"Should I start thinking of ways to style your hair for the wedding, Your Highness?" Mary questioned, her eyes filled with excitent as she studied Lilith’s reflection in the mirror.
"I would prefer your hands over a stranger’s, but you mustn’t stay at my side for too long, Mary. You know the dangers," Lilith said, her voice softer than her usual tone.
"His Majesty no longer lives. For now, there isn’t anyone to kill your loyal servants. Or, are you worried about his grace continuing the tradition? Forgive for being so bold," Mary apologised, lowering her gaze.
"Regardless of how many Beauforts have died, danger remains. I have already lost too many people, and if others see you at my side, you will beco a target. To everyone, you must be just a maid, so don’t approach so often," Lilith advised, desperate to keep Mary safe.
"I understand, Your Highness," Mary replied, resuming the slow, careful strokes of the brush through Lilith’s hair.
"Mary," Lilith said, looking over her shoulder. She knew what thoughts filled Mary’s mind. "I would love it if you could do my hair over so stranger, but I want you to be safe. I don’t want to lose you."
Mary smiled, the heaviness lifting from her expression. "I understand, Your Highness. Until you are queen and have full control of the castle, we are to stay away. Everyone but Solomon."
"I am starting to wonder if Solomon should stay away as well," Lilith muttered, turning back to face her reflection.
Sothing unreadable passed behind her eyes and was gone before she started to turn on soone loyal to her.
"Your Highness, no one is more loyal to you than Solomon. We used to tease him about having- Oh!" Mary gasped softly, her hand stilling on the brush as she realised her mistake. "Forgive ."
A knock on the door broke through the silence in the chamber.
"Hide," Lilith ordered, her voice low and precise. She rose from her seat, the warm air from the fireplace settling around her as she waited for Mary to disappear. "You may enter," she said, raising her voice just enough to carry to the person on the other side.
The door swung open, revealing Solomon.
Lilith’s shoulders relaxed, but she wasn’t pleased to see Solomon. "Have you co to apologise, or should I prepare to hear you snap?"
"May I enter your chamber, Your Highness?" Solomon said, his eyes fixed sowhere other than her gaze. He gripped his sword, remorseful for how he spoke to Lilith.
"You may, as long as you don’t stare at the floor. You were bold in how you spoke to before. Be man enough to look in the eye now. Don’t be weak," Lilith said, folding her arms, her voice carrying neither warmth nor cruelty.
Solomon raised his head and t Lilith’s eyes. "I was wrong for how I acted earlier. I was wrong to speak to you in that manner, and I apologise. I will never question your plans again, nor speak to you so rudely."
"You may question my plans, but the way you go about it must be respectful. Speak to in that manner again, and you can leave my side for good. Do we understand each other?" Lilith asked, unwilling to tolerate disrespect even from Solomon.
"We do," Solomon replied. Relief moved through him.
"Good. Your little outburst gave an idea. Mary," Lilith said, alerting Solomon to a third presence. "Leave us and go eat your supper."
Mary stepped out of Lilith’s wardrobe, smoothing her apron self-consciously. "As you wish," she replied and walked out of the chamber without lingering.
Mary exited into the corridor. She wished she could have stayed long enough to hear more, but before Cassian’s soldiers could notice her, she pressed close to the wall and slipped quietly away.
’They must be well,’ Mary thought, hoping Solomon and Lilith could resolve their issues.
Hours later, the soft rustle of fabric filled the corridors as Lilith walked to dinner. She was accompanied by Eric as Solomon claid he needed a mont alone to settle his thoughts, deciding on his answer to what Lilith proposed when they were alone.
Eric stopped by the door, allowing Lilith to enter alone.
Inside the dining chamber, Cassian was already seated at the head of the table.
Cassian took a sip of his wine, drinking in Lilith’s appearance.
"It would be polite of you to stand and greet your princess," Lilith said, making her way to the other end of the table.
"We both know you don’t care much for acting, and if I stand to help you to your chair, you wouldn’t allow to touch you," Cassian said, setting the empty glass down.
Lilith smiled, amused by Cassian’s thoughts. "You don’t have to touch , you only have to move the chair. I am starting anew with you and giving you a chance. I would like a civil marriage after all."
Lilith sat down, making herself comfortable.
"I desire the sa. I heard your guard was unwell and wasn’t at your side. A little odd, don’t you think?" Cassian questioned, suspecting Lilith was plotting.
"Are you here to get closer to my guard or ? You’re a handso man, but not so handso to pique Solomon’s interest. You should give up," Lilith said, her gaze going to a maid coming forward.
Cassian smirked. "Why would I bother myself with a man when there is a woman like you seated before ? I rely find it odd that you would part from each other."
"I ca into this world alone. I welco breaks, even from the people I tolerate," said Lilith.
"Tolerate?" Casssian mused.
It was evident that Lilith cared for Solomon.
"Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Cassian. I had one lover, and as I recall, you severed his head. That I don’t mind, but try not to get too involved in my private affairs," Lilith said, critically watching the maid pouring her wine.
"I am not jealous of Solomon, but if you are insinuating that I should keep out of your interest with other n, you must be out of your mind. I know you used Michael for his father’s peers," Cassian said, revealing more secrets he knew.
"No, you have . I will forever be the only man you have to use from this point on," said Cassian.
"And what of you? Do you wish for to believe I will be the only woman for you? Noblen and even kings love their mistresses," Lilith said, expecting it to co.
It always starts lovely, until a pretty lady cos along.
"You could place a thousand won before , and I will always search for you, Lilith. But go ahead, have a lover if you desire one," Cassian said, leaning back on his chair. "I hope you can stomach finding his head on the bed in the morning."
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