Lilith sighed deeply, she laid in bed in a simple silk underdress, Natalie massaging her feet. "It's unfortunate master Vincent had to leave before having lunch with you my lady…" Natalie said, discreetly observing Lilith to see if she was disappointed. "It's fine, it was very sudden though, for a four day trip I thought he would have to pack or something…although it makes sense if his maids packed for him…" Lilith said, picking at her teeth from the deer meat she ate not too long ago. Tatsu was chewing on some deer bones Natalie brought him from the deer Lilith shot. Lilith seemed to be deep in thought, softly nipping at her bottom lip. "My lady…what are you thinking about?" Natalie asked curious. "I want to go to the beach…" Lilith said, closing her eyes as she imagined the sound of the waves softly crashing against the sand. "The beach? That is a whole day away…maybe master Vincent will go with you…after all you never had a honeymoon…a real one at least.." Natalie said. Lilith scoffed. "Perhaps…but I don't know about the honeymoon thing…" "Well my lady, I believe it is about time the duchess is expecting news for a child." Natalie said. Lilith choked on her spit, coughing as she sat up a hit to lean on her elbows. Natalie smiling a little in a teasing manner. "Me? Having a child?" Lilith started laughing at how silly it sounded, although, having a baby and raising it didn't sound all too had, after all she did like kids. The door slowly opened, Melinda and Betty walked in happily, with someone coming in behind them. A shorter girl with long hair made in two braids, large brown eyes and light freckles sprinkled on her nose. The girl was blushing quite heavily as she was dragged in. "What's going on girls?" Lilith asked. "This is Sarka! She wanted to meet you." Betty said as she jumped onto the bed, wrapping her arms around Lilith's neck and pressing her cheek against hers. "I think she has a little crush on you.." Betty whispered into Liliths ear, Sarka seemed to overhear and she blushed harder, it almost looked like steam was coming off the top of her head. Melinda sat on the bed next to Natalie. "She wanted to meet you at least once, that is why we brought her.." Melinda said. "It's nice to meet you Sarka, I hope we can be good friends." Lilith said, smiling softly. Sarka looked at the floor shyly, her hands behind her back as she giggled shyly. "She's so adorable…" Lilith thought. "Oh! By the way Lindy, I heard Vincent was going out of town for four days, do you know any details?" Lilith asked. "Hmmm, I think he's looking at an estate, the duke was planning on buying a new property…" Melinda said. "I see..Sarka, how old are you?" Lilith asked. "I'm 14…" she said shyly, placing her hair behind her ear. "So young…why don't you take a seat?" Lilith said pointing at her stool. Sarka nodded and took a seat, looking around the room with shining eyes. "What do you do around here Sarka?" Lilith asked, she looked surprised by the question but she immediately smiled. "I tend to the edible garden, where the vegetables grow, as well as feeding the chickens, quails and ducks." She said happily. Melinda crawled on the bed to lay next to Lilith. "She works a lot, but she likes to read some books she sneaks out from the library…mostly books you read.." Melinda said, watching Sarka turn into a tomato. Lilith giggled. "I see I have a secret admirer." She teased. Sarka covered her face with her hands in embarrassment, Natalie smacked Melindas leg for teasing Sarka. Tatsu was sleeping soundly with the bone still in his mouth, as a puppy he was sleeping a lot since he just finished eating all the meat they prepared for him. Lilith watched him affectionately, it was crazy to her how fast she loved him. "I heard master Vincent got you the puppy as a gift..is that true?" Sarka asked, a bright smile on her face. "Yes, his name is Tatsu, he sleeps a lot though…" Lilith said. "Yeah, wolf pups tend to sleep for long periods of times, but it helps them grow pretty fast.." Sarka said as she smiled. Lilith raised her eyebrows. "Wolf pup?" "Yes…you didn't know it was a wolf pup? His breed is very hard to get, they grow to be enormous." Sarka said. "I didn't know Tatsu was a wolf." Lilith said surprised. "Yes, they are very loyal animals, they'll follow their master anywhere, even if they were terrified, they are pack animals after all." Sarka said happily. "You know a lot about wolves.." Lilith said impressed. "Yes, I love reading about animals…they are so unique.." Sarka said. "So you're an animal lover, that's wonderful, what else interests you?" Lilith