CHAPTER 142: WARM BATH

Lilith was placed gently on the couch as Viktor draped a blanket over her. Moments later, Charlotte entered the room, carrying a tray. She set it down beside the couch and poured water from the jug into a cup before handing it to Lilith.

Lilith sighed in relief as the cool water touched her lips. She drank eagerly, gulping it down until the glass was empty.

"Do you want more?" Charlotte asked.

Lilith nodded, but just as Charlotte reached for the jug, Viktor gently stopped her.

"She can’t have too much water right now. One glass is enough to quench her thirst for the next thirty minutes," he explained softly.

"Oh," Charlotte said, offering Lilith an apologetic smile before placing the jug back on the tray.

"Thank you," Lilith murmured. She looked down at her blood-streaked arms and tattered dress. "I think I’ll need a bath. I feel filthy and disgusting."

She looked up at Charlotte, who nodded immediately and stepped out of the room to fetch a maid to prepare the bath.

Viktor watched her quietly for a moment before asking, "Are you alright, Lilith? Should I call a physician to examine you? You’re covered in blood."

Lilith gave him a small, reassuring smile. "There’s no need for that. I did get a few injuries, but they’ve already healed."

Viktor didn’t look entirely convinced. In response, Lilith loosened the cloth wrapped around her hand, wet it with a bit of water from the jug, and wiped away the blood on her arm. She looked up at him again. "See? I’m all healed."

Viktor let out a sigh of relief. "Very well. That’s good to hear." He smiled, then crouched beside her, placing a comforting hand over hers. "Forgive me for taking so long to find you. I wanted to visit you the night you moved next to Lucy, but I got lazy and decided to wait. If I had come, maybe I could’ve stopped this from happening."

Lilith placed her other hand over his. "It’s not your fault, Viktor. You couldn’t have known. There’s nothing to forgive." She paused, her brows furrowing. "But... how did you know I was in the well?"

"The maid who pushed you has been caught. She’s in the courtroom with the prince," Viktor explained.

"Oh." Lilith swallowed hard. "Did she say... why she did it?"

"You don’t need to worry about that," Viktor said gently. "All you need to do now is rest. The prince, Lucian, and I will take care of everything. You’re safe now. And I promise, she’ll never hurt you again."

Lilith gave him a small, grateful smile. Just then, Charlotte returned with two maids behind her—one of whom was Fiona.

Viktor rose to his feet and stepped aside to stand next to Charlotte. "We’ll leave you to freshen up and rest for the next hour. I’ll return with food after that. Will you be alright?"

"Yes. Thank you, both of you," Lilith replied, looking between them.

They smiled warmly at her before turning to leave, closing the door softly behind them.

"Oh dear heavens!" Fiona threw her arms around Lilith, hugging her tightly. "I am so sorry. How are you? How do you feel?" she asked, scanning Lilith from head to toe.

"I’m good, thank you, Fiona," Lilith replied, offering her a tired smile before glancing at the other maid, who greeted her with a warm, sweet smile.

"Thank the gods. I’m so glad you’re alright. Hanna is a horrible, horrible person. How could she do something so terrible to you? I hope the prince punishes her for her crime," Fiona said, placing a hand gently on Lilith’s shoulder.

"You’re too sweet, Fiona. I appreciate your concern," Lilith said, though she already felt exhausted and drained. All she wanted now was a bath, clean clothes, and a bed.

"You’re welcome, dear." Fiona exhaled deeply. "Let’s get you cleaned up. Shall I help you out of your dress?" she asked.

Lilith nodded and turned slightly to give Fiona access to the laces at the back of her torn dress.

~~~

"Poor Lilith. She looks exhausted. Why did the maid push her into the well?" Charlotte asked, crossing her arms as she leaned against the dresser in her chamber.

"I assume it was jealousy. I don’t really know," Viktor replied with a frown. "I’m just glad she’s alive and safe now."

"When I went to fetch the maids, I saw Lucian and a guard escorting Kathryn toward the courtroom," Charlotte said, rubbing her arm uneasily.

"Oh? Why?" Viktor muttered more to himself than to her, his brow creasing in thought. "I’ll go check on what’s happening." He moved toward the door, his eyes briefly catching a glimpse of a white envelope peeking out from behind Charlotte’s dresser. He narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing, stepping out of the room. He’d investigate that later.

~~~

Viktor made his way to the courtroom. As soon as he stepped in, the tension in the air hit him like a wall, thick and suffocating. Everyone stood stiff and alert. His gaze shifted to the maid seated on the ground, her face bruised and smeared with thick, dark blood.

Then he saw Hades.

The prince sat once again on the throne, his expression like a brewing storm. His eyes were dark, burning with barely contained fury. Viktor’s breath caught at the sight.

"Why am I here?" Kathryn said sharply, arms crossed. "My carriage arrives in less than twenty minutes. I need to prepare."

Hades rose from the throne, his steps heavy as he descended the short staircase and walked toward her in long, deliberate strides.

"Do you know who that woman is?" he asked, his voice low and cold, eyes flicking toward the bloodied maid.

Kathryn glanced back, narrowing her eyes. "No, I don’t."

"My lady, it’s me... Hanna," the maid said quietly, her voice trembling. "You asked me to lure Lilith out of the palace and have her shipped away."

Kathryn’s throat tightened. She inhaled sharply and turned back to Hades, now only a few feet away from her. His sudden closeness startled her, and she instinctively took a step back.