CHAPTER 45: ANOTHER BALL?

"Let’s try it again, shall we?" Lucian suggested.

They continued for another hour, practicing the exercise, until the creak of the crypt door interrupted them. Both their heads turned as Hades strode into the room, his eyes scanning from his uncle to Lilith before settling on Lucian.

"Your Highness, we weren’t expecting you today," Lucian said, offering a respectful bow.

"I came to inform you that I plan to host a masquerade ball before the end of the week, either Friday night or Saturday night," Hades announced.

Lucian’s eyes widened slightly. "A ball, Your Highness? But why? You hosted one just a few weeks ago."

Hades tugged at the edge of his gloves. "Yes, I did. I remember that quite well." His eyes shifted to Lilith, whose face flushed as she quickly looked away. "It appears we have a shape shifter on the loose, using my image to stir chaos. He also murdered the old librarian, Erick. I have a reputation to uphold, and I would hate for a coward to tarnish it with his little tricks," Hades explained, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Lucian narrowed his eyes at the prince. "And what does hosting a ball have to do with this shape shifter?"

"The shape shifter wants the book. He knows I have it, and I doubt he’s foolish enough to search my castle openly. However, I suspect he might take advantage of a gathering like a ball to blend in and attempt to find it." Hades paused. "Since my time is too valuable to waste chasing shadows, I intend to lure him to me."

"Very well, Your Highness. That sounds like a good plan. What would you like me to do?" Lucian asked.

"Make the preparations, send out invitations and all that," Hades replied with a shrug.

"W-What should I call the event, Your Highness?" his uncle asked.

"I have no idea. You have two days, I’m sure you’ll come up with something creative," Hades said, then paused. "How is the training going? Any progress?"

"Yes. She’s learning quite fast. At this pace, she should be ready to begin using the book in a month or so," Lucian replied.

"Very well, then. I’m off to my chambers." Hades gave Lilith one last look before turning and walking out of the crypt.

He strode down the quiet hallways, servants bowing with their eyes fixed to the ground as he passed. Just as he was about to enter the left wing, he had the misfortune of crossing paths with none other than Kathryn. He had honestly forgotten she was still here.

"Your Highness, it’s truly lovely to see you after all these days," she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

He noticed that Kathryn couldn’t keep her hand away from the end of her hair, an unconscious gesture that betrayed her nerves. "Is there something you want, Kathryn?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"Not at all," she replied, but the strained quality of her voice gave her away. "I was just going out for a walk."

"Very well then," Hades said, preparing to move past her, but her voice stopped him.

"Wait!" she called out, her tone urgent. Hades paused, turning back to face her.

Kathryn cleared her throat, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Did anyone tell you about... about something someone did a few days ago?" Her words stumbled out, and her eyes flickered nervously, as if she were uncertain whether she should be asking.

Hades narrowed his gaze, his eyes darkening with suspicion. "What do you mean, Kathryn? Which someone? What thing?"

Her eyes suddenly brightened, as if she’d found an escape from her own tangled words. "Forgive me, Your Highness, I must have been mistaken about something," she said quickly, a forced chuckle escaping her lips.

"Alright," Hades replied, his voice flat, no longer interested in her evasive behavior. He took a step to walk away.

But then she spoke again, and this time her voice trembled with emotion. "You know, I’m still here because of you," Kathryn murmured, her eyes searching his, desperation creeping into her words. "I do believe that one day, you’ll realize I truly love you, and you’ll... you’ll reciprocate my feelings for you." Her voice cracked slightly on the last word.

Hades smiled, a cold, almost pitying expression. "Do you know what I think, Kathryn?" he said softly, his voice laced with mockery. "I think you enjoy the pain of rejection. That’s why you keep pushing your luck over and over again. Our time together was fun when it lasted, but that’s all it was. Nothing more, and nothing of the sort will ever happen again." He turned, ready to walk away, but Kathryn’s voice stopped him once more.

"Is it because of her?" Her voice rose with a sharp edge of fury. "I was certain that you wouldn’t bed someone like her, an outcast, a miserable thing. But I was wrong, wasn’t I? What could she possibly give you that I can’t?" Her hands trembled with frustration as she stepped closer, her face flushed with rage. "I gave you everything, Hades. Everything! And it was never enough for you!" Her words spilled out, raw and laced with deep hurt.

Hades’ smile faltered as he took a step closer to her, his gaze narrowing. "You should think very carefully before raising your voice at me again," he said, his tone dangerously calm. "And you were a fool to think I needed anything else from you, Kathy. I made it crystal clear that from the beginning that this was nothing more than a casual arrangement, one you agreed to. So don’t blame me now if your feelings have changed."

He turned, pausing just before walking away. His eyes locked onto hers, cold. "And I know what you did to the little witch," he added, his voice a low growl. "For old times’ sake, I’ll let you off with a warning. But remember this, I told you, I will kill anyone who dares to touch what belongs to me. You, Kathryn, are no exception."

With that, Hades walked away, leaving Kathryn standing there, speechless and trembling. He hoped they would be enough to finally push her away.