Todays song is . "House on a Hill" – Chase Atlantic
ENJOY
The next morning came... disturbingly normal.
Which was weird, right? After the emotional hurricane that blew through the castle last night, I expected thunder, fire, maybe a dramatic soundtrack. But nope.
Just me. And breakfast. Alone. Again.
Apparently, someone's big speech about "change" had an expiration date of approximately seven hours.
I poked at the souffle on my plate. Fancy. Fluffy. Dramatic. Just like him.
I sighed and took a bite.
"What a change," I muttered to no one.
Then the air shifted—thick and heavy. My spine straightened.
A giant creature padded into the room like a storm with paws.
For a second, I braced myself—until I saw all three of his ridiculous, lovable heads.
"Booth," I exhaled.
It's not that I'm scared of him. I mean, who wouldn't be unnerved by a six-foot-tall, three-headed underworld dog? But the thing is… he's actually kind of sweet. A lot nicer than some of the celestial pegasi I've dealt with.
And that brings me back to a mystery that's been bugging me: everyone here is weirdly nice. Suspiciously nice. Like… too-nice. And yet, across the other kingdoms, the Cerberus people have the reputation of being hell's favorite children.
Booth made his way over to me, one head nudging my arm, another resting on my shoulder, and the third already going in for a slobbery kiss.
"Alright, alright—I missed you too, big guy," I said, wrapping my arms around him.
I leaned in, whispering like I was sharing a national secret.
"Oh, by the way… guess who's attending your one-night-only ceremony?"
Booth tilted one head.
"Me," I grinned, throwing my hands in the air like it was the greatest announcement ever.
Nothing.
Still tilted.
I sighed. "Booth, I'm going"—I pointed to myself—"to your"—I pointed at him—"ceremony."
KABOOM.
He leaped.
And I, still in my chair, went down like a rag doll under a mountain of fur and muscle.
"Yep—" I gasped under his weight, "—I'm also very happy."
All three heads took turns licking my face like I was the last treat on earth.
"Oh my gods, I'm going to need a new face. And maybe a pressure washer."
Just then, Carmen, one of the castle maids, walked past carrying a tray of food.
Wait a minute.
Was that…
Yep. Alex's breakfast.
Idea time.
If Mr. King of Ice wanted to talk about change, then fine. Let's really test it.
I sat up and wiped the drool off my cheek. Booth gave me a look like he was in.
"Let's go give your daddy a surprise, shall we?"
Booth looked positively thrilled.
I rushed over to Carmen.
"Morning, Carmen!"
She bowed, startled. "Good morning, my lady."
"Hey, don't worry about the bowing. Listen, I was wondering... would it be okay if I delivered the king's breakfast today? Just for today?"
She hesitated. "Well… I usually just leave it at his door."
"No problem! I'll do the exact same. Promise. Pleaseee?"
She finally nodded, still confused. "As you wish, my lady."
"Thank youuu!" I snatched the tray and motioned for Booth to follow.
We shared a nod.
Mission: Feed the Grump was officially a go.
As we walked toward Alex's office, I started to feel it. That awful fluttery sensation in my stomach. Nerves. What was I even doing?
"He said he would change," I muttered. "So maybe he won't try to kill both of us for interrupting his royal sulking."
Booth took one step back.
"Right?" I asked.
He laid down and avoided eye contact.
"Coward."
All three of his heads turned to glare at me.
I laughed and knocked on the door.
No answer.
I knocked again.
Still nothing.
I pressed my ear to the door. Silence… then the rustling of papers.
Books.
Of course.
I knocked harder.
The door swung open.
"WHAT?" Alex barked.
Then blinked when he saw me. "Lilith?"
"Morning," I said, lifting the tray like a trophy.
He looked at me. At the tray. Then back at me.
"Lilith," he said slowly, like the name had become a riddle. "What are you doing?"
"Bringing you breakfast."
"Yeah, I can see that. And... what is that doing here?" He pointed at Booth.
"Booth lives here. He deserves rights."
Booth barked proudly.
Alex sighed. "Weren't you supposed to be getting ready for tonight?"
"We're multitasking."
Booth barked again.
Alex narrowed his eyes. Booth promptly stepped behind me like a guilty toddler.
"Coward," Alex smirked.
His gaze turned to me. Cold. Focused.
"Lilith, this is generous, but I'm busy. You may go."
I walked past him like I hadn't heard a word.
"Lilith—"
"Alex. We both know you're not going to eat unless I force you."
