CHAPTER 67: TOO MANY DRINKS

Lilith stood between Kathryn and one of the ladies, while the other two stood opposite them.

"This is Calantha Fanshawe, daughter of the Earl of Somerset," Kathryn said, gesturing to the first lady, who wore a lavender-colored dress. Her brown hair was pulled into a tight bun, and she offered Lilith a courteous smile.

"This is Seraphina Montague, daughter of Viscount Vallance," Kathryn continued, pointing to the next girl dressed in a pink gown, her strawberry blonde hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders.

"And this is Harriet Markhamton, daughter of Earl Thomas Markhamton," she said, motioning to the last girl. Harriet gave Lilith a small wave. She wore a deep purple dress, her short black hair falling just below her shoulder blades.

"And girls, this is Lilith Sherburn, personal maid to Prince Hades," Kathryn added, her eyes shifting between them with a smug tilt to her voice.

"Nice meeting you all," Lilith said, offering them a polite smile.

They returned her smile, voicing how pleased they were to meet her as well.

"I was absent from the last ball, so I didn’t get to witness everything," Harriet said with a light chuckle. "But if Kathryn hadn’t told me you were a maid, I would’ve thought you were a noblewoman yourself. You could certainly pass as one."

Lilith simply smiled in return, unsure if the comment was genuine or a subtle jab.

"I heard the royal seamstress designed that dress specifically for her," Calantha said, turning to Kathryn before shifting her gaze back to Lilith. "I do wonder why the prince would spend so much on someone of no particular importance. No offense," she added, her tone lacking any true apology.

"The prince is a wealthy man—a few coins wouldn’t trouble him," Seraphina muttered, taking a delicate sip from her cup. "I suppose he simply didn’t want her looking out of place."

"Girls, please, be nice to Lilith," Kathryn said with a frown, prompting Harriet and Seraphina to roll their eyes. Calantha raised her hands in mock surrender.

"So, Lilith, tell us—what exactly do you do for the prince?" Calantha asked. "I mean, the palace is filled with servants and maids. I can’t imagine why the prince would need a personal one." She paused briefly, noticing Lilith’s discomfort. "You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to," she added with feigned softness.

All four pairs of eyes were on her now. Lilith could feel her palms begin to sweat. She forced a smile.

"I just attend to the prince’s personal affairs—laundry, cleaning... that’s all," she replied.

"Rumour has it that you also warm his bed. Is that true?" Harriet asked bluntly.

The question caught Lilith off guard, and her face flushed with embarrassment.

"No! Not at all. Those rumours are lies," she said quickly, a bit too defensively.

"You don’t have to lie to us, Lilith. We’re your friends, aren’t we?" Calantha said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "We wouldn’t judge you for trying to get a piece of the prince. Any woman would, given the chance."

"I have no reason to lie," Lilith insisted. "The prince and I share only the relationship of master and servant. Nothing more. I swear."

Seraphina turned to Kathryn. "Do you believe her?"

"I do," Kathryn said firmly. "Lilith has no reason to lie to any of you."

Harriet let out a breath, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Thank goodness. I always knew you and the prince were right for each other," she added, glancing meaningfully at Kathryn. "Seems like he still hasn’t gotten over you."

"I do hope the prince doesn’t bring random women to his chambers," Calantha said suddenly, fixing her gaze on Lilith.

Lilith’s frown deepened. How was she supposed to know that? "I wouldn’t know," she replied flatly.

"Kathryn and Prince Hades make a good couple, don’t you think, Lilith? They complement each other so well," Harriet said with a sly smile.

Lilith sighed inwardly. What were these ladies trying to achieve tonight? "I guess so," she replied, keeping her tone neutral.

"Kathryn always told us how magnificent the prince was in the bedroom. Not that one would expect anything less from him." Harriet chuckled.

"Harriet!" Kathryn exclaimed, snatching the drink from Harriet’s hand. "You’ve had too much to drink."

"Speaking of drinks, I’m parched," Calantha said, scanning the room until her eyes landed on a serving boy. She waved him over and ordered glasses of wine for the group. The serving boy returned almost immediately, handing each of the ladies a glass.

