Back to the castle...
Lilith stood tall, unmoving, like a stone in the middle of the royal dining hall. The morning light pouring through the stained-glass windows lit her face, but her expression stayed cold and firm. Her heart raced, but she kept her gaze locked on the king—her father—sitting at the head of the table.
"I won't do it," Lilith said, her voice sharp and steady.
Azareon's smirk faltered for a moment. He leaned back slightly, his piercing eyes narrowing on her. "Excuse me?" His voice carried authority, a quiet demand for obedience.
"I said I won't do it," Lilith repeated, anger flashing in her eyes. "Cancel your plans. Whatever game you're playing, I'm not a pawn to be moved around."
The silence that followed was heavy, the tension filling every corner of the room. Azareon didn't move, but his gaze bore into her like a blade, cold and calculating.
Lilith stood tall, her feet planted firmly on the smooth marble floor of the royal dining hall. The sunlight filtering through the stained-glass windows painted the room in hues of gold and blue, but the vibrant light did nothing to soften the tension building between her and the king—her father.
Azareon sat at the head of the long table, his expression as calm and composed as ever. The celestial blue and white of his robes flowed like water, and his piercing gaze locked onto her with an unsettling weight.
"I did not ask if you wanted this, Lilith," Azareon said, his voice even but carrying the undeniable authority of a king. "I said you are getting a fiancé, and he will be Lucio. I believe you already know him."
Lilith's chest tightened, her pulse quickening as she processed his words. The air between them felt heavier than it ever had before, and she struggled to remember a time when she and Azareon had spoken to each other like this—face to face, at odds with one another.
She had met Lucio many times, as he frequently visited the castle for meetings with her father. He was everything a future ruler could hope for—handsome, with long silver hair and sun-kissed skin that gave him an air of graceful strength. His muscular frame and confident demeanor were enough to draw admiration from anyone who saw him. But none of that mattered to Lilith.
She wasn't ready for a relationship, much less a forced one. She didn't want the life her father was trying to impose on her. And more importantly, it wasn't about Lucio—she had never been into mens. This truth was a part of who she was, one she kept close to her heart, even if she hadn't spoken it aloud.
Lilith's jaw clenched, and she straightened her posture, her voice calm but resolute. "No," she said firmly. "I'm not doing this."
Azareon's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening for the first time. The smirk that often adorned his face faded completely. "You forget yourself, daughter," he said, his tone cutting.
"No," Lilith replied, her voice gaining strength as she met his gaze. "For once, I've remembered who I am. I am your daughter—not your pawn. I won't be forced into this."
For a moment, silence settled over the room. This was uncharted territory for both of them. Azareon had ruled with unchallenged authority for as long as Lilith could remember, and she had always played the obedient role. But now, standing here before him, she could feel the ground shifting beneath their relationship. It was the time to impose limits, since her mother died, she had always obeyed her father strictly, but this is reaching a point where is impossible to keep going.
Azareon leaned forward slightly, his gaze cold and unyielding. "You may feel bold now," he said quietly, "but you will come to understand the importance of this decision. It is not for you—it is for the Sky Reign."
Lilith remained unmoving, her voice steady but lined with steel. "Then the Sky Reign will have to find another way. I won't change my mind."
Without waiting for his response, she turned and left the room, her footsteps echoing in the grand hall. Her heart pounded, and the weight of what had just happened pressed heavily on her chest. She had never fought with her father before—not like this. And though she knew the consequences could be severe, there was no turning back now.
Lilith stormed out of the castle, her steps quick and purposeful as she crossed the Celestial Bridge into the bustling city. The tension from her conversation with Azareon still lingered, her emotions driving her forward. She didn't often walk through the busiest parts of the city; it wasn't that she didn't enjoy its beauty, but the crowds that gathered around her could be overwhelming.
Today, however, she didn't steer away. She strode right into the heart of the city, her presence instantly drawing attention. Heads turned, whispers spread, and people stopped what they were doing to catch a glimpse of her.
"Is that Princess Lilith?" someone murmured in awe.
"She's even more beautiful in person," another whispered, their voice tinged with excitement.
Lilith noticed their stares, and though she was in a hurry, she didn't let her frustrations show. She offered a small wave here and there, and her lips curved into a faint, polite smile for those who greeted her. The people looked delighted, flattered by her acknowledgment, and many smiled or bowed in return.
Despite the warmth of their reception, Lilith didn't linger. Her pace remained brisk, her focus fixed ahead as she navigated through the shimmering streets. The towering crystalline buildings and flowing bridges of mist seemed to fade into the background as her thoughts churned.
Her mind was still filled with the weight of her father's words, but even in her turmoil, she treated the people with respect. She knew they admired her—not just for her beauty, but for the hope and grace she represented. And while she couldn't stop her world from feeling chaotic, she didn't want to let them see the storm inside her.