"I have things to do—"
"And you will. After you finish breakfast."
He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.
"You promised me something last night, remember?"
"Don't you have paper and ink for this kind of thing?"
"Not what I meant."
I placed the tray on his desk.
"You promised to change. Start here."
He stared at the food. Then at me.
"Please," I said softly.
He closed his eyes and exhaled.
"Alright then."
I grinned.
"Perfect."
Alex sighed, then dragged the chair back and sat down—slow, dramatic, royal as ever.
"Don't make a big deal of it," I said, pulling out the chair across from him.
"I'm not," he muttered, clearly making a big deal of it.
The silence was… awkward.
Like the kind of awkward that makes you want to fake a phone call just to escape—even though there are no phones here.
Alex glanced up, one brow arched. "You know I don't bite, right?"
I narrowed my eyes. "You literally ordered people's executions two weeks ago."
"…Fair."
He took a slow bite of his food, clearly trying to act like this wasn't some kind of earth-shattering moment.
Meanwhile, I was watching him like I'd just spotted a rare mythical beast in its natural habitat.
Because this man—this ice king of a warlord—was eating a soufflé.
And not even looking mad about it.
A few hours later…
"Calm down, sweetie. There are still three hours before the guests even arrive."
Three. Hours. That was practically no time.
"Adele, you don't get it," I groaned, spinning in place. "I've dreamed about attending this ceremony my entire life. What am I supposed to wear? What if I forget some ancient underworld prayer and insult the ancestors? What if the Cerberus souls show up and smite me on the spot? Oh gods, am I allowed to blink during the ritual?"
Adele laughed.
Not a scoff. Not a dry sigh. An actual, genuine laugh. First time I'd ever heard it—and it was strangely… warm?
"Oh, sweet princess," she smiled. "About the dress—don't worry. Someone left a little gift for you."
"A gift?" I blinked. "From who?"
"Oh yes, my dear," she said, ignoring the second part. Mysterious, as always.
"Where?" I asked.
She simply pointed toward the restroom.
I blinked, pointed too—this restroom?
She nodded once.
I walked in… and nearly forgot how to breathe.
There, hanging under the soft candlelight, was a gown. Deep emerald green, glowing faintly like it had been spun from moonlight and secrets. The bodice was corseted and firm, the off-shoulder sleeves trimmed with delicate black lace. The fabric itself moved like shadows—fluid, elegant, haunting. It was dramatic without being scandalous. Commanding without being loud. Whoever had left this... knew me.
It wasn't just a dress. It was intentional.
Too intentional.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Adele appeared behind me.
"More than beautiful," I whispered. "It's perfect... But—who?"
"Mhm," she hummed cryptically.
"Adele…"
She smirked and floated out of the room like a shadow in silk.
"Adele, who sent this?!" I called after her.
"No idea, dear."
Liar.
Oh, she knew. She definitely knew.
But I wasn't about to argue with a woman who aged backwards and probably cursed people with eyebrow twitches.
"Was it Louise?!" I shouted again.
"I HAVE NO IDEA, PRINCESS," she called back sweetly.
Damn that woman.
Time blurred after that. Before I knew it, Adele was helping me dress, adjust my hair, and curse at my posture. The hour before the ceremony melted like candlewax.
"Well done, dear," she said as I stood.
I turned to face the mirror.
And… wow.
"Green is definitely your color," Adele added, smug.
"I think you're right," I whispered, barely recognizing the girl in the mirror.
A bell tolled outside the castle.
"The guests are arriving," Adele said, grabbing my hand as we both rushed to the staircase.
And then—there he was.
Alex, walking from the other end of the hallway, eyes already locked on me.
And let me tell you…
How does this man look sexier every day?!
"Ahh, what a coincidence," Adele smirked. "I'll leave you two lovebirds—er, hosts—to handle things." She winked, stopped at Alex's side, and straightened his tie while whispering something I desperately wanted to hear.
"Chao," she said, then disappeared with her usual elegance.
Alex approached me slowly, and dear gods, I swear my skin started to heat up like I'd been thrown into a forge.
"Goodnight, Lilith."
"It's barely six," I replied with a smile.
"Night, Alex," I added playfully.
"You look… very pretty," he said, eyes flicking everywhere but my face.
"And I could say the same."
He nodded slowly, then added, "I see you found something that fits you just right."
"Oh, definitely. Adele said it was a gift from someone. Whoever it was—impeccable taste."
"I'm glad," he said in a smile
That smile.
That smile was criminal.
