Lilith couldn't remember what happened afterwards. Her mind was completely shaken by the information fed to her. In the end she and Beatrice parted ways and Lilith returned to her Eternal Rose Palace. That night, she was paid a little visit by a certain gentleman. Fortunately for the man, Lilith's bedroom had a balcony as well.

On a starlit night, a silver-haired beauty looked down on the view of the sprawling garden of the Eternal Rose Palace, provided by the balcony as she went through her turbulent thoughts. Her fair white slender hands held a white coat over her thin nightgown, to shelter herself from the cold night's breeze. The distant sounds of crickets and the faint glow of fireflies merely enchanted the scenery before her that she couldn't help but sigh with admiration.

She then spotted a shadowy figure slowly and stealthily make their way to her. With powerful jumps. The figure held onto the railings and climbed up. For a moment Lilith was stunned and her already unsteady heart shook with fright. It took a second for her to identify the person and extinguish the flames of panic that blazed inside her chest a few seconds ago.

"You... If it weren't for me being familiar with this situation, I would've thought you were a thief!" Lilith exclaimed in a scolding manner. Was this man not aware of how alarming the scene of a shadowy figure climbing up one's balcony is!?

"Forgive me, Lily... I didn't mean to frighten you. I just missed you and decided to come." The man chuckled nervously as he pulled down the black hood that covered his obsidian black hair and revealed a pair of sapphire eyes that could bewitch any.

"If you wanted to come by, you could've just entered through the front doors like a normal person! If you were caught, I'm afraid my guards would lock you up to interrogate you..." Lilith raised her brows at him and rolled her eyes. Seeing her seemingly annoyed appearance, Charles should've felt at the very least slightly disheartened, but due to the faint blush on her cheeks, he wasn't affected in the slightest.

"But isn't it arriving like this more...romantic?" Charles gazed into her golden eyes suggestively.

"Well if we were lovers in some play, it would've. But in the real world, you look more like an assassin on the way to kill a beautiful and gorgeous young maiden!" The beauty pouted. She didn't seem to think referring to herself as 'a beautiful and gorgeous maiden' to be strange or shameless. As if it was only natural she is described that way.

"I wouldn't mind being your lover, Lily." He purposely teased whilst shortening their distance.

"I never said that...!" Lilith was unexpectedly attacked by the man's clever mouth and she shook her head stubbornly.

' Curse this man's sly tongue! '

"Don't look at me like that, Lily. If you keep glaring at me so cutely, I can't keep myself from teasing you even more..." He laughed inwardly. He stroked her head to calm the angered little wild cat, which only earned him an angry scowl from the provoked untamed cat. What the lady thought would be a threatening glare only appeared extremely adorable and lovable in the man's eyes.

"Okay, okay. I'll no longer come here in this way. It should be much simpler than sneaking in anyway. I was almost caught by the guards, how annoying. How dare they try to keep me away for you, Lily." He sulked unhappily.

"Doesn't that just mean the security of my palace is good? Hmph! You should be grateful those guards actually put effort in keeping me from getting secretly murdered." Lilith crossed her arms and smirked.

The two chatted and laughed together before the man had to return. After a pleasant time, Lilith went to sleep with a smile on her face.

***********

Since that night, a month has passed and the day of the crowning has finally arrived. The main palace was buzling with noise as the servants frantically made sure everything would be perfect. Nothing remained unchecked. The food, the decorations, the music, and many more were examined more than once before getting the seal of approval from the Empress herself. However it wasn't only the imperial palace that was busy all about, every home belonging to an aristocrat was chaotic. Especially the room of the noble ladies that had multiple gowns thrown everywhere with the scent of perfume and powder in the air.

It was nothing less but an eventful morning for everyone that was to attend the second princess's official crowning!

"Ahh! I'm so scared I can't breathe!" Marie was at her limit with her face pale with nervousness. She is used to dressing her dear miss up for important events but this... This might be the most important event of her miss's life! Oh she can't handle this pressure!

"Calm down Marie, we still have a lot of time. Don't rush yourself." Lilith calmly assured while staring at herself in the mirror.

"Indeed. You should take a second to breathe, sister Marie." Serina sighed as she witnessed the frantic Marie run around the room with the gown prepared in her arms.

"Your right, your right...!" Marie took in a deep breath and her heart instantly calmed. She can't panic now, she must make sure her miss is the most dazzling young lady! With determination in her now spirited eyes, Marie returned to helping Lilith get ready.

***********

Evelina stared at her reflection coldly. She can't believe this is really happening. She felt like a puppet hung by strings and whatever happens is out of her control. But it's too late to regret! All she can do is walk the path she has chosen till the end and hope for the better.