asked. "I like music…it's so relaxing.." Sarka said. The rest of the day was spent with the girls talking about their interests, Sarka was a very innocent and sweet girl Lilith liked to having around. Melinda and Betty were friends with her for a long time, so they were excited to bring her to Lilith. It was like introducing their friend to their mother, so seeing Lilith get along with Sarka made them very happy. The next day, the duchess, Thalia, and Lilith were heading over to Lady Carmines home for the Charity event. Thalia still seemed a little sad, but she tried to show a happy face so the mood wouldn't turn sour. The room was full of noble ladies making embroidery pieces for the Charity event, Lady Carmine was an older woman, 55 years old with thick dark brown hair with a couple grey strands piled up on her head in an updo. She was working on a scarf when she looked over at Lilith, who was currently working on handkerchiefs. "Oh I see you chose handkerchiefs, my granddaughter has been learning on those as well." Lady Carmine said, implying that Lilith must not be very skilled if she was working on something children usually practiced on. Lilith smiled sweetly. "It's lovely your granddaughter is learning, it would have been wonderful to have her here today as well." She said politely, there was no use in arguing or being offended since she already had a bad reputation. Lady Hermione cleared her throat. "Well, how is Vincent doing?" She asked, facing Lilith with a smile. Thalia perked up. "Oh Vincent is-" Lilith cut her off quickly. "He's doing well, currently he's looking at an estate with the duke, he should be back three days from now." She said sweetly. Thalia seemed to be sad again as she focused on her scarf. "What the fuck are you doing? That was clearly a question meant for the 'wife' to answer." Lilith thought as she smiled sweetly at Lady Hermione. A lady in her 30s, with red hair braided and a light green dress. Odette arrived and quickly greeted everyone politely, taking a seat next to Lilith on the couch. "I apologize for being so late, there was a problem with my carriage and I had to use my husbands for today.." Odette said as she grabbed a plain white scarf to embroider. "I missed you.." Odette whispered to Lilith as she smiled kindly. They had been communicating through letters everyday since Odette had gotten a cold and Henry made her stay in bed all week resting. "I missed you too." Lilith whispered as she continued embroidering her handkerchief. It was a plain white cloth with grey threads she was using, and a couple of light colors. "Why are you using grey?" Odette asked as she watched the elaborate detailed bird on Liliths handkerchief. The duchess smiled widely. "Is it because if Vincents eyes?" She asked giggling. Lilith didn't want to make her look dumb by saying no so she just went along with it. "Yes…he has beautiful eyes after all…and grey suits usually look well on him…" Lilith said, a light blush covering her cheeks out of embarrassment of having to say that. The other young ladies that were jealous of her marriage rolled their eyes, lady Hansen scoffed, looking at Lilith with scorn. Lilith turned a blind eye, instead just finished her handkerchief and moved on to a scarf. The noble ladies started talking about Thalia and how they couldn't wait for her to get married. Thalia blushed but looked at Lilith, who just smiled at her. "The hell are you looking at…" Lilith thought as she smiled sweetly, Thalia was giving her a strange vibe, and even though Lilith was usually kind, and no matter how nice Thalia was, she couldn't bring herself to trust her. Lady Hansen was upset, she knew that even if Lilith were gone, Vincent would chose Thalia over anyone else. Odette was embroidering cherry blossoms and swans on her scarf, but she kept looking over at Liliths new embroidery. "What is it?" Lilith whispered. "I just wanted to see what you were making, you're really talented…when I have a baby, I hope you can make it some clothes." Odette whispered happily. "I would be honored.." Lilith whispered, creating the silhouette of orchids on the scarf. "Lady Millard, I hear you have been trying to get pregnant, I can recommend you a doctor that gave me natural teas and foods to help with fertility." Lady Carmine said. "Oh, I should be fine, my doctor has given me some teas and snacks, but thank you Lady Carmine, I truly appreciate it." Odette said. "Lilith, what about you dear, have you had any trouble conceiving?" Lady Carmine asked. "She doesn't say 'lady', she just says my first name…." Lilith thought, it was customary