"Shall we, Lilith?" he asked, offering his arm.
I accepted it without hesitation.
Now, anyone else might call me crazy. Standing here, arm-in-arm with my captor, dressed like a queen on the arm of her villain.
But he said he would change.
And somewhere, deep inside me, I wanted to believe him.
Just as Alex and I descended the stairs—his hand warm against mine, the air slightly too charged to be casual—I caught a glimpse of something at the bottom that made my heart do a full somersault.
Or someone.
"My, my, my… did heaven lose an angel? Because I just caught her with my eyes."
I froze.
Then grinned.
"Louise?"
Sure enough, there he was—hair perfectly tousled, outfit sharp enough to insult the dress code, and smirk cocked like a loaded weapon.
I immediately let go of Alex's arm and rushed forward. "Well, well, look what the wind dragged in."
"Petal," Louise purred, catching my hands dramatically. "You didn't think I'd miss the ceremony of the year, did you?"
"You're attending?" I asked, beaming.
He bowed with flair. "I am royalty, after all."
"Only by blood," I teased, rolling my eyes.
He gasped like I'd wounded him. "Cruel."
"Louise."
The sound of Alex's voice behind me was… sharp.
I turned.
He was closer than I'd expected. Way closer. Like, right-behind-me, this-is-my-bubble, you're-standing-in-it close.
"My king," Louise bowed, noticeably less dramatic this time.
Then—of course—he poked the bear.
"I see you've found a partner, my petal." His smirk returned, full force.
"Wha—No! He's not—"
"Indeed, Lordling." Alex's voice cut clean through the space like cold steel.
Louise's smirk dimmed a fraction.
Before I could defuse the testosterone bomb, a familiar presence approached from the side—quiet, armored, and perfectly timed.
"VOSK!" I squealed, spotting Obrovosky in a full ceremonial suit of armor.
"Evening, Princess," he nodded.
"What are you doing here?"
"After the last attack, the King ordered extra security tonight," he said calmly.
"Ohhh… so this is the famous kingdom armor?" I stepped back to admire it.
"It's not standard, but for events like this, we wear it out of respect."
"Well, it looks like you walked out of a fantasy novel. Ten out of ten."
From behind me, Alex called, "Obrovosky."
"Your Highness," Vosk replied with a bow.
"Louise," Alex added, his tone not exactly… friendly. "Here to protect?"
Vosk nodded, completely ignoring Louise's existence.
"Cold shoulder, I see," Louise muttered.
"Not quite," Vosk replied flatly. "Your face just reminds me of a possum, young sir. I'd hate to laugh in your direction."
I snorted.
I couldn't help it.
Obrovosky. The walking blade of discipline. Cracking a joke. A real one.
Even Alex's lips twitched into a smile.
Beautiful.
Before I could comment, an older soldier approached and bowed. "My King, the guests are now entering the main garden."
Alex nodded. "We'll be there shortly."
Louise clapped his hands together. "Well, I should go claim a seat. Wouldn't want someone else to steal the spotlight."
"And I need to return to my post," Vosk added.
"Oh, but you'll still be at the ceremony, right?"
"I'll be stationed at the garden's main doors," he confirmed.
"Perfect," I said with a grin. "See you later."
Both men bowed and left—leaving me once again… alone.
With him.
"I see you've become quite close with that shadowbron Louise."
Alex said still not looking at me.
Ugh. Again with the eye contact avoidance.
"He's a great friend, something funny is he is exactly like someone i know"
"Who?"
"My cousin Victor," I said with a laugh. "They're both absolutely unreasonable."
Alex nodded faintly. "I see."
The garden at night looked nothing like it had that morning.
I'd seen it finished earlier, admired its perfect symmetry and careful design—but now, under the deep cloak of twilight, it didn't look like something built by human hands. It looked like something summoned.
The trees stretched tall like cathedral pillars, their leaves glowing with soft purples, indigos, and moonlit silvers—stolen straight from a celestial fever dream. Tiny lights danced in the air, flickering like lazy fireflies or maybe magical motes, and the air carried a hush, like even the wind was holding its breath.
"Don't act so surprised, darling," Alex murmured beside me. "This is only the beginning."
I spun in place, heart pounding. "This is unreal. Now I get why Adele fought so hard for those glowing flowers."
"They're called Moonlight Blossoms," he said. "Do you know why they glow?"
I shook my head.
"When a Cerberus soldier dies, their senses fade. No sight. No sound. No touch. The underworld calls them… but only the light of the Dragnites—tiny creatures drawn to the blossoms—can guide their souls to the gates of Hell."
