Chapter 45: The Runaway Queen (Part I)

I sat in my room, fuming, completely ignoring the presence of Solano behind me.

That hateful fellow—not only had he commandeered my room, but he also seemed utterly incapable of reading the room. Even though my expression was scrunched up like a wrinkled bun, he remained leisurely and self-satisfied, living here with a clear conscience as if it were his birthright.

"Here." After rummaging around for a while, he handed something over.

I glanced sideways; it was a pure black gown, folded very neatly.

"What for?" I gave him a sharp look, though I didn't dare be too defiant. This was a man I couldn't afford to provoke.

"Change. What on earth is that you're wearing?" Solano looked at me, his indifferent face full of disdain.

"A cheongsam," I answered solemnly. It was the one Alastor had prepared for me.

"It's ugly. Change it."

"I think it’s fine." Looking down at myself, I deliberately contradicted him.

"Change it." His lips pressed into a thin line, and Solano’s brow furrowed slightly.

Oh no, he’s about to lose it.

How much is pride worth per pound anyway? I immediately snatched the gown from his hands, turned around, and dashed into the adjacent room, slamming the door shut to change.

"No peeking!" After a thought, I poked my head out and glared at him. For this man, walking through walls or seeing through things was a piece of cake.

He let out a cold snort, expressing his disdain.

Only then did I shut the door tight, satisfied.

It was a pure black gown, yet it didn't feel monotonous or dull at all. The black fabric seemed to shimmer like flowing dark stars. Once I had it on, however, lines of black appeared on my forehead.

It turns out Solano, that sanctimonious fellow, actually has

this

kind of taste!

With wide sleeves and a cinched waist, the hem trailing on the floor, it was incredibly luxurious and glamorous. Most importantly, the neckline was cut extremely low. If it were worn by a sexy beauty like Rose, it would definitely be a perfect match, but... my figure has literally been questioned for looking like a minor!

Looking down at the luxurious gown hanging off me, I clutched the neckline to prevent any accidental exposure. Wasn't this a blow to my self-esteem? Even though my "charms" were pathetically meager, I still didn't want them on display for his viewing pleasure!

Just as I was thinking this, the dress actually shrank a size on its own, clinging to my body and becoming a perfect fit.

"Solano! You dared to peek!" My eyes widened as I shrieked.

"I did not," Solano’s voice rang out, neither hot nor cold.

"You... you... you..." I turned around and saw that Solano had already walked through the wall and was standing right behind me.

"You are my wife," he said calmly, his voice unfazed. "So even if I did look, there would be nothing wrong with it."

Reason told me not to provoke him, but I was so angry I was about to lose my mind.

"Do you need my help?" he added out of the blue.

"Huh?" I froze. Help with what?

"If you don't like me making the dress smaller, I can make

you

bigger." He looked at me very seriously, his face full of simulated grace.

"What?" Make me bigger? I blinked, unable to comprehend his cryptic words for a moment.

Following his gaze, I looked down at my own chest...

"Solano!" A burst of fire rushed to my head as I screamed.

I had completely lost my reason...

Glarling fiercely at the innocent-looking Solano, I wanted nothing more than to pounce on him and pin him down for a beating.

With a loud "bang," I slammed the door and stormed out.

Outside, the moonlight was bleak and haunting. Wearing the black gown, I stood on the marble steps, sighing over my rocky fate.

Escape! I must escape!

Life like this is simply impossible.

Seeing that Solano hadn't chased after me immediately, my sorrow suddenly turned to joy. If I don't escape now, when will I?

With a single thought, I was already standing at the gateway to the human realm.

Slowly pressing my hand against the door, I was jubilant. Teleportation? Truly, a cornered dog will jump over a wall! ...Wait, what kind of metaphor is that...

Suddenly, a sharp pain hit my wrist. I looked in panic at Solano, who was standing beside me with a menacing aura. My jubilant thoughts instantly sank to the bottom of an abyss.

"Thinking of running?" Solano’s eyes were gathering darkness.

I took a step back, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying. "I... I just wanted to say goodbye to the human realm..."

If only I could meet Cass... if I could never see him again...

"The first day has already passed," he returned to his indifferent state. "In two days, I will take you home—to the dark kingdom beyond the three realms. That is where you belong."

Having said that, he actually left me alone and turned to walk away.

I was still shaken, but secretly delighted. I quietly took a step back, my hand getting closer to the gateway.

"Don't waste your energy, Lilith. I can sense your dark power. The Heavens, the human realm, the Demon Realm—no matter where you are, I can find you."

He didn't look back. After speaking flatly, he departed.

With my back against the gateway, I slowly slid down to sit on the ground. No matter where I am, he can find me? The night wind brushed past, lifting the hair at my temples, and my gaze gradually turned vacant.

Then how can I escape?

How can I get away?

Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.

I jumped, startled like a bird sensing an arrow.

Alastor?

Alastor sat down beside me with a grin. "What's wrong? Scared?"

"Yeah... yeah, I'm scared." I was afraid that in two days, Solano would truly take me to that dark kingdom beyond the three realms. I was afraid I would never see Cass again...

Even if he wanted to kill me, I still wanted to see him one last time.

"I miss him so much..." I murmured, looking up at the unusually large moon in the sky.

"Are you thinking of me?" Alastor leaned in with a smile, his face a picture of exaggerated devotion. "Do you miss me even while looking at me?"

I was amused by him.

Alastor reached out and patted my head. "Don't be afraid. You have me. I won't let you be taken to any weird dark kingdom."

"But... he's Samael..." I hunched my shoulders.

"Do you remember that silver ring?" Alastor tilted his head to look at me.

"The silver ring? The one Aurora took away?" I nodded. Of course I remembered. That was the thing left to me by the fellow who bit me, and the only clue I had to finding him.

"If I'm not mistaken, that ring was used to suppress your power. As long as you wear it, Solano won't be able to find you."

Back when the Inquisition invaded the Demon Realm, it was because Aurora took my ring that my power spiraled out of control, killing so many exorcists. And since I was turned into a vampire, as long as I wore that silver ring, Solano indeed never appeared—until the ring was taken off, allowing Solano to find his way to the Demon Realm.

This way, everything made sense. That ring controlled my power; as long as I wore it, Solano wouldn't be able to sense the power of Lilith!

"So if I find the ring, I'm saved?"

Alastor smiled and patted my head. "Yes."