Lilian's heightened emotions echoed within Cassius who retreated to his chamber for, what turned out to be, a restless sleep.
Lilian did not even attempt to sleep after the long night, instead she embraced the quietness of the corridors and chambers that enveloped her like a comforting blanket, but it could not erase the ache inside her.
As she passed paintings and sculptures, she felt an inexplicable connection, recognising Cassius's features in their forms, as if he had been watching her from the very beginning.
Occasionally, she caught glimpses of maids and guards, their fleeting bows a reminder of her unfamiliar status in this world.
Lilian found herself stood by the main entrance.
Hesitating for a moment, she finally stepped outside, letting the sunlight wash over her. The warmth seeped into her skin and provided her with a fleeting solace against the storm within.
Her gaze swept across the entrance, taking in the guards hidden in shadowed alcoves, their armor emblazoned with an intricate symbol of a tree and a crescent moon. More importantly, their helmet's extended in the front providing a shade for their faces, hiding them away from sunlight.
With each step down the stairs, she braced herself for confrontation, yet the guards remained statuesque, their eyes impassive. The courtyard opened before her, a tapestry of sandstone tiles and bricks, where a fountain bubbled merrily, birds splashing playfully as they sang. For a moment, the serenity engulfed her, and her heart fluttered, momentarily lifting the weight of her woes.
As she strolled further, she stumbled upon the largest garden she had ever seen, a riot of colour and life. Trillions of flowers bloomed, ancient trees casting cool shadows, and winding stone paths inviting her deeper into their embrace. Some parts were sculpted into precise artistry, while others flourished in wild abandon. Yet somehow, everything coexisted in perfect harmony.
Reaching a secluded field, she slipped off her shoes and stepped onto the cool grass which send a rush of nostalgia. Memories of childhood danced in her mind, and she let them wash over her, pulling her further away from the turmoil of her recent days.
For the rest of the day, Lilian allowed herself to be lost in the garden's enchantment, plucking apples, pears, and cherries from the orchard that stood tall adjacent to the garden. She felt free—untethered from the expectations of nobility—and it filled her with a joy that felt almost foreign.
Meanwhile, Cassius watched from a distance, from behind the window. He observed Lilian as she climbed back toward the castle, her bare feet gliding across the grass, her velvet dress billowing around her. Golden locks danced in the breeze, and she embodied the very essence of a nymph, ethereal and untouched.
A smile tugged at his lips, yet his chest constricted with agony. He was captivated by her, yet the knowledge of their worlds—so different, so divided—threatened to consume him. In that moment, he realised the depth of his feelings for her; she was not merely a reflection of beauty but the very embodiment of his soul's desire.
As the evening set, they sat at the dining table, a quiet tension simmering between them despite the soft clinking of cutlery. Every movement felt charged, every glance laced with an unspoken awareness of each other. Cassius tried to hide the small, hopeful smile attempting to conceal it behind the goblet as he took a measured sip of wine.
"How was your day?" His voice was calm, but there was a flicker of warmth in his tone as he broke the silence.
Lilian looked up, her eyes flickering briefly to meet his. "It was rather pleasant," she replied, her voice smooth but guarded. "The weather was agreeable, so I retreated to the gardens. I found them quite charming."
Cassius felt a surge of pride, "I'm glad to hear that the castle grounds are to your taste." His voice was deliberately even, but beneath it, there was a hint of eagerness.
"Surprisingly so," she admitted, though her words held a touch of hesitation that made something inside him tighten.
His smile faltered ever so slightly. "Did you not expect it?"
Lilian paused, glancing at him before answering with disarming honesty. "Admittedly, no. From the stories I've heard, I expected the castle to match the vampires. I expected it to be cold and dark... and unpleasant."
"Unpleasant?" he echoed, his voice dropping as if the word itself had soured the air. The faint smile that had lingered on his lips vanished entirely, his expression turning stony.
"I assumed that a creature without a heart would not be able to appreciate refinement and beauty." Lilian spoke so innocently, perhaps not realising the weight of her judgment.
Her words sank like a stone in the pit of his chest. Cassius's eyes darkened, their sharp intensity locking onto her with sudden fierceness. He set his goblet down with a quiet but deliberate force. "I *have* a heart," he said, his voice low and edged, as if daring her to challenge him.
Lilian's breath caught in her throat. She could see the offense she had caused, the way his gaze pierced through her like a blade. A part of her felt regret, but another part—one she couldn't quite explain—was drawn to the crack in his veneer, to the rawness he showed. "I... I didn't know that," she murmured, her tone softer now, seeking to ease the tension she had stirred.
Her fingertips, light as a feather, drifted to his hand. The coldness of his skin startled her, but her touch lingered, "Then, why is your skin so cold?" she asked quietly, almost as though the question had slipped out before she could stop herself.
His breath hitched, the sensation of her touch sending an unexpected jolt through him. His voice softened, but it held an undercurrent of something deeper. "My heart doesn't beat," he whispered, his gaze never leaving hers. "But that doesn't make me any less capable of appreciating the finer things."
Lilian withdrew her hand slowly, her mind racing. "I... I understand," she said, her voice tentative. "I admit my ignorance on the matter."
There was a pause, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Lilian glanced around the room, trying to shift the moment, her eyes settling on the grandeur that surrounded them. "As I've said... the gardens are remarkable. And the castle…" Her gaze traveled across the intricate carvings and high arches, the opulence that spoke of centuries of care. She met his eyes again, softer now, sincere. "It's breathtaking. It certainly reflects its owner's great taste."
Cassius's expression softened, though the storm still brewed beneath the surface. Her words were like balm to a wound she hadn't realized she'd inflicted. He watched her, his gaze lingering not on her words, but on the way she spoke them. She had seen more of him in the few encounters—glimpsed the depth he so carefully hid. And strangely, he found that he wanted her to see him. Truly see him. Not as a king, not as a vampire, but as Cassius.