Chapter 23: Touched his heart

Jareth attempted to read Lilith's thoughts, but could not enter her mind. He chuckled because

Apollyon used the magic to prevent her mind from being read. Ragnar narrowly glanced at him,

wondering why Jareth chuckled.

"Lilith, if Elena sees you, just tell her what you feel for Apollyon till now. You did not do any

crime. We cannot rule out this fact that you were the one, who woke Apollyon up, in turn, all the

devils," Ragnar proclaimed, passing her a smile.

Jareth's brows creased. "Are you also in the league to protect our sister-in-law?" he queried. His

eyes squinted in suspicion.

"Yes," Ragnar replied. "We cannot let her get harmed when she holds so much significance in

Apollyon's life. For thousands of years he never showed interest in women around him," he

explained to Jareth.

Jareth snickered to hear his words. "He is bound by blood to Lilith. Nothing more. If she hadn't

offered blood mistakenly that day, Apollyon would not have even known of her existence," he

proclaimed.

Lilith felt Jareth would humiliate her more, so she decided to take her leave, but Ragnar stopped

her. Instead, he requested Jareth to leave. "Lilith is here to talk with me and you are making it

uncomfortable for her," he asserted.

"I am only making her see the reality of which she's unaware," Jareth declared, bringing the

chalice close to his mouth.

"I have to be honest with Elena. So, I will follow that. Thank you, Ragnar, for giving me your

time," Lilith said. She was ready to leave when she heard Jareth speak.

"Lilith, if Elena asks you what you will choose between humans and Apollyon, your answer

should be my brother," Jareth opined.

Lilith nodded her head slightly and left the drawing room.

"Weren't you too harsh on her?" Ragnar inquired.

"I only showed her the mirror. Also, she is misunderstanding Apollyon, so clearing that up was

necessary," Jareth stated.

"So, you want a change in heart in Lilith," Ragnar said.

"Yes. She is the Queen of Azuria. We cannot kill her... not anymore. Also, our dear brother is

madly in love with her," Jareth affirmed, placing the chalice on the table before them.

"That's a change of thoughts in you for Lilith," Ragnar remarked. "I was thinking if someone

harms Lilith will it affect Apollyon as well?" he inquired.

"Yes. I wonder why sorcerers used a way to awaken Apollyon. They didn't have thought a

human, specifically a girl, would ever go to that cave. Perhaps they used it as a solution, so that

in the future, they could use a human against the devils. That's my assumption," Jareth

concluded and hoped Lilith would not become Apollyon's weakness in the future.

~~~~~

Lilith strolled in the royal garden for a while with Zoey. "You were right. Ragnar is better than

Jareth. The conversation went well until Jareth came and I decided to leave," she proclaimed.

Her fingers grazed over the white petals of the flower.

"However, Jareth told me something about Apollyon," Lilith stated.

"What does Her Majesty mean?" Zoey inquired.

"A misunderstanding which I had for Apollyon," Lilith replied.

"Isn't that great?" Zoey looked excited and advised Lilith she should accept Apollyon

wholeheartedly. "Everyone in the palace knows that the King and the Queen never

consummated their marriage." The sudden revelation shocked Lilith and she promptly turned to

Zoey.

"Is it true?" Lilith asked. "But the sheet had the blood," she muttered and confusedly asked her

why everyone was quiet about it.

"Because we all know that the King will punish us," Zoey affirmed, keeping her voice low. "I

hope the Queen will not run away from her marital duties anymore," she asserted.

"How am I supposed to do that? I do not like him," Lilith asserted.

Zoey told Lilith that's what women were taught. Whomever they would get married to, they had

to serve their husbands. "Her Majesty needs to take the steps toward her husband before

someone else takes that place," she humbly opined.

"I cannot do that. I have no problem if another woman approaches him," Lilith proclaimed.

"How long does Her Majesty want to stay that way with His Majesty? The King is nice to her.

Even some humans do not treat their women that way. The Queen needs to understand what

the King wants isn't only her presence, but something more," Zoey asserted without hesitating.

"I will try," to keep Zoey's heart Lilith lied.

Zoey smiled to hear her response and asked her if she would like to take some flowers.

"No. I don't wish to pluck them," Lilith said and they headed into the palace. She got to see more

devils today than the rest of the day. Though they all looked like humans, recognition was

possible only through the headband they would wear with a star metallic symbol attached to its

center.

"Your Majesty, lunchtime is near. Miss Elena will show her presence in the dining hall," Zoey

informed Lilith, who suddenly turned nervous. Ragnar had told her to be herself in front of

Elena, but it seemed difficult too.

"Lilith!" Apollyon pronounced her name, making her halt in her way. She turned around, her

eyes carried gentleness because of what Jareth shared with her earlier. However, she decided

to keep it hidden from him.

"My work is over," Apollyon her after he finally approached her. "Well, I asked Elena we cannot

have lunch together. My wife needs to spend time with me," he stated, smirking at her.

Lilith didn't expect this to happen. She felt better. Her nervousness had come to an end.

"Let's go," Apollyon said as he held Lilith's hand gently. She didn't protest this time and walked

along with him.

"Did you enjoy the garden view?" Apollyon inquired.

"Yes, I did," Lilith replied. "Your work ended soon. Did you ditch it? Is the King supposed to do

that?" she asked.

"I had less work today. Not all days I am busy at work for the entire day. You are forgetting that a

kingdom has a well-established administration. The King needs to take decisions on certain

matters only," Apollyon explained to her.

"Your house renovation will start tomorrow. He met with the chief house designer earlier,"

Apollyon asserted.

"Thank you, Apollyon," Lilith said with a warm and grateful smile.

Apollyon felt strange and happier since Lilith never showed gratitude in that way. Her words

were simple, but they touched his heart.

"I am glad you liked my effort," Apollyon stated.