Lilith still managed to take a bath and get dressed before heading to the prince's chamber to see if he needed anything. She changed her hairstyle, but it did little to improve her exhausted appearance.
She knocked three times on the door, and to her surprise, it swung open on its own. She still had no idea how that was possible, but she decided not to question it, it wasn't any of her business.
Stepping inside, she found the prince seated in his favorite chair, his gaze fixed on something outside the window. Lilith mustered the best smile she could manage and bowed.
"Good morning, Your Highness."
Hades didn't look at her immediately. Instead, he exhaled slowly before speaking.
"I need to eat, and I have an old friend arriving at the palace today. Come on, let's go have breakfast."
Without waiting for her response, he rose from his chair and brushed past her.
Lilith let out a quiet sigh before trailing behind him. They descended the grand staircase and entered the dining hall, where servants were busy setting the table with trays of delicious-looking food. The rich aroma filled the air.
As Hades walked in, the servants all bowed their heads in respect before returning to their work. He took his seat at the head of the table, adjusting the napkin into his shirt with ease.
His eyes flicked to Lilith, who stood by the window, gazing outside. He watched her for a few moments, unnoticed, before finally speaking.
"I doubt you have had breakfast," he said, gesturing to the chair beside him. "Sit and eat with me."
Lilith hesitated. "Your Highness…"
"Don't argue with me, witch. Just do what I say." Hades said, leaving no room for any disagreement.
Lilith did as she was told, taking a seat beside him. The voice of Kathryn could be heard from outside the dining room. Lilith's body stiffened at the sound of Kathryn's approaching footsteps. She was too exhausted to deal with her today, but it seemed trouble had found her anyway.
As Kathryn entered the dining room, the broad smile on her face faltered the moment she saw Lilith seated at the table. Her expression darkened with barely concealed disdain.
"Hades, you allow a lowly servant to sit in seats meant for nobles?" Kathryn questioned, unable to hide her disdain for Lilith.
"Who decided the seats were only for nobles?" Hades replied nonchalantly. "Sit if you're here for breakfast, or be on your way, Kathryn."
Kathryn saw red, her eyes shifting from Hades to Lilith and back again. "I will not sit at the same table as this peasant," she declared.
Hades let out an exasperated sigh. "Sit wherever you wish, Kathryn. I really don't care."
Her jaw tightened. She couldn't understand why the prince wasn't taking her side, why he was insulting her in front of a mere servant. "So, you're choosing to over me?"
Hades lifted his eyes to Kathryn for a split second before returning his gaze to Lilith. "Stand up, witch."
Lilith hesitated for a moment, narrowing her eyes before rising from her seat.
The broad smile returned to Kathryn's face, beaming with satisfaction. So, the prince still had feelings for her after all.
"Are you happy now, Kathryn?" Hades asked, his tone unreadable.
"Yes, I am." She held her head high and gracefully took the seat beside him, her confidence restored. Meanwhile, Lilith stood stiffly by his side, her gaze fixed anywhere but in their direction. A part of her burned with irritation, she wished she could pour the cold drink over his head for the his actions.
"News has spread about what happened to the Regins' son, what you did to him?" Kathryn stated, with a subtle smile.
"Me? What are you talking about, Kathryn?" Hades questioned, feigning ignorance.
"He fell, Your Highness. Or should I say, you pushed him to his death? His cousin, Lord Keiser, has been spreading the tale. The Duke will not be pleased."
"Perhaps the Duke should have taught his cousin not to touch what belongs to me," Hades said with a casual shrug. "He did so and paid the consequences."
Kathryn narrowed her eyes at the prince, and it didn't take long for her to connect the dots. A deep frown settled on her face. "Was she the one he touched? You killed a nobleman for her?" she asked, her voice laced with irritation.
"Nobody is exempt, Kathryn. If you touch her, be sure that I will kill you too. It's that simple," Hades replied, his focus returning to his plate as he continued eating.
Both Lilith and Kathryn were left speechless. Kathryn couldn't believe the prince had just casually threatened her, while Lilith struggled to process the fact that he had killed a man for touching her. And how had he even known? Dain had been discreet about it. She wasn't sure how she felt about what he had done.
Hades wiped his lips with a napkin before setting it aside. Lifting his gaze, he found Lilith already staring at him. "Are you ready to eat, witch?" he inquired.
Eat? How could she eat after what he had just confessed? How could he be so casual about it? As much as she despised the lord, she hadn't truly wished for his death. Well… that wasn't entirely true. She had wished it, but not in a way that would actually happen.
"No, Your Highness. I am not hungry," she said, but as soon as the words left her mouth, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
Hades smirked and pushed his chair back with a screech. "I guess you are ready to eat now."
Suddenly, Lilith felt herself being pulled. Her body stiffened as she found herself seated on Hades's lap, his hand resting firmly on her thigh. The realization of what had just happened sent a jolt through her, and she immediately tried to stand. But Hades tightened his grip, his fingers digging into her thigh in a silent warning.
Every hair on her body stood on end. She barely dared to breathe, acutely aware of the warmth of his body pressed against hers, the raw strength beneath his composed exterior.
"Your Highness!" Kathryn's shrill voice broke through the tension, her eyes widening in shock.
"Quit screaming, Kathryn," Hades drawled, lifting a brow. "Do not tell me, you have a problem with her sitting here too?"
"This is inappropriate, Hades! Anyone could walk in and see you. A servant could see you," Kathryn hissed, her voice laced with anger and irritation.
Hades leaned back slightly, unfazed. "You know I don't care about all that."
Kathryn clenched her fists, her face twisting in frustration. With an aggressive swipe of her napkin across her lips, she stood abruptly and stormed out of the dining room, her heavy strides echoing through the room.
The moment she was gone, Lilith made another attempt to stand, but Hades's grip remained firm, keeping her in place.
"Eat, witch. The food is getting cold," he ordered.
"I… I…" Lilith stammered, unsure how to respond.
Hades smirked. "Are you shy? Do you want me to feed you?" he teased, his voice dripping with amusement.
Lilith shook her head almost immediately. She was already burning with embarrassment from sitting on his thighs, if he fed her, she would surely pass out.
Without another word, she picked up her utensils and began eating, taking slow, careful bites. Hades remained silent, his gaze fixed on the side of her face, watching her intently. He sat motionless, as still as a statue, his expression unreadable.