Once Lilian was escorted to the chamber, Cassius retreated to his study where he paced around in deep thought in presence of his right-hand man who also was his friend.
"Cassius, I must note that you are acting odd." His friend pointed out in the concerned tone.
"Yes. I have my reasons for it." Cassius admitted. He wasn't going to deny the truth but he wasn't going to disclose it fully yet. He wanted to be certain about Lilian first. "For now, play to my whims." He sighed. "Julius, find out everything you can about Lilian Hearthorn. Search all the nearby towns and villages. Find out who she is. If you find her friends and family, tell them that she is safe and that she should return to them soon."
"Do you think it is wise to let her go?" There was a hint of challenge in Julius' tone.
"She is not dangerous." Cassius stopped pacing and looked at Julius.
"She said that she killed two vampires."
"If it is true, which I highly doubt, they weren't any of ours. There are no reports of anyone missing and no one would have ventured outside of the border."
"Do you think that she lied?"
"Her dress… she is from a well-off family. She is certainly educated. She thinks on her feet. I don't think that she is as clueless as she paints herself. But, I don't think we have anything to worry about if she is treated right. She will not be a threat when she's back in her kingdom."
"I will carry out the search personally and report any findings promptly." Julius bowed. "Please be cautious, my lord. Humans never were our true allies."
"She's a single woman, not an army, Julius." Cassius laughed.
"I was concerned for you, Cassius. You have a softer heart than what you dare to admit."
"Don't be ridiculous, Julius." Cassius scoffed. "But I appreciate your concern, my friend. I am not going to do anything reckless. She's just a human."
Julius bowed again and left Cassius alone in the room furnished with mahogany desk and bookcases that were filled with old tomes.
As Cassius was about to sit down, the maid knocked on the door, distracting him from his work further. The sun was increasingly up in the sky and it was nearly time for him to go for his rest.
"Your majesty, your guest has refreshed herself and is ready to come to dinner whenever you require." The maid bowed with equal respect as Julius did.
"Serve the dinner now. Lilian will require a meal sooner rather than later as she will likely need some rest post the last night events." Cassius decided as he strode out of his study and towards the dining room.
He sat down in the dining room and patiently waited when the servants brought in a few dishes through.
The main door opened merely a few moments later and Lilian cautiously walked in. Her eyes were filled with curiosity as she glanced over the room. As her eyes darted from each piece of decorum to another, Cassius' eyes were locked on her in awe.
The bath seemed to have done a miracle work as her soft skin was now fully unveiled. Her hair seemed even lighter, and her cheeks were still very pink from the heat of the water.
Cassius stood up and finally drew her attention fully.
"Please, sit down." He pointed at the chair beside him. Lilian nodded and slowly approached the table. Her movements were graceful and calculated. She was very aware of her every action. It was that subtlety that made Cassius certain of her noble background.
Lilian assessed the food on the table but she awaited Cassius to begin eating.
"Please, go ahead." Cassius barely uttered, trying to control his very instincts as Lilian's scent reached his nostrils. She smelled of lavender and roses, but underneath was her own sweet scent.
"Thank you, your majesty." Lilian replied almost coyly but she still remained stoic. Not an ounce of fear as she carefully picked the food and placed it on the embellished plate.
"Where are you from?"
"Elderwood, your majesty." Lilian answered, looking at Cassius with her daring eyes.
"Where did you travel to?"
"Kingdom of Willowell."
"Why?"
"I had no family in Elderwood so I have decided to try a new life in Willowell. After all, they're known for the greatest feasts and banquets known to human." Lilian smiled at Cassius not letting on her true emotion.
"I see." Cassius looked down at his plate. He didn't crave any of the food but he slowly took a bite to keep Lilian company. "I didn't realise that Willowell is known for parties."
"It is in Elderwood."
"What is Ironwood known as?"
"The land of vampires."
Cassius scoffed. His kingdom was known for nothing more than their specie. Not their traditions, trades, culture. They're only known for being vampires.
But yet, vampire folk tales that existed in human kingdom did not seem to make Lilian any more scared of him. She enjoyed her meal, delighted in the fresh fruit that she keenly picked up. She did not say much but Cassius didn't mind. He was happy just watching her. He observed the strands of hair falling off her shoulders as she moved. And the shadow casted by her long eyelashes onto her delicate cheeks.
"The cut on your hand." Cassius broke the silence at last. "May I?"
"Depends. Are you going to try to use my veins as a straw?" Lilian raised her brow. She looked down at a very red streak on her forearm where the dagger cut through her flesh.
"No." Cassius replied shortly, mildly offended by the suggestion.
Lilian studied Cassius for a few seconds and once convinced that he was truthful, she rolled her sleeve up further and showed the wound.
"The vampire that attacked my convoy cut me with a dagger." She explained.
Cassius touched her warm skin, running his cold fingers down the broken flesh.
"They were not any of my subjects. I have send a patrol to investigate it. Assuming that you say the truth."
"Why would I lie?"
"To have an excuse to get inside of Ironwood borders."
"Actually, my first request was to be send towards the nearest human village."
"Ironwood is surrounded by the ancient forest or a tall wall. No one gets in from the human realm across. Do you think I would let you parade in and just walk out?"
"Why not?" Lilian's question stumped him.
"I need to protect Ironwood."
"Do you think I came here to destroy your kingdom?" Lilian asked sharply which made Cassius go silent.
Lilian noticed the servants shift uncomfortably by the wall and then reverted back to scowling at Cassius. She barely escaped alive from the vampires and now a vampire king suggested something as outrageous as this.
"Do you have explosives?" Cassius asked quietly as he let go off her forearm. Lilian's scowl was so powerful that he had to look back at his plate.
"I would have chosen a pitchfork for a satisfaction of it." Lilian uttered and then chuckled, realising that Cassius was trying to lighten the mood. Lilian's light laugh made Cassius more at ease.
Lilian moved her hand and just now she noticed that the wound vanished. Her eyes widened as she looked back at Cassius.
"May I request that as a favour for healing you, you abstain from pitchforks?" Cassius' face curved into a satisfied smile.
"For now."
Cassius couldn't stop a wide grin on his face.