to say lady out of respect, so it seemed like she was doing it on purpose to try and get a rise out of her. The duchess seemed to notice. "Lady Carmine, I believe you forgot to say 'Lady Allard" to my sweet daughter, I hope it was just an accident." The duchess said, disrespecting Lilith meant disrespecting the duchy. "Oh no, I apologize Lady Allard, it won't be happening again." Lady Carmine said, clear ill intent in her eyes. "You may call me Lady Lilith, I hope we have a good relationship." Lilith said, she was irritated but didn't want anybody to realize that. Lady Carmine refocused on her scarf. "Well, Lady Lilith, should we be expecting news of a new addition to the Allard family?" Lady Carmine asked. "Not today unfortunately, maybe sometime soon." Lilith lied through her teeth. There was no reason for them to know she was still a virgin, after all they could cause a commotion and annul the marriage to get Vincent to marry one of their girls. "I was wondering if anybody knew about where the charity even will be taking place?" Odette asked, trying to get the negative attention off Lilith. "It will be at the boutique plaza, where nobles will be able to purchase our handiwork and I can give the money to the orphanage." Lady Carmine said. "What a noble cause my lady." Odette said, praising lady Carmine, who smiled smugly. Thalia was still being praised and complimented by the other ladies, and she she shyly looked over at Lilith. "What are you working on now Lilith?" Thalia asked sweetly. "I'm embroidering some flame lilies, they are beautiful flowers." Lilith said. The ladies started to look over curiously. "I have never seen a flame lily in person…is that really what it looks like?" Lady Hermione said impressed. "Yes, it is beautiful, it symbolizes both purity and beauty, as well as ambition and success." She said. The ladies looked at each other impressed, wanting to have some in their gardens. "And also super poisonous if ingested and has been used to commit suicide…" Lilith thought, keeping that part to herself. Lady Hansen kept looking at Lilith, and she was starting to get irritated by lady Hansens staring. Lilith smiled, to keep anyone from noticing her rising frustration. "I need to use the ladies room." Lilith said as he stood, putting her scarf next to her finished handkerchiefs. A maid bowed and waited for her to lead her to the bathroom. She took a deep breath as she looked in the mirror, her eyes were beginning to look more tired each day that passed, which wasn't great since it made her look more aggressive. A soft knock came from the door. "Lilith? Are you alright?" Odette asked. "Yeah…i'm just tired.." Lilith said as she exited the restroom. Odette smiled. "I'm sure, just take deep breaths, and remember that i'm here." Odette said hugging her tightly. Lilith smiled, her scent suddenly reached her nose, it was so familiar. "Where have I smelled this? It's not her perfume…it's her natural scent…it smells so familiar. Odette giggled. "You're sniffing me just like Dilly." She said teasingly. "Oh…sorry.." Lilith said. "It's alright…don't worry about it." Odette said. When they finally finished all their items, they organized their creations separately and put names on them so people knew who made what, in case someone wanted buy from a specific noble lady. The duchess sighed when she sat down in the carriage. "I'm tired of sitting, when I get home i'll walk a bit in the garden." The duchess said moving her neck around to release the tension from looking down for so long. "That sounds wonderful, i'll join you" Thalia said happily. Lilith missed Tatsu, she couldn't wait to get home and see him. The carriage ride was peaceful, mostly the duchess and Thalia talking about things Lilith didn't really understand. When they started pulling up in front of the mansion, Natalie and the girls were already waiting at the front. Melinda and Betty waving excitedly, Lilith waved back from the carriage. "How did it go?" Natalie asked as they walked up the stairs. "It was alright, I wish I could have stayed home though, I missed Tatsu so much.." Lilith said. Walking to her room Tatsu started whining as he jumped at her, wagging his tail and running in circles. She noticed he ripped up one of her pillows, leaving pieces of cotton all over the place. Natalie grabbed the broom and dustpan, and Lilith picked Tatsu up giving him a tight hug. She jumped onto the bed, making baby noises at Tatsu, the girls giggled and sat down. It was too late to make any arrangements for hunting, and she was tired of sewing, so she figured she would just rest