CHAPTER 50: APOLOGY

Two days had passed, and the bustling of activities in the castle had intensified. The masquerade ball was to be held in two days, and everything needed to be perfect before then.

Lilith had not been able to train for two days now because Lucian had gone to another town at the request of the prince. She was not told the reason, but she assumed it had to be quite important for Lord Lucian to put a pause on their training.

She had also not had much encounter with the prince either—something she was somewhat pleased about. Instead, she spent her days with Fiona and her sister, listening to them talk excitedly about the ball. Fiona had told her that they would be going to the market by evening. Since neither the prince nor Lord Lucian was anywhere in sight, she decided to ask permission from Madam Thalia, who granted it.

Lilith was on her way to her chamber when she was unfortunate enough to run into Kathryn—this time alone, without her maid. Lilith almost turned around in the opposite direction, but Kathryn was quick to notice her presence.

Kathryn immediately stood from where she sat, smoothing out the front of her dress. She was dressed exquisitely as always, with her hair in a loose bun, a few strands falling down her temples.

Lilith avoided looking in her direction as she walked past the woman, who was staring at her awkwardly.

"Lilith! Do you have a minute? I would really like to speak with you," Kathryn said, flashing a somewhat nervous expression.

Lilith frowned. "You want to speak to me?"

"Yes, I do. It’s really important," she stated.

Lilith could no longer hide her confusion. "I’m standing here. You can say what you wish to say."

Kathryn cleared her throat before taking a few steps toward Lilith, who quickly stepped backward to create a good amount of distance between them. Kathryn immediately understood that Lilith didn’t want her too close.

"I know I’ve been horrible to you ever since you arrived at this castle, and I’m terribly sorry. I would like you to find a place in your heart to forgive me. I want us to start over," she said.

Lilith’s eyes widened. "A... Are you being serious? Did the prince put you up to this?" she questioned.

Kathryn only smiled. "The prince has nothing to do with this. I’ve just decided to be a better person. You’ve done nothing to me, and I had no reason to make you an enemy. Can we start over again?" she repeated.

"I... I have nothing against you. So, what now? Do you want us to become friends?" She arched a brow at the woman.

"No... Well, I do hope we’ll eventually become friends, but we shall take things slow. I’m willing to give it a try. How about you?" she smiled.

Everything about this conversation was deeply unsettling. "I will have to think hard about it," Lilith replied.

Kathryn’s smile faltered. "I fully understand. I do apologize again and will try as much as possible to make things right between us." A short pause followed. "I don’t know if you have anything to wear for the ball, but I have a bunch of dresses I’ve never worn before. You can come check them out if you’re interested."

Lilith smiled. "Thank you for the thoughtfulness, but His Highness was kind enough to have the seamstress deliver me a dress for the ball. It would be rude not to wear it."

She watched Kathryn’s features closely, waiting to catch any sign of anger, but instead noticed a flash of sadness in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a smile.

"Very well. I understand. I shall take my leave now. I’ll always be here if you need anything," Kathryn said before walking away. Lilith watched her go, uncertain of what to make of the situation.

There was no way people could change so suddenly. Why was Kathryn suddenly interested in becoming friends? Was there a hidden motive? Or had she simply realized that it was pointless to keep hating her? Either way, Lilith wasn’t interested in becoming friends—at least not until she was convinced the woman had truly changed for the better.

Letting out a sigh, she turned around and decided to go for a walk in the garden. As she walked, she remembered the time she looked up at the castle and saw that cloaked figure emerge from the darkness. Ever since that day, she had been too scared to look back up at that place—and she intended to leave it at that.

She took her time enjoying the cold breeze as she strolled. After walking for a good distance, Lilith came across the most beautiful tree she had ever seen. She felt drawn to it and immediately walked toward it.

The leaves of the tree swayed slightly as she placed her palm on the trunk. Looking up, she admired the pink leaves. Cherry blossom trees were her favorite. She had once tried to plant one in her hometown, but her stepfather had killed it before it grew more than a few inches. She couldn’t tell if he simply didn’t like the tree—or didn’t like the fact that she was the one planting it.

She tried to block out thoughts of her past life, but most times it was impossible—especially with her mother still in Eryndor. She often wondered what her mother was doing at that very moment... and how she was faring.

"How did you manage to stumble across this tree? It’s quite a long walk from the castle."

Lilith turned abruptly, startled by the familiar voice. Hades stood just a few feet away, arms crossed loosely over his chest. He was dressed in simple casual attire, his dark hair falling freely to his shoulders. A playful grin tugged at his lips, softening the sharpness of his features.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness," she greeted, quickly adjusting her scarf around her neck as the cold nipped at her skin. She couldn’t help but wonder how he was standing there so calmly without a coat, while she could barely feel her own face from the chill.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" he asked, strolling over and settling onto the wooden bench beneath the tree.

"I was just taking a walk," she replied, her eyes drifting up toward the pink leaves. "And then I saw this tree. It was so beautiful, I couldn’t help but come closer... to feel it."

"It is indeed beautiful," he agreed quietly. "My mother and I planted it a long time ago." He paused for a moment, the grin on his face softening into something more wistful. Then he patted the bench beside him. "Come, sit."

Lilith made her way to the bench and sat beside him, keeping to the far edge. Her hands lay flat on her thighs, fingers lightly tense. "Your mother must have been a wonderful woman," she said softly.

"She was," Hades replied, his voice distant. "The best thing I have ever known. There’s absolutely nothing I wouldn’t have done for her." He stared ahead, his expression unreadable.

Lilith could only imagine the kind of pain he carried. No one truly healed from losing a parent—especially one so dearly loved. She wanted to offer some comfort, anything that might soothe the ache, but she wasn’t sure how. "I’m sure she’s in the heavens, watching over you with a smile," she said gently.

"You truly think so?" Hades asked, turning his head toward her. There was a chuckle in his voice, but something about it sounded hollow.

"Yes, I do," she replied with a small, hopeful smile.

But he didn’t smile back. Instead, she caught a flicker of something in his golden eye. Then her gaze dropped, and she noticed it, the black veins had crept further up. They now reached his jawline, dark veins like twisted vines against his pale skin. They had spread from his neck to his face.

She hesitated, her voice soft, careful. "Forgive me for asking... but are you sick, Your Highness?"

"Do I look sick, little witch?" Hades asked, the corner of his lips curling slightly.

"Not really," she replied, "but the black veins spreading over your skin suggest otherwise." Her eyes shifted from his neck to his face.

"The black veins are just a reminder of what I am," he said curtly, his voice flat. "Something I might never be able to get rid of."

She hesitated before asking, "Do they hurt? The veins on your skin?"

"I have gotten used to pain," he answered. "I can’t tell if they hurt... or if I have just become immune to it."

Lilith took a breath. "Lord Lucian and Viktor mentioned that the reason I was brought here was to break an ancient curse. And I have been thinking about it lately... Is it you? Are you the cursed one?"

His smile widened. "What do you think?"

She looked down at her hands, then back at him. "I think you are. That explains the black veins on your skin."

Hades rose from the bench, still wearing that unreadable smile. "Have a nice day, little witch."

"Will you ever tell me how it happened?" Lilith called out, her eyes fixed on his retreating figure.

"One day, perhaps," he said without turning. "But don’t get your hopes up too high."

Lilith watched him as he walked away.