CHAPTER 72: I CAN’T LOSE HADES TOO

Lilith returned to her chamber to change out of her previous dress, quickly fixing her appearance in the mirror before heading out to the crypt to continue her training. By now, the hallways were no longer quiet; the servants were already up and bustling about their duties.

She knocked lightly before pushing the crypt door open. Unlike before, Lucian was nowhere in sight. She looked around, even calling out softly to check if he was in one of the adjoining rooms. When there was no answer, Lilith settled into a corner chair, patiently waiting for his arrival. But after a while, curiosity got the better of her.

Rising from her seat, she wandered through the room, inspecting her surroundings. There wasn’t much of interest—just old maps, documents, and papers, all covered in a thick layer of dust. It was obvious this room hadn’t been used regularly; likely, it had only been reopened because of her training.

As she continued her search, Lilith stumbled upon a small wooden door tucked into a shadowy corner—so well hidden that the main light in the room barely touched it. Her curiosity burned brighter. With a moment’s hesitation, she reached out and pushed the door open, surprised to find it unlocked.

Beyond it lay a marble staircase, descending into darkness. Lilith could see only a few steps ahead.

A sensible voice in her mind urged her to close the door and forget she’d ever found it. But her need to know what was down there was got the better of her.

Grabbing one of the torches from the wall, she slowly began her descent, careful with every step.

At the bottom, she found another door. Lilith pushed it open and was greeted by a breathtaking sight, a vast cavern that opened up directly opposite a cascading waterfall. It was as if she had stepped inside a hidden, magical cave.

She set the torch down and looked around. A few books lay scattered on the ground, evidence that someone had been here recently.

Then she saw it—a glass box resting on a stone pedestal, drawing her toward it. Inside the box was a book, bound with golden vines that pulsed faintly with light. Lilith could almost hear whispers coming from the book, beckoning her to free it.

As she placed her hands on the glass, ready to lift it, a sudden voice from behind startled her.

"You shouldn’t be touching that or even be here, for that matter," a voice said sharply.

Lilith spun around to find Lucian standing at the entrance to the cave.

"I... Forgive me, I didn’t mean to," Lilith stammered, quickly moving away from the glass box, embarrassment flooding her cheeks at being caught snooping like a thief.

"No harm done," Lucian replied, his gaze shifting toward the waterfall ahead. "I must have forgotten to lock the door yesterday."

Lilith moved to stand beside him, her eyes following his to the cascading water. "What is this place?" she asked softly. "Some kind of secret study?"

"Something like that. It belonged to the late Queen," Lucian answered, his voice touched with a deep, distant fondness. "She found this place herself and made it her sanctuary. She said the sound of the waterfall calmed her... helped her think."

"It’s beautiful," Lilith said with a small smile.

"The Queen always had an exquisite taste for beauty," he agreed.

After a pause, Lilith hesitated before asking, "Are you... truly the Queen’s brother?"

"Not by blood," Lucian said, a trace of sadness flickering in his eyes. "Queen Celeste took me in when I was just a boy, long before she ever met the King or had the prince. My family was lost at sea. She gave me shelter... taught me everything I know. She was the only family I ever had."

Lilith listened in silence.

"You know," Lucian continued, his voice tightening, "I warned her about Azazel. I told her that man was trouble. But still, she fell in love and married him. She lost most of her powers after being banished from her witch tribe. And even knowing the risks, she still chose to have Hades."

He let out a weary sigh. "I can still remember the day she gave birth to him. I had never seen her so happy. She was completely in love with him... he was her entire world. She hardly ever let him out of her sight. Her love was so fierce, it made up for the King’s coldness and lack of affection."

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "Everything seemed fine at first—until we started to notice the subtle changes in him."

Lilith’s heart ached at the rawness in his voice.

"Celeste grew desperate. She tried everything she could, using what magic she had left to break the curse. But the more she tried, the weaker she became. She was no match for the demon that lurked within the prince..." His voice broke slightly. "Yet she refused to give up. She kept fighting... and it eventually killed her."

"Azazel and Hades were both heartbroken by her death. Everyone in Valyron felt the weight of the Queen’s passing because she was a wonderful woman, an angel amongst men. Everything changed after her death. Azazel wanted nothing to do with Hades, he refused to speak to him, refused even to look at him."

"I took it upon myself to care for him," Lucian said. "I had promised Celeste I would protect her son, no matter what it took. And I am not a man who breaks his promises."

He turned his head to look at Lilith, his expression fierce.

"That’s why I need you to push yourself beyond your limits. We’re running out of time. I have already lost Celeste... I refuse to lose Hades too. I will not survive this time."

