章 1426: A Drifting Dream

"Hmm…"

The faint touch against his cheek was feather-light, but it stirred Neron from his restless sleep.

He blinked against the dim glow of the room, his mind still fogged with exhaustion and grief.

For a moment, he thought he had imagined it—a dream, a trick of his sorrow-addled mind.

But then he saw her.

"A-ahh… y-you…!"

Lilith stood at the edge of his bed, her crimson eye glowing faintly in the half-light, hiding the black eyepatch that covered her other eye.

She looked serene, her usual mischievous smirk absent, replaced by an expression that was strangely tender.

Neron shot upright, his heart pounding.

"L-Lilith?" he stammered, his voice cracking with disbelief. "How…? You… you died. I saw…"

Her smile softened, and she raised a hand to silence him.

"Relax, Neron. I'm here. But keep your voice down, or you'll wake the entire palace."