mother."

Prudence scoffed and rolled her eyes in response.

"Quite the honor," Gerald began, setting down his fork after sampling the toast. His thick brows lifted as he turned to Viktor. "To have the prince’s second man in our humble home."

Viktor offered a smooth, practiced smile. "Thank you for receiving us, Mr Gerald. I am honored to accompany Lady Lilith on her journey and to meet her family."

"Lord Gerald," he corrected in a flat tone.

"Ah, my mistake. Do forgive me, Lord Gerald. The prince never mentioned your title." Viktor smiled again, placing a hand over his chest in mock apology.

Gerald let out a dry chuckle, a hollow sound that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "It’s not a problem. I imagine he had more pressing matters to think about."

He turned his attention to Lilith, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "It is quite the surprise to see you well and alive."

"Disappointed?" Lilith asked evenly, her gaze fixed firmly on him.

"Not at all," Gerald replied with a shrug. "Just surprised. I didn’t think the prince would keep you around."

"He’s quite a generous man," she said, her tone steady. "I’m beyond grateful he chose me to take me along with him."

Across the table, Penelope snorted. "How appealing. We assumed you’d taken up permanent residence in the afterlife."

Prudence leaned forward, fingers glittering with too many jewelries. "And now here you are, dressed in fine fabrics, escorted by royalty. You’ve come a long way for a girl who used to clean chamber pots."

"Indeed," Gerald added, slicing into his meat with unsettling precision. "Though some would say such an ascent comes with... questionable alliances."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes and set her wine glass down with a soft clink. "Are you implying something, Lord Gerald?"

"And who are you?" Prudence asked, eyeing her with disdain.

"I was speaking to your father, not you," Charlotte replied coolly. "Learn to stay silent when your elders are speaking."

Prudence’s expression darkened, her lips parting for a retort but her father raised a hand, cutting her off before she could speak.

"I was merely noting how interesting it is that a forgotten girl with no birthright ends up in such a favored position, earning the prince’s respect," Gerald said with a small smile.

Lilith took a slow, steadying breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "I didn’t come here to be insulted. I came to see my mother. Where is she?"

Gerald leaned back in his chair, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "Your mother has traveled. She had a bit of business to attend to. She should return by morning."

"I see," Lilith murmured, giving a stiff nod.

"You seem disappointed," Prudence said sweetly. "You should know, Mother hasn’t mentioned your name since you left. It’s almost as if she’s forgotten about you too."

"You should control the tongue of your daughters, Lord Gerald," Viktor said coldly. His clipped tone silenced the sisters for a moment.

"I apologize," Gerald replied, though the lack of sincerity in his voice was palpable. "You must forgive them." He turned to his daughters. "Girls, speak kindly to your sister. After all, not many girls get rescued from fire only to land in a prince’s arms."

Penelope rolled her eyes. "Forgive us, sister. We’re just happy to see you, that’s all."

"And a bit curious how you managed it," Prudence added, leaning forward. "You’ve really outdone yourself this time. I mean, you were always a whore, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you spread your legs for the prince."

"She did have a habit of taking things that didn’t belong to her," Penelope said with a shrug.

Lilith stood abruptly, but before she could speak, Viktor’s voice rang out sharply.

"That is enough."

The room fell into silence as his voice echoed with commanding force.

"You will caution your daughters to hold their tongues, or they will be excused from this dining hall."

Gerald’s eyes narrowed. "You do not raise your voice at me in my own home, and you certainly do not..."

"I don’t give a fuck if this is your home or not," Viktor cut in, his voice hard. "You will speak to Lady Lilith with respect." He turned his gaze to the sisters. "Both of you."

Gerald’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. "Girls, behave yourselves," he said in a sharp tone. But his anger wasn’t directed at them, it was aimed squarely at Viktor. If Viktor hadn’t been a nobleman of high standing, Gerald would have thrown him out. But he couldn’t. He clenched his teeth, silently cursing Lilith once more for bringing him humiliation under his own roof.

They continued to eat in silence, the tension thick between them. Lilith forced herself to eat, though the food felt like a stone sliding down her throat. She didn’t want to leave, not yet. She didn’t want to appear weak before them. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of knowing their words still stung after all this time. So she sat, still and composed, pushing small pieces of food past the tightness in her throat.

Shortly after, Charlotte rose to her feet, brushing her gown gently. "I think we’ve had enough of this charming dinner."

"So soon?" Gerald asked, raising a brow.

"Well, I’ve lost my appetite and it’s all thanks to your awful daughters," Charlotte replied coolly.

Viktor murmured, "Lucy, please. Don’t."

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Lilith, come with me. I need some fresh air." She looked down at her.

"All right," Lilith said quietly, grateful for the escape. She stood, placing her napkin on her plate. With a brief glance toward Gerald, who was watching her closely, she added, "Thank you for the dinner."

"You are welcome. It is always my pleasure to feed you," he said, voice laced with something darker beneath the politeness.

Charlotte linked her arm with Lilith’s, and together they walked out of the dining hall.

As they stepped into the cold night air, the tightness in Lilith’s chest began to loosen. The stars were hidden behind thick clouds, and every now and then, lightning lit up the sky in brief flashes.

"I’m sorry you had to see that," Lilith said quietly, not turning to face Charlotte.

Charlotte reached out and touched her shoulder gently. "You don’t have to apologize for the cruelty of others. Are you all right?" Concern softened her voice.

Lilith exhaled, her breath misting in the air. "I... I thought I’d grown immune to their insults. But it seems they still affect me."

Charlotte pulled her into a warm embrace. "They’re terrible people, Lilith. And they don’t deserve an angelic soul like yours. Their behavior has nothing to do with you, it’s only a reflection of who they are. Don’t let it get to you anymore. You are not what they say you are, and you never will be."

She rubbed Lilith’s back gently, offering strength, soothing the pain that had long been buried and now stirred anew.