Three

Lilith's gaze remained fixed on the royal family of demons as they made their entrance, each figure carrying an air of regality and otherworldly presence. The grandeur of their arrival held the room captive, a hushed anticipation that crackled in the air like static. And then, a voice broke the silence, commanding attention, "I present to you the royal family: King Augustin, Queen Charlotte, and their daughter-to-be, Queen Ava."

Applause erupted like a wave crashing against the shore, the room alive with fervour and excitement. The music swelled once more, as if the pause had been nothing more than a breath held in anticipation. Lilith's gaze flickered to her sister, Lila, whose expression carried a mixture of nervousness and determination. Without a word, Lilith leaned closer and whispered, "You'll do fine." Her touch conveyed a silent support, a reminder that they were in this together.

As the royal family of demons drew nearer, Lilith felt a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. The demon king, with an air of authority, the queen with an elegance that matched her station, and Ava – the future queen – her presence as cold as a winter's chill. The world seemed to shrink as they approached, Lilith's heartbeat quickening in her chest.

And then, in a graceful display of protocol, the royal family of demons executed a reverence before Lilith's father offered a gracious greeting, "It's a pleasure to have you with us." The demon king's response was measured, his voice carrying an underlying sense of diplomacy, "Pleasure is shared." The exchange was formal, polite, but beneath the surface, tension simmered like an unspoken current.

Lilith's eyes, however, remained fixed on Ava. The icy glint in her gaze remained unchanged, a stark reminder of their shared history and the animosity that lay between them. As the conversation shifted, Ava's mother stepped forward, her voice carrying a sense of command, "Ava and Lila, please open the ball."

The music swelled once more, enveloping the room in its melodious embrace. Ava approached Lila, their arms entwined in a dance that was technically flawless yet utterly devoid of warmth. Lilith watched as they moved across the floor, each step a testament to their precision, each turn executed with calculated grace. But as Lilith's gaze shifted between the two, it was the absence of emotion that stood out the most – a dance devoid of sentiment, as if their steps were driven by duty rather than desire.

As the dance reached its conclusion, Lila and Ava separated, their movements marking the end of a performance that had garnered the attention of every eye in the room. Ava retreated to her parents, whispers exchanged between them, a quiet exchange that seemed to hold a weight that extended beyond the words spoken.

The festivities resumed, music filling the air once more, laughter and conversation weaving a tapestry of celebration. But amidst the revelry, a sense of unease lingered, an undercurrent of tension that defied the facade of merriment. The room was a labyrinth of emotions, each guest navigating their own thoughts and apprehensions.

And then, like a shift in the wind, the music ceased, and the room hushed in anticipation. The announcement of Ava and Lila's engagement hung in the air like a promise of change. Ava stepped forward, her presence commanding the attention of all who were present. The room fell silent, every eye turned towards her as she took her place at the podium.

And then, her voice – clear and unwavering – cut through the silence, "I'm here today to announce my engagement, but I refuse to marry Princess Lila." A collective gasp rippled through the room, the shock of her proclamation palpable. Lilith's eyes widened in surprise, her heart racing as she tried to comprehend the twist in the tale.

Ava's voice held an edge of determination, a resolve that seemed to emanate from the very core of her being. She looked straight into the eyes of her betrothed, a man she barely knew and did not love. And then, another revelation spilled forth, a declaration that sent shockwaves through the room, "I do not wish to marry someone who is not a virgin." The words hung in the air like a storm cloud, casting a shadow over the festivities.

The guests gasped, some in disbelief, some in outrage, some in amusement. The music stopped abruptly, the dancers frozen in their steps. The servants exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to do next. The atmosphere was tense, a pressure that threatened to explode at any moment.

Lilith's eyes darted to her sister, who stood before the crowd, her embarrassment evident as she covered her reddened cheeks with her hands. She had always admired Lila courage and independence, but this Ava words was too much. How could Lila do this to their family? To their father? To herself? Lilith wondered what had driven Ava to make such a bold and reckless statement. Was it a desperate attempt to escape an unwanted marriage? Or was it something else?

The room seemed to spin around them, a whirlwind of emotions and reactions that swirled like a tempest. Lilith's thoughts raced, her mind a tumultuous sea of disbelief and confusion. She felt a hand on her shoulder, one of the maids, who looked equally shocked and concerned. She gave Lilith a reassuring squeeze, as if to say that everything would be alright.

But Lilith was not so sure.

Her gaze turned to her father, whose expression had shifted from shock to a simmering fury. He was the king of the land, a powerful and respected man who had arranged this marriage for the benefit of his family and his people. He had expected nothing but obedience and gratitude from his daughters, especially from Lila, who was his eldest and his heir. He had not anticipated this kind of defiance and dishonor.

The tension in the room was palpable, a silent battle of wills that threatened to erupt at any moment. And then, as if reclaiming her presence, Ava's voice rang out once more, her tone unyielding, "For the trouble, I'll take Lilith as my future wife."

The words hung in the air, a declaration that held both challenge and consequence. The room was suspended in a moment of stunned silence, Lilith's heart pounding in her chest as she grappled with the weight of Ava's proposition. She felt her Ava eyes on her, a piercing gaze that seemed to pierce through her soul. She saw a mix of emotions in face: defiance, desperation, determination…and something else. Something that Lilith could not quite name.

The world had shifted, alliances had crumbled, and in their wake, a new path had emerged – one that would forever alter the course of Lilith's destiny.