The Cursed Demon Prince-Chapter 250: Not the end, Just the beginning

Everything was moved to the ballroom, which was just as beautifully decorated. Long tables were covered with a wide variety of foods, pastries, and drinks. Soft music echoed through the hall, blending with laughter and lively conversations.

Charlotte picked up a slice of cake, placing it on a small plate. She took a bite and moaned softly at the rich, indulgent taste. She couldn’t help herself, each bite somehow tasted even better than the last.

As she lifted the final piece to her lips, a hand grazed her backside.

Startled, she nearly dropped the plate.

"Viktor," she whispered, her body already reacting to his touch.

With a mischievous grin, he leaned closer, shocking her further by brushing his lips briefly against hers before pulling away.

"Chocolate," he murmured, eyes gleaming. "I like that."

Her eyes widened.

"You had something on your lips."

Charlotte was thoroughly flustered. "You are insufferable," she muttered. "Can you keep your hands to yourself? At least while we’re in public."

He chuckled. "I can most definitely keep my hands to myself," he said lightly, "but I’m not so certain about my lips."

She shot him a glare.

Viktor laughed, lifting his hands in mock surrender.

Rolling her eyes, Charlotte placed the plate back on the table. She had completely lost her appetite, Viktor had managed to unsettle her yet again.

"It’s already late," he said. "Aren’t you going to retire?"

"No, not yet. I’m very much alive for the rest of the evening," she replied dryly. "I’ll retire when I feel tired." She glanced at him. "What about you?"

"I’m actually getting tired," he admitted, "but as generous as I am, I’ll keep you company until you’re ready to return to your chambers."

She scoffed, leaning lightly against the table as her gaze drifted across the ballroom.

"Oh, look. Your mother seems to be having quite a bit of fun with Lucian."

Viktor followed her gaze to the far corner of the room. Lucian and Vanessa stood close, deep in conversation. He noticed Vanessa nervously toying with a loose strand of hair.

His eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me," he said. "I’ll be back shortly."

He gave Charlotte a brief smile before walking toward them.

The moment Vanessa noticed him approaching, she stiffened like a child caught misbehaving. Lucian subconsciously stepped away, straightening the collar of his coat.

"Ah," Viktor drawled, eyes flicking between them, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You both seem to be having quite an entertaining conversation."

"I...no, not at all," Lucian replied quickly. "We were just discussing... youthful experiences. Nothing particularly interesting." He let out a laugh that sounded slightly strained.

Viktor found himself oddly amused. Seeing Lucian, usually so composed, flustered was unexpectedly fascinating.

"Oh," he said lightly. "How unfortunate. I truly thought it might have been."

They all laughed, though the air felt tense beneath it.

"Well," Lucian said after a moment, "I should check on the king. I’ll see you later." He bowed slightly to both of them and quickly walked away.

They watched him disappear into the crowd.

Viktor turned to his mother. "Do you like him?"

The question caught her completely off guard. Her eyes widened, mouth falling open.

"Oh my... why would you even ask that?" she exclaimed. "Good heavens, Viktor. I’ve only just properly met the man. I couldn’t possibly like him."

Viktor’s smirk widened. "So you don’t like him?" he pressed, arching a brow.

"I... no, I do not," she replied quickly. "Why would you even assume such a thing?"

"I didn’t assume anything," Viktor said calmly. "I was merely asking a question, Vanessa."

"Well, you have your answer," she said, smoothing her dress. "If you’ll excuse me, I need to find something to eat. I’m famished."

With that, she turned and walked away.

"’I’m also famished. I’m coming with you."

Vanessa turned abruptly, fixing Viktor with a sharp look. "No, you will do no such thing. Don’t follow me."

He lifted his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I’ll leave you to eat in peace. I should return to Lucy anyway, she’s probably waiting for me."

Vanessa exhaled softly. "That’s wonderful. You should do that."

As he passed her, Viktor leaned in just enough to whisper, "You know what I think? I think you do like Lucian."

Before she could respond, he winked and walked away, leaving her standing there, heart racing as she struggled to regain her composure.

Hades and Lilith stood together conversing with a few bailiffs and their wives, well, Lilith was. Hades mostly stood behind her, listening and adding a word or two when necessary. He had little interest in conversation at the moment. His hand remained clasped in hers, his thumb slowly stroking the back of her palm.

