Vampire's Veil Of Obsession-Chapter 148: His Chambers

Lilia stood in front of the mirror as the woman worked on her waist, tightening it as if she meant to take it away entirely. It was the same woman who had helped her cross from the in-between worlds into the land of the dead—and now, here she was, binding her like this.

Strangely enough, Lilia found herself relieved that she hadn’t been given a robe or nightwear to wear to his chambers. Apparently, the rules here were different. Being invited to someone’s chamber didn’t imply what it did in the land of the living. Here, it seemed to mean dinner—a chance to get to know one another. That intrigued her.

In the land of the living, such an invitation at night carried different meanings. Not that she was comparing—but if she were, it was worth noting. There, a nighttime visit to a man’s chamber usually meant something else entirely—perhaps that the man had given in to desire, or lust, somehow.

She wasn’t sure if that was the case here. But with the way the woman was binding her so tightly, Lilia was fairly certain that if the man had any intentions of doing anything to her now, he’d be too busy trying to untie all these straps to act on them.

The lady spoke in a hushed voice, her tone filled with quiet urgency. "Please... you must be very careful around the prince. Whatever he says, just follow. Show him respect."

Her voice trembled slightly as she added, "Extinction... it’s worse than you think. It’s something no one should ever wish for. I’m begging you—just be good."

There was something in the way she said it that made Lilia pause. She wanted to ask—how bad was this extinction, really? What did it mean? What were the rules behind it? Did it mean they would kill you—even when you were already dead? Could you be erased entirely from this realm too?

But instead of asking, she simply nodded and replied softly, "All right."

"May I know your name?" Lilia asked gently.

"Judy."

The woman then raised her hands and began coiling strands of Lilia’s hair to the sides, her fingers moving with practiced care. Lilia caught the way the woman was staring at her through the mirror—half-focused on the hair, half-lost in thought.

There was awe in her expression.

And truly, who wouldn’t be in awe of Lilia’s beauty? It wasn’t the kind of beauty that needed effort to shine. It simply existed—graceful, undeniable, and striking in a way that stood out without trying.

"Ms. Lilia," the lady said softly, bowing with respectful grace.

Lilia quickly mirrored her, bowing as well. But Judy straightened up with a quiet protest. "No, Ms. Lilia—you’re not supposed to bow."

Lilia lifted her head with a gentle smile. "Then you’re not supposed to bow either. So don’t bow to me if you don’t want me bowing to you."

That simple reply pulled a soft, surprised smile from Judy. There was something about Lilia—her wit, her calm, her sense of quiet authority. She had a kind of wisdom that most people overlooked: the wisdom of common sense, delivered with grace. Judy could already tell—this woman was different.

"I will take you to his chambers," Judy said after a pause. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

Lilia nodded, and the two of them began walking through the long hall. The walls on either side were adorned with paintings—each one framed in black and gold, each one solemn and haunting.

Lilia turned her head and asked in a quiet voice, "What are these?"

Judy lowered her gaze slightly as she replied, "They are portraits of our kings—those who have passed into extinction. Natural extinction."

Lilia said nothing at first, but she nodded, remembering fragments of what her father had once told her back in their small apartment. His words had sounded strange back then. Now, they made a kind of uneasy sense.

She continued studying the paintings as they walked. There was something about this place... this realm. It felt like a book she had read once—or maybe a dream she couldn’t quite remember. It felt familiar in a way that tugged at the edge of her memory.

But where? Where had she seen something like this before?

She tried to think—but before her thoughts could catch up, they reached a towering set of ornate doors.

And from behind those doors, Lilia could hear the faint, muffled sounds of movement. Someone—not one, but two—was inside.

Lilia stepped back slightly, her gaze drifting to the door as muffled sounds continued from within.

"It seems your prince is busy," she said quietly.

Judy shook her head. "No, Miss Lilia. He isn’t."

Her voice lowered, almost as if she were reluctant to explain. "King Evan—His Majesty—sends women to his chambers every night. Every night. It’s part of the process... for him to choose a bride. He has a list—a long one—of maidens scheduled to visit, one by one. And he can send them away just as easily. It doesn’t mean he’s busy."

Lilia blinked slowly, absorbing the information. Every night? Like some kind of ritual? She didn’t know whether to be amused or disgusted.

Judy hesitated, then added softly, "The lady in there was sent for tonight because the king feared the prince may have... changed his mind about you."

That last part made the corners of Lilia’s lips twitch upward into a faint smile.

Changed his mind?

Did he even have a mind about her to begin with?

And besides, she told herself, she didn’t want anything to do with him anyway.

She had no problem staying in the land of the dead. But if there was a chance—even a small one—for her to live a quiet, normal life again here, just her and her father, then she would take it. That kind of life... peaceful, simple, with time to truly know him and be near him—that would be better. No, that would be the best.

