The Lady in Red

Chapter 2

Lilith sat quietly on the picnic blanket, staring blankly at the book she had paused from reading. Her father’s words echoed in her mind—he had called her mentally unstable, unfit for marriage, especially to someone like Lord Lancaster.

Is that really how people here see her? A woman not in control of her own mind?

"May I sit with you, my lady?"

Startled, Lilith looked up to see none other than Lord Lancaster standing before her, his familiar voice sending a small shock through her.

"Yes, my lord, please," she replied, patting the space beside her. He sat down swiftly, and though she tried to maintain her composure, her heart raced at his nearness.

She knew Lord Lancaster. They had met at the palace party months ago, and though she hadn’t entirely been "herself" that night, she remembered it all vividly.

"What book are you reading, my lady?" Lord Lancaster asked, glancing down at the cover.

"Oh, it’s about vampires," Lilith replied quietly.

"You’re interested in vampires?"

She froze for a moment, then gave a quick nod. "Y-Yes. I find their stories... fascinating."

Damon took the book from her hands, flipping through a few pages. "I read about them in another book once," he said thoughtfully. "It described vampires as blood-sucking creatures that prey on animals and humans alike. They can even shapeshift into animals, it said."

Lilith nodded, her gaze fixed on him, listening intently.

"But there’s one sad thing I read about them," he continued, his expression softening. "They live eternally. Some people might think that’s a gift, but to me, it seems more like a curse—something lonely and frightening."

"Why do you think so?" Lilith asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Because," Damon replied, "you’d have to watch the people you love grow old and die, over and over again, while you stay the same. You’d be a witness to loss, never able to truly stay with them because… you’re immortal."

Lilith’s hands tightened into fists, her expression unreadable. "Yes. That would be sad," she murmured.

"What about you, my lady?" Damon asked gently. "Would you be sad if you were in that situation?"

Lilith nodded. "Yes. I think I would go mad if that were my fate."

Damon gave her a reassuring smile. "Then let’s drop the topic. No need to dwell on something that makes you sad."

"Eh?" She blinked in surprise.

"So, my lady," he continued, "why are you here all by yourself? Shouldn’t you be spending time with your sisters?"

Lilith shook her head. "I’m not close with my sister. I’m more of a… black sheep in the family."

She was caught off guard when Damon reached over and patted her head.

"You’re not a black sheep just because you’re unique," he said softly.

Lilith stilled, his words echoing in her mind. Yes, she was different, perhaps even strange in the eyes of others. And because of this difference, her family never quite accepted her.

"You’re beautiful," Damon said, his tone warm and sincere.

Lilith looked up at him, surprised. "Beautiful?"