His gaze shifted to the clock before he leaned in. "One hour is up, my love," he whispered, straightening to his full height. "Do excuse us. My wife and I must retire for the night."

Their company bid them goodnight as they walked away.

"You are an impatient man, Your Majesty," Lilith said softly at his side.

"I’ve never been known for patience, my love," he replied as he led her out of the ballroom. His eyes briefly locked with Lucian’s, a silent message passing between them. Lucian nodded in understanding.

They strolled back toward the main castle, heading for their chambers, when Hades suddenly stopped. Lilith turned to him, curious.

"What is it?"

"We won’t be returning to our chambers just yet," he said. "There’s something I want to show you."

Her brows furrowed. "What is that?"

"You’ll have to see it for yourself."

She didn’t question him further, simply following as he led her to the library. At first, everything appeared normal. She turned to ask him why they were there, then froze, her eyes widening.

"It’s good to see you too, Lilith."

The words caught in her throat as she stared at the moggly seated proudly atop the table.

"Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed, rushing forward. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you." She lifted the creature and hugged it tightly. "It’s been so long."

She gently set him back on the table, still smiling. "How is it possible that you’re here? What happened?"

"Well," Grim began with a small smile, "I came back for my master. A moggly cannot survive without one. I was given a choice to remain here with him forever or become rogue. I have no intention of becoming rogue and suffering in the underworld, so I chose to return."

"That’s lovely. I’m truly happy to have you here with us, forever."

"Not us, Lilith. Just my master. I’m solely here for him," Grim teased.

Lilith rolled her eyes, smiling. "Oh, I see. I almost forgot how nice you were," she said sarcastically.

"I would have been nicer if you hadn’t hit me with a broomstick."

Lilith laughed. "Oh my, you still remember that? I already apologized for it. I was scared of you, you can’t hold that against me."

"Oh, I can..."

"I think that’s enough," Hades interrupted, draping an arm over her shoulders. "My wife and I have to leave. We have other matters to attend to."

"Very well, Your Majesty," Grim said with a bow. "We shall continue this discussion another time, Lilith."

She chuckled softly, shaking her head as they walked out of the library. "Where are we going now?"

"I have another surprise for you," Hades replied simply.

She wanted to ask what it was, but decided to wait and see for herself. Her heart thudded with anticipation as they made their way down through the crypt and into the cave beyond. As they drew closer to the waterfall, Lilith’s mouth fell open at the sight before her.

Flowers, countless varieties were arranged neatly along a winding path.

She followed it to a beautiful white cloth spread near the bank, adorned with an array of foods, all her favorites. At the center rested a stunning golden crown, encrusted with shimmering diamonds. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Hades stepped ahead of her and lifted the crown. "I want to make you my queen, the Queen of Valeria," he said softly. "I want you by my side as we rule together."

Slowly, reverently, he placed the crown upon her head.

"In the eyes of the gods and our ancestors," he said, smiling at her with love shining in his eyes, "you are now the Queen of Valeria."

Lilith rose onto her toes and claimed his lips in a deep, consuming kiss. Hades responded instantly, kissing her back with even greater passion. Without breaking the kiss, he slipped the crown from his head and tossed it aside, then gently removed hers as well, letting it fall to the ground as his mouth never left hers.

His hands roamed her body, pulling her flush against the rough stone wall. She gasped softly as her legs wrapped around his waist, feeling the unmistakable hardness of his desire pressing against her.

"I don’t want to ruin your dress," Hades whispered against her lips, his voice thick with restraint, "but gods help me, I cannot wait another second to undress you."

Her breathing grew uneven as she leaned her head back against the wall, her fingers tightening in his hair. "Neither can I," she murmured breathlessly. "You’ll have to take me in the dress, then."

Her words and the way she said them did something primal to him. His eyes darkened, desire blazing through them as his jaw clenched.

"Have I told you how much I love you?" he asked softly.

Lilith smiled, her lips swollen from his kisses. "Not nearly enough."

A low laugh left him as he leaned closer. "That needs to change."

He kissed her again. "I..." a kiss.

"Love..." another.

"You..." deeper still.

"So fucking much."

"And I love you, Your Majesty," Lilith whispered in return, capturing his lips once more as her fingers tangled deeper in his hair.