The Cursed Demon Prince-Chapter 236: Solution

The constant knocking on his door shot straight through his unpleasant dream. Viktor groaned, peeling his eyes open. He turned to the wall clock, it was currently 4:20 a.m. It was far too early, and he had no idea who would be standing at his door. With a sigh, he dragged himself out of bed and opened it.

Charlotte stood there in her nightdress.

"Lucy," he murmured, brows furrowing, "what are you doing here?"

She pushed past him gently. "Unfortunately, I couldn’t fall back asleep." Charlotte glanced at him, her voice soft. "Forgive me for disrupting your rest."

He smiled faintly. "Don’t worry about that. It’s still early. Let’s try to fall asleep again."

Charlotte nodded, and they walked back to the bed. She settled beside him, placing her head on his chest. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. They stayed like that for a while before she whispered, "Are you asleep?"

"I’m trying to. You should too," he replied, drawing her even closer.

Charlotte had genuinely intended to sleep, that was the reason she had come to Viktor, but now, the thought of rest felt impossible. Her heart raced, her chest tightened, and Viktor’s warmth did nothing to calm her torment.

She let out a shaky sigh, closing her eyes and trying to force sleep upon herself. It almost worked until she felt the light brush of his fingers caressing her thigh. The touch was gentle, almost absent minded, but it sent a wave of shivers crashing through her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice pulling her back from her spiraling thoughts.

Charlotte swallowed and sat up. "Yes, I’m alright. I just don’t think I can fall back asleep." She ran her fingers through her hair. "I should return to my chambers and let you rest." She smiled softly and swung her leg off the bed, ready to stand.

But a gasp tore from her lips as she was pulled back, firmly yet gently. She looked up, wide-eyed, straight into Viktor’s half-lidded gaze as he sat up.

"Viktor! You..."

Her words vanished as Viktor’s lips crashed onto hers in a fierce kiss.

It took Charlotte only a heartbeat to recover from the shock before she kissed him back with equal intensity, her arms snaking around his neck. Their lips moved with desperation, with heat, lust and longing igniting between them like wildfire.

As he pulled her closer, Charlotte threw her leg over his waist, straddling him. Warmth flooded her body from the unmistakable evidence of his need for her. Viktor’s dark eyes locked onto her, his hands gripping her hips, fingers digging into her skin with barely restrained hunger.

Charlotte brushed a few strands of hair away from his face, admiring the breathtaking man before her. Not wanting to waste another second, she leaned in and claimed his lips again. His hand slid into her hair as he devoured her mouth, tasting and exploring her with starved intensity.

Viktor kissed her like a man deprived, like he had wanted this for far too long.

And gods, Charlotte loved this side of him. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

It thrilled her to her core.

~~~

Lilith jolted awake, sweat clinging to her forehead and neck as she panted, her wide eyes scanning the room until they landed on a figure, a broad back turned to her. She swallowed hard, heart pounding as she stared at Hades. Everything was so eerily quiet she could hear a pin drop.

Her heart leapt into her throat when he turned to face her. His expression was void of emotion, but his eyes... his eyes revealed everything. So much emotion flickered through them that Lilith instantly knew, Hades was aware of her deal with the goddess.

"Why did you do it?" His deep voice rang in her ears.

Tears threatened to spill even before she spoke. "I had to. There was no other way to save you from the curse. That was the only way to make it all go away. I..."

His dark laughter cut her words, Hades sounded like the devil himself. A hurt devil. "Save me from the curse?" he echoed. "Lilith, there is no saving without you. There is no life without you. None of this matters without you."

The pain in his voice shattered what was left of her heart. The lump in her throat thickened until it almost choked her. "I promised I would break the curse, and I had to do it. You.."

"You also promised to be by my side. To stay with me." Hades rose from the bed, anger and agony tightening his features. "What about that promise? What about our future? You’re just going to... throw it all away?"

"I... I wish there was another way, but there wasn’t. I did what I had to because I love you, Hades. I couldn’t stand by and watch you suffer just so I could hold onto some romantic fantasy." She stood and moved to him, her voice trembling. "I don’t regret what I did. And I would do it again." She reached for his hand. "You have always been strong, and you will continue to be, with or without me."

But he pulled his hand away, disbelief carved into his features. "Can you hear yourself, Lilith?" His eyes locked onto hers. "I don’t want to live in a world where you don’t exist. If I only had one day left, I would want every second of it to be with you. I can’t... I refuse to imagine a life without you."

He grabbed her hand again, holding it tightly. "Come with me. We’re going to find a way to reverse whatever the goddess did." He turned to leave with her, but she didn’t move.

"There’s nothing anyone can do, Hades. We have to accept..."

"I’m not accepting this." His voice cracked. "Come with me now, or I’ll throw you over my shoulder."

Lilith exhaled shakily and nodded. "Fine. I’ll come with you."

"Thank you." He tried to smile, but it never reached his eyes. They were clouded with pure sadness and pain.

Hades led her out of the room, guiding her toward the crypt. He was taking her to Salistra. But Lilith already knew that there was nothing the witch could do. She had rehearsed this moment over and over in her mind, imagining how she would cope when Hades found out about her deal. She thought she was prepared.

She wasn’t.

Everything was falling apart far worse than she imagined, and the reality was far more painful.

She cleared her throat as they approached Salistra, who was leaning against a table flipping through a book. Sensing their presence, the witch turned toward them. Her posture straightened, and her gaze shifted between Lilith and Hades.

It was almost as if she already knew exactly why they were there.