CHAPTER 68: A LITTLE BIT DRUNK

The feel of the man’s hand around her waist snapped Lilith’s attention back to him. She frowned slightly when she realized how close they were standing. The scent of cigar smoke clung to his breath and clothes, strong and intrusive. When she looked up at his face, she found him smirking down at her.

"I don’t know how to dance," she said, her voice uncertain as the soft music from the instruments began to fill the air and more couples joined them on the dance floor.

"Lucky for both of us, I do," the man replied. "Been practicing since I was ten. My father made it mandatory for my brother and me as future lords."

"Oh, that’s wonderful. My father never taught me how to dance. He said I wouldn’t need to learn because I’d be too busy handling a servant’s duties," Lilith replied, allowing herself to sway slightly in rhythm with him, even though she was barely putting in any effort.

"Your father sounds like a terrible man," the man commented.

"He has his faults," Lilith said, blinking a few times. The reality of dancing with a stranger was beginning to settle in. "Who are you? What’s your name?" she asked looking at his cautiously.

"I thought you’d never ask." His smirk deepened. "My name is Seth. Seth Cromwell. I’m the first son of Duke Zephyr Cromwell of Harventon."

Lilith remained unimpressed. He was just another noble in her eyes. "That’s lovely. I’ve never heard of Harventon before," she replied, her tone dry.

Seth chuckled. "I suppose it’s because you’re... unexposed, my lady. Harventon is one of the largest towns in Vlyron. Anyone from Valyron or beyond would know that."

"I’m not from around here. I’m from Eryndor. The prince saved my life and brought me here to work for him," Lilith said, closing her eyes as Seth swirled her around and brought her back against his chest.

"So, you’re the woman who caused a scene during the last ball," Seth said, amused. "You’re barely recognizable. You’ve changed a lot."

"It’s the dress and the makeup. I assure you, I’m still the same girl," Lilith muttered, her eyes scanning the room—until they landed on Hades, who was, perhaps unsurprisingly, watching her.

Lilith quickly looked away, her cheeks reddening further. Even without seeing him, she could still feel his gaze lingering on her.

"...sometime soon. What do you say to that?"

She blinked, turning back to Seth with a confused expression. "Forgive me, I was lost in thought. What were you saying?"

"I asked if you would be interested in seeing Harventon. I could show you around sometime."

"Oh. I’d love to," she replied, just before stumbling slightly. Seth caught her in time.

"You’re drunk?" he asked with a raised brow.

"Nooo," Lilith said with a small giggle, shaking her head in an attempt to focus. "I just had a little to drink."

"Do you want to step outside? Get some fresh air? Perhaps, it will make you feel better." Seth offered.

Lilith nodded with childlike enthusiasm, letting him lead her up a few stairs, down a hallway, and through a door that opened onto a chilly balcony.

"Dear heavens, it’s cold out here," she giggled, rubbing her arms for warmth.

Seth glanced around to make sure they were alone before turning to her. "I think I might be able to help with that." He shrugged off his coat and gently placed it over her shoulders. "There—better?"

Lilith pulled it closer. "Not completely, but it’ll do for now." She turned to face him. "I want you to help me move my hair out of my face. I don’t want to take my hands out."

Seth pressed his lips into a thin line before doing as instructed, gently tucking the loose strands of Lilith’s hair behind her ears. "Better."

"Yes, thank you very much, sir," Lilith said in a high-pitched voice. She let out a loud sigh. "Have you ever wished you were a bird?"

Seth narrowed his eyes at her, his arms now crossed tightly beneath his chest, without his coat, the chill was beginning to bite. "No, I haven’t. Why—"

"I do sometimes," she interrupted, eyes fixed on the sky. "They’re so free. Flying around without a care in the world. Just fly, eat, and fly again."

"I... I need to get something. I’ll be right back," he suddenly muttered, quickly turning and hurrying away.

