Vampire's Veil Of Obsession-Chapter 172: Miss Him

A slow smile curled on Zethan’s lips as he stepped away from the doorway and began walking into the hall. The crowd parted in stunned silence, eyes widening at the sight of the figure approaching the prince and Lilia. No one had expected this. In fact—when had he even arrived? Weren’t they supposed to be notified if someone was coming to the Land of the Dead? What was happening? None of it made any sense. He struggled to make sense of it all.

The hall fell into a heavy silence. The only sound echoing through it was the steady, deliberate footsteps of Zethan as he walked toward Lilia and William.

Lilia’s body remained frozen as she stared at the figure approaching her. Her heart throbbed violently in her chest, while her mind seemed to detach, seated somewhere far away. She couldn’t think—couldn’t even begin to process how this was possible. How could Zethan be here? Never in her wildest thoughts had she imagined something like this.

Was it possible he was... an immortal? A vampire?

A tear slipped down her cheek, hitting the floor with the softest sound. The moment it landed, Zethan caught sight of it—and a slow, knowing smile curled on his pink lips.

He stopped right in front of her. Lilia’s mouth opened, then closed, but no words came. She simply stared at him, stunned, unable to deny the truth in front of her. It was Zethan—her husband—here, now, inches away from her.

Their eyes locked—his dark ones on her golden-brown eyes, filled with different meanings.

Then came the words that shattered the silence. Zethan’s voice was calm, yet heavy with meaning.

"Long time no see... my wife."

Gasps rippled through the crowd like a wave. William instinctively moved to intervene, stepping forward to grab Zethan—but Zethan was quicker. His hand shot out and seized William’s wrist, his eyes still on Lilia.

A slow, predatory smile crept across Zethan’s face as William demanded, "Who are you?"

All eyes locked on them. The king’s expression crumbled like stone eaten by acid. The younger prince beside him looked shocked, while the princess who sat appeared in awe—though fear lingered, her cheeks were flushed at the sight of the irresistible figure all eyes were on.

Zethan’s gaze didn’t waver. Instead, his hand tightened around William’s wrist.

William’s face paled at the intensity of it.

"I am Zethan Lyall."

Gasps filled the hall. That name—was that not the forbidden name? Or was it a coincidence?

H..How?

William’s eyes widened, and a painful hiss escaped his lips as Zethan pulled away with a cold smile. He turned back to Lilia, who had remained speechless.

Gasps returned—louder, sharper. Had the almighty William, the one who claimed to be non-human, just hissed in pain? All because of a man who had only just arrived?

"You know," Zethan began, his voice smooth and laced with warning, "one thing I wouldn’t like to do is stop this ball. It means so much to you... and your people." He stepped closer, his gaze locked on the prince’s. "Now, be a good little prince and let me take my wife with me—unless, of course, you’d prefer we do this the hard way."

Good little prince.

He turned quietly, the motion sharp and deliberate. Prince William’s jaw tensed, his eyes turning cold as the air around them grew still—eerily so. It wasn’t just silence. It was forgetfulness, like the entire room had sunk into an unnatural void. Two powerful figures stood, staring at one another. The tension was thick enough to crush the air from the lungs of anyone watching.

Then Zethan spoke again, his voice calm but laced with challenge.

"Fine. Let’s make it this way," he said, his lips curling into a quiet, confident smile. "We’ll have a sparring match tomorrow. The loser fulfills the winner’s wish. If I win, I’m taking my wife with me."

The crowd held its breath, waiting for him to finish—waiting to hear the condition if he lost.

But before Zethan could say more, William cut in, his voice sharp and cold.

"And what happens when you lose?"

Zethan paused, then turned back with a smirk.

"Can’t be." His lips tilted higher. "I’m Zethan Lyall. I never lose."

There was a brief silence as Prince William looked around. The eyes of the crowd were on him—watching, waiting. It was clear they expected him to say something, to finish what had been started.

Finally, William spoke. ƒreewebɳovel.com

"We’ll do it tomorrow. In the field. The main field," he said. "Everyone will be there to witness it."

A murmur passed through the crowd.

Zethan gave a slow nod, then smirked.

"As you wish... little prince."

