I don't wish to lose in love

"Give me the crystal," the woman demanded.
Apollyon chuckled as he shook his head. "I asked you a question and you should answer it," he
stated.
"My identity doesn't matter to you," the woman pronounced.
"Stop troubling Lilith in her dreams. Also, you won't get the crystal unless you take it from me,"
Apollyon challenged the woman. Karim confusedly looked at Apollyon, trying to understand
what was going on.
"I didn't want to do this, Apollyon," the woman said and appeared right in front of him. She
shoved the dagger toward him but Apollyon caught her hand.
Karin tried to step up to help Apollyon, but he stopped him.
Apollyon grabbed the woman by her throat and squeezed his hand tightly around it. "Tell me
your name," he again demanded before pushing her away.
"I can burn you right here into ashes. You cannot escape my magic, so better tell me your
identity," Apollyon affirmed.
The woman could feel her feet glued to the ground and it was impossible for her to move.
Apollyon scratched the temple of his forehead. "I don't like to be waiting. Close your eyes and
embrace your death," Apollyon said and was ready to flick his fingers to burn her alive.
"I am Aria Ravensong."
Apollyon arched his eyebrow and chuckled. "What are you doing here?" he then asked.
"The crystal belongs to me," Aria pronounced.
"I condemn lies," Apollyon asserted.
"I am not lying," she firmly said and asked Apollyon to believe her.
"I told you not to lie to me. Sadly, you have to say goodbye to this life of yours, Thea, the witch,"
Apollyon pronounced and smirked at her. He flicked his fingers and Thea was burned into
ashes.
Karin dashed to Apollyon and asked him if he was alright. "I am fine. Don't tell anyone about
this," Apollyon said and went to the carriage. As he got inside and settled comfortably, Apollyon
came to the conclusion that he had to see his father.
"A witch needed this crystal. I wonder how many times she had troubled Oliver. How was he
able to keep it inside the house and be safe all the time? Why couldn't Thea ever harm him or
Lilith?" Apollyon's mind was flooded with new thoughts.
"I wish Father will help me," Apollyon stated.
~~~
Apollyon carefully stored the metallic box in the drawer of the cupboard, along with the letters.
"I heard you came back from outside," Lilith's voice echoed, and he turned to face her after
closing the cupboard.
"Did you miss me?" Apollyon asked with amusement etching his face.
"No. I made these," Lilith said and went toward him holding the plate in her hand. "These are
milk cakes. I craved them, so I thought of making some. I hope you like them too," she added,
offering him the milk cakes.
"Help me eat them. My hands are dirty. I just came from outside and haven't freshened up yet,"
Apollyon requested.
Lilith picked up a milk cake and held it to his mouth. He took a bite, savoring the taste, while
Lilith observed him with curiosity.
"They're delicious. This is my first time trying milk cake," Apollyon commented, enjoying the
treat. Lilith smiled, pleased that he liked her homemade cakes.
"The last one is for you," Apollyon said.
"I already had enough, and since you liked them, you should have this too," Lilith insisted,
gesturing for him to eat it.
"Are you sure?" she raised an eyebrow at him.
Apollyon nodded, and with a grateful smile, he said, "I'll change my clothes, and then we can sit
together."
"I'll wait here," Lilith said, sitting on the chaise, while Apollyon went to freshen up. After a while,
he emerged from the washroom and headed to the dressing chamber to put on comfortable
clothes.
Lilith placed the plate on the table in front of the chaise and thought to go to the dressing
chamber.
"Do you need my help, or shall I ask a servant?" Lilith asked as she saw he was struggling in
removing the cloak.
"I will appreciate your help," Apollyon said and dropped his hands down. Lilith approached him
and extended her hands to his shoulder when he bent a little so that she would not feel
inconvenienced by getting on her toes.
Apollyon sensed a sudden change in Lilith's behavior and couldn't help but be curious about the
reason behind it. As she approached to help with the gold buttons on his waistcoat, he gently
grasped her hands.
Lilith looked up at him with a questioning expression as he commented, "You're acting differently
today."
"Differently? How?" Lilith seemingly confusedly.
"You never helped me before," Apollyon said.
"Ahh, yes," Lilith replied and lowered her eyes for a short moment. "Since you don't take the
help of servants in this task, so I thought to assist you," she came up with a response.
Their eyes met as his fingers gently brushed against her forehead, tucking a strand of her hair
behind her ear. "It's strange. You've never cared about it before," he whispered, looking deeply
into her eyes.
"Lilith, did yesterday's kiss weaken your insides? Did it make you realize how strong my feelings
are for you?" Apollyon questioned directly, seeking the truth.
Lilith hesitated but finally spoke, "You always emphasize that I should fulfill my duties as your
wife. I merely want to help you."
Apollyon withdrew his hand from hers, allowing her to undress him. "One kiss and you seem to
be drawn to me already," he remarked teasingly.
"That's not true," Lilith promptly said.
"Then, tell me what is true?" Apollyon challenged, playfully cautioning her, "I might kiss you
again if you lie."
Taking a moment, Lilith mustered the courage and said, "I have a favor to ask from you,"
surprising Apollyon.
"What kind of favor?" he queried, intrigued by her request.
"I want you to remove this mark from my neck," Lilith urged, looking straight into his eyes. "Not
because I fear what I read in my father's journal. Please," she said, her eyes looked troubled for
some reason.
"I cannot do that," Apollyon said.
"Why?" Lilith wanted to know the reason.
"Because the process is irreversible," he replied.
"I see," Lilith fell silent, realizing there was no further argument she could present. She assisted
him in removing the waistcoat, and as he turned around to take off his shirt, she noticed a scar
on the center of his back.
"I will do the rest," Apollyon said and took a step back. He turned around and took off the shirt.
His back muscles relaxed as he lowered his hands. Lilith never got to see his back so closely so
she never noticed a scar on the center of his back.
Out of curiosity, Lilith gently touched the scar, causing Apollyon to tilt his head in curiosity.
"How did this happen? It seems the wound here never fully healed," Lilith softly questioned,
meeting his gaze.
"I don't remember having any scar on my body," Apollyon replied, somewhat puzzled.
"But you have one here. It's only visible up close," Lilith's fingers traced over his skin. "And your
body temperature suddenly rose. Are you alright?" She expressed genuine concern for him.
"It's because of you," Apollyon said, his expression darkening.
"Pardon me?" Lilith became confused and instinctively moved her hand away when he turned to
face her.
In the next moment, he pinned her against the wall, her hands held above her head. "Don't you
know how much my body craves you? Your touch alone ignites a fire within me," he declared,
his eyes glowing with a bright gold hue.
"I-I apologize," Lilith stuttered, feeling the intensity of his presence. His warm breath brushed
against her lips, and his gaze lingered upon them.
"Don't apologize. Allow me to have you," Apollyon asserted, his desire for her kept growing.