Lunch time

Morning's tender embrace painted the sky with hues of gold, casting aside the shadows of the night. As Lilith awoke, her thoughts were wrapped in the remnants of a nocturnal encounter that lingered like a whispered secret. Red's enigmatic presence had woven a thread of intrigue into the fabric of her thoughts, transforming a seemingly ordinary evening into a memory she couldn't shake.

With a contented sigh, Lilith stretched in her bed, the events of the night before infusing a newfound lightness into her spirit. "She was so hot last night," a mischievous smile curved her lips as her mind replayed the memories that danced within her thoughts. The charm of Red's personality, the air of mystery that surrounded them, all conspired to leave a lasting impression on Lilith's heart.

Her musings were abruptly interrupted as a maid entered her room, the intrusion breaking the spell of Lilith's thoughts. "Oh princess, you're still here," the maid's voice held a touch of surprise, her eyes widening at the sight of Lilith still lounging in bed at such a late hour. Lilith blinked, her realization dawning as the maid's words registered. "Princess, it's already 11 o'clock in the morning, and you're not even ready yet," the maid's tone carried a mix of concern and exasperation.

The news of the hour struck Lilith like a sudden gust of wind, shaking her from her reverie. "Today you have to have lunch with the future queen of the demons," the maid's words were laden with a sense of duty and urgency. Lilith's initial contentment gave way to annoyance, her brow furrowing as her plans for a leisurely morning crumbled. "Do I really have to go?" her voice carried a note of petulant reluctance, her mood soured by the impending engagement.

The maid's response was a mixture of exasperation and resignation. "Ava is your future wife, you'd better go, or you'll be punished," her words held a hint of warning, a reminder that Lilith's obligations extended beyond her personal desires. Lilith let out an audible sigh, her frustration palpable as she contemplated the impending encounter.

Determined to face the inevitable, Lilith reluctantly left her bed and made her way to the bathroom, her steps weighed down by a sense of resignation. The shower offered a brief respite, the warm water washing away the remnants of sleep and leaving her feeling revitalized. As she emerged from the bathroom, her towel-clad form pausing in the doorway, the sight of the dress laid out on her bed was a visual reminder of the day's obligations.

The maid's presence remained a constant, a guiding hand that assisted Lilith in her preparations. The process of dressing and grooming unfolded in a blur, Lilith's thoughts drifting as she surrendered to the maid's expertise. "You're going to look beautiful, Princess," the maid's words were well-intentioned, but they fell on deaf ears as Lilith's mind churned with conflicting emotions.

The mirror reflected an image of elegance and poise, a facade that belied the turmoil within. Lilith's dress exuded a regal charm, its green hue complementing her eyes and adding a touch of vibrancy to her appearance. The intricate floral motifs danced across the fabric, a testament to the craftsmanship that had gone into its creation. Her tiara graced her brow, a symbol of her royal lineage and the responsibilities that lay ahead.

Despite the outward grace, Lilith's inner turmoil remained unabated. She spoke her thoughts aloud, her voice a mixture of introspection and frustration. "I think I'm beautiful, but being beautiful for Ava doesn't give me much pleasure," her words held a blend of resignation and resentment, a reminder of the constraints that bound her.

With her preparations complete, Lilith passed quietly through the corridor leading to the dining room and every guard and staff she came across paid her respects. She was used to the deference of the humans, but she wondered how the demons would react to her presence.

She was about to find out soon enough, as she reached the door of the dining room where two guards guarded the door. They both had red and gold uniforms, which contrasted sharply with their dark and menacing features. They looked quite frightening, their skin was grey and they had large horns on their heads, they had no irises but their eyes were completely black, they must surely represent the royal demon family. One of the guards raised his weapon as Lilith was about to enter the room.

"Please state your identity, Miss." He said in a gruff voice. Lilith looked at him strangely, how could he not know who Lilith was,Lilith replied in an annoyed tone, "I am Lilith, princess of the humans," she said in frustration.

The guards looked at her before whispering much too loudly, "Are you sure she's the real princess?" The other guard replied, "I don't know, I've never seen the human princess. Maybe she's an impostor or a spy." Lilith looked at them surprised. "Are they idiots?" thought Lilith.

She was about to speak again when the door to the dining room opened. A familiar face appeared in front of her, it was her father. He smiled warmly at her and said, "Sorry for the inconvenience Lilith," before ushering her into the dining room. Lilith looked at her father before asking, "So the demons don't know who I am?" she said, rather surprised by the behaviour of the guards earlier.

The king sighed before speaking, "No, none of the demons know you, and they shouldn't have to know you because Lila was the one who was to be married," he finished .

As Lilith entered the dining room, her focus shifted to the figure that awaited her. Ava sat at the table, her demeanor composed and her gaze detached. Lilith's scrutiny was not lost on her, her thoughts woven with observations and judgments.

Ava was wearing a white linen shirt, light and breathable, with an open Italian collar and sleeves rolled up to the elbows. The shirt was tucked into the trousers for a more polished effect. The trousers are a slim-fit wool blend in charcoal grey, with sharp pleats and side pockets. The trousers are fitted at the waist with a black leather belt to match the shoes.

The shoes are black leather moccasins, with exposed stitching and decorative tassels. The shoes are elegant and comfortable, ideal for walking or driving. Ava completes her outfit with a stainless steel watch with a black dial. "This outfit suits her well and makes Ava look good," thought Lilith before holding her chin. "But it would be better if she fixed that hair she let down today," thought Lilith.

Ava's impatience was palpable, a reflection of her desire to move past the formality of their lunch. "Can we start lunch now?" her words were devoid of warmth, the distance between them a stark contrast to the intimate encounter Lilith had shared with Red. Lilith's sigh was laden with exasperation, her thoughts a chaotic blend of emotions.

The waiters presenting them with the food before leaving and closing the door. Lilith took one of her place settings and start to eat. She felt a little push on her shoulder and then looked up at her father who whispered something to me, "Make an effort please Lilith," he said before starting to eat again. Lilith raised her eyes to look at Ava, Ava was eating without a care in the world, Lilith cleared her throat before starting "Today I think the weather is nice." This topic of conversation was really silly, Lilith thought,

Ava's response was as measured as her demeanor, a simple nod that fell short of encouraging further discourse. Lilith's frustration mounted, her efforts to bridge the gap between them met with a resounding silence. "I'm making an effort and Ava isn't making any," Lilith's inner monologue mirrored her external vexation, a testament to the strained dynamic that underscored their interaction.

The tension in the room was palpable, a reflection of unspoken expectations and underlying conflicts. Lilith's determination to engage was matched by Ava's detachment, a juxtaposition that mirrored the chasm between them, Lilith looked at Ava with an angry look.

"Why are you looking at me like that, is there something on my face?" Ava's icy words were a jarring interruption, a reminder that the gulf between them was a chasm that seemed insurmountable.

Lilith's sigh was laden with a blend of exasperation and resignation, her attempts at connection seemingly in vain. As their lunch continued, Lilith couldn't shake the weight of her thoughts. "This lunch is going to be very long," her internal reflection carried a touch of wistfulness, a yearning for connection in the midst of a situation that seemed devoid of it.