"....." Silence filled the room. Angelina didn't know what to say. She was completely caught of guard.

'Sorry? Does this mean...' without realizing, tears began to form in her eyes.

When Chase noticed her teary eyes, he reached out his hand to wipe away her tears. But his hand was slapped away.

Angelina refused to cry, expesially in front of him. She would not let the tears in her eyes to fall. She didn't want to show weakness, but her emotions were bursting out.

"How long..." She muttered. Her voice shaky. Her tone carried a hint of sadness, rage, and numbness.

"Ever since your debut. Though, it was merely dreams. However, on the day before the last event my family held, I remembered everything." He replied. His smile tightened as he patiently waited for her response.

Unfortunately for him, Angelina remained silent.

He knew she didn't want to talk to him.

He too was shocked when he realized her true identity as Lilith. But the first thing that came to mind was that, he had to apologize.

He had extremely wronged her. He regretted everything. If only he knew...

If only he'd just listen to her and not ignore her please...

He lifted his hand from her head and pulled her into his arms.

"....!" Angelina felt her heart tremble as soon as she was held close to his chest. Just as she was about to struggle, she froze when she heard him whisper into her ear.

"I'm sorry. I should've believed you. The guilt I feel is immeasurable. I was foolish, and I know that now. I let myself fall for her lies and deception. There's nothing I can do to fix what I've done or reverse what you have experienced. I can only apologize to you now. I'm sorry, Lilith."

Angelina felt him tightened his embrace. Her face was buried in his chest.

She didn't want to cry at this moment. Her pride wouldn't let her. And yet when he whispered his apology, her tears began to overflow and stream down her cheeks. Staining his clothes.

Angelina gritted her teeth and pushed him away. She hardened her heart and pulled him by the collar. She leaned in his ear and said,

"If you think I'll forgive you just because you admitted you were wrong, then you are mistaken!"

Angelina pushed him away once again and strode over to the door.

When she reached for the handle, she heard him say, with hoarse voice, "I know. I know what I've done is unforgivable. But I'll wait. I'll wait for that day you forgive me."

"....heh" Angelina sneered. But it looked more like a smile of mockery. Not to him, but herself.

"No, I'll never forgive you." Angelina exclaimed before leaving.

*********************

Inside her room, Angelina closed the door behind her before letting the tears fall endlessly.

Her lips trembled and her breathing was unsteady.She slowly made her way to the bed and sat down.

She buried her head in her knees and cried.

She had faced Chase many times In this life. So why was it now she felt emotional?

Perhaps it was due to seeing him again? The Chase she knew. The one who she spent her entire childhood with.

In a strange way, it felt like a reunion.

"Clack!"

Angelina lifted her head and stared at the the door's direction.

Marie poked her head through the crack of the door. She widened her eyes and rushed in the room when she saw Angelina's tear stricken face.

"Miss, are you alright!? Why are you crying!?" Marie shouted in panic. She embraced Angelina's shoulder and hugged her tightly.

Marie gently wiped away her tears and comforted her.

"Don't cry miss... Your amazing maid will be here for you!" Marie attempted to joke and cheer her up.

"Was it that young master? I'll kill him miss! How dare he hurt my beautiful lady!" Marie made an angered expression and stomped on the ground.

"...haha" Angelina chuckled and wiped away her tears. Marie always knew how to entertain her.

***************

After the Skyler family bid farewell to Chase and saw him off, a maid approched Angelina in the hallway.

"M'lady, I found this doll in the 2nd floor drawing room. M'lady was the last person there, so I have come to return this doll." The maid respectfully bowed as she handed Angelina the doll, before leaving.

Angelina stared into the doll's emerald eyes and felt a strange feeling. She walked over to the trash bin, placed in the corner of the hallway, and clutched the doll in her hand.

She was about to let go and throw it into the trash, but it didn't feel right.

She wanted to let go, but her hands trembled and instead held it even tighter. As if some part of her was telling her not to throw it away.

She gazed into the doll's emerald eyes and pursed her lips. This doll was her past self's prized possession. It even looked like her.

