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.

Evelina's eyes didn't move away from her, not even for a second. She couldn't retract her gaze no matter how much she tried. There was something so irritatingly eye-catching about the smile on Lilith's face. It caused an itch in her heart. It seemed as if that smile was some sort of statement for her. Envy rushed to her heart and the taste of bitterness was in her mouth. This isn't fair! This isn't fair at all! She had worked so hard! There wasn't a second in her life that she wasn't planning for her next step! She deserves this more than anyone else! How could it be...

Soon, everyone returned to the ballroom to celebrate the honor of their new princess. All wore smiles and let out cheery laughs. Only a few wore ashen faces and isolated themselves from the lively festivities. Lilith intended to go over to the royal family's side to speak with them but before she could, she was unexpectedly attacked by a fierce hug!

"Congratulations Lina- I mean... Lilith!" Alice hugged her friend from behind and uttered closely to Lilith's ears.

"Tha-thank you, Allie. Now, please let go..." Lilith pleaded as she felt her waist being squeezed to death. Already wearing a corset and being hugged so tightly, Lilith felt her waist was about to break! How could such a delicate looking young maiden such as Alice possess so much strength and give such suffocating hugs? It really is always the ones you never suspect...

"Hey! If it isn't our princess Lilith! You better not forget about us now that you have ascended to the seat of a princess!" Rienne laughed wholeheartedly before slapping Lilith's back without a care.

...

Lilith really didn't expect to face such disrespect so soon after being crowned.

"Lady Rienne, Lady Alice, I don't think this is appropriate. Perhaps a polite greeting first?" Arianna sighed. She too is happy for Lilith, but a proper noble lady must restrain herself from such impulsive behavior. Like slapping a newly crowned princess on her back...

"Don't be such a bore, lady Arianna! We're all friends here!" Rienne laughed once again and slapped Arianna's back as well.

"..." Arianna rolled her eyes. This lady Rienne is too careless with her actions...

"So Lina, do I still call you Lina or Lilith?" Alice tilted her head, her arms locking around Lilith's arm.

"You may call me Lilith, Allie. But it's best if you address me appropriately when we're around others." Lilith breathed a sigh of relief once Alice let go of her waist.

"Lilith... What a pretty name! How about Lily for short?" Alice suggested, but there was no point in changing her mind even if anyone were to disagree. She had already decided to refer to Lilith by that.

"Sure..." For some odd reason, Lilith thought about a certain gentleman who wouldn't be so happy with Alice's decision. It only took her a second to shrug off the thought.

She intended to chat with some of her other friends and acquaintances. Acquaintances, by that she meant her fellow Evelina despisers, who were currently poking 'fun' at the unfortunate Evelina. The poor lady was helpless and could only stand quietly whilst being surrounded by them. Those ladies threw insults after insults towards Evelina ruthlessly. Even if Evelina didn't keep quiet and chose to defend herself in any way, it would be useless. She was completely outnumbered without her loyal followers here to back her up. Not even Sonia, who used to be one of her most dedicated supporters, were here.

"You must feel honored, lady Evelina. Her highness, the second princess was once your sister after all..."

"She really is the best that has come from the Skyler family!"

"Lady Evelina, is something wrong? I'm afraid your appearence today is lacking than what it was before... Is something the matter? Is something troubling your mood?"

"Hmph. Compared to Princess Lilith's beauty that is alike to the shining sun, lady Evelina's is much dimmer..."

Usually someone would've come to her rescue by now, but no one dared to step forward this time. The newly crowned princess and her blood-related family separated in quite a bad note, thus no one dared to help Evelina in fear of offending Lilith.

' Hm, the saying is true. When someone is above you, you envy them and do your best to pull them down. But when someone is completely out of your reach, you can only look up to them and try to follow in their footsteps. ' The corners of Lilith's red rosy lips were raised into a delighted grin. Before, she would've tried to hide it. But not anymore. She wanted to show everyone that her ties with the Skyler family had been truly severed. She wanted to make it clear that there is no such sisterly bond connecting her and Evelina. Publicly showing her hostility to Evelina will reveal to everyone that if they did wrong Evelina, she wouldn't interfere or punish them. It would actually encourage some to. Who would they choose? The new laughingstock of the empire or the honorable princess that has earned the imperial family's favor?

