CHAPTER 86: NOT LIKE LILITH

Lilith kept herself busy until evening. After dinner, she lingered in the dining hall to chat with Fiona and Eldric. Fiona spoke excitedly about her upcoming trip, she and her sister were returning to their hometown for their aunt’s wedding. Lilith expressed interest in attending, especially since she’d never been to a wedding before. But she knew she couldn’t leave the palace without the prince’s permission.

She spent a few more hours with them, and by 9 p.m., she began making her way to her chamber. On the way, a maid approached her, visibly distressed. Her face was scrunched in discomfort, sweat glistening on her forehead and neck. One hand clutched her stomach while the other struggled to balance a tray.

Lilith rushed to her side, quickly taking the tray and setting it down. "Are you alright? What’s wrong?" she asked, concern etched into her voice.

"I... I need to relieve myself," the maid said, grimacing. "But I also need to deliver this to the prince."

Lilith gave her a reassuring smile. "You can go. I’ll deliver it to his chambers, don’t worry."

"Thank you, you’re so kind," the girl said in relief. "He’s not in his chamber tonight. He’s in the first room on the east wing."

Lilith frowned. Why wasn’t he in his chamber? But instead of asking questions, she nodded and watched the maid scurry off.

Picking up the tray, she headed in the direction the maid had given. With every step, unease grew in her chest. She paused outside the door, took a deep breath, and knocked twice.

"Come in," a voice called—but it wasn’t the prince’s. It was a woman’s.

Lilith’s heart stuttered. Her grip tightened on the tray. Was it Kathryn? Had she finally wormed her way back to him?

She hesitated, then slowly turned the doorknob. Each step inside felt like thunder in her ears. Her hands trembled slightly as she moved forward, her gaze searching the room—until it landed on the woman.

It wasn’t Kathryn.

The woman had long, thick black hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a white nightdress—thin, sheer, and revealing the pale skin of her shoulders beneath. She stood in front of a mirror, brushing her fingers through her hair with an air of ease.

Then she turned. Their eyes met, hazel locking with Lilith’s, and Lilith’s heart dropped to her stomach.

From the corner of her eye, she caught movement.

The prince walked into the bedroom, his hair wet, as if he’d just bathed.

Lilith looked at him, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw surprise flicker in his eyes. But it vanished almost instantly, as if it had never been there. Had she imagined it?

Nausea churned in her stomach. "Good evening, Your Highness," she said quietly, placing the tray on the table before it slipped from her trembling hands.

Hades no longer looked at her, but she could feel the other woman’s eyes following her every movement. Without another word, Lilith turned and left the room. She didn’t stop walking until she was safely inside her chambers.

Only then did she allow herself to breathe again, her chest tightening as tears stung her eyes. But none fell. Her vision blurred, her throat ached, but she held them in.

With her back pressed against the door, she slid down to the floor and pulled her knees to her chest. Her heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces. Kathryn had been right all along. She had been a fool to believe otherwise, to believe that she might have meant something more to him.

The prince had made it painfully clear: whatever she had thought was between them was nothing.

She sat there in silence for nearly an hour. Only when her legs began to cramp did she finally rise and crawl into bed. Exhausted and emotionally drained, she closed her eyes and soon drifted into a restless sleep.

~~~

Hades watched Isabel as she prepared to join him in bed. She was a beautiful woman—one who could turn heads with a single glance—but tonight, he felt no excitement. No spark. Nothing.

She slipped off her dress, standing bare before him, then walked over, her hands gliding across his skin as she undid his shirt, exposing his torso. She kissed him on the neck, her lips trailing along his chest, but he barely reacted.

He thought that if he imagined she was Lilith, it might help. That it might ignite something. But it didn’t.

He tangled his fingers in Isabel’s hair and pulled her closer—but quickly released her. She smelled nice, but not like Lilith. She felt warm, but not like Lilith. Everything about her was wrong.

When her hands reached for the waistband of his trousers, he caught them and gently pushed her away. Isabel stared at him, confusion clouding her eyes.

"You should get dressed," Hades said, stepping off the bed and pulling his shirt back on. "I’ll have a carriage prepared to take you home."

Isabel’s disappointment was clear, but she said nothing. She obeyed, silently dressing herself.

Hades glanced at her once more before leaving the room. He made his way to Lucian’s room, but before he could knock, the door opened, Lucian already standing there, as if he’d been expecting him.

"Shall I have the carriage ready?" Lucian asked, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Yes," Hades replied, giving his shoulder a firm pat before turning and walking away.

He headed toward Lilith’s room, and to his relief, the door was unlocked. He stepped inside quietly, his gaze immediately drawn to her sleeping form. She was curled up from the cold.

He walked to the foot of the bed, unfolded a spare blanket from the basket, and draped it over her. She stirred slightly, adjusting her position and pulling the blanket over her head with a soft sigh. Hades smiled faintly.

Without a word, he left her room and walked out into the night. After a few minutes, he reached the cherry blossom tree and sat beneath it, the breeze carrying a soft chill. A few petals fluttered down, landing gently on his shoulders.

"I’m back again, Mother," he whispered into the night.