William’s eyes narrowed, jaw clenching at the way Zethan said those words. No one had ever spoken to him like that. The title felt like a mockery—sharp and heavy. And yet... he couldn’t deny it. Looking at this man, he suddenly understood why she—Lilia—was drawn to him.

Zethan wasn’t just handsome. He was striking. Commanding. The power he radiated was so intense that even the cold Prince William could feel it pressing into his own bones.

Then Zethan turned slightly toward the crowd and said, his voice quiet but firm,

"This means my dear wife will be going to rest. You can’t have her for a dance, I’m afraid. That would be... quite unfair, you know."

He paused, then added with a faint chuckle,

"Not that I’d ask for one either."

He waved his hand toward a servant.

"Take my wife to her chambers—she’ll need her rest. And prepare mine as well."

"Enjoy the ball, Prince."

With that, he moved to leave.

Gasps fluttered through the hall. The silence from William was louder than any shout. And as Zethan walked, the soft, steady sound of his shoes echoed through the room like a haunting drumbeat. Then came the creak of the large doors opening and closing behind him.

As soon as the doors shut, whispers broke loose—rushing through the crowd like wildfire.

Lilia remained standing, motionless, her thoughts spinning wildly. It all felt surreal, like everything had passed in a blur she couldn’t quite hold onto.

But one thing she couldn’t forget... was when Zethan looked at her.

When his eyes met hers, her heart had stopped—and then started again with a speed she thought it had long forgotten. She hadn’t believed it could ever beat like that again.

Yet now, for some unknown reason, that rapid pounding in her chest felt... normal.

In fact, she realized something startling.

That fast, breathless rhythm—that had become her new normal.

Because it only made sense when he was around.

Everyone stood in stunned silence. It wasn’t just the guests—even the King looked utterly shocked. No one had informed him of any arrivals from between worlds, nor of anyone entering the Land of the Dead.

How was it possible?

They tried to make sense of it, tried to piece things together... but their minds kept circling back to the same awe-struck thought—who was that magnificent, divine figure?

Meanwhile, her lady-in-waiting gently guided Lilia from the hall as they walked toward her chambers. The lady looked worried. Lilia moved in silence, her steps slow, her thoughts spinning.

She was trying—desperately trying—to connect the dots.

But nothing added up.

When they reached her chambers, the lady finally spoke, her voice a gentle whisper by Lilia’s ear.

There was a pause, hesitant and heavy, before she asked,

"Lady Lilia... are you alright?"

Lilia nodded slowly, barely moving.

Then came the next question—quieter, but tinged with something more.

"Is he... is he your husband?"

The tone in her voice betrayed her. Beneath the softness, there was unease—an edge of surprise. Zethan’s presence had clearly shaken more than just the prince.

Lilia’s voice came as barely a breath.

"Yes... he is."

The lady’s eyes widened slightly, and she gave a small, quiet nod. Her cheeks flushed as she stepped back in silence.

Just as the lady finished unstrapping her gown, her voice broke the silence.

"I’ll be taking my leave now."

The lady gave a soft smile and replied quietly,

"Lady Lilia, please try to rest. Don’t think too deeply on it."

Lilia nodded in acknowledgment. As the lady moved away, the door closed gently behind her, and a soft sigh escaped Lilia’s lips.

Her heart began to throb again—that familiar, restless beat. The feeling was overwhelming: her husband was actually here. In the Land of the Dead. Yet despite the fear and uncertainty, her heart hammered loudly as she prayed silently for his victory tomorrow. She didn’t know what would happen if he lost.

Of course, she had to trust him—he was a Zethan, after all.

I wonder how he’s doing right now in his chambers...

Finally, she pulled off her gown and opened the drawer beside her. She took out a cleanser and carefully removed the makeup from her face. When the last trace was gone, she finally felt free.

She packed her ink-black hair loosely as she slipped into soft silk nightwear.

Just as she turned to lie down, her body froze.

Her eyes fixed on the figure sitting by the window—legs crossed, silent and still.

Her heart fell completely silent.

Her lips trembled as she stared.

The faint trace of his intoxicating scent lingered.

Then, in a voice low and tender, he spoke:

"My wife... did you miss me?"