CHAPTER 162: MOTHER

Lilith returned to her room, took a warm bath, and changed into a purple dress. It was the same design as the green one she had worn from Valyron, only in a different color. She brushed her hair and let it fall loosely over her shoulders. Instead of enduring another awkward breakfast downstairs, she had her meal delivered to her chambers.

Charlotte did the same. After finishing her own breakfast, she visited Lilith’s room. They talked for over an hour before Charlotte returned to her chambers for a short nap, which Lilith also decided to take. When she awoke again, it was a few minutes past noon.

The realization that her mother would be arriving any moment made Lilith’s stomach churn with nervousness and anticipation. She had no idea how her mother would react to seeing her after all these months.

When she heard a carriage roll up to the mansion, Lilith jumped off her bed and rushed to the window. She peeked through the curtains, and her breath hitched.

A woman had stepped out of the carriage. Even though Lilith couldn’t see her face clearly, she knew without a doubt, it was her mother.

Lilith quickly closed the curtains and sat on the edge of the bed, mentally preparing herself. She checked her appearance in the mirror three times to be sure she looked presentable before finally deciding to head downstairs.

With every step, her heart pounded harder. She made her way past the stairs and through the hallway toward the kitchen, where she heard her mother’s voice.

Lilith stepped into the room, her gaze locking onto the woman standing by the wooden counter. Her mother’s hair was now darker, but her features were unmistakably familiar. Her wide eyes froze as they met Lilith’s, and her hands instinctively clutched the edge of the table.

"Lilith?" the woman whispered.

Lilith’s lips parted, but no sound came. Her throat tightened, her breath unsteady. "Mother..."

In a heartbeat, her mother rushed toward her. The basket she had been holding fell to the ground, apples tumbling across the floor. She wrapped her arms around Lilith in an embrace so fierce it stole her breath. Lilith clung to her, feeling the familiar warmth of her mother’s body, the comforting press of her hands on her back.

"My child," her mother whispered, voice breaking, "My sweet girl... Oh gods, you’re alive. You’re really here."

Tears streamed down Lilith’s cheeks, her body trembling as she held her mother tightly. "I missed you," she choked out. "I missed you every single day."

Her mother pulled back just enough to look into her face, brushing strands of hair from Lilith’s cheeks with trembling fingers. "I can’t express how happy I am to see you," she said, smiling through tears. "I’ve missed you terribly too."

They stood there for a long moment, wrapped in each other’s arms. Eventually, her mother led her gently out of the kitchen and down the hall to her chamber, quietly closing the door behind them.

The room was just as Lilith remembered, slightly larger than hers, with a soft rug on the floor, white paint covering the walls, and her mother’s favorite chair in the corner. A fire crackled in the hearth, and the warm scent of cinnamon lingered in the air. Her mother led her to the bed, where she sat down gently.

"I never stopped praying for you," her mother said, pouring tea with a slightly trembling hand. "After hearing about the prince of Valyron, everyone believed he would do away with you. But I never gave up hope. I knew, one day, you would return to me."

"There wasn’t much you could do beyond that," Lilith replied quietly. "But the prince isn’t nearly as terrible as people make him out to be."

Her mother looked at her then, truly looked. "Is that so? Have you become so close to this prince that you feel the need to defend him?"

Lilith’s fingers tightened around the cup. "I don’t need to be close to him to defend him. I’m doing so because of how well he’s treated me and how he continues to treat me."

"Very well, then. Forgive me for being so harsh with my words," her mother said with a small smile. "So, tell me, what do you do now in the palace? Do you work as a maid or something?"

Lilith shook her head. "Well... no. I did start out as the prince’s personal maid, but now, I’m helping him get better."

Her mother narrowed her eyes. "Helping him? What does that mean? Is he unwell?"

Lilith hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "The prince is suffering from a curse. I’m using my powers to try and free him. I haven’t succeeded yet, but I’m growing stronger. I’m getting closer to breaking it."

Her mother slowly set her cup down. "That is... incredible. The magic you were once persecuted and nearly killed for is now being used for a greater cause. I’m proud of you, Lilith."

"Thank you, Mother," Lilith said quickly, reaching for her hand. "How have you been? And my stepfather, has he been treating you well?"

The question caught her mother off guard. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes before she looked away. "You know your father. He hasn’t changed. Though now, he’s focused more on the girls. Prudence is already engaged to Duke Dain Sarhon, from a small town called Kirton. She’s to be married in two months."

Lilith blinked. "Prudence is getting married? Why? She’s still a child, only twenty!"

Her mother sighed. "I tried to convince your father otherwise, but he’s as stubborn as ever. And Prudence wants this. She hasn’t stopped talking about it. I’ve met the duke, he’s a fine man, though he is seven and twenty years of age."

"He’s seven years older than her! That’s far too old in my opinion. And Prudence is far too witty and unserious for marriage. She doesn’t know a thing about managing a household," Lilith said, frustration creeping into her voice.

Her mother reached over and squeezed her hand. "Please, dear, let it rest. Prudence is a smart girl. She’ll cope."

Lilith exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself. Her mother was right, there was nothing she could say or do to change the decision now. "You’re right. She’ll cope... eventually."

"Yes, my dear. Have you eaten? Let’s go to the kitchen, I will make you something delicious."

She stood and gently tugged Lilith up from the bed, leading her out of the room and down the hall toward the kitchen.