"To be honest, I'm not sure when or why my heart started to long for yours but I never believed that love needed a reason. Sometimes the memories we make and the time we spend together are enough." Charles sat up and pinched Lilith's cheek.
"Poof"
Lilith threw the camellias on his face.
Maybe she should really think about stripping his right of freely visiting her soon!
"I hope you know I hate hearing these things..." Lillith got up and looked away.
"Then why are your ears red?" he takes her petals left on his face and smirks.
"It's red from anger." Lilith said, her voice blank. So blank one would think she's bored of the conversation, if not for the fact that she was still here waiting for his response.
"Then I like it when you're angry."
"That's... slightly concerning." She wanted to laugh but then she noticed the tiredness in his eyes. The Sainthallian Empire is not a small place, and having to travel between two empires in mere days, completing his duties and returning here to simply accompany her? It's definitely not an easy task. After seeing him so many times with a smile on his face, she thought it wasn't such an arduous task as she thought. Now it sounded ridiculous to assume that at all. She herself hated traveling. Now seeing him quite fatigued but still having the effort to amuse her... She felt quite a bit of pity for him.
"You know... you don't need to keep coming back here." she said after some contemplating.
He didn't expect the sudden change in atmosphere and was quite surprised. His expression turned sad and the previous playful look was gone. Was she already tired of him?
"Huh...? Why so suddenly you..."
Watching as his smile turned to a frown so quickly, she felt embarrassed. Did she upset him? Were her words too harsh? She didn't understand why he looked so gloomy now. To think the emotions of a man of his status is so easily changed just by a few words... Should she reassure him?
"It's just... I feel bad for your horse!"
"what?"
"Yeah! If you keep working it so hard by having it travel from there to here all the time then... what if it dies of exhaustion?"
"Don't worry, Lilith is well taken care of. She's my best horse and I always have her tended to by the best."
"...oh, yeah her." She almost forgot that the horse was named after her. To think something with her name is being ridden around everywhere... she shudders at the thought. "I'll be very offended if you work Lilith to death, I'll never forgive you."
He chuckled and said, "I promise I'll take care of her."
"It's late... Go rest up." Lilith was reaching for her cloak that Marie had left for her but Charles got to it first. He carefully puts it on her from behind. His breath was close to her ears. She flinched at the sensation and quickly moved away. He smiled at her, his gaze soft and gentle. She didn't know how to respond so she just walked away, not daring to look back. Back then, it was always her that would look for every opportunity to get even the slightest inch of Chase's affections, even when he simply gave it to her out of pity. She remembered the way her heart would beat faster every time he so much as casted her a glance and smiled. That alone would have her replaying that moment over and over in her head. She also remembered how deep her heart would sink into her stomach when he appeared annoyed by her. She remembered all too well.
But this...
This is the first time she has ever been on the receiving end...
And it felt...good. It was comforting to know that someone here in this world was genuinely listening when she spoke. That someone would care. That someone wanted to be around her, and that it was sincere. That someone who has seen the worst of her still chooses time and time again to stay by her side and follow her. That she didn't always have to calculate her next words. That maybe, just for a brief moment, she can stop trying so hard and just enjoy the feeling. Without the constant fear of this feeling disappearing or it all being a trick.
Will this feeling last forever or will it be taken away? Again? Let's say she didn't dare to hope.
*****
It hasn't been an easy few weeks for Evelina. Rulias doesn't allow her to go out much and with the Aurabella family breathing down her neck, she hasn't been in the best of moods. She thought after everything she experienced, she could still make the best of the worst deals. But there really is nothing she can do. But while she's practically locked up in her own room all day, constantly being watched by a few servants, she has to constantly hear about the new lavish life of the famous and admired second princess. Lilith seemed to be enjoying herself quite a fair bit, constantly attending banquets held by esteemed hosts. All of Evelina's past suitors and "good friends" hadn't even bothered to ask about her wellbeing or send her any letters, though she never really expected them to still want to associate with her now that she's a married woman from a family with a dwindling fortune and simply honor in name.
"This shameless b*tch..." Evelina scoffed as she tore open the letter handed over by one of her maids with a letter opener.
"Perhaps you should accept, my lady..." the maid bowed. She's one of the few maids in the Aurabella estate that still bothers to behave respectfully towards Evelina.
"You know nothing so mind your business." Evelina grinned after opening the letter. She has been receiving many invitations as of late. From who? Isn't it obvious? Who out there still cares to invite her to parties if not Lilith, the beloved second princess herself. Of course, it's not out of the goodness of her heart. Evelina knows Lilith is just looking for another opportunity to crush her pride. She won't give her one. It was cowardly, yes, but Evelina didn't have the energy or will to partake in her little game at the moment.
