Vampire's Veil Of Obsession-Chapter 29: Punishment

Lilia's eyes fluttered open slowly, the sunlight filtering through the slightly parted curtains casting a golden glow on her skin. The warmth of the light painted delicate patterns on her face, but her usually lazy eyes struggled to adjust.

She blinked a few times, her lashes brushing against her cheeks as she willed her mind to wake. Her body felt unusually heavy, and for a brief moment, she wondered if she had dreamt the horrors of the previous night.

But reality quickly set in.

Her breath hitched as she shifted her hand, only to feel a sharp, stinging ache shoot through it. She winced and glanced down. A white bandage wrapped snugly around her hand served as a silent reminder of the night before. Memories came flooding back—fragmented and hazy, but vivid enough to make her heart race. Zethan. She remembered being in his arms, his strong frame a strange source of comfort, before everything faded into darkness.

Something felt off. Her unease grew as she forced herself upright in bed, but the sudden movement caused her injured hand to throb painfully. She hissed softly, clutching it instinctively. The bandage, stained faintly at the edges, was a painful testament to the pressure she had unwittingly applied.

Her mind spiraled. What had really happened after she passed out? She also recalled the grotesque face of the old man who had cornered her, his foul breath lingering in her memory like a stain. Her stomach churned. What if Zethan hadn't come? What if that man had taken her somewhere even darker, even worse?

Her body shuddered involuntarily at the thought. The image of the old man's chapped lips curling into a twisted grin made her grip the sheets tightly. A wave of disgust and fear washed over her, leaving her feeling raw and vulnerable.

For a brief moment, an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Zethan enveloped her. He had arrived just in time, saving her from a fate she dared not imagine. Despite everything she thought she knew about him, despite her instinct to avoid him, she couldn't deny that he had been there when she needed him most.

But still... why did he save me? Her thoughts flickered back to his piercing eyes, the way he had held her so effortlessly, and the deep timbre of his voice that somehow silenced the chaos within her.

A soft knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts.

Read 𝓁at𝙚st chapters at ƒrēenovelkiss.com Only.

"Good morning, Miss Lilia," a gentle voice called from the other side before the door creaked open. Evie entered, bowing respectfully. Her expression was calm but observant, her professional demeanor a sharp contrast to the turmoil swirling in Lilia's mind.

"Good morning, Evie," Lilia replied, her voice soft but steady.

Evie offered a faint smile. "I hope you slept well."

Lilia hesitated. "Yes, I did," she said, though the words felt hollow. "How was your night?"

Evie blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting the question. "My night was good, thank you for asking, Miss Lilia," she replied politely.

Lilia nodded again, though her thoughts were elsewhere. She barely registered Evie's next words until they broke through her haze.

"Last night, the doctor came to check on you," Evie explained. "He said you've been under a lot of stress lately. He recommended an exercise routine for the week, as well as eating more fruits and drinking plenty of water. It'll help with your recovery."

Lilia stared at her bandaged hand, her lips pressing into a thin line. The care she was receiving felt foreign. No one had ever taken the time to look after her health, let alone suggest ways to help her heal. It was strange. This place, as dangerous as it seemed, held an odd sense of safety.

"Thank you, Evie," Lilia murmured, her voice softer than before.

"The essentials are in the bathroom if you need to reapply the bandage. If you can't, I can help," Evie said slowly.

"It's fine, I can manage on my own," Lilia replied, nodding.

Evie nodded, her professionalism never faltering. "I've already prepared your bath. Breakfast is ready in the dining hall whenever you're ready to join us."

"Thank you," Lilia repeated.

Evie hesitated briefly, as though she wanted to say more, but ultimately turned and left the room. The door clicked softly behind her, leaving Lilia alone with her thoughts once again.

She stood slowly, her body stiff and sore. The weight of last night's events pressed heavily on her, but she forced herself to push it aside. Right now, she needed to focus on taking care of herself.

The bathroom was warm and inviting, the steam from the prepared bath curling in soft tendrils through the air. Lilia stepped into the tub, the water soothing her tense muscles. She leaned back, letting the heat seep into her skin. It was a small comfort, but one she desperately needed.

By the time she stepped out, she felt marginally lighter, as though some of the weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She dried herself off and dressed in a simple baggy top paired with a matching maxi skirt. The outfit was modest, but it hugged her figure in a way that accentuated her natural elegance.

Gathering her wavy hair, she tied it back into a neat ponytail, leaving a few strands to frame her face. She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a long moment. Her golden-brown eyes stared back, tinged with uncertainty but also a quiet resolve.

