CHAPTER 36: ROYAL GARDENER

In the darkest part of the castle, the King stood by the window, his crimson eyes surveying the vast land below. Azazel turned slowly as a figure entered his chamber, shifting seamlessly from man to beast. The creature settled onto all fours, its vibrant purple eyes gleaming in the dim light.

"Master, do you think scar-face will complete his mission?" the creature asked, its voice low and raspy.

Azazel clasped his hands behind his back, his expression cold. "I don’t need him to succeed, I need him to be a distraction long enough for me to execute my plan. The prince is not a fool. That bastard won’t last a week."

The creature nodded. "Understood, Master Azazel. I will ensure he gets the witch away from the prince. For as long as she remains by his side, the possession cannot be completed."

Azazel’s gaze darkened. "Stay out of the prince’s sight because he will recognize you at first glance."

"I will do that, master." The creature bowed before shifting back into human form and retreating from the room.

Silence settled once more. Azazel turned, his slow steps carrying him to the shadowed corner of the chamber. A large object stood there, draped in white cloth. With a single, fluid motion, he pulled the fabric away, revealing a grand portrait.

A woman sat elegantly upon a plush chair, her brown hair cascading in soft waves over her shoulders. A sheer white gown clung to her delicate frame almost transparent as it revealed the pale curve of her skin. A few strands of hair veiled part of her face, but they did nothing to dim the brightness of her golden eyes, eyes like the molten ring of the sun. A full, radiant smile graced her lips, frozen in time.

Azazel’s gaze softened as he reached out, his fingers brushing over her painted face. His touch lingered on her lips. "All you had to do was stay with me," he murmured, his voice heavy with something almost tender. "I was ready to give it all for you... but you chose to bring that child into this world."

"You were the reason I came here, and now that you’re gone, I have no reason to stay. And now, I must return home, no matter what. Even if it means sacrificing your son."

His hand dropped to his side, his fist clenching so tightly that flames flickered to life around it. His jaw tightened as he stared at the portrait. "You should have chosen me, Celeste."

With a swift motion, he threw the cloth back over the canvas, concealing the woman’s face. Taking a deep breath, he turned toward the window. His eyes glowed in the darkness before, with a sudden burst, massive black wings unfurled from his back. Without hesitation, he leaped into the night, his wings slicing through the air as he vanished into the shadows.

~~~

After spending an enjoyable day with Fiona and some of the servants, Lilith decided to return to the prince’s chamber. As she announced her departure, a young male servant, about her age, offered to walk her to the stairs.

She politely declined, but he placed a hand on his chest and pleaded, "C’mon, Lilith. I would really like to walk with you. Please, don’t say no again."

Lilith hesitated as all eyes turned to her. Offering an awkward smile, she finally relented. "Very well then."

The servant’s face lit up with relief. She had heard him talk quite a bit throughout the day, and now, it seemed she would be hearing even more from him.

"Thank you, Lilith." Eldric’s smile widened as he placed his hat on his head and walked around the table to join her.

She bid the others good night once more before leaving the kitchen.

Eldric had been the royal gardener for five years. Though not much taller than Lilith, he had a lean build, brown hair, and warm eyes that always seemed to linger a little longer than necessary.

Lilith could sense the way his gaze softened whenever he looked at her, the quiet admiration in his eyes, but she chose to ignore it. As they walked, he spoke endlessly about his parents, his brothers, every trivial memory that seemed to spill from him like a never-ending stream. His voice was warm, his smile easy and charming in its own right, yet nothing about him stirred her heart.

A part of her felt guilty, but another part was resolute. After everything that had happened with Leonidas, Lilith knew she could not afford to open herself up to anyone, not now. Maybe not ever. She had given much of herself already, and the wounds were still too fresh. She needed time to heal, and the thought of letting anyone else in, no matter how kind or well-meaning, felt like a betrayal to the fragile peace she was desperately trying to find within herself.

"So, Lily, can I call you Lily? Like the flowers? You are as beautiful as they are," Eldric said with a short chuckle.

Lilith smiled politely. "Lilith is fine," she replied.

Eldric nodded. "Alright, Lilith. So, tell me about yourself? You have been so quiet. I feel like I’m the only one talking here."

"There’s nothing much to tell, Eldric," she admitted. "I was abandoned by my family, and the prince saved my life. That’s why I’m here."

Eldric tilted his head, his expression softening. "Well, I can introduce you to my family. I’m sure you’ll love them, and they’ll love you. There’s always room for one more in my family, so you could just share mine."

Lilith smiled again, touched by his kindness. "That’s very thoughtful of you, Eldric. I’ll keep that in mind."

"Good. Now, I should let you return to your chambers while I head to mine. It was truly a pleasure spending time with you, Lilith."

"Good night, Eldric. Sleep well," she said.

"I will, my lady." Eldric removed his hat and performed an exaggerated, deep bow, making Lilith chuckle at his playfulness. Straightening his back, he flashed her a final grin before walking away.