Better than staying here, in a place where she was being pushed toward someone she didn’t want. Someone she never asked for. What was the point of meeting a man she didn’t care for—especially when she was already married to someone?

Some might look at her and see a fool. A girl clinging to a life that had ended, to a man who would eventually move on without her in the land of the living. But even if he did... even if she was forgotten...

If loyalty made her foolish, then so be it.

She wouldn’t betray herself just because she now stood in the land of the dead.

She would still be loyal.

Finally, Judy stepped forward and gave a gentle knock on the door.

A deep voice rumbled from within. "Come in."

Lilia stood still, her heartbeat slowing as an unfamiliar feeling settled in her chest. There was something about that voice—something about him. The aura that came with it wasn’t something any ordinary human should possess. It was heavy, intense... otherworldly.

Judy turned to her, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ms. Lilia." She nodded once, giving a silent signal before gently pushing the door open.

Lilia’s eyes widened as the room was revealed before her. It was magnificent—more beautiful than she’d expected. Everything was elegant and intricately arranged, from the towering bed draped in dark velvet to the broad, polished table at the center. She wasn’t the type to be swayed by appearances, but even she had to admit—it was breathtaking.

And then she saw her.

A woman sat in the middle of the grand bed, barely covered. In truth, she was wearing nothing more than a sheer piece of fabric that left almost nothing to the imagination. Her posture was provocative, clearly staged for seduction, her legs widened.

Lilia immediately averted her gaze, her cheeks warming in surprise. Shock flashed through her eyes. She turned away instinctively—only then noticing the prince.

He sat beside the bed, legs crossed, his expression void of interest. In fact, he looked bored—as if the woman’s display in front of him meant absolutely nothing, even though the seduction she emitted was undeniably good.

And then something changed.

His body went still.

A familiar scent drifted through the air, catching in his breath. Slowly, he turned—and his eyes met Lilia’s.

Lilia looked away. What does he want from me? she thought.

But then... he smiled.

A quiet, knowing smile tugged at the prince’s lips as he stood, his tall frame graceful and slow in motion. Without sparing a single glance at the nearly naked woman on the bed, he raised his hand.

Dismissed.

The woman froze.

Her eyes widened in shock and shame. She had given her best—offered her body so openly—and yet, she had been brushed aside. Not just dismissed... but ignored. She was bare before him, and still, he chose the woman fully clothed.

That, perhaps, was the most humiliating part of all.

Without shifting his gaze from Lilia, the prince spoke.

"Judy, take her with you."

"Yes, Prince William," Judy said with a respectful bow. She moved toward the nearly nude lady, whose face had crumbled into humiliation. Her skin was as pale as a sheet. She didn’t move, only sat there, her pride dissolving with every second she lingered.

Lilia remained still, her gaze locked with the prince’s.

Then, softly, he spoke.

"You look very beautiful."

Lilia held herself steady, refusing to say anything, and replied with quiet composure, "Thank you."

He reached out and gently took her gloved hand, raising it to his lips. His kiss didn’t quite land on her skin, hovering just above it, like a ghost of a kiss. Even though she didn’t react outwardly, she knew—any other woman in her place would’ve melted. His beauty was breathtaking—almost too perfect, too inhuman.

But not her.

Not Lilia.

Because no matter how flawless he seemed, he still wasn’t him. Not her husband. Not Zethan.

And for that, her heart remained steady.

The doors finally closed behind them, shutting out the world. They were alone now.

Lilia dipped into a graceful curtsy.

"Prince William," she said softly.

The prince’s grey eyes remained on her, unreadable and unwavering.

He said nothing, only urging her to continue with that piercing gaze.

Then she spoke, her voice quiet but firm.

"Are you doing this because of your father? So he’ll stop sending women to your room?" Her eyes searched his. "If that’s what this is, just tell me. I’ll play along."

The prince’s eyebrows lifted in mild surprise before a low chuckle escaped his lips—deep and amused.

"Play along for what, sweetheart?"

The word hit her like a blow.

Sweetheart.

Of all the words he could have chosen—why that one?

Her breath caught, and she bit her lip hard, willing the sting in her eyes to stay hidden. That word belonged to someone else. To him. Not this man.

Why.

A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it back as she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, "You’re into men?"

At that, the prince laughed again, louder this time, almost in disbelief.

But Lilia didn’t stop.

"What if I told you I’m into women too?" she said, raising her chin slightly, daring him to laugh again.

The man froze for a moment, his gaze locking with hers—dark, unreadable. Then, with deliberate slowness, he stepped forward.

"Let’s see about that," he murmured, voice low and rough.

Before Lilia could react, his fingers moved to his shirt, unbuttoning it.