"That bastard is out there wasting his money on brothels again isn't he?" Evelina chuckled. Rulias has been relying on prostitutes and brothels lately. She knows he's doing this purposely to anger her after she refused to "complete their marital duties". She couldn't care less though. Maybe a little actually. He's dragging her name through the mud and probably spitting out nonsense! Hearing her refer to him as such made most of the maids present bite their teeth and roll their eyes, while some trembled with fear. Just as Evelina was about to throw the letters into the nearby crackling fireplace, another one of the maids gathered up the courage to suggest, "Your grace, you have declined quite a few of the princess's invitations. This gathering will be attended by a majority of the nobility as the second princess and the empress herself will be hosting."
Evelina threw a glare her way and rolled her eyes with contempt and said, "Oh? This one thinks she's smart huh?" The same maid bowed her head quickly and Evelina grinned before sighing, "Fine. That little attention seeker is so desperately wishing to see me, I suppose I shall grace our favorite princess with my presence huh? She thinks she can push me any lower? I'd like to see her try! Even death isn't worse than this colorless life stuck with a husband so irksome. Let her do her worst! She thinks I can be pushed any further? That b*tch should know that I have already hit the bottom of the abyss! It was she who pushed me here, is she still not satisfied!?" The maids flinch as Evelina raises her voice and her eyes grow wild with madness.
*****
"That girl doesn't deserve your mercy, dear." Her majesty the empress with her silky hair blowing in the light breeze told Lilith as she sipped the fragrant tea. The two enjoyed some light refreshments outside the imperial tent a few hours before the hunting competition event took place. Today's hunting event in particular was quite special as usually an event held by the imperial family was only available for members of affluent and highly influential families, however today's event welcomed ladies and lords no matter if they are the kin of a duke or the kin of a baron. This of course caused quite a stir and many aristocrats rushed to accept the invitations.
"I'm not simply doing this out of kindness, your majesty. I have debts to repay to Lady Evelina." Lilith chewed on a few small pastries before speaking, her manner graceful even when eating. She already possessed impressive manners and etiquette, but after being accepted into the imperial family, she took extra classes during her spare time.
"Oh? What kind of debts?" The empress raised her brows, her eyes holding a concern that stretches between worry and intrigue.
"Forgive me your majesty, however I'm afraid I am unable to specify."
"Hm... Fine, you shall keep it to yourself." The empress chuckled. One of the empress's ladies in waiting approached and notified us of a few guests' arrivals. The empress nods and informs Lilith that she has a matter to settle, thus she hopes Lilith is willing to greet the first few guests herself for a while.
"It's no trouble, your majesty." Lilith shook her head and stood to curtsy before the empress's departure.
Her majesty sighed, "If only Elizabeth was as much of a good girl as you are... That girl's only talent is causing chaos."
Soon after, the attending nobility were let inside the grounds and Lilith began the few of many greetings she must give before having a servant escort the guests to their prepared tents. Lilith opened a hand fan and was just about to use it when she noticed that her special guest had arrived early. She smirked and made her way to Evelina who was dressed in a pastel floral dress.
"My goodness... Dear lovely Eve, how generous of you to bestow us your divine presence so early. Not trying to show up fashionably late this time?" Lilith stood before her with a few maids following behind. Her smile was so gentle and so at ease yet it reeked of disdain and contempt as well. Evelina felt sick but swallowed the feeling down. Evelina returned a smile and curtsied insincerely while Lilith watched her.
"You flatter me, dear princess. If not for your persistence in sending me an invitation for every gathering, I would long have been forgotten and left to rot in my husband's home." Evelina grinned with a smile not reaching her eyes and a gaze so intense with hatred it could burn. Lilith faked an exaggerated gasp before laughing softly, "Don't say that, Eve. You are a beloved member of the nobility. Wait, no perhaps were... But you are certainly unforgettable. So unforgettable that many work hard to keep you away from their minds."
"Like you perhaps?" Evelina scoffed, her sneer eerie with her soft features.
"Oh no... It'd be useless for me to push you to the back of my mind. Everyday, I think about you. Every Night, I dream of you. My thoughts are plagued with your grin and that look in your eyes when you have your way. You really give meaning to this life." Lilith walked to her, steps slow but with each second her smile dims until it fades completely. Standing merely a few inches from Evelina's stunned face, Lilith suddenly smiles again and lets out a chuckle.
Lilith whispers, "I love seeing the fear in your eyes, Eve. I can see you're struggling. It makes me glad. Giddy, even. It sends a jolt of pleasure to my heart at seeing you go slowly mad."
