Even when Lilith smiled at her, the maid did not smile back immediately. Everything about the woman gave off a strange, unsettling energy.
Lilith quickly finished with her laundry, hung the clothes to dry on the line, and hurried back to her room. After taking a long, refreshing bath, she changed into something more comfortable for the evening. The sky had grown heavy with grey clouds, a sign that rain would soon follow.
Dressed in a soft peach-colored gown, Lilith sat before her mirror, brushing her hair when she heard the door open. Light footsteps echoed softly on the wooden floor.
She froze, setting the brush down. Rising slowly to her feet, she approached the door with cautious steps.
Her heart nearly leapt from her chest when she saw Hades standing there, arms crossed over his chest.
"You startled me," she said, placing a hand over her heart. "You aren't supposed to be here, Your Highness," she whispered as he stepped closer.
