CHAPTER 109: COLLAPSED BUILDING

~A while back~

Hades sat in his study, leaning back in his chair with his legs swung over the table, a paper in hand as he read through its contents. He was growing immensely bored of reviewing the documents, but he had to finish them and have them delivered by the next day. Just as he placed the paper down and reached for another, the door to his study opened and shut almost immediately.

He tilted his head, expecting to see Viktor or Lucian, but instead, the broad figure of the king appeared. Azazel’s large frame was wrapped in his fur-lined coat, making him seem even more imposing. His red eyes scanned the room as if searching for something before settling on Hades, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

Hades’s mood immediately soured. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice cold and unwelcoming.

"I own this castle, Hades. I can go wherever I please," Azazel replied, striding toward Hades’s table.

"This study belongs to me. You have no reason to be here. So why the fuck are you here, Azazel?" Hades snapped.

Azazel let out a deep breath. "To see you. My moggly mentioned that you’re deteriorating, and I had to see for myself. I must say, he wasn’t exaggerating. You’re slowly fading away."

Hades glared at him. "Don’t get too excited. I am still in full control of my body and mind, and I plan on keeping it that way for a very long time."

Azazel’s smile widened. "You have never been good at lying. You must have gotten that from my beloved Celeste. Just as I could see through her, I see through you." He leaned over the table, his voice lowering. "You hear it, don’t you? Zal’s voice, and it’s growing louder, stronger. I didn’t even have to do much. You’re breaking down all on your own." He grinned, running his tongue slowly over one of his fangs.

Hades clenched his jaw. "I can keep the demon in check, no need to worry about me. Now get out of my study. I’m done speaking with you."

Azazel’s voice darkened, persuasive. "Don’t you crave the power Zal is offering you? I know you can already taste it. This world, it isn’t worth the pain you are drowning yourself in. Let Zal take over. Free yourself from this pointless burden."

In a flash, Hades rose from the chair and shoved Azazel against the wall, his fists clenched in the king’s coat.

"Do not fuck with me, Azazel. This is your last warning. I don’t care how you crawl your way back to hell, but leave me out of your sick games. Now get out of my study."

Azazel smirked, unfazed. "Unlike you, I don’t plan to rot away with these pathetic peasants. I’ll use whatever means necessary to return to hell, even if it means sacrificing you, Hades."

Hades released his coat and stepped back, fury blazing in his eyes. "Get. The. Fuck. Out. Azazel."

Azazel adjusted his coat with a calm indifference before turning and walking out of the study.

~Back to present.~

Lilith kept silent, peeking through a hole to get a view of the boys. They weren’t approaching her hiding spot, at least, not yet. She swallowed hard, watching them kick things around and make as much noise as possible. One of them even yanked at the wooden beams holding up part of the ceiling, as if they were trying to bring the entire building down.

Suddenly, one of them looked in her direction. Lilith’s breath caught in her chest. She knew he couldn’t see her, but it didn’t stop the shiver that ran down her spine. Pressing herself further into the cramped space, she reached around blindly for something to defend herself with. Her fingers eventually wrapped around a short iron rod, and she gripped it tightly as she heard their footsteps drawing closer.

They were getting nearer to where she hid, and her grip tightened. Lilith could feel sweat trailing down her back, her throat dry and tight—

The boys stopped. They began whispering among themselves in hushed tones, as if in disagreement. Lilith frowned and shifted slightly, trying to hear them better, but the words were still muffled.

"Fuck, we need to leave," one of them finally said. Lilith could hear the fear in his voice.

Moments later, the boys bolted out of the building. Then, silence.

Lilith waited a few more minutes before cautiously emerging from her hiding place. She looked around, confused by their sudden flight. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Letting out a relieved sigh, she dropped the iron rod onto the floor. But as she approached the door, she realized why they had run.

The building was shaking.

Debris fell from the ceiling, and the wooden beams creaked ominously.

Lilith gasped, the building was going to collapse.

She sprinted toward the door, but just as she stepped outside, a strong hand wrapped around her arm and yanked her back. Lilith spun around, eyes wide in shock as she found herself face to face with the prince.

"W–what are you doing here?" she asked breathlessly.

"You can’t seem to stay away from trouble, huh?" the prince said, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. His eyes flicked up toward the building, which was now fully collapsing.

With inhuman speed, he pressed her against the wall opposite the building, shielding her with his body. Dust and debris filled the air as the structure came crashing down like a dollhouse.

For a moment, everything was still.

Lilith coughed twice, then opened her eyes. Hades was staring down at her, arms braced on either side of her head. Slowly, he lowered them and took a few steps back.

Lilith was just about to thank him when she gasped, eyes widening as she saw a large splinter of wood lodged in his shoulder.

"Your... your shoulder," she stammered.

Hades frowned, looked over at it, and sighed. He pulled the piece of wood out and tossed it to the ground. The wound healed instantly, though a patch of blood still stained his shirt.

He sighed again. "This was a new shirt," he muttered.

"Are you alright?" Lilith asked, concern clear on her face.

Hades smiled faintly. "Apart from being upset about my ruined shirt, I’m alright. Are you?"

Lilith nodded. "Sorry about your shirt," she added sincerely.

Hades let out a deep breath, glancing back at the collapsed building. "We should head back to the palace."

"Fiona! Oh dear heavens, they must be searching for me!" Lilith wiped her face with her hands, then looked up at the prince. "Can you take me back to the market square?"

"Let’s go," Hades said, and they began walking side by side. The prince led the way while Lilith toyed with her scarf in her hands, occasionally stealing glances at him.

"If you have something to say," he said without turning to her, "you should just say it. There’s no need to stare at me like a lost rabbit."

Lilith blushed and looked away. "Lost rabbit? Is that really the best you could come up with?" she said, glancing back at him.

Hades arched a brow. "Would you prefer I call you a lost dog?"

Lilith chuckled softly. "No. Lost rabbit sounds better."

A moment of silence passed between them before she spoke again. "Are you alright?"

Hades glanced at his bloodied shoulder. "Yes, I’m fine."

"I wasn’t talking about that," she said gently. "I mean... I’ve noticed you have been distant. And cold. Are you okay? Is everything alright?"

He kept his eyes fixed ahead. "I’m fine," he replied curtly, offering nothing more.

Lilith frowned. It was clear he didn’t want to talk about it, but something in her didn’t want to let it go. "You should—"

"Your friends are coming this way," Hades cut in.

Lilith looked up and saw Fiona and Eldric approaching them.

Pressing her lips into a thin line, she took a breath. He didn’t want her to push, and she understood that. But still... "If you ever need someone to talk to about your troubles, I’ll be here. I’ll listen," she said softly.

Hades turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting hers.

"Dear heavens, Lilith! How do you manage to disappear like that?" Fiona muttered, before dipping her head in a polite bow. "Good evening, Your Highness."

Eldric followed suit with a bow, and Hades acknowledged them with a silent nod.

"Where did you go?" Fiona whispered, wrapping her hand around Lilith’s arm. "You had us worried."

"I’m sorry," Lilith said with an apologetic look. "I thought I saw someone I knew."

"You should’ve told us," Eldric added, reaching for her other arm. His touch made Lilith’s breath hitch.

She didn’t need to look to know the prince was watching. Still, curiosity got the better of her, and she turned her head just enough to see Hades staring directly at Eldric’s hand on her arm.