CHAPTER 28: A FOOL

"Another nightmare, little witch?" a deep, familiar voice rumbled through the silence, filling the room with an unsettling presence that made Lilith stiffen.

Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, unable to process a single thought. She wanted to pinch herself, to make sure she was truly awake and not trapped in another nightmare, but her body refused to obey.

She watched as he lit up the room, revealing his full appearance.

In the heavy silence between them, fear crept over Lilith’s skin like an insect. She had always known the prince was a terrifying man, but nothing compared to the version of him standing before her now.

He was dressed in black trousers and a matching shirt, the fabric clinging to his broad frame. A thick fur coat draped over his shoulders, making his already imposing build seem even larger. His long hair was slicked back, save for a single loose strand that clung to his forehead.

But what unsettled her most wasn’t his size or his presence—it was his expression.

He was smiling.

There was no anger in his eyes, no visible sign of rage. Just calm amusement, which sent a deeper fear twisting inside her.

"You disappoint me, little witch," he said, his voice eerily composed. "I suppose I gave you too much credit."

"I... I..." Lilith stammered, unable to find her voice. She had no idea what to say, should she beg for his forgiveness? Try to explain why she ran away? Her mind spun with possibilities, but no words came.

Just then, the door swung open, and Leonidas stepped inside, initially oblivious to the prince’s presence in the dimly lit room. But the moment his gaze landed on the towering figure in the corner, all the color drained from his face.

"You don’t have enough money to rent another room, yet you have enough to drink with the men at the tavern. How confusing," Hades remarked casually, his tone carrying a quiet amusement that made the air feel heavier.

Leonidas swallowed hard. "Y...Your Highness, how... how did you get here?" His eyes darted toward Lilith, filled with sudden betrayal. "Did you bring him here? You told him everything?"

"What?!" Lilith gasped, shaking her head frantically. "I swear to you, I am just as shocked as you are to see him here. I didn’t tell him anything!" she whispered, her voice urgent with desperation.

Leonidas turned back to the prince, his gaze lowering to the floor in uncertainty. His mind raced, but no answer came. If Lilith hadn’t led the prince here... then how had he found them?

"Get up, little witch," Hades commanded, his voice devoid of emotion. "You’re coming with me."

Before Lilith could even process his words, Leonidas stepped forward, his voice trembling but determined.

"Your Highness, Lilith cannot go with you," he said. "I deeply apologize for running away with her, but Lilith and I are in love. We plan to start a family far from here. Let us go, and you will never have to see us again."

"Love?" Hades chuckled deeply, tugging at the edges of his gloves with a smirk plastered on his face. "I highly doubt the witch is in love with you."

"She is," Leonidas insisted, turning desperately to Lilith. "Lilith, tell the prince that you are in love with me and that we plan on starting a family together," he pleaded, his eyes searching hers for reassurance.

Lilith swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart pounding under the weight of both men’s gazes. She would be lying if she said she was in love with Leonidas, but if it would get her out of this suffocating situation, she would gladly lie.

"I..." She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.

She frowned, trying again, but it was as if something was blocking her from speaking. A sudden unease crept up her spine, and her gaze flickered to Hades. That was when she saw it, the amusement dancing in his eyes. He was preventing her from saying the words. How? How was that even possible?

"It’s quite obvious, she doesn’t feel anything for you," Hades said smoothly, his gaze never leaving Lilith.

Leonidas scowled, his frustration growing. "Lilith, come on! You have to tell him that we are in love and that you want to be with me," he urged in a hushed whisper.

"I’m trying," she gasped, panic seeping into her voice. "He’s doing something to me, he’s preventing me from saying it."

Hades tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. "That’s a bold accusation, little witch," he mused, mockery dripping from his tone. Leonidas clenched his fists, glaring at the prince.

"As much as I would love to watch you two bicker like children," Hades continued, adjusting his gloves, "we must be on our way back to the palace."

Hades’ words made Leonidas’ frown deepen. He was done with this nonsense. Done with the prince’s arrogance. He had come too far with Lilith to let her slip away now.

His eyes darted around the room until they landed on an iron rod resting against the wall. Without hesitation, he seized it and moved swiftly to block the door. "Lilith stays with me," he declared, gripping the rod tightly.

Hades chuckled darkly, an amused glint flashing in his eyes. "And you think that.." his gaze flicked to the rod, then back to Leonidas’ face "..or you can stop me from taking her?"

"You are not taking her from me." Leonidas’ features hardened as he raised the rod, pointing it at the prince like a weapon.

Fear gripped Lilith. This was a mistake. A grave, irreversible mistake. "Leonidas, please," she pleaded, her voice thick with panic. "Don’t do this. He will kill you. Please, let it go."

But Leonidas did not listen. With a roar of defiance, he charged at the prince, thrusting the rod forward, aiming for his chest.

Lilith barely had time to gasp before the rod pierced Hades’ upper abdomen, sinking deep into flesh.

Leonidas shoved the iron rod deeper, his breath ragged as he watched it pierce through the prince’s body and emerge from the other side. His hands trembled as he let go, stepping back in disbelief. His heart pounded violently in his chest, expecting Hades to crumble, to at least show some sign of pain.

But the prince didn’t even flinch.

Hades’s fingers wrapped around the rod, his grip tightening as he slowly pulled it from his body with an almost bored expression. The slick sound of metal sliding against flesh sent a shiver down Leonidas’s spine. With a careless flick of his wrist, Hades tossed the bloodied rod to the side.

He let out a lazy sigh, running his fingers through his hair, his lips curling into an amused smile. "Tsk, tsk, tsk... You should have listened to her."

Panic surged through Leonidas. He lunged for the door, his fingers just brushing against the knob. But before he could grasp it, something cold wrapped around his throat.

Hades was beside him in an instant, his grip like iron, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. His voice, low and deadly, sent ice through Leonidas’s veins. "You fool."