a while until dinner time. Natalie helped her change into a black silk nightgown, and the girls started applying oil into her hair. "You three pamper me too much…you're gonna make me spoiled…" Lilith said. They smiled, since Lilith was always kind to them they liked serving her, after everything she's gone through since living her they felt ashamed of themselves for not being able to protect her. That night she had a crowded bed, Tatsu sleeping on her stomach and the girls sleeping on each side of her. "They got so clingy…" Lilith thought, thanks to them, now she would struggle to sleep alone when she ran away. When she thought of running away her heart stung, watching their sleeping faces she felt like she missed them already. "What if…I convince them to go with me…they said they see me as their mother, maybe…we could be our own family…" Lilith thought. Imagining them growing up into two strong independent woman, finding themselves husbands that treat them kindly, giving her grand-babies. A smile slowly creeped onto her face as she imagined that beautiful scene. As she slowly drifted off to sleep, the faint sounds of their breathing calmed her. "My lady it's time to go…" Natalie rushed her out of the room, the duchess and Thalia were already getting on the carriage as Lilith rushed down the stairs. The sat and waited patiently as they talked excitedly about the charity event. Lilith jumped in and sat down, the duchess giggling at how crazily Lilith got on. "We weren't gonna leave without you sweetie." The duchess said. The carriage started moving and this time Sarka joined the girls to wave goodbye as they left. The boutique plaza was full, Lilith noticed a couple shadows tailing them, but didn't sense any ill intent, which meant the duke probably hired guards to watch them. "Look girls, theres a lot of people looking at our embroidery, hopefully they all sell well." The duchess said as the sat at a small table under the shade of an oak tree. Lilith noticed that almost everyone was avoiding her section of the embroidery, but considering her nasty reputation she wasn't surprised. Lady Hansen passed by with her snarky maid, they bowed to the duchess. "Duchess, it is so nice to see you again…" Lady Hansen said as she held the duchess hands. The duchess smiled sweetly. "It's so nice to see you again Lady Hansen, how is your family?" The duchess asked. Lilith smirked as she sipped on the tea they were serving. "If only the duchess knew that Lady Hansen had me kidnapped, I wonder how she would react…" Lilith thought. Seeing Lady Hansen pretend to be sweet and innocent was sickening. Lilith watched as many other noble ladies joined and talked to Thalia, asking about her day and things she had been up to. Leaving Lilith on her own, she picked up her fan, lightly flicking it for a bit if a breeze. She was used to being ignored now and just wanted to get out of there. She stood and excused herself to go to the restroom, passing by a mirror she checked her makeup and hair. Her hair was straight and going down her back loosely, her lips a scarlet red and dark grey eyeshadow. "Why do they make me look like a vampire?" she thought. Maybe since she was the "villain" in the novel she was forced to look a certain way, although admittedly she did love the style. Someone was watching her, she felt it in her bones, but she continued to act clueless. The faint footsteps were a little clumsy, so she knew it wasn't someone experienced. She turned around when they were close and she smiled. "What's up dumbass?" She said, a hand immediately slapped her across the face, she smirked. "Don't speak to me that way you wench. Father has been too lenient with you." Lord Grimrose said. Seeing her brothers face ruined her mood, she wanted nothing more than to smash his face in with a chair. "So what? You came to scold me?" She said mockingly. He sneered, before he could say anything she punched him in the stomach as hard as she could, blowing out his air and he stumbled back holding his belly. "What the hell!? Has she always been this strong?" He thought as he struggled to compose himself. She giggled in satisfaction. "Oh god, I have wanted to do that for so long.." she said. "You fool…you're going to regret this…." He said, holding himself up with the wall. "So what do you want?" She asked crossing her arms. He scoffed. "You haven't given us any documents, and Vanessa told us everything." He said, thinking that would strike fear in her heart. However she was simply picking at her teeth lamely with her pinky, as he stared at her in disbelief she spat on his fave and stomped on his foot. He knelt down to grab his foot as he groaned in pain, the satisfaction if treating him like this made her feel like a sadist. She grabbed his hair and made hime look up at her. "You do not own me. If you think Vanessa running back home to you is gonna scare me, you're dead wrong, I know you've been plotting to marry Thalia, I wonder what would happen if they found out how you talk about her to your little friends in the underground." She said, a sadistic smile on her face as she watched the blood drain from his face. "How…do you know that?