To His Hell and Back
Chapter 74: Uncomfortable Tea Time-I

Chapter 74: Uncomfortable Tea Time-I

Iliza was impressed by the man she saw; the young man clearly belonged to the castle, the one she was searching for... but she didn’t immediately choose him, knowing that the best person she should latch onto was Cassius. Regardless, she took his help, wrapping her hand around his fingers and demurely looked at him. "Thank you," she let out a soft sigh and rubbed her shoulders, making the impression of a damsel in distress.

"I have done nothing," he answered, and she saw his hands that reached forward, tucking a few hairs behind her ears. "It breaks my heart to see a woman like you being harmed; it really does."

Iliza’s heart was tugged. Not only was this young man a noble but someone with a heart. How is that not such a catch for her?

She answered him with a soft smile, "It’s not something I can escape. The prejudice here is that people don’t tend to treat someone like me kindly."

The young man’s eyes softened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them, perhaps sympathy or something more dangerous. "How cruel," he murmured, his fingers lingering just a moment too long near her ear before retreating. "A woman as beautiful as you should be adorned, not bruised."

Iliza swallowed, tilting her chin down just slightly to maintain the illusion of vulnerability. She had learned long ago that men enjoyed feeling like saviors. "That is kind of you to say," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "But kindness is rare in this place."

The nobleman, whoever he was, let out a soft chuckle, though there was something sharp beneath it. "Rare indeed," he agreed, his eyes tracing her face as though committing it to memory. "You must be careful, dear one. Monsters are lurking in these halls, and I would hate to see you devoured."

A thrill ran down Iliza’s spine at his words. Was this a warning? Or an invitation?

"Then perhaps..." she paused, casting him a coy glance from beneath her lashes, "I need someone to protect me."

He smiled at that, slow and knowing. "Perhaps you do."

Iliza felt a spark of triumph. Yes, this one could be useful. But still... he wasn’t Cassius. And if she wanted to survive, she needed the strongest hand to hold.

For now, though, she allowed herself to bask in the attention, her fingers still lightly curled around his. "May I know your name?" she asked sweetly.

The young man hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Malvo."

"Malvo," she repeated, letting his name roll off her tongue with deliberate softness.

He smirked. "I do hope this won’t be our only encounter, my dear."

Iliza smiled back, her grip tightening ever so slightly. "Neither do I."

Malvo bent his neck slightly before walking away. His smile stayed for a long while as it carried him away from the hallway until he disappeared in the dark. Watching him leave, Iliza held onto her dress tightly. If she ever needs a second choice, Malvo will be the way, she thought in her head eagerly.

After the venture, she doesn’t manage to find Cassius’s room and has no choice but to give up. When she came to the dungeon again, however, she found Donna, who refused to look at her. She would have been nicer to Donna, but Donna was too foolish, her pride was far too strong, and she was sure that Donna wouldn’t be able to survive when the human hunt came around.

She dreaded the day to arrive, and she wondered if she could find Malvo again, perhaps this time to ask him for help... maybe she could be protected and live in privilege... just like Arabella.

The next morning, Arabella found herself alone in the room with nothing to do. Cassius remained as he had the day before, cold and unreadable, but she couldn’t tell if he had softened again or if he was simply preoccupied. The moment they returned to the castle, he had been swept away by duties, leaving her uncertain of his mood. She hadn’t heard the sound of his footsteps entering the chamber, making her wonder if he had even slept at all.

Arabella sat up slowly, her fingers tracing the wooden window frame absentmindedly. The room was eerily quiet, save for the faint crackle of the fireplace. She had grown accustomed to Cassius’s presence, even when he was nothing more than a shadow lurking in the corners, watching her with those piercing, unreadable eyes. But now, his absence of was just as unsettling.

Did he even return last night? Knowing his relationship with the King and how Renard had told him he had to see the King last night, she questioned if the King was unhappy, therefore causing for him to deal with the anger.

She hadn’t heard the usual sound of his boots against the marble floors nor the rustle of his cloak as he moved through the room. Normally, even when he ignored her, his presence was tangible, his sharp glances, the weight of his gaze, the tension that coiled between them like an unsaid threat.

But today... nothing. Nevermind... It’s none of her business.

She leaned over the window, the upper half of her body propped against the window frame, as she saw the garden outside and the couple of vampires drinking their bloody red teas. Her mind warred between curiosity and frustration. Had something happened in Cassius’s heart? Or was he simply continuing his cruel game of unpredictability?

She tried not to think, but the more she told herself so, the more her head kept being full with his presence.

Before she could overthink further, the door creaked open. Arabella snapped her head up, expecting Cassius, but instead, it was a servant carrying a tray of food.

The young maid kept her gaze lowered as she placed the meal on the table. "His Highness ordered this for you," she said quietly before bowing and hurrying out of the room.

Arabella’s lips parted in surprise.

Cassius had ordered food for her?

She stared at the tray of warm bread, fresh fruit, and a delicate porcelain teacup filled with something fragrant. It wasn’t an extravagant meal, but it was thoughtful in a way she didn’t expect from him.

A flicker of warmth stirred in her chest before she crushed it down.

No.

Cassius wasn’t the type to show kindness without reason. This had to mean something.

But what?

She turned back to find that servant to really ask if this food had come from Cassius. Well, she doubted that someone else could give her food, so perhaps it was really him?

"If only he was a bit more readable," she muttered as she took the bread to her hand. The smell of butter and sweet milk filled her nose, and her stomach rumbled before it. There was no use in staring at the bread; she would rather eat than guess the gesture behind it, she thought to herself as she picked the bead.

Before she did take a bite out of the bread, however, the door knocked again.

This time, it was firmer, louder, like a demand.

She could tell it was Nora.

But that vampiric maid always entered the room without knocking, so this was odd.

She didn’t think much of it before walking to the door, turning the knob slowly to find a familiar face. Familiar because that feminine face bears the features that were also on Cassius’s face.

Princess Marissa looked at the human girl, staring for a while until she finally rubbed her shoulders and came with her reason for visit, "Queen Morgana would like to have a tea with us."

Arabella furrowed her eyebrows.

Queen Morgana? That dangerous step mother of Cassius had just met her, didn’t she? Last time, she even asked about offering her freedom if only she abandoned Cassius.

Did she come to call her this time to receive the answer to the offer she had asked?

She wanted to refuse, but seeing Princess Marissa, Arabella was reminded of Cassius.

She didn’t know why but she found herself agreeing to it in the end, knowing well that she was stepping into the lion’s den. Maybe because she didn’t feel too comfortable seeing the hatred that flashed in Princess Marissa’s eyes when looking at Cassius. Even though... somewhere she could feel that Cassius bears no hatred for her.

She sighed, schooling herself. She wasn’t going there to "fix" their relationship. Each sibling has their own personal bond, and she understood it from their last conversation. But if there was a misunderstanding, she would like to straighten it.

After all, Cassius had offered for her to see Ariel. His kindness was calculated, but she would repay kindness with the same generosity.

Arabella forced a small smile, though her fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her dress. "Very well," she said, her voice steady despite the unease creeping into her chest.

Princess Marissa observed her closely, as if searching for hesitation, before nodding. "Then, follow me."