Mrs. Hemsworth was busy at the stove, stirring something in a large pot that smelled incredibly good. She was wearing a casual dress and apron, her gray hair pinned back neatly.
When Lilian entered, her face softened into a motherly smile.
"There you are, dear. I was worried those boys would work you until you collapsed," she said, waving a wooden spoon toward the island. "Sit, sit. Lunch is almost ready in just a moment."
Lilian climbed onto one of the bar stools, feeling oddly out of place. Less than a week ago, she had been serving tables at a downtown restaurant, stressing over tips and her mounting bills.
Now she was sitting in a mansion kitchen while a housekeeper who knew about the existence of vampires made her lunch.
"You look troubled," Mrs. Hemsworth observed while sprinkling fresh herbs into the pot. "Is the training too difficult?"
".. No, no. The training is fine," Lilian said quickly. "it's just… everything else. I'm still trying to understand how is my life now."
"That's understandable. Changing into what you are is never a simple thing, especially given how it happened to you."
Mrs. Hemsworth turned down the heat on the stove and came to sit across from Lilian at the island, studying her closely. "Tell me the truth, dear. How are you really feeling? Not the version you give the princes."
Lilian hesitated, surprised by the direct question. But there was something in Mrs. Hemsworth maternal warmth that made her want to be honest.
"I'm scared," she whispered. "I'm confused and feel completely lost. Everyone keeps talking about control and training and the Council, but inside, I feel like I'm just an actor playing a role of someone else's life."
The old lady's expression softened. "That's because you are, in a way," she said gently. "The life you knew ended the second you were attacked. Now you're building a new one, and that's terrifying. But it's also an opportunity."
"An opportunity for what?"
"To become whoever you want to be."
Mrs. Hemsworth reached across the island to pat Lilian's hand. "You're not no longer bound by human limitation anymore. You're stronger, faster, more powerful that you ever were. The real question isn't about who you were. It's about who you want to become now."
Lilian went quiet. She hadn't though about it that way before. She had been so preoccupied with mourning her old life that she hadn't really considered what she might gain in this new existence.
"The princes seem very invested in your wellbeing," Mrs. Hemsworth continued, her tone remaining carefully neutral. "That alone says a great deal. They're not known for doting on anyone."
"Dante said it was about compatibility. About me being a potential mate for all three of them," Lilian said, feeling the heat creeping into her face as she said it out loud. "I don't know it was real, or just for some vampire politics play."
Mrs. Hemsworth smiled softly. "Oh, it's very real, dear. Vampire mating bonds are powerful things. When a vampire finds their true mate, it's not something they can ignore or walk away from. Once felt, they can't simply be ignored."
"But all three of them?" Lilian frowned. "That seems…"
"Excessive?" Mrs. Hemsworth chuckled softly. "Not for a divine hybrid like yourself. Your power is too great for a single vampire to balance. Historically, hybrids have always taken multiple mates. Two or three is common. It's how nature balances things out."
"So what am I supposed to do? Date all three of them? Sleep with all three of them?"
Lilian shook her head, feeling the sheer scale of the idea was overwhelming. "I've never even had a serious boyfriend, and now I'm supposed to handle three vampires?"
"Dear," Mrs. Hemsworth called out firmly. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Mate bonds are powerful, but they're not slavery. You still have a choice. The princess know that too, which is why they're giving you time to figure things out."
"They keep saying I should choose them when I'm ready. But how do I know? How do I know if what I'm feeling is real or just these stupid hybrid hormones everyone keeps talking about?"
Instead of answering immediately, Mrs. Hemsworth returned to her pot, stirring once more before ladling the contents into a bowl. She brought it over and set it in front of Lilian. It was a rich and hearty stew that smelled incredible.
"Eat first," she said gently. "Your body needs nourishment whether you feel hungry or not. Then we'll talk about feelings, hormones, and all those complicated things."
Lilian picked up the spoon and took a bite. The flavors burst across her tongue, exploding on her enhances taste buds. The savory depth of the beef, the sweetness of the vegetables, and the rich broth with herbs she didn't recognize.
It was the best stew she had ever tasted, and she kept eating with an enthusiasm she hadn't felt in days.
"Good?" Mrs. Hemsworth asked with a knowing glint in her eyes.
"It's amazing," Lilian mumbled around another mouthful.
"I've been cooking for vampires for forty years," Mrs. Hemsworth said, returning to her seat. "You learn how to please the hundred years of age beings. Now, as for those hormones…"
The old lady folded her hands on the counter, her expression and tone turned thoughtful. "Yes, hybrid hormones exist. They heighten the desire and emotion far beyond normal or even the vampires would. But they don't invent feelings. They only amplify what's already inside you."
"So if I'm attracted to them…"
"Then you were already attracted to them, even before the transformation turned it into a wildfire."
Mrs. Hemsworth paused, watching her closely. "Tell me honestly, what do you feel when you look at the princes?
Lilian set down her spoon, gulping down her tender beef, while considering the question seriously.
"When I see Dante, I feel challenged. Like he sees through all my bullshit and demands I be honest, even when it's uncomfortable. He's intimidating, but he's also magnetic. I want to prove myself to him to earn his respect."
She took a breath, moving on to the next vampire.
"Adrian makes me feel safe. I feel like he would catch me before I even knew I was falling. He's gentle, patient, and kind, but I can sense there's something powerful he's keeping on a leash. Part of me wants to see what he's like when he stops holding back."
"And Lucien?" Mrs. Hemsworth prompted.
"Lucien is just… not hiding anything. What you see is what you get, and that's weirdly attractive. He doesn't pretend to be noble or patient. He just wants me, and he's honest about it."
Lilian stopped for a second, struggling to find the next right words. "He was… refreshing. I trust him because I know he doesn't have a hidden agenda. Even if his honesty hurts, I know he won't lie."
Mrs. Hemsworth smiled, looking satisfied.