CHAPTER 195: HEAVY FOOTSTEPS

After freshening up and getting dressed, Lilith made her way to the dining room, her thoughts clouded by what had happened earlier with Hades. She knew, deep in her soul that he was hiding something from her. And worse, she could sense that something terrible was about to happen. Her heart raced, her nerves were on edge, and her stomach churned with emotions she couldn’t quite name.

She let out a breath, composing herself before stepping into the room.

Viktor and Hades were already seated at the table, engaged in a serious conversation. But the moment she entered, Hades raised a hand to pause Viktor mid sentence and turned toward her with a warm, welcoming smile.

"I hope I’m not interrupting anything important," Lilith asked, taking the seat beside Hades.

"Of course not, darling," Hades replied. "I was just telling Viktor to make the necessary preparations in the cave for the ritual."

Lilith glanced between the two men, her brows knitting slightly. "Ritual? What do you mean?"

"I mean we’ll begin the healing process this evening," Hades said calmly. "I’ve decided not to delay any longer."

"Is everything alright?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice. "Is there something going on?"

"Not at all, love. I just think there’s no point in waiting any longer. I hope that’s alright with you?"

"Not at all," Lilith replied softly. "I completely agree with you."

"Thank you." Hades reached out and gently placed his hand over hers on the table.

Just then, a group of servants entered with trays in their hands, setting the dishes neatly on the table.

"Lovely," Viktor said with excitement, rubbing his hands together as he scanned the array of food. "This all looks delicious. My mouth is already watering."

"It truly does," Lilith agreed with a smile. Then her gaze shifted to Viktor. "Where’s Charlotte? Isn’t she joining us for lunch?"

"No," Viktor replied. "She asked for her food to be brought to her chambers. She said she’s tired and needs a bit more rest."

"I hope she’s not sick?"

Viktor chuckled lightly. "Lucy is fine, Lilith. Don’t worry about her."

Lilith nodded, returning her attention to Hades just as he finished serving food onto her plate and poured orange juice into her goblet. The simple gesture warmed her heart.

She couldn’t help but smile, watching him with quiet affection.

She could hardly wait for the curse to be broken for the day they would finally be free. To love each other in peace. To live the life they both deserved.

She began to eat, half listening to the ongoing conversation between Viktor and Hades. She only chimed in when a comment was directed at her, offering brief responses.

Suddenly, she remembered she needed to speak with Salistra. But she decided to push that to the next morning, she had to prepare for the ritual this evening. A few hours of meditation might help steady her nerves.

Lilith wiped her lips with the napkin and gently placed it on the table. "I shall take my leave now," she said softly.

"Very well. You should rest for the remaining hours. I’ll come get you once it’s time," Hades said softly.

"Alright, Your Highness. Also, I would like to take Charlotte’s food to her," Lilith added.

"If you must, then there’s no problem with that," Viktor replied.

One of the servants by the door gave a small bow before walking toward the kitchen. Moments later, he returned carrying a tray with Charlotte’s meal neatly arranged.

Lilith thanked the servant and collected the tray. "Enjoy your day, both of you," she said to the men, giving a small smile before making her way out of the dining room.

She headed down the hall toward Charlotte’s chambers. Once in front of the door, she knocked lightly but there was no response. She knocked again, this time a bit louder.

"What do you want, Viktor? I’m already laying in bed!" came Charlotte’s frustrated voice from inside.

"It’s not Viktor. It’s Lilith. I brought your food," Lilith called out, raising her voice so she could be heard.

Almost immediately, the door opened. Charlotte peeked out, looking left and right down the hallway before grabbing Lilith by the arm and quickly pulling her inside. She shut the door firmly behind them.

Lilith arched a brow at the suspicious behavior. "What is going on with you, Charlotte?" she asked, clearly concerned.

Charlotte took the tray from her and placed it carefully on the table before turning back around to face Lilith. She was wearing a robe, her hair a tousled mess, eyes wide and restless.

"I did something terribly, terribly wrong," Charlotte admitted in a hushed, panicked voice.

Lilith crossed her arms over her chest. "What did you do?"

Charlotte sighed, frustrated, running her fingers through her tangled hair. "On the night of your sister’s engagement ball, I drank too much and I made a complete fool of myself," she confessed, beginning to pace the room in agitation.