I blinked. "Okay… that's actually beautiful and terrifying."
"Our kingdom prefers to keep our traditions secret," he said. "Which is why I don't usually share them."
"So… why tell me?"
He stopped walking and turned toward me.
"I trust you, Lilith."
His eyes met mine.
Just like that, the cool night turned into a furnace.
"And I hope," he added, "that one day… you might trust me too."
I swallowed.
"Alex…" I whispered.
"I know," he said quietly.
I wish I could. I wanted to. But trust wasn't something I handed over like candy—and not to the man who once had me caged like a bird. Still… the thought lingered.
Mercifully—or not—a voice interrupted the moment.
"It's been quite some time, hasn't it, Alex?"
We both turned.
A tall woman stood before us, wrapped in silks, her posture perfect, her smile... sharp.
Alex's shoulders straightened. "Lady Dalenia."
She giggled. Giggle. At him.
Girl, what's funny?
"When was the last time we saw each other?"
Alex didn't return the giggle. "Since my father's death, I believe."
She crossed herself. "Rest in peace."
"Mm."
"I sent so many invitations," she added, hand over her chest, so dramatic. "You never attended my birthdays."
"I was busy. Inheriting a fractured kingdom tends to fill one's calendar," Alex replied dryly.
She gave him a coy look. "Still, you've always been so… responsible."
Then her eyes found me.
"And who might this little girl be?"
I froze.
Damn. That tone? One degree colder and I'd be frostbitten.
"I'm Lilith, ma'am," I said sweetly.
She scanned me head to toe like I was an expired fruit.
"And what is your business with the king?"
Before I could reply, Alex cut in smoothly. "She's my partner, Dalenia."
Her head snapped back toward him. "Partner?"
"I wasn't aware," she added sharply.
"Was there a reason you needed to be?" Alex asked, voice hardening.
"Well—no. Not precisely…"
"Then we'll be on our way," he said, placing a protective hand on my back.
I leaned toward him, whispering, "Should I go fetch Louise? You two look like you have catching up to do."
"No," Alex said flatly. "Lilith and I have somewhere to be."
I glanced back just in time to see Dalenia's death-glare dig straight into my soul.
"Charming," I muttered under my breath as she walked away.
Alex didn't speak.
"…Okay, what was that?" I asked finally.
"Just a royal lady."
I gave him a look. "Yeah, just a royal lady. I doubt that."
He paused. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, please," I said. "The way she looked at you? I know that look. You definitely had something with her."
Alex tensed.
"It wasn't serious."
"So there was something."
"No. There wasn't." He exhaled. "Our parents arranged a marriage."
A what now.
"You were engaged?!"
"Not anymore. It was canceled after the royal deaths."
"You were almost married."
He looked at me. "Lilith…"
"Sorry, I just—I didn't know. That's all."
"She never meant anything to me," he said quietly. "Not then. Not now."
I wanted to believe him. And for a second, I did.
But still.
She was smiling at him like she'd already picked out her wedding dress.
Another bell echoed across the castle grounds.
"That's my signal," Alex said. "I need to go."
"Right."
He paused. "Before I go… I know you lost your necklace during the last attack."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a small velvet box.
My heart stopped.
He opened it.
Inside was a ring.
A dark emerald gemstone—deep and stormy, like his eyes. The gem was cut to perfection and held in place by golden claws that twisted like vines. The band curled with inky, silver-dusted leaves.
It was… stunning.
"Alex," I breathed. "It's beautiful. But don't you think it's a little much?"
"I thought you might like it."
"Like it? I love it. But you shouldn't have."
"I did," he said simply.
The final bell rang.
"Now you really have to go," I whispered.
"Indeed."
"I'll deal with it on my own," I said, forcing a smile.
"No need for that."
A voice appeared behind him. "Change of plans."
Obrovosky stepped forward, dressed in his ceremonial armor.
"I'll be accompanying the princess while you're away," he said.
Alex gave a small nod. "Take care of her."
"You know I will."
Alex turned to leave.
And before I could overthink it—I moved.
"Alex," I called.
He turned.
I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you," I said softly.
He looked… stunned.
Then smiled.
Just a little.
"I'll see you later," I added, walking back toward Obrovosky.
He looked at me. Looked at the ring. Then back at Alex.
"So it was true what Louise said," he muttered.
"Shut up," I replied.
He smirked.
And I did too.
Because honestly?
This man is going to be the end of me.