"Y...Your Highness, your personal maid? She is not worthy enough to serve you," Kathryn protested, forcing a strained smile. "Just look at her. I'm almost certain she has no experience whatsoever."
Hades turned to Lilith, ignoring Kathryn's feigned concern. "She did expose Cassidy for attempting to poison me," he said, his tone calm. "And I highly doubt being a maid requires extensive training. Tell me, little witch, can you change beddings, prepare a bath, and tidy a room?"
Lilith swallowed hard. "I...I can, Your Highness. But I believe Lady Kathryn speaks the truth. I am merely an outcast and unworthy of serving in your presence," she stated through clenched teeth, hoping to convince him otherwise. She would say anything to avoid being drawn closer to the prince.
Hades smirked, tilting his head slightly as he studied her. "Oh? Then tell me, little witch, do you think Kathryn is more worthy of being my personal maid?" His gaze flicked between the two women, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Lilith opened her mouth to respond but quickly closed it, realizing she needed to choose her words carefully. "She is worthy..." she finally said, though hesitantly.
Hades' smirk widened. "See, Kathryn? The little witch thinks you would be more useful as my personal maid. Wouldn't you like to give it a little thought?" His voice dripped with amusement.
Kathryn's eyes widened slightly, but before she could respond, Lilith spoke up in alarm. "No...no, that is not what I meant, Your Highness!" she quickly corrected. Dear goodness, something was seriously wrong with the prince.
Hades turned to Kathryn with a dramatic sigh. "Oh? So, Kathryn is not worthy enough after all." He clicked his tongue and shook his head in mock disappointment. "How utterly unfortunate."
Kathryn's fists clenched at her sides, her jaw tightening as she struggled to understand what the prince was trying to achieve with this cruel game. "Your Highness, I am a lady," she said through gritted teeth. "Surely, you know I cannot be a maid."
Hades gave her a slow, deliberate nod. "Oh, I am well aware, Kathryn. But this discussion is not about what you can or cannot be," he said, his voice smooth yet edged with amusement. "It is simply about whether you are worthy enough to serve me. And since the witch has determined that you are not, then perhaps she is, in fact, the more suitable choice."
He tugged on his gloves, his gaze shifting back to Lilith, who felt her stomach drop. She had walked right into his trap.
Kathryn glanced around, noticing that a few guests had their eyes on her now. The prince had succeeded in drawing a crowd. She quickly regained her composure, forcing a smile onto her lips. "If you wish for her to be your personal maid, then so shall it be," she said smoothly. "But I must remind you, Your Highness, that you will be deeply disappointed. She has nothing to offer you but more problems from her terrible luck."
Hades chuckled, his gaze sharp. "You also have terrible luck, Kathryn, yet I manage to cope with you just fine," he remarked casually before shifting his attention back to Lilith.
"The decision has been made, witch. You are now my personal maid." His tone left no room for argument. "You may return to your chambers. By morning, Madam Thalia will explain your new duties in detail."
Lilith's heart pounded so loudly in her chest that it was hard to concentrate on his words. She barely managed a shaky bow. "Y-Yes, Your Highness. Good night." Then, without waiting for a dismissal, she turned on her heels and all but ran out of the ballroom.
The hallways were eerily quiet as she made her way back to her chambers, the distant hum of music from the ballroom fading behind her. The moment she stepped into her room, the emotions she had desperately held back came rushing forward. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks, and she pressed her back against the door, sliding down until she was sitting on the cold floor.
With her head tucked between her knees, she let out a silent sob. How had everything gone so terribly wrong?
Perhaps I would have been better off dead. Only the gods knows what would become of me now that I was bound to serve the mad prince. Would he eventually kill me? No, I highly doubted that. He had mentioned wanting me for something, but what could that be?
Lilith sighed, pushing her disheveled hair away from her face. She was too exhausted to think any further. Still lost in thought, she stretched out on the cold floor by the door, closing her eyes and allowing the fatigue of the day to pull her into a deep slumber.
~
A sharp gasp tore from her lips as Lilith's eyes flew open. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs, her body slick with sweat. She panted, trying to steady her breathing, but the lingering terror from the dream clung to her like a suffocating fog.
It wasn't just a dream. It felt real, too real. Almost as if she had lived through it before.
Lilith let out a shaky groan, rubbing her neck. Sleeping on the hard floor had left her body sore, every muscle aching in protest. As she slowly pushed herself upright, she noticed the glow of morning light seeping through the opening in the curtains.
Morning already?
She had slept through the night, but she felt no relief, only a gnawing sense of dread settling deep in her bones.
A sudden knock at the door jolted Lilith from her spiraling thoughts. Her breath hitched as she sat frozen for a moment, her heart still unsteady from the remnants of her nightmare.
Who could it be this early?
Swallowing hard, she forced herself to move, running trembling fingers through her tangled hair in a futile attempt to smooth it down. Her palms were clammy, and her legs felt unsteady as she reached for the door.
With a deep breath, she gathered herself and pulled it open.