By the time Cassian finished his bath, the food had arrived.

Lilith waited patiently for Cassian to take a bite of each plate of food, so he would die first if any of it was poisoned.

After testing the food for Lilith, Cassian sat watching as Lilith had her fill of food. She ate without caring that he was present in the chamber.

Cassian couldn’t help himself by placing more food on Lilith’s plate so she might fill her stomach.

Had they gone to speak to his family, Lilith would not have had the chance to eat as she did now.

Lilith swallowed the last of the food in her mouth and looked up at Cassian. "Are you going to eat as well, or only watch me? It would be rude to let this food waste and have the maids need to bring more."

"I didn’t know you cared so deeply about the maids," said Cassian.

"I have my issues with some of the maids, but still, they are here for work to feed their families. We mustn’t abuse our power and have them running around. We should be decent royals, and in case you have forgotten, my mother was a maid," Lilith said, remembering the rough days.

"My mother wasn’t fortunate to be relieved of her duties during her early years as the king’s mistress. I remember how difficult it was. So, for the maids who work and keep their heads down. I will not trouble them. Neither should you," said Lilith.

"I don’t plan to mistake the castle maids. My servants on my estate are well cared for," Cassian said, then reached for grapes.

"Good. See to it that your men keep their hands to themselves as well. Your soldiers have been out at war for weeks, so I am certain that women fill their minds. The castle isn’t some whorehouse for them to grab women and assault them," Lilith warned Cassian.

"If I hear that any maids are attacked, I shall cut off the privates of your soldiers and have them fed to them. Furthermore, I will have them caged with someone who does far worse. If you get in my way, it will become impossible for us to have an heir," Lilith said.

"I do not tolerate such acts within my army, Lilith. The men know better," said Cassian.

"But there are a few rotten apples sometimes. I won’t tolerate anyone being assaulted in this castle or in the kingdom. I hope your relatives also know how to act," Lilith said, recalling powerful men who thought they could take what they wanted.

"Lilith, I am not the kind of man to let it go unpunished," Cassian promised.

"I shall take your word for it. After all, you didn’t attempt to touch me until our wedding night," Lilith said, placing Cassian in good light for now.

"Can you tell me of your relationship with your uncle and mother? Has your relationship with your uncle always been sour?" Lilith asked, trying to understand the dynamic.

"There is not much to tell. He has always been around, but there has been envy since he didn’t get the chance to be the duke. I know he wishes to have the title, and now that I am set to be king, he would want that title as well," Cassian shared.

"So, your uncle is the kind of man to sit and wait for handouts. One day, he just might get so greedy that he harms you to get what he wants. I wouldn’t be surprised if he creates a plot to stop us from having children or tells you to wait. I don’t like him," Lilith confessed.

Cassian chuckled as Lilith didn’t need to confess it. "I could tell without you saying it. I don’t like him either. He is only around because he holds influence over some of the relatives, but that is slowly shifting. Don’t worry about him, Lilith. He shall soon leave."

"Indeed, he shall," Lilith agreed with Cassian. "What did your mother tell you about me? I am surprised you have not questioned the matter."

"She was wrong in the instance, so why must I ask you questions? There was no need to request the blanket, and she has no authority to march into our bedchamber. She didn’t do it when I wasn’t married, and it shouldn’t start now," said Cassian.

Lilith smiled, pleased. "You must be careful. Your mother won’t like you always being on your wife’s side."

"Always? When you’re wrong, I tell you that you are wrong. I’ll just happen to tell it to you in private so others don’t think we are divided," Cassian explained.

Lilith stared at Cassian for a moment before saying, "You look quite handsome right now."

Cassian’s hand stopped just before he could place a grape in his mouth. He lowered his hand, annoyed. "Why must you do this to me?"

"Do what, Cassian? Do you not like that I have complimented you? What kind of person doesn’t like a compliment?" Lilith asked, placing her hand on the table to prop herself up. "Well, since it sickens you, I won’t do it again."

"That’s not what," Cassian started to say, but realised he wouldn’t get through to Lilith. "One day you’re going to love me, and I am going to enjoy teasing you as you do me now."

Lilith wasn’t the slightest bit concerned. "If I ever come to love you one day, you would be so smitten with my attention that you would forget about your little plan now. Still, I urge you to hold onto it," she said, followed by a chuckle.

Lilith continued to eat, savouring each bite, as she didn’t know when the next time she would have a calm feast might be.

"What if I told you that I know of a future where you loved me so much that you wouldn’t let me go? That you were completely and utterly smitten with me. So much more than I am with you now," Cassian said, having experienced this future. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"I would tap your shoulder to wake you up," Lilith answered.