The Cursed Demon Prince-Chapter 228: Comfort

"What is it that you wished to tell me?" Lilith asked, turning to look at him as they walked down the path.

"I..." Viktor cleared his throat. "How much do you remember about your past life? I mean, before you met your stepfather in Eryndor?"

"Barely fragments of a memory," she replied. "I was only a child when we moved to Eryndor. How could I possibly remember anything?"

"Well, you’re right. I didn’t even think about that." He gave a small, nervous chuckle.

"Why do you ask?" she pressed.

"I really don’t know how to begin this conversation," he admitted. "I should have told you the moment I found out, but I kept waiting for the right time. I guess I never found one."

Lilith arched a brow, suspicion flickering in her eyes. Her curiosity was now fully piqued. "Oh? And what could it possibly be? I simply can’t think of anything."

Viktor chuckled again. "I wouldn’t have believed it myself if I hadn’t seen proof...proof I couldn’t deny." He took a slow breath. "Back in Eryndor, while we escorted you to see your mother... something happened."

"Did my mother or stepsisters do something to you?"

"No, not at all. It involved only your mother and me." His gaze shifted forward as though replaying the moment in his mind. "I don’t know if I ever mentioned it, but I noticed she behaved strangely around me, prolonged stares, too much excitement whenever I was nearby, and far too many questions. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but everything changed when I found her in my chambers, going through my clothes."

Lilith gasped, eyes wide. "Dear goodness! Please tell me you’re joking."

"Unfortunately, I’m not," he said grimly. "She somehow managed to enter my room without my knowledge. I confronted her, and that’s when she revealed something shocking to me."

Lilith’s heart began to race, her stomach tightening with unease. "What was it?" she whispered.

"She told me that I was..."

"Lord Viktor," a young guard interrupted, approaching them hastily with his head bowed. "His Highness requests your presence in the courtroom."

Lilith glanced between the guard and Viktor, her impatience evident. "Hades can wait. Please, continue with what you were saying."

"I’m afraid this is a matter of urgency, my lady," the guard explained quickly.

Viktor gave Lilith an apologetic look. "We’ll continue this later, I promise. Once I’ve attended to the prince." He offered a faint smile. "Take care until then."

And with that, he turned and followed the guard down the path.

Lilith exhaled in frustration, watching him disappear from sight. Now she was going to spend the next few hours overthinking this conversation. Running her fingers through her hair, she sighed and decided to return to her chambers to rest.

~~~

It wasn’t until the sun was about to set that Hades returned from the town. As he stepped into the room, he pulled off his coat and draped it over the chair, then removed his boots. Moving further inside, his eyes landed on Lilith sitting in front of the mirror, gently brushing her hair.

The moment she saw him, she set the comb down and rose from her seat, rushing into his arms with a bright smile. "How have you been? You’ve been gone for far too long."

"I know," Hades murmured, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "I had to finish up my affairs before coming back home. How was your day?" His hand moved slowly across her back, soothing and familiar.

Lilith pulled away just enough to look into his face. "It was incredibly boring. I took a nap, went for a short walk, read a book, and then spent the rest of the day staring at the ceiling."

He chuckled softly. "Why didn’t you spend time with Charlotte?"

"I wanted to, but she went to the market," Lilith replied, tugging him gently toward the bed by the hand. "I didn’t feel like going out, so I stayed here and waited for you. I didn’t think you’d be gone this long." She sat beside him. "How did it go?"

Hades exhaled heavily, resting his elbows on his knees. "Just as I feared. The demon had already wreaked havoc on the villagers. Several houses, farms, and livestock were burned. Nine people lost their lives." His voice dropped, heavy with sorrow.

Lilith’s expression softened. She tightened her hold on his hand, placing her other palm gently over his. "I’m so sorry, Hades. It must have been a horrible sight."

He nodded faintly, his eyes distant. "Even worse for the villagers who had to watch it happen. I could only offer them words and coin, but that will never be enough to ease their pain or erase their suffering." He paused to take a breath. "What hurts most is knowing that I was the cause of it all."

Lilith reached out and gently cupped his face, her thumbs brushing over his cheeks. "Don’t do that to yourself, Hades. You weren’t the cause of this, it was Zal who brought all this destruction. You couldn’t control the demon’s actions. I know it’s heartbreaking, everything that was lost, but we can’t change what’s already happened."

Hades looked into her eyes as a faint smile curved his lips. "You’re right. Thank you, as always, for your kind words. They mean more to me than you know." He leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

Lilith smiled softly. "I’ll always be here to make sure you feel better."

"I’m glad to know that," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Anyways... when will the ritual begin?"

"I was just about to see Salistra," she replied. "She mentioned it would be tonight, though I’m not sure when exactly. I should go to her now." Lilith rose from the bed.

"Let’s go together," Hades said, standing with her.

"Very well."

Hand in hand, they walked out of the chamber and made their way toward the crypt. When they stepped into the cave, they found Salistra standing before a long wooden table, grinding herbs and crystals in a small stone bowl.

The older witch turned at their arrival. She gave a respectful bow to Hades before fixing her gaze on Lilith. "I’m glad you’re both here, it is time. We must begin and finish before the clock strikes twelve."

Hades and Lilith exchanged a reassuring and comforting look.

"I will tell you what must be done," Salistra continued, "but you must listen carefully for one mistake could destroy everything we’ve worked for and unleash consequences we cannot bear. Do you understand?" Her eyes flicked between them.

"Yes," they both answered in unison.

And just like that, the end had already begun.