…" he asked, fear in his eyes. She laughed cynically. "Tell father to forget about me, it's not like he ever cared about me, and you, you nasty piece of shit…don't ever show your face to me again." She whispered in his ear. He cleared his throat as he stood, glaring at her with fury in his eyes. He reached for his pocket and his eyes widened when they were empty, he looked up to see Lilith holding the dagger he wanted to stab her with. "Looking for this? Brother?" She said, twirling it in her hand. He couldn't take it anymore and he started walking away. "Next time, I will get you next time." He said seething in anger. "I hope you're ready then, cause I am." She said in a satisfied smile. He shook his head as he walked away. She sighed happily, she had wanted to scare him like that ever since he treated her like crap when she was living with them. "What a shame…he has such a handsome face.." she thought, thinking of his crappy personality. She lifted up the skirt of her dress a little and hid the dagger in the cloth, in case it became useful. She passed by another mirror, looking at her appearance she softly touched her face. The makeup prevented her skin from looking red because of the slap, so she just took a deep breath and continued to walk out the hallway. When she spotted a familiar face in the distance, Vincent was talking to the duchess and Thalia. He turned and when he saw Lilith he hurriedly walked over to her, Thalias eyebrows furrowed and her lips parted a little, shocked that he walked away in the middle of their conversation. "Hey…." Lilith said softly. "How have you been…" he asked, his hands flexing open and closed, like he wasn't sure how to greet her. "I've been doing pretty good…you came back a day early.." she said. "Yes..I didn't want to miss the charity event…" he said. She understood. "Oh…he probably wanted to buy Thalias embroidered pieces…" she thought. "It's nice to see you again…" she said, smiling she slowly turned around to go to the cafe next to them. She felt him reach out and softly touch one of the black ribbons of her dress as he quietly followed. "Hmmm…I wasn't expecting that…" she thought, they stood in line for almost 5 minutes, and as she looked at all the desserts her mouth watered. "Hi, can I have the pistachio macarons and that beignet…" she said pointing through the glass. "Of course my lady, anything to drink?" The woman asked. "A green tea please." She said, Vincent leaned over her. "For me a black tea please." He said as he handed the cashier the money. She tried giving him change but he told her to keep it as he helped Lilith with one of her dessert since she couldn't carry three plates. They sat together at a small table for two people. "You really like sweet things don't you?" He asked. "Yeah, but if its too sweet it makes it hard to eat, so I like ordering something bitter to go with it." She said. He seemed to agree with her logic, she took a bite out of a macaron and she felt like she was going to ascend into heaven. "This is so delicious…the buttercream is so smooth and soft..here try.." she said as she lifted a macaron up to his mouth. He seemed surprised by her actions since he looked around cautiously, but he opened his mouth as she popped it in. "That is pretty good…I like that it's not too sweet." He said. She smiled as she sipped her tea, he watched her a little embarrassed since he could hear a couple whispers from around them about being a flirty couple. However, as he watched her, he realized that didn't bother him at all. He began to think about his trip as she ate, wondering how she would feel about the estate. They arrived a the day after he said he would have lunch with her, they got to the estate that surrounded by forest all around, watching it from a cliff. They had to travel on horseback since they had to go quite a distance from the hotel they stayed at. It was a big mansion, with large gardens, which he figured Lilith would like. "The furniture was quiet a vintage style, and the decorations are a bit