By the time they arrived at the palace gates, the sun had risen high, casting its glow over the sky. Lilith dared not look in the prince's direction, weighed down by shame and guilt, for being deceived by someone she thought she knew and for running away. She had stopped crying a while ago, leaving her feeling empty and numb. Her eyes and face were red and swollen.
When the carriage came to a halt, Hades was the first to step down. Lilith hesitated for a moment before following, her head bowed as she walked into the castle. Though they passed several guards who showed their respects to the prince, none of them cast her judgmental glances. It was as if they were unaware of what she had done.
Instead of heading to his chamber, Hades led her to his study. As they entered, Lilith was met with two faces, one familiar, the other not.
Madam Thalia stood at the edge of the massive table in the center of the room, while an unfamiliar man sat comfortably in a wooden chair.