Lilith remained lost in the clouds, not even noticing that he had left. Several seconds passed in silence before she finally turned to her side—only to realize she was alone.

"Sir? Sir!" she called out, suddenly forgetting his name. Where did he go?

She let out another sigh and leaned over the balcony’s railing, rising onto the tips of her toes as she peered up at the stars above. "Hmm. Maybe I’ll be reincarnated as a bird when I die. That would be lovely. Then I could poo on anyone’s head I wanted to."

"So, that’s why you want to become a bird."

Lilith gasped and nearly lost her balance—but a strong hand gripped her arm, pulling her back from the edge. She clutched her chest, her heart racing as she turned to see Hades, now without his vizard, his face fully revealed.

"Dear goodness, I could’ve fallen to my death," she snapped, frowning at him.

"You wouldn’t have died," Hades replied evenly. "It’s not that high. At worst, a broken leg."

His eyes dropped to the coat draped around her shoulders.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, swaying slightly. "The very kind gentleman who brought me here will be back any minute now, and I wouldn’t want you to scare him off."

Before she could stop him, Hades tugged the coat from her shoulders. Her eyes widened in shock as he casually tossed it over the balcony.

"Why would you do that?" Lilith cried out, turning toward the door, but Hades’ firm grip on her arm stopped her.

"What do you think you’re doing?" he asked, one brow arched.

"I’m going to get the coat," she replied, frowning.

"There’s no need for that. You’ll stay here, with me." Hades said, gently turning her to face him.

Lilith sighed, feeling too tired to argue with him "Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying the evening with your guests? Or perhaps with Lady Kathryn? I imagine she’s expecting you soon," Lilith muttered, dragging her fingers along the iron railing.

Hades studied her face. "Did she tell you that?"

"Not exactly," Lilith said, puffing her cheeks slightly. "But her friends wouldn’t stop talking about how well you complement each other... and how magnificent you are in bed."

"Kathryn and I had an affair a long time ago," Hades explained calmly. "We’ve both moved on."

"I don’t think she has. She still has feelings for you," Lilith replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Is that why you’ve been drinking tonight?" he asked, his voice softer now.

Lilith frowned. "No. Why would I drink over that?" She paused, her voice dipping into a whisper. "I just realized there are a lot of things I’ve never done."

"And what sort of things?" he asked.

Lilith turned to him, her cheeks and nose tinged red from the cold and the wine. "Well... I’ve had wine—so that’s off the list. But I’ve never fallen in love. Never kissed a man. I always imagined it would be under the rain or beneath a tree with falling petals. Something romantic."

She blushed deeper, biting her bottom lip. "And... I’ve never known what it’s like to have someone make love to me. They say it’s nerve-wracking—but in a good way."

She exhaled, a cloud of cold steam escaping her lips. "I hope to get married someday... travel the world. There are so many places I haven’t seen. And maybe have children too. I think that would be nice."

Hades smiled faintly. "Do you think that gentleman—the one who offered you his coat—is the man you’ll marry?"

Lilith hesitated. "I mean... he’s not a bad choice. He’s quite the gentleman. If we spend more time together, perhaps something could happen." She paused, glancing up at him. "But... would you let me marry him?"

"No," Hades said, his voice calm, carried softly by the wind. "I won’t. I can’t let you marry any other man."

Her brows furrowed, and her voice dropped with quiet sadness. "Is it because you saved my life? Do you want me to keep working for you forever?"

"No," he said, looking directly into her eyes. "I don’t want you to work for me forever, I want you to stay by my side. Forever."

Lilith’s frown deepened. "So... you want me to serve you while I watch you and everyone else fall in love, get married, have children?"

"No, because I’m not getting married to anyone else either," Hades replied.

Her expression tightened. "So you’ll just keep having Lady Kathryn warm your bed while I stand on the sidelines?"

"I don’t plan to do that either," he said firmly. "I don’t want Kathryn or any other woman in my bed."