Chapter 97: Chapter 97 - Accusations
Eric could not hold back his curiosity about Lilith watching him. He was certain that her smile carried a plot which meant no good.
He inched closer to Cassian, waiting for his chance to speak as the guests pressed in around the king.
Eric’s gaze fell to Lilith, who was now busy conversing with the ladies.
’What is she up to?’ Eric wondered.
As Cassian’s right-hand man, Eric had long suspected there would come a time when Lilith would try to use him for secrets. Either that, or she would silence anyone who dared whisper into Cassian’s ear.
Eric tried not to act suspiciously. One small mistake and she could place him at the very top of her list.
"Why are you eyeing my wife?" Cassian’s voice came from the side, startling Eric.
"Forgive me," Eric murmured, tearing his gaze away from Lilith. "I caught her staring at me when you both were by the throne. If I am not mistaken, she was smiling at me. Do you think she has some kind of plan for me? To kill me?"
"She might," Cassian replied evenly, his eyes never leaving Lilith.
Eric’s chest tightened as death seemed near. "How can you say that so calmly, as though you don’t care about me? I don’t want to be in your wife’s plans. She likely thinks she can prise secrets out of me. When are you going to consider telling me how I die?"
"Lilith isn’t the one who kills you," Cassian answered.
"Good," Eric exhaled, relief flooding him, only for dread to return in an instant. "Wait! Then someone else kills me? You cannot change it now."
"I will be the one to kill you if you keep rambling in my ear. We are not alone in speaking of this," Cassian reminded him, annoyed by Eric’s continuous questions.
"Right, my apologies. Still, I don’t feel safe being in the castle with Lilith. Determined women frighten me," Eric admitted, still fearing Lilith might get to him.
"All women frighten you," Cassian said, stepping forward. His presence was commanding as he moved closer to Lilith. "All you must do is remain suspicious of everyone you don’t know. Lilith has spies scattered throughout the castle."
Eric frowned, confusion clouding his thoughts. "See, I don’t understand that. How does a princess, clearly ignored by her family, gain allies within the castle? She had nothing to offer."
"She was kind to them. She fed them, gave them what little she had. Why don’t you strike up a conversation with Mary about Lilith?" Cassian suggested putting Eric up to a challenge.
"Ha!" Eric laughed. "I see what you are doing here. Is Mary my future wife? Is that why you are sending me to her?"
Cassian’s gaze snapped from Lilith to Eric, his patience thinning. Eric was close to being thrown into the dungeon. "What?"
"It makes sense that I would show some interest in the woman closest to your wife. She is pretty, but a little too prideful of herself for serving the queen. Still, I can manage it," Eric said, already warming to the idea, his mind drifting towards dangerous fantasies.
"If you try to court Mary, she will kill you," Cassian said with chilling certainty. "And Lilith will allow her to do it."
"This could all be solved if you would tell me about my future life. If I am going to die, then so be it. I have long accepted death after joining your army. Your cousin is approaching your wife," Eric said, squinting at the distant interaction. "Cassian. Cassian?"
Eric turned to his right, only to find Cassian gone. He hurried after him, compelled to keep the peace.
Unaware of the storm brewing, Hayden clasped Lilith’s hand and raised it to his lips for a kiss.
Lilith’s eyes narrowed as she tried to unravel the young man before her.
"I thank you for being so understanding about my father, Queen Lilith. I felt the need to apologise once more for my father’s death overshadowing the celebrations," Hayden said, releasing her hand with a sigh.
"The wedding and coronation had already passed, so it did not overshadow anything. Please don’t feel the need to apologise again for your father’s death. No one should expect a grieving son to do so," Lilith replied as she placed her hand back at her side.
Hayden’s shoulders sagged, his eyes drifting away for a moment. "Yes, a grieving son. Tell me, how did it feel when your father died?"
Lilith’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. "My relationship with my father was far different from yours. I celebrated his death because I hated him and I wanted to kill him. It is no secret how he treated me."
"I see. Then it is no surprise that you didn’t let the mourning period pass before your wedding. I must thank you for it, since I was named the future duke because of it. I never thought there would come a day when I would hold a title," Hayden said, still in disbelief.
He glanced to his right, where Cassian stood watching the exchange.
"You must thank your cousin. It is because of Cassian storming the castle to become king that you have the chance to be a duke. I did nothing," Lilith said.
"I disagree, Your Majesty. I think you did plenty, and we both know it," Hayden said, studying Lilith. "My father always drank, but not once did he become ill from it. I was curious what placed me in such an awful mood."
Hayden leaned closer. "I wondered if he drank because his son fell short of greatness compared to his nephew. Or if his advances towards Diana were consuming him. I thought it was either Diana or Cassian, but then I wondered if there was someone unaccounted for."
Hayden’s stare bore into Lilith, giving away his accusation.
Lilith’s expression was unreadable.
"He was going to push for you to be replaced and choose another lady. Surely, you knew of it. I could be wrong, but if I am right, thank you," Hayden said, his words shocking Lilith. "I couldn’t free my mother, but someone did. For that, I am forever indebted to you."
"That is, if it were you," Hayden added, deciding to play along.