After those ladies were satisfied and had their fill, they finally left Evelina to give out their congratulations to Lilith. Evelina was visibly irritated by their actions. She tried to keep it in but her anger was pouring out through the ugly expression stuck on her face. No matter how much she tried to conceal it, she simply couldn't. Having such a terrible mood at this moment, she couldn't even shed a few tears. They really are pushing her over the edge!

Alex pulled his sister aside quietly, away from the eerie gazes of the people. He embraced her and muttered words of encouragement full of doting and care. But his dear sister didn't appreciate any of it.

"It's alright, Eve. They know nothing. Don't feel disheartened... Even if everyone comes to betray you, I, as your brother, never will." He muttered words of encouragement full of doting and care. His eyes that laid on her were tender and gentle, like she was the most important person in his life. Therefore he was completely stunned to find Evelina's cold glare pointed at him.

Instead of bringing her heart comfort, his words only fueled the blazing flames surging in her heart. No amount of words could describe the torturous feeling she's experiencing. She was once the heart of the people, loved and admired by all. Her reputation and standing among the nobles was unparalleled! Yet that Lilith actually managed to crush everything she has worked for!? Now she's being humiliated in this way and no one is taking her side aside from this useless brother of her's! If he cares so much about her, then why isn't doing anything!?

"Eve...? What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" He let out a trembling whisper. Did he see wrong? Why is she looking at him like that? Did he do something wrong?

Evelina could no longer hold herself back and pushed him away. "Would you just be quiet! Your words mean nothing! If you care so much, why not do something!? It's just as father says, you're a useless bastard!" She scowled. Her may be just a vent for Evelina, but to him it felt like thousands of needles pricked his heart with every word she said. He has never seen her like this before... Is this really his sister?

Alex was at a loss for words. He merely stood there in shock as his eyes widened with terror as he looked at her.

"Hey, Evelina! Just so you know, we can hear you!" Rienne's voice sounded amongst the crowd.

Once Evelina heard her voice, she was instantly pulled back to reality, as if a sword had struck her heart and sobered her mind. She was dumbfounded. She stepped away from Alex and staggered after meeting the stunned gazes of the crowd. Everyone was looking at her. All eyes were one her but this wasn't the attention she desired.

Shivers ran down her back as she spotted a certain father of her's glaring at her while hiding within the crowd of nobles. She gathered up all the leftover courage in her body and ran out of the ballroom in a hurry.

With embarrassment and deep rage, Duke Skyler emerged from the crowd and took Beatrice, Alex out. With their departure, the majority of the aristocrats were still left stunned and shocked. The music was played loudly thus not everyone heard Evelina's words, but many did. Unlike her usual soft-spoken tone, her voice earlier was like a flash of thunder that had roared in their ears.

"That wasn't like lady Evelina at all..."

"How dare she speak so impudently in front of her older brother!"

"I never knew lady Evelina was so disrespectful and unruly!"

"How shameful!"

"Appearances are truly deceitful! I never expected such attitude from Lady Evelina!"

"Behaving that way in princess Lilith's crowning, is she not ashamed?"

Lilith listened carefully to the insults coming from them. Satisfaction seeped into her heart the more she listened. It's just as she perceived. They've put Evelina on a pedestal and worshipped her like some sort of fairy so much that if Evelina revealed one crack in her facade, this image of her's would gradually come crashing down.

Marchioness Casspan turned to her son and told him, "We must break off the engagement as soon as possible! She's tainting our family name along with her's! I will not allow our great family's honor to be dragged down by the Skyler family over some girl!"

"But mother, didn't you not want to offend Duke Skyler?" Chase asked.

"It's clear the future of the Skyler family won't be bright. It's better to cut our ties with them now than be on their side later." The marchioness sighed. She knew having Evelina as her son's fiancee was the beginning of something horrible. It would've been so much better having Lilith as Chase's fiancee, but it's too late for that now.

Chase glanced at the charming Lilith and felt his heart sink. He truly regretted what he had done. If only he had realized her sincere heart sooner...

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

Evelina's heart was pounding as she watched as her father approached. She stood by the family carriage with her head down, ready for his berating and 'punishment'.

"Evelina! Are you insane!? What has gotten into you! Do you know what you've done!?" Duke Skyler screamed and without the presence of the other aristocrats around, unleashed his full anger. No one was more caught off guard when Evelina lost her temper earlier. Though he took Alex into great importance as he is his heir, Evelina was by far the most obedient and favorable child. Therefore he didn't expect Evelina to lose control.

Evelina braced for the inevitable hit, but It never came. She raised her head and saw that the duchess had taken the hit for her...