Lilith pulled away from him, both of them panting from the intensity of their kiss. Just then, her stomach growled, breaking the charged mont between them. Embarrassed, Lilith quickly placed a hand over her stomach, her cheeks flushing red.
"It seems I need food," she whispered shyly.
"Indeed you do. Let’s have lunch together," Hades said with a smile, taking her hand as they made their way up from the crypt to the dining room.
When they entered, Viktor and Charlotte were already seated, their gazes imdiately shifting toward them. They exchanged greetings as Hades and Lilith took their seats beside each other.
"I haven’t seen Kathryn since yesterday morning," Viktor said, cutting off a piece of bread and popping it into his mouth. "Her maid says she refuses to leave her room or eat."
"Since when do you care about Kathryn’s well-being?" Charlotte asked, turning toward him with a questioning look.
"We might not be friends, but I’ve always cared about her well-being. She hasn’t exactly wronged ," he replied with a shrug.
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "She’s probably in one of her terrible moods. She’ll co out and eat when she’s ready," she added.
"I suppose so," Viktor said, glancing toward Hades, who was already eating. "You have nothing to say about this?"
Hades wiped his mouth with a napkin before replying. "Actually, I do. I’ve been preoccupied with other matters and nearly forgot to remind her about her leave."
Viktor narrowed his eyes. "Leave? What do you an by that?"
"I told her to leave my palace after the ball. It’s already been days since we returned, and she has made no effort to leave. So, I want her gone in two days," Hades said matter-of-factly, drawing the full attention of everyone at the table.
"But why?" Viktor asked, confused.
"She was ant to be a guest, but Kathryn has overstayed her welco. I have more pressing matters to deal with, I can’t afford her added drama. Besides, I’m certain her family wishes for her return as well," Hades replied casually.
"Have you told her this?" Viktor asked.
"I did tell her to return ho after the ball. Now, you must remind her she has two days to leave or I will have my guards escort her out," Hades said firmly, taking a drink from his tumbler. "And she won’t like that outco."
"I understand, Your Highness. I will take care of it," Viktor replied.
The rest of the al passed in silence. When they were finished, Hades and Lilith were the first to leave, followed shortly by Charlotte. Viktor remained a mont longer, then made his way to Kathryn’s chambers to deliver the prince’s ssage.
He did pity her, just a little, that the prince was sending her away. Viktor suspected Kathryn must have provoked this reaction from the prince, likely through sothing she had said or done. Still, there was nothing he could do about it. Though he wouldn’t admit it aloud, perhaps if she had accepted the fact hat she will never end up with the prince and move on, her relationship with the prince might have been better.
A maid passed by, bowing her head slightly. She wore a green dress that looked sowhat dirty. The girl was tall and lanky, and sothing about her deanor struck Viktor as odd though he couldn’t quite place why. Narrowing his eyes at her retreating figure, he watched until she disappeared from view. Shaking off the thought with a deep breath, he approached Kathryn’s door.
He knocked once. No response. He knocked again twice more, before the door finally creaked open. Kathryn poked her head out. Her hair was disheveled, her face puffy and eyes red. Though sadness lingered in her gaze, it was buried beneath sothing far stronger, fury.
"Kathryn, what happened to you?" Viktor asked, concern threading his voice.
"Nothing that concerns you," she replied coldly. "I’m sure you didn’t co here out of concern for ."
Viktor swallowed, narrowing his eyes. "I am sorry to tell you this but the prince wants you to leave. You have two days before the guards escort you out."
He watched her jaw tighten, a muscle twitching near her eye as tears welled up. For a mont, they simply stared at each other in tense silence. Viktor finally spoke again. "You should—"
But the door slamd in his face before he could finish.
Sighing, Viktor ran a hand through his hair and turned away, making his way toward Charlotte’s chambers. As he entered the hallway, he spotted Charlotte standing outside the room next to hers.
"What’s going on, Lucy?" he asked, approaching her.
"I don’t know. One of the maids said the prince told her to clean this room. Are we expecting another guest?" Charlotte asked, arms crossed.
Viktor frowned. "Not that I’m aware of. I’ll be right back, I’m going to speak with the prince."
He strode away toward the prince’s chambers. The door was already ajar, and Viktor pushed it open enough to slip inside.
At first, the room appeared empty. But deeper within, he spotted Hades standing at the window, staring ahead. His shoulders were rigid, hands buried in the pockets of his trousers.
"You didn’t tell we were expecting a visitor," Viktor began. He paused. "Who is it? Soone I know?"
No response.
"Hades! Are you even listening to ?" Viktor called, but still, nothing.
Frowning, he cautiously approached, leaning forward to peer at the prince’s face. Hades’ features were expressionless, his eyes void and dark.
"Hades," Viktor called again, louder this ti, still no reaction.
Following the prince’s line of sight, Viktor looked out the window but saw nothing of note.
Tentatively, he reached out and placed a hand on Hades’ shoulder. The light push seed to snap the prince out of his trance. Hades blinked twice, then turned his head toward Viktor.
"Are you alright? I’ve been calling you. You looked as if you’d been transported to another realm," Viktor said, studying his friend carefully.
"I must have been lost in thought. Why are you here?" Hades replied, moving to sit on the couch.
"To find out if you’re expecting a visitor," Viktor explained.
"I’m not. Why do you ask?" Hades frowned.
"The room next to Charlotte’s is being cleaned."
"Oh. That’s not for a visitor. It’s for Lilith, she’ll be moving into that room," Hades said, running a hand through his hair.
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