"Remember that gentleman I told you about—the one I invited over after the last ball?" Calantha said, twirling her glass lightly.

"What happened with him?" Seraphina asked, already grinning.

"I ended things after a week. He was incredibly boring and completely unsatisfying in bed. And he talked too much—for a man! I nearly ripped my ears off listening to him ramble," Calantha said, irritation clear in her voice.

"How disappointing! I was genuinely hoping for wedding bells sometime soon," Harriet teased.

"Perhaps if he spent more time using the thing between his legs rather than his mouth, we might have been hosting a wedding ball by now," Calantha added with a dramatic sigh.

"I understand your plight, my dear friend. My father insists I get married before my twenty-fourth birthday. He expects me to bring home a suitor or he’ll marry me off to the Viscount of Leopold," Harriet said, grabbing another glass and downing it in one gulp.

"That old toad! He must be nearing sixty," Kathryn said, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"He’s nearly forty, actually," Harriet corrected.

"Practically the same thing. The point is, he’s old... and short," Kathryn added with a scoff.

"Why are you just holding your glass like that?" Seraphina asked, turning to Lilith. "You should drink up, loosen up that uptight posture of yours a bit."

Lilith, lost in thought, blinked as all eyes shifted to her. She was beyond horrified by what she had heard from these noble ladies. She had always assumed noblewomen were modest and reserved, but the truth was far from it. The way they spoke so casually and publicly about such intimate matters was shocking. She couldn’t imagine herself ever speaking that freely—especially not in a place where anyone might overhear.

"Lilith!" Kathryn touched her arm lightly, pulling her from her thoughts. "Drink your wine," she added with a gentle smile.

Lilith nodded and returned the smile, suddenly remembering she was still holding a glass. She raised it to her lips and poured the wine into her mouth in one go, wincing at the burning sensation as it slid down her throat.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and coughed, earning chuckles from the trio.

"Dear gods, haven’t you had wine before?" Harriet asked, clearly amused.

"No, I haven’t," Lilith replied, her voice steady despite the wave of embarrassment washing over her.

"You really are an innocent girl. You should have some more," Calantha said, handing her two additional glasses.

Lilith hesitated, glancing down at the drinks. "I don’t think—"

"Of course you can. Just chuck it down!" Harriet encouraged with a grin.

Pressing her lips together, Lilith reluctantly took the glasses and drank them one after the other. Warmth spread through her body, making her feel momentarily flushed. She coughed again and set the empty glasses on the nearby table.

"Tell me, how do you feel?" Kathryn asked, watching her carefully.

Lilith paused to assess herself. "I don’t know... I guess my muscles feel more relaxed?" she replied, more of a question than a statement.

"How about one more glass? Just one," Harriet said, reaching for another drink.

"That’s enough," Kathryn intervened, holding a hand up. "I don’t think she can handle four glasses of wine tonight."

"I’m sure she can, can’t you, Lilith?" Harriet said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Four pairs of eyes were fixed on her again, and Lilith felt an unexpected urge to prove them wrong. She had already taken three glasses—what harm could one more do? Taking a deep breath, she lifted the glass and drank.

The girls cheered as she grinned from ear to ear, warmth spreading from her cheeks to her chest. It didn’t take long before she began to feel the effects of the wine. Her limbs felt lighter, her thoughts more jumbled, and a strange restlessness crept over her.

"I feel... very restless. Is that normal?" she asked, blinking rapidly.

"Yes, it is," Harriet replied smoothly. "Perhaps a dance will make you feel much better. Come with me."

Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed Lilith’s hand and tugged her toward a small group of men standing nearby.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Harriet greeted them with a dazzling smile. "This is Lilith, and she is in dire need of a dance. Which of you fine men would like to volunteer?"

The men glanced at one another, then turned their attention to Lilith. One of them, a tall man with sandy blond hair, stepped forward. "Would you care to dance with me, Miss Lilith?"

"Yes, she would," Harriet answered for her, giving Lilith a slight push toward the man, who took her hand with a sheepish smile. "Have fun!"

Lilith caught sight of Harriet waving at her as the man led her onto the dance floor.