After everyone had gathered in the lobby, the Skyler family set out to leave for the imperial palace. Once they had arrived, the bitterness in some of their hearts only grew even more unbearable. Everything was put to place so meticulously, it is clear to one that the royal family held this event in high regard. Which means they held Lilith very dearly...

Once inside the ballroom, they were greeted with pleasant music mixed with the faint whispers of others staring at them.

"Thankfully lady Evelina isn't wearing some wretched gown again."

"Hmph. She's trying to look all perfect and happy but it's clear to everyone she's very envious of Lady Angelina."

"Look at Duke Skyler's ashen expression. It's amusing to see a man who always used to hold his chin up high be so embarrassed..."

"Hah! Look at Evelina's face! Oh my, I've been itching for this day!" Rienne laughed. It's ironic really. These are the same people who ridicule her and protect Evelina like a rare treasure. Now they have turned their backs against Evelina just like that...

"Hmph, no matter how she tries to hide her anger, it will always poke it's hideous self out somehow. I do feel very satisfied seeing her like this..." Alice sneered mockingly at Evelina's distant figure. Though this situation is indeed very humiliating for Evelina, Alice knew the pain was only skin deep. How could Evelina's little torment be compared to how tortured she felt when her own brother was murdered!

Arianna stared at Evelina, who was trying to avoid the judging gazes of others, and smiled. This is nobility. Once you fall, no one will help you back up. Instead they'll trample on you like they have seen a powerful rival at their most vulnerable moment.

Shortly after, all the guests were led by a palace servant to the grand throne room, where they saw the Imperial family standing on the platform. Just like the ballroom, the throne room was decorated carefully. The scene simply yelled the word extravagance.

After the usual courtesies and greetings have been exchanged, the Emperor decided to share a few words.

"It's our pleasure to have you all here to witness the crowning of the soon-to-be second princess! Angelina has always been very good. With outstanding talents and intellect, she has surprised me again and again! Today is her birthday but also the date she shall be crowned the second princess of our Sainthallian Empire!" He spoke spiritedly. After he finished his little speech, the nobles cheered and anticipated the arrival of their new princess.

The musicians began playing and with a creak of the large doors, trumpets sounded throughout the throne room. The doors were opened slowly and revealed a young lady adorned with jewels and the finest of silk. She stood there with her long silver hair draped down and her golden eyes shimmering under the light. Who else could it be? She, with a dignified smile, gracefully walked towards the platform where the thrones were. A beautiful and elegant red gown covered her fair white skin as it's long train tailed behind her slender figure. The fresh red roses sewn onto the gown merely enhanced it's magnificent charm. With her unforgettable presence, she is undoubtedly the one who stood out from the rest. Her angelic appearance at that moment could be described with the words: powerful and imposing.

Elizabeth's smile brightened when she laid eyes on her soon-to-be big sister. She almost couldn't restrain herself from shouting about how she was the one who helped pick out Lilith's gown.

As the beauty passed the memorized aristocrats, she could faintly hear their whispers.

"Lady Angelina is so beautiful..."

"That gown looks gorgeous on her!"

"She never fails to amaze me! First she saved princess Elizabeth, then it was revealed she is the mysterious painter 'Angel', now she is about to crowned royalty!?"

"She's only fifteen, yet she has accomplished so much!"

Instead of shying away from the many praises, Lilith's smile grew wider and her head was raised higher. Her ego is flying off the charts.

Amidst the loud pleasant music and the whispers of some, Lilith headed a different whisper. It wasn't a praise but...

"Congratulations Lina...!" Alice quietly whispered, her face brimming with excitement and joy. Beside her was Rienne, who sneakily shot Lilith a wink. Arianna, the silent beauty, merely smiled.

Lilith reached before the platform and cast the imperial family a warm smile.

"Ever since Angelina returned from the Vancelia Empire and recovered from her illness, she has been proving her outstanding ability and has amazed us all. Not only is her beauty comparable to the flowers in spring, she owns a pure heart and an elegant temperament. It is our empire's fortune to have her and thus, it is my honor to crown her the second princess, Lilith La Iberlyn Sainthall!" After his words were spoken, Lilith lowered her head as the intricately made tiara was set upon it.

She turned around and claps filled the room. At that moment, she stood there as all eyes were on her. But she didn't cower and instead embraced it with a gorgeous smile that could bewitch all. Her piercing beauty could even put the mightiest of kingdoms and empires crumble at the sight.

That day, that afternoon, that very second, a princess was crowned.