The Tyrant King Is Obsessed With Me

Chapter 121: Chapter 121 - Loyalty

Lilith waited patiently for Cassian to return with more news about Athena and Thalia. She couldn’t believe this moment was coming so soon, as Solomon’s silence over the last few days had troubled her.

She paced back and forth in the chamber, waiting for the moment Cassian would return. It felt like five hours had gone by, though in truth, it was far less than five hours when Cassian finally entered.

Lilith couldn’t hide her excitement. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation, eager to see Athena become her captive and lose her head. It was long overdue after the way Athena had treated her.

"You’ve been pacing the chamber since I left, haven’t you?" Cassian asked, closing the door behind him. "I’ve sent out the soldiers and told them to make haste, but Solomon and the others will continue to watch for movement."

"As soon as Athena is here and Solomon has returned, I will clear his name about the poisoning so he can return to your side," Cassian promised.

"And you won’t hold any anger towards him, right? Solomon has been following my orders from the start," Lilith said, not wanting Solomon to face secret resentment. "I hope the men you sent to track him did not mistreat him."

As soon as Solomon returned, Lilith would do right to clear his name so the others would not be against him.

"I won’t hold any anger towards him as long as he doesn’t act like he is your husband. He is loyal to you. So loyal that he left the comfort of the castle to escort Thalia to her mother because you ordered it. That’s the kind of loyalty needed. But you are my woman," Cassian said.

This fact didn’t seem to register in Solomon’s mind.

"Men and their possessiveness. There is nothing more to Solomon and me. He is loyal, so I have treated him well. Involving feelings would have only affected his loyalty. I hate to think something happened in that other life," Lilith said, humoured by the thought. "I wouldn’t have."

"Nothing happened, but I am not thrilled about him thinking he has some power over you. Hasn’t he acted out of order with you before?" Cassian pressed.

"This isn’t going to turn into a moment to bash him and give reason for you to be on guard with him. Let us focus on the important topics, like the queen being found. We must prepare the home for my half-brother," Lilith said, her mind shifting to the young prince. "Others will ask to kill him."

"We hold the power to decide the fate of the young prince, and we agreed he would not be killed. Have you changed your mind?" Cassian asked, still leaning towards sparing the young boy.

"My only concern is my brother growing up, wanting to challenge our children’s place for the throne. Any other royal would have killed him to ensure there would be no danger to their future children. No royal for enemies to turn their support to," Lilith explained, thinking of the future.

She thought it risky to keep her young brother alive. The tides could change, and he might gain followers long before he came of age.

"But I understand the guilt that will come from killing an innocent child. You must ensure that wherever you send him, he will not leave without our permission."

Lilith continued, "No one will reach him without seeking permission from us, and there will be no whispers about the throne."

Lilith didn’t want to harm a child, but she had to think of her future children. There could be a vicious fight if another rightful heir rose to challenge the throne.

"He will go far away," Cassian promised. "He will have a life more suited to him than death. He will be raised to forget his life here and not seek the throne. If he grows to want more than he has, then I will kill him. We can give the child a chance to live."

"Very well, but should he try to take the throne, remember our words now. If I lose a child, all because you couldn’t kill one now, then I will never forgive you. For now, I am pleased to know that I shall soon have Athena’s head, and Thalia will die with her," Lilith said with cruel satisfaction.

Cassian walked to the bed and sat down while Lilith, full of energy, continued pacing the chamber. "Solomon has spent quite some time with Thalia. Do you not fear they have grown closer, and he would want her to live? Even if it is inside the dungeon?"

"Why are you trying to sully Solomon’s name? I enjoy seeing now that you don’t know everyone as well as you think you do. Solomon hates Thalia as much as I do, and I assure you that Thalia will not treat him well even though he saved her," Lilith said, confident that Solomon wasn’t swayed.

"If Solomon were to turn against me and become close to Thalia, I would not be angry with him. I would think he had hit his head or been bewitched," Lilith added with a dismissive laugh.

"I shall trust your word since you know him best. When Solomon returns to the castle, I shall reward him handsomely. Both in money and in status, so he will have a respected position here. I only ask that you wait a little before putting him as your guard again," Cassian requested.

"Is it to give you time to see where his loyalty lies? I am all for it," Lilith said, approaching Cassian to nestle herself between his legs. "It is better to be safe than sorry, no matter how well I think I know Solomon. Besides, he will be due for a break."

Lilith sat down on Cassian’s lap, and without missing a beat, his arms slipped around her waist to keep her steady. "He has been travelling with Thalia for days. That alone grants him a break."

"Now that we have settled his reward, what shall I get when Athena is brought here?" Cassian asked, seeking his own prize.

"Hmm," Lilith pretended to think it over. "I will let it be a surprise. All you need to do is get her here alive so I can see her die. Then we can speak about rewards."