Lilith nodded solemnly. "I understand. I want to help the prince in every way I can," she said, a soft smile stretching across her lips.

"Good," Lucian said, returning her smile with a nod of approval.

"The Book of Darkness contains spells that can help you unlock your inner powers to harness and command the forces of darkness and evil. But you must be strong enough to wield it. That’s the only way you will be able to break the curse and control the demon within the prince," he explained, gesturing toward the book trapped inside the glass box.

"Very well. I understand." Lilith straightened, swallowing and stretching her shoulders. "So, what are we doing today?"

"Evoking your powers," Lucian said. "Unlike last time, I want you to do it without relying on negative emotions or painful memories."

"Alright," Lilith agreed.

She moved to sit on the ground, crossing her legs beneath her and tucking loose strands of hair behind her ears, ready to begin.

~~~

Viktor adjusted his shirt, running a hand through his hair as he walked out of his chamber. He had gone to bed extremely late the night before, thanks to Lucy, who had somehow made it her mission to stress him out.

She had taken an unexpected fancy to a man at the ball. Viktor normally paid little attention to the men who attended, but he knew this one, a Viscount with a notorious reputation.

The Viscount was, for lack of a better word, a man-whore. Mothers kept their daughters far from him, and young women avoided him like the plague, terrified they might become his next victim.

He was a charming man, smooth-tongued and quick with the right words at the right time. Charlotte had always been drawn to the wrong sort of men—men who could ruin her reputation—and she didn’t seem the least bit concerned about it.

Viktor had spent the entire night monitoring them, making sure the Viscount didn’t cross any boundaries. They lingered together until past midnight, when Charlotte finally decided to retire to her chambers.

Viktor had overheard the Viscount murmuring something about visiting her room, but Charlotte had brushed it off with a laugh. Thankfully, the bastard hadn’t pressed further. Once Viktor was certain she was safely in her chambers, he had returned to his own—only after seeing the Viscount leave with another woman, both stepping into his carriage.

Once a scumbag, always a scumbag, Viktor muttered to himself.

Now, he made his way down the corridor, determined to have a serious talk with Lucy.

After a sharp knock, she opened the door, still in her white nightdress, her hair falling freely over her shoulders. She looked like she had just woken up.

"Please tell me you’re here for a good reason, Viktor," she said, moving away from the door to sit in front of her mirror, running a brush through her hair.

He stepped inside, closing the door firmly behind him.

"Don’t open the door dressed like that—especially to a man," he scolded.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"

"I want to talk about your very questionable taste in men," Viktor said, leaning against the bedpost with his arms crossed. "The Viscount is not to be trusted."

"You don’t trust any man I show interest in, Viktor, and he seems like a decent man," Charlotte replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"I don’t trust them for very valid reasons. The Viscount is known for his promiscuous ways. He sleeps with anything in a dress. There’s nothing decent about him," Viktor said firmly.

Charlotte let out a sigh. "And you don’t? If I remember correctly, you have quite the reputation yourself," she said, narrowing her eyes at him through the reflection of the mirror.

"You insult me, Lucy. We both know that’s not true. I might not be a saint, but I am certainly not a promiscuous man," Viktor replied, arching a brow at her.

"Thank you for looking out for me. But I’m no longer ten years old, Viktor. I’m an adult, and I can decide for myself who I want to court," Charlotte said.

Viktor frowned. "So you want to court the Viscount?"

"I never said that," she retorted. "I have no interest in courting the Viscount, and neither does he. We just had fun at the ball, and that’s all."

"He definitely doesn’t want to court you. He wants you in his bed, just another number to add to the countless women he’s already seduced," Viktor said sharply.

"If you’re scared that I’ll ruin the family’s reputation, worry not," Charlotte said, turning to face him fully. "I have no intention of doing such a thing. I only wish to have a little fun and explore while we’re in Valyron, possibly even find a potential suitor. Who knows?" She shrugged again, unconcerned.

"I understand," Viktor said after a moment, his voice softening. "But I need you to be careful while spending time with those men. One can never be too trusting around them."

"How sweet! Thank you, brother," Charlotte said, batting her eyelashes at him.

Viktor’s frown deepened, his face scrunching up in disgust. "Please never call me your brother again. I might just throw up if you do."

Charlotte chuckled, shaking her head. She rose from the chair and moved to open the door. "Then what are you? My friend?"

Viktor paused to think. "I would like to believe we are friends."

"If you say so. Now, please excuse me—I would like to get dressed," she said, gesturing to the door.

"Be a good girl, Lucy," he said, giving her a pat on the head before walking out, hearing her mutter under her breath before she closed the door behind him.