"How bad did you make a fool of yourself?" Lilith asked, her brows raised. "Did you trip? Throw up? Spill a drink on yourself or someone else?"

Charlotte let out a long sigh. "I wish it were any of those. This is so much worse." She ran a hand down her face. "I kissed Viktor. On the lips."

Lilith slapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes widening in shock. "Dear heavens! What!? How... how did that happen?"

"I have no idea. I was too intoxicated to remember anything clearly. The memory only came back recently in flashes. I’m utterly mortified, Lilith. I am never drinking again," Charlotte groaned.

Lilith slowly lowered her hands to her chest, still wide-eyed. "Did you talk to Viktor about it?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, I did."

"So, what did he say? What happened?" Lilith asked eagerly.

"He didn’t panic or react strangely at all," Charlotte replied, still pacing. "He said it was a mistake and that we should just let it go. He took it surprisingly well."

"Oh. Well, that’s good then. So why are you panicking if he doesn’t have a problem with it? Like he said, it was a mistake," Lilith reasoned.

"I know that, but I can’t erase the image from my head," Charlotte cried in frustration. "It keeps replaying over and over. I can’t even talk to him without thinking about it. I don’t want to think about it anymore. I’m not supposed to. It was a meaningless kiss."

Lilith watched her closely, unsure of what to say at first. Then she asked carefully, "Is there a tiny possibility that... you like Viktor?"

Charlotte blinked. "Of course I like Viktor. We’re practically family."

Lilith frowned slightly. "No, I mean like him...have feelings for him."

Charlotte chuckled nervously. "That’s ridiculous. There’s no way I have feelings for Viktor. We’re like family. That’s not possible."

Lilith tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful. "Are you sure? Maybe the kiss awakened something. Maybe it stirred affection that was already there, and now that you’re aware of it, you can’t stop thinking about it."

Charlotte groaned and threw her hands in the air. "You’re not helping the situation, Lilith. I don’t have any feelings for Viktor. There are over a million men out there, why would I have feelings for him?" she said, pushing her hair away from her face.

"Alright, alright. If you say so," Lilith said with a soft sigh. "I think you should just forget about it, push it deep down inside and move on. Besides, Viktor has already done that too."

"Well, I guess you’re right," Charlotte replied, though doubt still lingered in her voice. "But it’s hard to forget about it."

"I know it is," Lilith said gently. "But you have to try. And you can’t do that if you keep avoiding Viktor. As long as he’s not awkward about it, you shouldn’t be either."

Charlotte sighed. "I’ll try. It was a mistake, and honestly, I barely even remember it. So, I should be fine."

Lilith gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Exactly. You’ll be fine, Charlotte."

"Yes, I will be. Thank you," Charlotte said, flashing a small smile before moving toward the table. "I’m absolutely famished. Thank you for the food too."

"You’re welcome." Lilith smiled, watching her friend pull out a chair and begin devouring the meal with little care for etiquette.

"I’ll return to my chambers. Enjoy your meal," Lilith added.

"Very well. Thanks again!" Charlotte said with a full mouth, smiling around a mouthful of food.

Lilith chuckled at the sight before turning and leaving the room. As she approached her own chambers, she spotted Hades standing with Viktor in the hallway, locked in conversation. Hades glanced up the moment she came into view.

She watched as Hades gently patted Viktor on the shoulder and excused himself from their conversation, walking toward her. Viktor turned to watch them quietly.

"You should be resting, love," Hades murmured, leaning down to kiss her lips as his arm snaked around her waist to pull her close.

"I had a quick talk with Charlotte. I’ll rest now," Lilith said, looking up into his eyes.

"I..."

The loud thud of urgent footsteps echoed down the hallway, cutting him off. All eyes turned toward the sound.

Lucian appeared at the far end of the corridor, his eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears. He looked disoriented, shaken. The raw emotions on his face, pain, sorrow, and guilt made the air around them turn heavy. He stood there panting, his gaze locked onto the three confused faces staring back at him.

"Uncle, are you alright?" Hades asked, his tone shifting to concern.

Lucian’s throat moved as he struggled to speak. When he finally did, his voice cracked. "I’m afraid not, Hades. I... I am deeply sorry."