As she made her way downstairs, the scent of freshly prepared food filled the air. The dining area was already bustling with activity. Staff moved efficiently, arranging the meals under Evie's watchful eye.

From her position, Lilia could see the variety of dishes laid out. It was clear that Evie had gone out of her way to ensure everything was perfect. Though Lilia knew it was part of her job, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth at the attention to detail.

Evie noticed her and immediately stepped forward, pulling out a chair for her. Lilia hesitated for a moment before sitting down.

As she began eating, Evie spoke, her tone calm and professional. "Miss Lilia, I'd like you to finish at least a full glass of water after every meal. It'll help with your recovery."

Lilia glanced up at her, noting the faint smile on her face. "Alright," she said softly, taking a sip of water before returning to her meal.

The fruit salad was fresh and perfectly sweet, and Lilia couldn't help but savor it. Everything about this place seemed meticulously crafted, and though she had her reservations, she found herself appreciating the care and effort.

But her mind refused to stay at ease.

Even though it wasn't Evie's responsibility, Lilia felt compelled to ask, "How long has Zethan been gone?"

Evie's expression remained calm. "Miss Lilia, Mr. Zethan left last night. However, since it's not within my duties, I don't know much about his schedule."

Lilia nodded. Of course, this was the same answer Evie had given her before, but at least this time, she'd shared a small detail. As Lilia smiled softly in response, her body suddenly tensed, and a realization hit her.

Her chest tightened inexplicably. Why am I even asking about him? The thought startled her. Why am I thinking about him? And worse, why am I worried?

She shook her head, trying to dismiss the growing unease. I just want to thank him for saving me, that's all. But a nagging voice in the back of her mind whispered otherwise.

Lilia frowned, annoyed at her own thoughts. Shut up, she told herself, smacking her forehead lightly in frustration.

Her inner conflict deepened, and without thinking, she raised her hand and smacked her forehead again, as though trying to silence the voices in her head.

Suddenly, she became aware of the eyes on her. Everyone in the room was staring at her—both Evie and the others, who had added more dishes to the table. Their expressions were a mixture of surprise and concern. Embarrassed, Lilia quickly cleared her throat, she avoided their gazes and focused on her plate. Her cheeks burned, as she silently berated herself. What's wrong with you, Lilia? Get it together.

As she continued eating, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The footsteps were deliberate, unhurried, yet each one felt like a drumbeat echoing through her chest. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Her breath hitched as the sound grew louder, closer. Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she clenched her hands beneath the table, willing her heart to calm.

"Lilia, control your heartbeat," her inner voice whispered desperately.

Then, Evie stepped aside, bowing respectfully before exiting the dining hall.

Lilia didn't need confirmation. She knew exactly who had entered.

She kept her gaze fixed downward, her fingers trembling slightly as she toyed with a piece of fruit. The tension in the room was palpable, and she could feel his presence without looking.

Zethan finally sat down, his movements deliberate and composed. He leaned back in his chair, his long legs crossing with an air of casual authority.

His gaze shifted lazily, taking in the room before landing on her. Lilia felt his eyes linger, their weight almost tangible.

Why me? she thought, her stomach twisting.

A low, dry chuckle broke the silence, dark and unreadable.

"Not even a good morning?" he asked, his deep voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Lilia hesitated before raising her head, her golden-brown eyes meeting his. "Good morning," she said quietly, her tone calm despite the rapid thumping of her heart.

Zethan gave a small nod, his expression unreadable.

She fought the urge to roll her eyes. He had pointed out her lack of greeting, yet when she offered it, he barely acknowledged it. A flash of annoyance sparked within her, but she swallowed it down.

Then, his tone shifted, becoming suddenly serious.

"I'm thinking of a punishment."

Punishment? Lilia's eyes shot to him, wide with alarm. Who could have possibly provoked him? Who would dare to make Zethan think of such a thing? A flicker of pity stirred within her—for the poor, unfortunate soul who had drawn his ire. Whoever you are, you've just dug your own grave.

Zethan leaned forward, his gaze sharp and unrelenting, shadows dancing in his eyes.

"I discovered that one of my favorite black flowers has been damaged."

Lilia's breath hitched. Black flower? Her chest tightened as realization dawned.

No... it can't be. But it could. It had to be.

Her mind reeled back to last night—when she'd made that frantic escape attempt. Her stomach churned as a vivid image surfaced: her foot crushing the delicate petals of that ominous flower.

Oh no.

Dread coiled around her like a tightening noose. She wasn't just the witness to this punishment. She was its architect.

It seemed the grave she'd pitied another for... had been her own all along.