The Cursed Demon Prince-Chapter 224: On The Bench

Lilith wrapped her hand around Hades’ arm as they slowly strode down the path of the castle leading to where the cherry blossom tree had been. The evening breeze surrounded them with its chill, the leaves of the trees swaying lightly in its movement. The clouds covered the sun up in the sky. It was nice weather this evening, and it was even better with Hades by her side.

"Are you alright?"

Lilith looked up to see him staring down at her. "Yes, I am very alright. How about you?"

Hades smiled. "Wonderful. Are you cold? I could give you my coat if you are."

She patted him on the arm. "I’m not cold. Do keep your coat on."

They continued forward until they finally reached their destination. Everything was exactly as it had been except for the remains of the burned-down tree. A once beautiful sight filled with pink petals and a delicious scent was now replaced with a dull scene, the smell of burnt wood lingering in the air.

Lilith held his hand and pulled him toward the bench where they both sat down, at first in silence, her fingers drawing circles on the back of his palm while Hades looked up at the remains. She could see the sadness lingering in his eyes, and it made her heart squeeze. Oh, how she wished she could reverse the hands of time to save his precious tree from ever being destroyed.

"This is no longer a comforting sight. More depressing, if you ask me," Hades said, his voice teasing.

Lilith chuckled lightly. "I agree," she said, unsure of what else to say. She wanted to comfort him but didn’t know how.

"It’s best if it’s all brought down. It will look much better than this. What do you think?" He turned to her.

Lilith’s eyes widened slightly, surprised by his words. "You want the rest of it gone?"

"Yes. I don’t think this is any better. I want it all cut down and something else planted there. Don’t you think so?"

She swallowed. "That will be nice." Lilith paused. "What would you like to be planted there? The same tree?"

"Gods, no," he chuckled. "Something different. I really don’t care what it is. I just need this place to be covered again, that’s all."

"Oh, that’s lovely. That will be beautiful," Lilith replied, her lips pressed together in a straight line. "Are you alright?" she questioned.

"Yes, of course. It’s just that..." His eyes trailed off ahead. "I can’t help but think of all the damage Zal has done to my people...the people he hurt and killed." His throat tightened. "I have failed to protect them, to uphold my stand as their Lord and leader. I knew this was a possible outcome, and still... still, I let it happen. I let everyone around me down, murdered my own people whom I’m meant to lay my life down for."

Lilith’s heart squeezed even more, the depth of emotional turmoil in his voice caused tears to well up in her eyes. She shifted closer to him, placing her hand on his cheek to guide his face to hers. "Hades, please... don’t do this to yourself. I can’t fully understand what you’re going through, as I’ve never had the responsibility of others on my shoulders, but all I can say is you must not be hard on yourself. None of this is your fault..."

"But it is, Lilith. It is all my fault. I was fully aware of what would happen if the demon took over, and I still gave it the opportunity to keep gaining control over me." His eyes lowered. "I should have been stronger... smarter."

Lilith pulled him to her, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he rested his head in the crook of her neck. Her warmth felt comforting, as always.

"It is not entirely your fault, Hades. I am also to be blamed. I knew what would happen if the demon got out, but I failed to act wisely. I was foolish and thought lightly of the situation. A day hasn’t gone by without the guilt of what happened clawing at my heart."

"It is an awful feeling," Hades murmured.

"It is indeed. But there’s nothing we can do except try to make things right from now on. We can’t go back in time to change the past, but we can fix the present and prepare for the future. The people of Valerie will soon need their king, so you should stop sulking over things you can no longer control."

He lifted his head enough to look at her. "I don’t think I’m fit to be a king."

"Nonsense. You have always been fit enough. Dare I say, you were born to be a king, my dear Hades." Lilith teased, touching his nose lightly with her fingertip.

The prince smiled. "Thank you, Lilith. Amongst everything that has happened to me, you are truly a blessing from the gods in my life. I can’t imagine any other life without you. I want to spend every waking morning showing you how much you mean to me, because words can never fully convey my feelings for you."

Her jaw wobbled as she smiled, trying to keep the tears from spilling from her eyes. "You are the sweetest man I’ve ever known. You are truly so wonderful, and lovely, and beautiful." She laughed softly, pulling Hades into her embrace and hugging him even tighter.

"And you are the sweetest, most wonderful, most beautiful, and kind woman I’ve ever met and I will continue to cherish every second of my very long life with you," Hades murmured into her hair.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes burning with emotion. "I love you so fucking much, Lilith."

Before she could respond, his lips crashed into hers, fierce and unrestrained. His kiss was desperate, biting and sucking on her lips. His hands traced down her back, across her waist, and to her thighs in slow movements that sent shivers through her.

Lilith matched his passion with equal intensity. Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging softly as her body arched closer, molding perfectly into his arms as if she were made to fit there.

Still kissing her, Hades lifted her effortlessly from the bench, guiding her to straddle him, deepening their closeness. The world around them seemed to disappear only the sound of their breathing and the beat of their hearts filled the air.

After a long, breathless moment, their lips parted slightly, both gasping for air, their foreheads resting together.

"We should return to our chambers," Hades whispered, his voice husky, his lips brushing hers. "It’s getting late."

Lilith’s gaze drifted toward the dimming sky. "It is indeed getting late," she said softly, a mischievous smile curving her lips. "How about we take a swim instead?" Her thumb traced his lower lip in a teasing caress.

Hades’s eyes darkened with amusement. "Hmm... you’re right. A swim does sound perfect."

With a low chuckle, he rose from the bench in one swift motion and threw Lilith playfully over his shoulder. Her laughter rang through the quiet evening as he carried her toward the lake.