Chapter 60 - Set In Stone

Lilith was infertile. Or at least, that was what the rumors said. A new wave of jealousy had sparked amongst the women who still were not over Lilith and Raymond being together and the rumour just seemed to be their attempt to knock her down a peg.

He had announced their proper engagement and the date they planned to marry. It was all done without Nora’s input of course. It was no news that Raymond had proposed to her because they were outside and people saw the whole thing. And because of the ring that was now on her finger. The ring that Lilith guarded with her life.

It was definitely something too expensive for her to be wearing around and yet she could not take it off. She was extremely careful whenever she used her left hand, and checked it an unnatural amount of times during the day to make sure that it was still there.

Raymond and Lilith talked about it and they decided to get married in the spring. That gave Lilith about four months to properly prepare herself for the new life and identity that she was going to be taking on.

After they announced the wedding date to the public, it seemed that there were fewer people wishing for her downfall and more people who just accepted it. Not really those cheering her on, but people who came to terms with the fact that it was going to happen. That did not mean that the glares in the hallways or the whispers behind her back stopped. But it lessened.

When the rumors that Lilith was unable to bear a child surfaced, it had her realize that she was going to have to have children. There was no history of infertility in her family, so she did not worry about that, but how many children was she going to be required to give birth to? And would she have to send away all of them after the first born. She didn’t think she could bear that.

“Think about what you’re doing here.” The Queen Mother had barged into Raymond’s office, once again in a fit and flurry about things she cannot control. She glared at Lilith who was trying to fuse with the wall. “Think about the family’s reputation.”

“This conversation is getting old mother.” Raymond did not even pay attention to her and was looking at Lilith, his gaze filled with amusement and adoration.

Queen Mother stepped in front of her son, cutting off his view. “You’re making a mistake.”

“I'm not.” he gave her a bored expression. “And I am thinking about the family's reputation. It shows that we are not biased and stuck up.”

“It will give people ideas.”

“Then I will teach my children not to fall for any dishonesty.”

“How can you when you yourself-”

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Lilith mumbled to herself. The constant repetition of this conversation was going to give her a migraine. Yeah sure Nora was Raymond’s mother, but gosh, she wanted to tell her off so badly.

“Excuse me?” Nora turned to look at Lilith.

By the way they were looking at her, it was obvious that they had heard what she had said. If looks could kill… Raymond was more shocked but Nora was looking at Lilith as if she insulted her to her face.

Lilith sighed and stepped away from the wall. “Uhh, whatever you think I just said-”

“Such vulgar language-”

“I didn’t-”

“Raymond you cannot seriously want to marry such an uneducated servant girl when she can’t even come up with better vocabulary-”

“It’s said that people who curse more are actually more intelligent-”

“What nonsense!”

At this point, Raymond had stood up. “Ok mother, calm down. I know that you are not a fan of profanity and I’m sure that Lilith didn’t mean to swear.”

She nodded enthusiastically at Raymond’s statement and gave the pair an apologetic smile. There was only so much that one person can take and Raymond’s patience to deal with his mother was commendable. But Lilith on the other hand had limited tolerance for someone like Nora.

“All of this just proves my point.” Raymond placed his hands on her shoulders and began to push her out of the room.

“I’m still going to marry her.”

“Raymond-”

“Goodbye, mother.”

He pushed her out the door and closed it after her. There were a couple of seconds of silence before he turned around and faced Lilith. Raymond was not necessarily mad at Lilith since he was also thinking the same thing but he was surprised that she was not able to keep these thoughts to herself.

“Sorry.” she folded her lips and cast her eyes down.

“It’s alright. I understand your frustration with her.”

“Yeah but still. I completely made my situation worse.” Lilith rolled her eyes. “This is so going to get twisted and have people saying that I cursed your mother to her face.”

“That won’t happen.” Raymond said.

“Oh yes it will. The servants that follow your mother around are always the ones that talk. Stories get twisted and then I’ll end up looking like the bad guy.” Lilith would not even be surprised if Nora told her servants to change the story and then spread it. “I should have been more careful. Dang it.”

“It won’t be that bad. Trust me.”

And it actually was not bad at all. It seems like the influence of the King really did something to rumors after all. At least ones he could stop before they spread.

The other thing that was on Lilith’s mind was the choice she had to make. With the topic of childbearing being brought up and the fact that she was getting married, Lilith knew that she would not be able to leave Raymond at all. Even if it was in fifteen years time.

Lilith was sent back in time for a reason and although she thought she completed her task, she was still here and she was not going to just wait around for the time to test her hypothesis. Marrying Raymond was what she was going to do. Lilith did miss her family and her old life. Gosh she really did miss it. But there were more important things that she needed to focus on. Like herself and the person she loved.

“I want to be with you, Raymond. Forever.”

The two of them were in his room. All they did was take a nap together, nothing more. And now they were sitting up against the bed with his arm around her and her head pressed against his bare chest.

The King cleared his throat from above her. “I’m glad that you think that way. But what brought on this confession?”

“I was just thinking about it. About my previous life. And if I had a chance to go back. But I don’t think I would take it. I could never leave you.”

Raymond rubbed his hand over her shoulder which made Lilith shudder. She nuzzled her head closer to him and placed a kiss on his skin.

“If you wanted to go back then who am I to stop you. To keep you away from your family and friends, I could never do that.”

And that was why she did not want to tell him. It was better that he didn’t know. It was better for their relationship to not have that weigh on his mind.

“I know.” Lilith sighed. “But you don’t have to worry. I’m glad that I got to do all of this. And being stuck in the past with you feels like a dream. I would be heartbroken if I woke up.”

Raymond smiled, his heart fluttered at Lilith’s words. He too would be heartbroken if he had to be separated from her. He brought his other hand down from the head of the bed and used it to angle Lilith’s head up so that he could kiss her. It was sweet and soft, causing both of their stomachs to flip at that action.

“Once you marry me, you belong here, with me, forever.”

“That’s exactly how I would want it.”