If she threw it away, would it also mean she was abandoning herself...?

As she stared into it's eyes, she felt even more reluctant to part with it.

With a sigh, she retreated her arm and brought the doll to her room.

********************

Chase watched the several trees pass the moving carriage. His sighed when his eyes swept over to the cloudless blue sky. The sky possessed the same color as someone else's eyes.

He could still remember how captivated he was when he first met those pair of blue eyes.

Eyes so innocent and pure, yet they hid a merciless and cruel soul.

He would never forget the day of their first meeting

- - - - - - - - - - - -

A young boy possessing golden hair and amethyst eyes sighed. His eyes looked at the bright and lively scenery with a gaze full of awe.

His parents have taken him to the capital, to enter the palace. But during the night before he would meet the royal family, he snuck out to personally witness the starlight festival.

It was a beautiful and unforgettable sight.

That night, the people sang and danced around the streets, that were bustled with people. Tents were set up on the side, selling simple street food.

The kids ran around and played with their friends. Everyone seemed to be having fun with no worries at all.

But that couldn't be said the same for him.

He carried much worries in his heart. The countless stones of pressure weighed his shoulders.

He was the only child of the Casspan family. That meant he was the only heir. If he did not do well, it would bring the entire Casspan family history to ruin.

If he made a mistake, countless people wouldn't think twice to bring him down.

But at this moment, he finally felt at peace. Perhaps, just for this one night, he could let himself breathe freely and have fun.

As he explored the bright and lively street, he bumped into someone.

"Um!" The young girl fell and rubbed the top of her head, that previously hit against his chest.

She looked extremely pitiful and adorable. Chase couldn't help but let guilt take over his heart.

He reached out his hand to her and said, "are you alright? I'm terribly sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you, miss"

The young girl, lifted her head, took his hand, and smile.

"Nope it's alright. I know you didn't mean it."

He was stunned. Chase had not gotten a clear look of her face, due to her wearing a cloak. But now that he saw it, he was amazed.

Clear white skin, long blonde hair, innocent blue eyes, and a beautiful smile.

The girl got up and patted her dress, getting rid of the dirt.

"What's your name?" Chase asked.

"Hm? Oh! Evelina. My name's Evelina!" She replied. Her smile was bright and adorable.

Evelina lowered her head and looked down at the floor. Her smile dimmed and disappointment filled her heart.

She sighed. Chase, confused, looked down as well.

On the floor were two sugar candies.

'It seemed she dropped it when she fell...' Chase concluded in his mind. He felt sorry and offered to buy it for her.

"Oh no no! It's alright!" Evelina immediately declined.

"I insist. This was indeed my fault. I should've been paying attention." Chase insisted.

Evelina eventually nodded.

**************

"Thank you." Chase thanked the stan owner and took the two sugar candies. He turned to Evelina and handed her one.

"Thank you sir...." Evelina paused and realized she didn't know his name.

"Chase." He told her. His face slightly brightened. ' what a funny lady.'

" Thank your...sir Chase." Evelina smiled.

Chase turned back to the stan owner and handed him the money. When he turned to Evelina, he was surprised to see her handing her sugar candy to a child.

The child smiled and thanked her before running back to his mother.

"You....why would you give it to that child?" Chase asked. He was slightly touched. He never met such a generous and kind-hearted lady.

Evelina smiled and said, "the poor little one didn't have enough money to buy any. So I decided to give him mine."

"Then..." Chase handed her his sugar candy. "You can have mine."

"...!" Evelina blushed and accepted it. "Thank you..."

However the peaceful moment didn't last long. Seconds later they ran over to where everyone else gathered, after hearing a man announcing it.

They looked up and stared in awe as many lanterns were lit up and floated in the night sky.

It was an extraordinary sight.

The sky was now filled with bright lanterns, that imitated it's stars.

Chase looked at the girl beside him, and realized she has taken off her cloak.

Her beautiful face revealed itself, and the bright lanterns were reflected in her breathtaking blue eyes. She exuded the charm of a pure and youthful lady.

Chase felt his heart pound against his chest. Right at that moment, he fell in love.