Never truly hated humans

Ragnar knocked on the door and peeked inside. Lilith lifted her head and heard him asking if he

could come in. She welcomed him and rose from her seat to allow him entry.

"Please, remain seated," Ragnar insisted, setting a tray on the desk. "I brought you some fruit

custard. I heard you skipped breakfast, and if Apollyon finds out, Zoey might be punished,

despite your request otherwise," he explained, placing the bowl in front of her while taking the

book away.

"Is Apollyon busy with work?" Lilith asked.

"He isn't in the palace and has gone out for some work," Ragnar said as he pulled out the chair

for him and settled on it.

Lilith stirred the spoon into the bowl and began eating the custard.

"You read a lot of pages," Ragnar said as he found she was in the middle of the book. Through

the pages appear blank to him.

"Yet, I couldn't find anything useful for us. The creator of this book has put a lot of brains into

discovering some strange techniques which can be harmful to humans in the long run," Lilith

explained to him.

"Means the sorcerers aren't only evil for the devils, but also the humans," Ragnar stated.

Lilith hummed in response. "However, not everyone can decipher it as Jareth told you all," she

asserted. "I can't fathom why such a book was even created," she added, her face reflecting her

confusion.

"Are you alright? Jareth mentioned that you haven't been feeling well," Ragnar asked with

concern.

"I am well," Lilith faked a smile at him.

"Whatever is going on with you, don't forget to share it with Apollyon," Ragnar advised her.

Lilith acknowledged his suggestion and thanked him for bringing the fruit custard. "I never

thought I would get good treatment from the devils," she remarked and ended up smiling.

"Because you are Apollyon's wife," Ragnar replied. His eyes fell on the crystal pendant around

her neck. "Adam had a huge fight once with Father once regarding this crystal," he suddenly

shared with Lilith.

Intrigued, Lilith listened intently as Ragnar continued, "Father wanted to destroy it, but Apollyon

prevented him. Since then, they hardly see each other," Ragnar stated.

"Why did a devil marry a human? I thought the devils hated humans," Lilith got curious to know.

"Are you asking why Father married Apollyon's mother?" Ragnar queried.

Lilith nodded at him.

"I am the youngest among them. I've heard that Father was infatuated with Apollyon's mother

more than his first wife. So, I believe he never truly hated humans. I don't know what caused

him to develop such animosity towards them now. Nevertheless, we're relieved he's not here,"

Ragnar declared.

Lilith got a doubt, so she opened her mouth to speak. "I was told your mother is more

dangerous for me. Now, you said even your father would not like me as Apollyon's wife," she

asserted.

"Mother doesn't want a human to join the devil's family because of Apollyon's mother.

Meanwhile, Father's hatred towards humans remains an enigma," Ragnar clarified.

"It's all rather complicated," Lilith replied, resuming her meal. She quickly finished the custard

and thanked Ragnar once more. "I do feel better now," she added.

"That's great to hear. Don't skip your meals," Ragnar told her and asked her if she would read

for some more time.

"No, I will take a walk now," Lilith said. "Also, I heard about a feast in the evening. I don't know

many devils except a few. I only know a few devils, so I wonder if they'll harbor any ill feelings

towards me as Apollyon's wife," she expressed her concern.

Ragnar reassured her, "You needn't worry. Many of them hold you in high regard, and they

respect Apollyon's choice. You are our Queen now."

Lilith felt better to hear those words and her heart fluttered when Ragnar said she was

Apollyon's choice.

"You behave like a true Queen. When you scolded both Jareth and Apollyon, we got to see that.

You are incredible, Lilith," Ragnar complimented her fearless and strong-willed nature.

"Fears increase worries," Lilith said. She stood up from her seat and went toward the door.

Ragnar also followed her and the two left the study chamber.

"I can see why Apollyon says he loves you," Ragnar said.

Lilith gazed at him with inquisitiveness as she heard his answer.

"You speak your mind," Ragnar replied.

"Honesty is the best treasure one can have," Lilith replied.

"I agree," Ragnar acknowledged her thoughts.

~~~~~~

Apollyon looked at the letters and wondered if he should share with Lilith about her mother. "She

will be devastated to know her mother was not dead," he murmured, confusion occupied his

mind.

Karin knocked on the door and walked in. "Your Majesty, I searched the entire house. I found

nothing important," he informed Apollyon and saw the letters on the desk.

"Hmm. Go to the carriage," Apollyon said. Karin followed the command and walked away.

Apollyon closed the crystal box and put all the letters into a big envelope. He walked out of the

room and got into the carriage. Karin closed the door and instructed the chauffeur to drive the

carriage.

Apollyon fell into deep contemplation as he tried to relate things. "Is her mother one of the

sorcerers? But this turquoise crystal belonged to a clan of which my mother was also a part

once," he muttered.

Apollyon didn't want to meet his father because only he could answer his questions and solve

half of his problems. "No, I won't see Father. He and I already are in an unfavorable

relationship," he decided and looked out of the window.

The carriage suddenly came to a halt in the middle of the way. Apollyon dashed out of the

carriage and saw a woman in front of him. Apollyon furrowed his brows together because the

woman resembled the description that Lilith gave him: the woman she saw in her dreams.

Karin told the woman to get away from the way when she gazed into his eyes. "Stay back if you

don't wish to die," the woman sternly said, her tone intimidating enough for him.

"Who are you?" Apollyon spoke up.