outdated, maybe Lilith won't like that." Cyrus said, imagining Lilith to act stick up and throw a tantrum for having to live an old isolated mansion. "Maybe…but if I let her have fun with it maybe she won't mind, after all we can't keep living with out parents forever, people will start talking." Vincent said. The duke seemed to agree. "A married couple should definitely have their own home and their own staff, although i'm pretty sure we lost Natalie and the other two young girls, they are stuck Lilith like glue." The duke said. Cyrus laughed. "And you better make sure the hunting grounds are safe, that woman spends a lot of time hunting, she's more if a man than you brother." Cyrus said. The duke chuckled. "We know who wears the pants…" he said teasing his youngest son. Vincent sighed, he didn't expect them to tease him but he wasn't surprised. He started imagining how she would react when he told her they would have to live in that old mansion. He thought it would be awkward when it was just the two of them, but thinking deeper, he began thinking, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. "I wonder what she's up to…" he thought. She was such an independent person, it was almost like she wasn't interested in anyone. Looking over at Cyrus he frowned a little, remembering that Cyrus went with Lilith hunting. He didn't like hearing that Cyrus was with her, after reading her diary and describe what she found attractive about Cyrus, he couldn't help but be in a foul mood. "I have always been the second choice, second best, living in my brothers shadow, Thalia telling me she loves was a shock, I thought she had been leaning more towards my brother…I still don't understand why she would do that…it makes no sense. Now all I can think about is…what if Lilith had said it…for some reason it makes me feel good. This estate is quite old, I know Lilith was known for being materialistic, but I can't base myself off rumors, if i give her freedom to decorate and plan, she might actually like it…" Vincent thought, surprised at how much Lilith had invaded his mind. "If we leave now we can make it to the charity event, I want to buy Thalias work." Cyrus said as he rushed back to the hotel. The duke followed shaking his head at Cyrus. Vincent looked over the estate one more time, hoping to live a good life with Lilith, even if its just as friends. He snapped back to reality when Lilith poked his cheek with her manicured finger. She was smiling and waving the beignet in his face, she had taken a small bite out of one of the corners and a bit of lipstick was on it. She was offering him the side she hadn't bitten, but he grabbed her wrist gently, moving it to bite the side she did. For some reason it tasted even better, he liked seeing her taken aback, since she usually the one teasing him. He smiled in satisfaction, she gulped, looking down at her plate. "I win." He thought as he watched her get shy. She caught on to what he was doing and she scoffed. "Very mature Vince." She said. "Vince?" He asked. "I thought since we were closer now..I could call you by a nickname of endearment…" she said softly running her fingers on his hand. He laughed awkwardly, he didn't hate it but it was making him nervous. "Or should I call you honey? Darling?" She said, using her foot to caress his leg. His ears turned red and she began to laugh. "Don't start a fight you can't win~" she said in a teasing tone. Thalia sighed, she could see how much closer those two were getting, she felt fear that she would lose him forever. The duchess gasped as she saw her son and Lilith flirting, looking at the other ladies happily. "Oh I hope I get a grandchild soon!" She said excitedly. Cyrus was sitting next to Thalia, usually he would have been flirting with her, but right now he was just quietly watching his brother and his wife. He could see how much she staring them down. "Is she jealous?" He thought. Although, he felt jealous as well, Lilith seemed to be a confident person, someone who isn't afraid to take the first step, with Thalia, it was always him taking the first step. How he wished that at least once, she would take initiative. Someone walked up to them and Cyrus turned to see lord Grimrose, Liliths older brother. "Hello, lord Allard, I was wondering if I could speak with you privately for a moment." He said. Cyrus stood and followed him to a more secluded area. Lilith turned around coincidentally and saw the two men huddled together, whispering. "What's going on over there?" She thought, getting a really strong feeling in her stomach that it wasn't anything in her favor.