Lilith left their chambers with Adrian that morning, walking side by side through the corridors of the palace. His mind was clearly on the upcoming council meeting, but Lilith's thoughts were elsewhere.
Unknown to her, Adrian already knew the details but she was focused on learning about the passive king, and her instincts told her that the palace staff knew more than they were letting on.
As they approached the council room, Lilith's eyes wandered. She caught sight of a young maid, busy carrying linens through a side hallway. The girl looked fresh-faced and innocent—too innocent for Lilith's tastes—but there was something about her that piqued her interest.
"I'll see you later," Lilith whispered to Adrian, brushing her lips against his cheek in a quick, teasing kiss. He turned slightly, giving her a smirk before nodding and disappearing into the council chamber.
