Her green eyes, her scent, her soft touchāyet behind all that beauty was the deep, psychotic look she always hid behind a veil of calm.
How could he not notice?
How could he ever not?
Even suffering minor backlash from the remnants of his shadow clone being shredded before it could safely dissolve, not even the sickness spreading through his soul dulled his senses toward her.
He saw itāthe faint shimmer in her eyes. A tear that didn't fall.
Her gaze said exactly what his did.
I've missed you.
Damon smiled faintly.
Her eyes also told him: Don't go dying on me. We have work to do.
That thought alone was enough to empower him. Their hands were already interlocked before either of them realized it.
Lilith had to suppress the urge to crush him in a hug.
She was probably thinking the exact same thing he was.
'Why are you always getting into troubleā¦'
His expression remained hidden beneath his hood.
'Drama just loves me.'
The Grand Duke, who'd frozen just a moment earlier, turned to face her.
"Ahhā¦ You are the granddaughter of the old witch Astranova. You've inherited her scheming eyes."
Lilith bowed gracefully.
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace. While I have visited this estate many times, I have not yet had the honor of meeting you."
Behind the Grand Duke, his son Cassian barely suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.
'Probably because he's been a shut-in for nineteen years.'
Still, his gaze lingered on their joined hands.
"Lady Astranova, I believe there's no need to hold Damon's hand anymore. He stumbled, yes, but I'm sure he's recovered by now."
Lilith glanced sideways at Damon.
'Why are you always getting involved with dangerous people?'
Cassian was one of the few individuals she actually dreaded meeting. And for good reasonāthe man was a devil. His father wasn't much better.
She smiled sweetly, her tone light, but her meaning unmistakable.
"I'd love to, but I can't take the risk of him stumbling again. What if he gets hurt?"
Plainly putāhe's mine. And she said it with all the politeness of a well-raised noblewoman.
Sylvia's cold stare narrowed sharply. Her fingers itched toward her blade, hidden in her dress..
She wanted to be the one holding his hand.
Why did Lilith Astranova have to appear now, of all times?
---
Lilith bowed again.
"Apologies for the intrusion, Your Grace, but I happened to chance upon an invitation stating all nobles in the region were required to attend."
She smiled like an innocent maiden.
"It would've been rude to disregard the will of House Brightwaterā¦since I happened to be in the region."
The Grand Duke almost scoffed.
Of course. The granddaughter of that space-witch wouldn't miss a loophole. She found a perfect excuse to barge ināand now, he couldn't do a thing to stop her.
Not that he was planning to.
Unlessā¦ she's here to cause trouble.
He could still faintly hear knights scrambling through his wing. Searching for an intruder that no longer existed.
He'd deal with that later.
Right now, his focus was on the Astranova girlāand why she refused to let go of his grandson's hand.
Cassian stepped forward.
"I see. Well then, we're honored by your presence, Lady Astranova. We were just celebrating the return of Evangeline and her companions."
Lilith felt Damon squeeze her hand tightly.
A silent signal.
He didn't want to be here anymore.
'Good thing I didn't bring Luna and Irisā¦'
And the reason he wasn't responding directly?
Because he trusted her to handle it.
She also noticed the faint smear of blood under Damon's nose, hastily wiped but not gone.
The Grand Duke moved forward slightly.
"Are you alright, boy? You're bleeding."
Damon didn't lift his head.
"Yesā¦ Happens sometimes. Relapse from an old wound. I'll be fine."
The Grand Duke frowned.
"Call all the healers."
Damon didn't flinch.
But Lilith did.
All the healers?
Something was off. Wasn't that too much.
Damon shook his head.
"It's fine."
His voice was coldādisinterested.
"There's no need to make a big deal out of nothing."
He glanced at Lilith, squeezing her hand again.
She turned toward the Grand Duke, her tone graceful but resolute.
"I have a confession to make, Your Graceā¦ Truthfully, while I was in the region, it was because I had come to welcome Damon back."
She lowered her head, cheeks flushing with a deceptive blush.
"Weā¦ haveā¦ history. He's someone Iāand the Astranova familyāhave had our eyes on for a very long time. Naturally, he's with me."
Evangeline almost gasped. Did she seriously use her family's name as leverage.
Lilith's expression said one thing. Her words said another.
It was subtleābut deliberate. She implied something but never admitted it.
With her face, she implied they were romantically involved.
With her words, she implied the Astranova family had staked their claim on Damon long before House Brightwater ever noticed him.
But she also never confirmed anything.
Everything was open to interpretation.
Sylvia's eyes could've turned wine to ice with that glare.
Around the ballroom, murmurs rippled out. Some expressions warped with disbelief, others with irritation.
In the Valtheron Empire, the woman with the most suitors was undoubtedly Lilith Astranova. Second place went to Princess Abellona.
How could anyone not be in love with Lilith Astranova?
Graceful. Brilliant. A beauty that could topple cities.
For the young nobles, she was an impossible dream.
And now, she claimed a commoner?
Allegedly.
Naturally, the more hot-headed ones were boiling with indignation.
Having jumped to conclusions.
Lilith bowed before the Grand Duke.
"With your permission, I will escort him to a quiet chamber to rest. It would be regrettable if he collapsed amidst such esteemed companyā¦ at least until the toast."
The Grand Duke glanced between Damon and Lilith, then gave a reluctant nod.
"Very well. Be sure to return for the toast."
Lilith nodded once, then slowly pulled Damon with her toward the exit.
The moment they were far enough, she would teleport them out and fabricate some excuseāa sudden emergency, perhaps.
No one would question it. Damon's nosebleed was real enough to serve as evidence.
As they walked hand-in-hand toward the exitā
A mocking voice rang out behind them.
"Lord Ascendantā¦ Leaving so soon?"
Lilith didn't need to turn around.
She already knew.
Just another arrogant noble with too much pride and not enough wisdom.
"I must admit, I was eager to see the famed commoner who earned the Grand Duke's favor. But to see him retreat mid-ballā¦ it's disappointing."
The young man's smirk emboldened others around him.
"Why not show your peers how powerful you really are? We'd love to see a small duel."
Damon glanced at Lilith, letting out a sigh.
Beautiful women are the root of all problems.