Evelina's lips curl once more and she whispers her reply, "Oh yeah?" Then her smile drops and her eyes widen with provocation. She clenches her teeth and practically hisses the words out, "Are you some psycho crazy b*tch?"
Lilith doesn't flinch, doesn't even bat an eye. She retorts with a sneer, "I wasn't but now maybe I am... and it is you who did this to me."
"Awh... Poor little Lilith can't get over a boy that didn't like her back..." Evelina pouts.
Lilith's grin only grows wider as she says, "If it had only been that, you wouldn't be dead by the end of today."
And with that, Lilith left with an ambiguous grin spread on her face, leaving Evelina speechless. More and more noble guests arrived. Just as Lilith felt her throat drying up for the many greetings that had left her lips, an ice cold drink was pressed against her neck, causing Lilith to slightly jump. Turning around, Lilith was met with Alice's shining smile, yet it still held traces of grief from losing her young brother.
"Alice? What's this?" Lilith asked as she took the drink from Alice.
"Juice. You looked quite in need of a drink, my princess." Alice hugged Lilith's arm which sparked shock among the servants and nobility around. Before Lilith could even respond, she felt another arm wrapping around her arm.
"Good afternoon, my beautiful ladies! Goodness, you two should've seen what I saw when I entered here!" Rienne spoke excitedly, "I saw Rulias with his arm around some poor girl's waist and Evelina was close by too! Honestly, how does she put up with that? I don't pity her but If my husband were flirting right in front of me, I might've just slapped divorce papers across his face and eloped with some handsome servant! Oh well, it's amusing seeing them tear each other to shreds."
"I can't believe you two used to be good friends." Alice sighed, her contempt for the newlywed couple clear.
"Where's Ariana?" Lilith asked, she looked out into the crowd nearby and couldn't spot Ariana anywhere. Had she chosen not to attend?
"Oh you'll see..." Rienne grinned and winked at Alice who giggled in return.
Many round tables were set in front of the tents and the women quickly settled themselves into their respective seats according to the seating arrangement made by the joint efforts of the empress and the second princess. The men changed into their hunting suits and equipped their hunting gear before the servants brought out each of the men's horses. When the rest of the imperial family emerged, the ladies stood from their seats and the men stood as a line by the entrance of the forest to hear the emperor's speech. Lilith was standing at the side of the imperial family as the emperor spoke when she spotted long silky brown hair among the line of men joining the hunt. It was Ariana wearing a hunting suit and hunting gear tied to her back. Just as Lilith couldn't help but be stunned, she heard the emperor say, "...and today, lady Ariana Chandler shall be joining the hunt as the first and only lady! She has proven capable enough of partaking in the event thus I granted her my permission."
At that moment, Lilith saw a smile bloom on Ariana's face. Lilith couldn't help but be mesmerized by that stunning smile, so much so that it took her a few seconds to realize that smile was directed at her. Lilith laughed softly and waved to her dear friend with a smile. She glanced at Rienne and Alice, surprised to see that they were already smiling at her. Looks like they had purposely planned this to surprise her...
Before the main event of the hunting competition began, the ladies were allowed to give their handkerchief to their favorite hunter to give luck and wish them safety. But of course, some young ladies would take the chance to express their romantic interest towards some lucky man. Many ladies eagerly gave their handkerchiefs, while others didn't seem as sure. Lilith took out her handkerchief and made her way to the line of contestants. Originally she planned to give her handkerchief to the crown prince but she saw an opportunity to give it to someone else. Feeling slightly guilty, she glanced at her new brother, the crown prince, and found that he was surrounded by young women practically fighting to give him their handkerchiefs. Her guilt was washed away almost immediately...
On her way there, she locked eyes with Chase, who of course participated. He paused, looking away from the young lady offering him her handkerchief. His mouth moved as if he intended to say something but was too uncertain. Lilith's eyes lit up and she smiled at his direction, a small so graceful and so full of delight it stunned him. She walked towards him, her smile still on her face. He spotted the handkerchief in her hand and gently pushed the young lady next to him aside.
"Lil-" Just as Chase opened his mouth with the intention of calling her.
Their shoulders brush past and he turns back only to see Lilith wrap her arm around Ariana's and hand her the handkerchief. He watched as Ariana grinned at Lilith, watched as Ariana took the hand that was previously wrapped around her arm and kissed the back of Lilith's palm with a smile against the fair skin.
___________________
Author's note: so sorry for the long wait and thank you who have been patient with your's truly, the master of failed promises ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ I'll be working on the next chapter as soon as I'm able! To slightly make up for so many chapterless months, here's a few memes I made myself lmao (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง (as usual. if there were any typos or error, feel free to comment as I usually edit these chapters in a rush)