I am your dream man

As Lilith fixed her unwavering gaze on Apollyon, she spoke with a confident and defiant tone,

"That will not happen."

Apollyon, intrigued by her response, inquired, "But what if it does?"

Lilith's determination remained steadfast as she replied firmly, "In that event, I will accept you as

my husband and openly admit my feelings for you."

Apollyon smiled to hear her response. "I like your confidence," he remarked. "Your confidence is

admirable," he remarked. "Do you partake in wine?" he asked, changing the subject.

"I do not," Lilith answered.

Apollyon explained, "During the feast, tradition dictates that we drink together. However, I won't

pressure you to do so if you decline."

Lilith nodded and replied, "A single glass is acceptable for me."

Curiosity getting the better of her, Lilith asked, "Will you try to intoxicate me? Is that how you

plan to manipulate my thoughts? I thought you play fair when it comes even if you desire to

win."

As she observed Apollyon, his laughter filled the air, a sound that brought a sense of joy she

hadn't experienced in a long time. Intrigued by his reaction, she questioned if her statement was

so absurd that it made him laugh.

Amidst his laughter, Apollyon reassured her, "I don't engage in such petty schemes. If I want to

hear your confession, I prefer you to be in your right mind. Such intoxication games are loved by

humans, not devils like me," he clarified.

"Well, since you can't drink wine, I'll drink on your behalf. There's no need for you to consume

something you don't enjoy," Apollyon advised, displaying a considerate side to his nature.

"I can drink but not more than one glass. You need not drink on my behalf," Lilith told him and

rose to her feet. "I think it's already time for lunch," she looked toward the door wondering why

Zoey didn't come to inform them.

"There is still time for lunch. I thought we would converse for a while. I enjoy our interaction,"

Apollyon said as he urged her to sit again.

"I am hungry. We have more conversations than the rest of the days. Let's go and have lunch,"

Lilith said. She didn't tell him she couldn't eat in the morning because he wasn't around.

Apollyon acknowledged her request and stood up. They both exited the drawing room. "Did you

not enjoy breakfast without me? I thought I was your sworn enemy whom you would like to

avoid all the time?" he asked her in a way that could confirm how Lilith was affected by his

presence.

"Are you mocking me for calling you an enemy earlier? I told you I misunderstood you all the

time. I thought you forgave me already," Lilith stated, wondering if her false accusations hurt

him.

"I didn't mock you," Apollyon chuckled. "Don't misinterpret my words," he clarified as they

entered the dining hall. He seated her and informed her that he would ask the servant outside to

bring lunch for them.

Lilith tapped her fingers on the armrest of the chair as she contemplated how she had to act

neutral despite his advances on her. Her inner voice questioned why she had decided not to

admit her feelings in the face of his affectionate gestures.

"Perhaps I am scared," Lilith murmured.

"Scared of?" Apollyon asked as he took the master seat.

"Nothing," Lilith replied.

"You can share with me," Apollyon affirmed and placed the napkin on his lap. "What are you

scared of? Do you still believe that I will be harmed because you plucked the black flower?" he

queried, waiting patiently for her answer.

"I was thinking of something else," Lilith replied. "Trust me," she stated.

"Very well," Apollyon didn't press her further. "How did your mother die?" he suddenly asked,

which made Lilith puzzle.

"Why do you ask?" Lilith inquired.

"You also love to know about my past, so I thought to know yours," Apollyon answered.

"Father said it was an illness," Lilith replied. "He treated so many people in his life yet he could

not save his own wife. He has that regret too," she stated and lowered her eyes recalling how

her father would miss her mother.

"I asked my Father once why he didn't marry another woman. He was twenty-five years old

when my mother passed away," Lilith briefed him.

"He must have loved your mother so much that he didn't wish to marry another woman,"

Apollyon opined.

"Yes. That's why I always desired a husband who had my father's qualities," Lilith stated, a smile

carving on her lips.

"Believe me, I am your dream man," Apollyon confidently said. "You cannot deny the fact how

many women I have encountered all these years, but none captured my attention the way you

do," he proclaimed.

"That's because we share a history. We share a blood bond," Lilith stated.

"Again, you are wrong. I share my destiny with you. Indeed, your blood awakened me but that

also happened because you were my destined bride. Someday you'll believe me and embrace

me with your love," Apollyon stated with a tiny smile on his lips.

Lilith always admired his confidence in pursuing her all the time. While she wanted those

feelings to be his true ones, the blood bond they had would scare her at times. What if he

stopped loving her? What if he would not be thoughtful of her? What if he started loving another

woman?

Indeed, her questions were selfish now, but if she had to think of a cause why she acted

hesitant to accept his love, then those unanswered questions were the reasons.

"Do you find my eyes beautiful?" His question brought Lilith out of her thoughts and she blinked

several times. "You stare a lot at me. Don't you know we stare at those whom we love?" he

arched his eyebrow in amusement and grinned at her.

Lilith ended up smiling at his statement. "You have ways to coax women. Sadly, you need to

work hard to make my heart flutter for you," she stated.

"I will, Lilith. I am good at swaying women's hearts," Apollyon asserted.