The Lady in Red

Chapter 6

"She's fine. It's just a fever," Damon's cousin, their family doctor, said. "Take her home, Damon." With that, he gave his farewell.

Damon gently ran his fingers through Lilith's hair as she lay sleeping in his bed.

"M-My lord..."

"Lilith! Are you alright?" Damon asked with concern. "You passed out."

Lilith sat up and looked at Damon. "I just fainted? That's all?"

Damon considered telling her about Lila but decided to keep it to himself. He felt an odd urge to hear it directly from Lilith.

"Yes, you were screaming, and then you collapsed."

Lilith lowered her head. "I'm sorry for the trouble, my lord."

"It’s okay. Rest a little. I'll get you some water," Damon said, standing up and leaving the room.

Lilith sighed, trying to recall what had happened. Somehow, she couldn’t remember anything after she blacked out. Usually, she’d know what Lila was doing, but this time? Nothing came to mind.

Lilith closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she found herself in a dark place, facing Lila.

"What did you do, Lila?" Lilith demanded, watching as Lila smiled faintly.

Lila shrugged. "I didn’t do anything."

"Then… did you say something to him?!"

Lila's smile widened as she nodded. "Yes, I did."

"Then why did he only say I passed out?!"

"Maybe because he wants to hear the truth straight from you." Lila’s expression shifted to one of seriousness. "I did what I needed to, Lilith. He deserves to know something about you."

"BUT WHAT IF HE HATES ME FOR IT?!" Lilith shouted, startling Lila.

"If he did, he would’ve sent you away as soon as you woke up," Lila replied calmly, turning her back to Lilith. "Just be honest with him, Lilith. Stop hiding me in the dark. I love him as much as you do. If we want acceptance, we need to face this together."

Lilith closed her eyes once more, and when she opened them again, she was back in Damon’s room.

The door opened, and Damon entered, holding a glass of water and a glass of juice.

"Here, drink this," Damon said, handing her the water.

"Thank you." Lilith took the glass and drank it. "My lord?"

"Yes?"

"Please… be honest with me. Did anything else happen earlier?"

Damon looked at her for a moment, then smiled. "Lila told me something."

Lilith's hand shook, and she nearly dropped the glass onto the bed. "Y-You… you know her?"

Damon gently patted her head. "Yes. She appeared to me when you passed out."

"What… what did she say to you?"

"She told me about you," Damon replied, his tone reassuring. "But don't worry too much."

Lilith nodded slowly, at a loss for words.

"Here, some juice." Damon handed her the glass, and Lilith accepted it, taking a sip.

She watched him as he spoke with a maid nearby. Despite learning something about her, he hadn't pulled away; instead, he was still there by her side.

"I’ll take you home," he said.

Lilith started to get up from the bed, but before she could stand, Damon surprised her by scooping her up in his arms, carrying her bridal style.

"M-My lord! I can walk," she protested, flustered.

Damon shook his head. "You just woke up. Don’t push yourself."

Lilith hid her face against his shoulder, feeling the warmth rise in her cheeks. Even though they weren’t engaged, he was treating her like she was already his.

Oh god, was she even allowed to feel this way about Damon?

Damon carried Lilith until they reached the carriage, ready to take her home. She didn’t want to leave; she wished she could stay with him, but she knew she couldn’t.

When they arrived at the Vandeleur estate, Lilith's family—the Marquis, Marchioness, and her two sisters—were already outside, waiting.

Damon stepped out first, and before Lilith could exit the carriage on her own, he lifted her into his arms again, surprising her family.

“L-Lord Lancaster,” the Marquis began, attempting to intervene.

“My fiancée isn’t feeling well. Allow me to carry her to her room,” Damon said firmly, leaving the Marquis with little choice but to have a maid guide Damon inside.

As they made their way, Lilith whispered, “I’m not your fiancée, my lord.”

“You will be soon,” Damon replied with a smile. “Didn’t I tell you? I want to marry you, not your sister.”

“But I’m…”

Damon cut her off gently. “No matter what you are, my decision doesn’t change.”

In her room, Damon paused, noticing someone waiting inside.

“Don’t worry, it’s Zara, my maid,” Lilith explained, smiling at Zara. “Zara, this is Lord Damon Lancaster.”

Zara greeted him with a polite nod. “A pleasure to meet you, my lord.”

Damon’s gaze lingered on Zara’s strikingly bright red eyes, so similar to Lila’s. “Are you… like Lilith?”

Zara nodded. “Yes, my lord. You have a sharp eye.”

Damon gave a slight nod, then gently laid Lilith down on her bed, patting her head. “Keep resting. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Leaning in close, he whispered, “If you don’t wish to stay here, come to me.” He brushed a light kiss on her cheek, then addressed Zara. “Please look after her. If there’s any trouble, reach out to me.” With that, he left.

Zara approached and took Lilith’s hand. “How did he find out about your secret, my lady?”

“Lila told him,” Lilith murmured, her head lowered. “I’m sorry, Zara.”

Zara wrapped her arms around her, rubbing her back for comfort. To most, Lilith was a strong and unapproachable figure, yet Zara knew her as someone with a gentle heart who longed for others to stay close. She admired her deeply, willing to do anything for her—even protect her against those who would harm her.

She, along with Fern and Elena, had promised her they would watch over Lilith, that they would guard her with unwavering loyalty.

“Don’t worry, my lady. I can see how much he treasures you,” Zara said softly, gazing into Lilith’s eyes. “Who knows? He might be the one to mend your broken heart.”

Lilith smiled gently. “We hope so.”

To be continued.