Lilith was stunned by her words. After a few seconds, she regained her calm and sighed, before gesturing for her friends to leave. Seeing this, Evelina didn't waste any more time to hide herself once again from the onlookers' sights. After everything was given time to settle down, Beatrice approached Lilith and said, "Thank you."

Lilith's cold expression didn't falter when she replied. With her eyes covered in a mist of disappointment and slight anger, she asked, "Why?"

Beatrice looked down, contemplating on how to answer. But though her face was gloomy, it carried no regret. To her, what she did was completely justified. As a mother, it is her duty to protect her children from harm, she wasn't able to fulfil her task before, thus she must try to make up for the lost times.

"Please don't misunderstand what I did, dear. By no means I am turning against you, I just couldn't bear to stand aside any longer." Beatrice paused before continuing, "Look, I know that you and Eve never had the most splendid relationship ever since young, no matter how you used to try to hide it. I remember what she did to you when you were little. I know that you must have good reason to do this. Resentment is buried deep inside the heart, if it doesn't get fed, it will eat you up from the inside. But... no matter what, you two are sisters and we are family. I'm aware that this is a very selfish request and it is unfair to you, but everytime I see you two like this, I feel like something is breaking within me."

"..." Lilith listened quietly, but her expression showed that her views on the matter had not been moved.

"This family has already been broken, but I'm trying to collect the broken fragments and mend it. I don't want what little we still have to be shattered as well. My children are all I have, what will I do if I lose you all? You told me to be selfish for once, right? I'm trying to do as you say." Beatrice explained.

Lilith sighed once more before turning away from the desperate woman. She shared a side glance and stated, "I will act like this never happened. But before I leave, let me give you some words of advice. Mother, this family is already destroyed, all efforts in trying to fix it will only end in disappointment. I understand what you said but I do not agree with it. Yes, as a mother, this is your duty, but it does not apply to this situation. You must pick a side, believe me that this is the only way. But if you do want to play it safe, I suggest you don't get involved. So, will you side with the daughter that hates you, or the one person who cares for you? Your choice, I shall not interfere. I will not be letting Evelina go, ever. I will have vengeance, this is final. Don't try to persuade me."

Beatrice wanted to say something but Lilith had already left. Beatrice stood there for a few more minutes before departing in silence and despair.

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

Inside the temple, the halls were bustling with women and servants guiding them. All of them were given their own respective rooms for them to stay in as they waited for their turn. Because both commoner and noble ladies were invited, it took quite some time, specifically three days. During the third day, it was Lilith's turn.

She was led into a massive room where four priestesses were waiting for her. Lilith was changed into a white dress that revealed the back and was told to kneel before a statue of the Goddess. Three of the four priestesses stood before her while chanting something, while the other applied a cold ointment on her back. But nothing happened. No Sienna marking appeared on her back at all.

Lilith sighed a breath of relief as Marie helped her change back into her previous attire. She left the room and caught the sight of Harper being escorted into the same room. They met eyes and Harper was daring enough to wink at her...

"..."

After a few moments, an announcement was made. They found the new Sienna, Lady Harper.

Shortly after the news had spread throughout the entire empire, the Bailey family rushed to the temple, where they were greeted by many other nobles congratulating them. This turn of events was of course in the favor of the Bailey's and was a great victory to them. Whilst the temple and the imperial family are preparing a magnificent celebration for Harper, the aristocrats were having some trouble dealing with the announcement. Many gathered outside the temple in complete shock at the news. Most had expected for Lilith to be the Sienna due to her stunning rise to power recently, barely anyone expected for the quiet commoner girl and often weak-looking Harper to be the Sienna.

As they all perceived the situation in their own perspective, no one was as relieved as Evelina.

Evelina stood there, watching as everyone crowded around Harper while spouting words so sweet, it's as if their mouths were smeared with honey. If one were to guess what was going on in her mind, their guess would most likely be that her mind was in a state of chaos and absolute fear. But no. Evelina was actually quite calm and some might even say slightly joyful. Why? If it was Lilith who was hailed as the new Sienna, things would be very bad for her, even more than it already is. But Harper? Although she has indeed changed drastically in the matter of personality, in the end, she's still the same person right? Harper couldn't possibly be so cruel as Lilith, right?

"What are you thinking about?" Lilith, who is now sitting beside the caught off guard Evelina, asked calmly.

"You!" Evelina's back stiffened as she felt her skin crawl from the shock. Lilith smiled with a hint of playfulness in her expression that was surprisingly frightening.

"You seem rather happy about this, Eve." Lilith raised her brows and said, "Indulge my curiosity, why are you so unbothered by the news. I expected you to be digging a hole for yourself the moment you found out."

"Heh... Why should I be scared of her? She's just some brat who got lucky!" Evelina rolled her eyes.

"Not scared? Hm, are you sure? Resentment can change people, even innocent little girls. You killed her, your own sister. Do you really think she won't dare to repay the favor?" The silver-haired beauty stated before chuckling with amusement and disgust in her eyes.

"..." It took a moment for Evelina to realize her words."Wait, you know!"

Laughter left Lilith's lips as she tried to muffle it with her hands. After taking a breath, she whispered softly, "Evelina, it appears the crimes you have escaped are coming back to bite you, I do hope you are prepared for the long torment that awaits you."

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

"Hm, I never expected that quiet Harper to be the Sienna. She didn't strike me as a very outstanding lady at first." Elizabeth muttered whilst brushing her doll's hair, her expression was calm before she came to a sudden realization and sighing.

"What's the matter, Lizzie?" Lilith asked.

"It's not important, I just loathe the thought of attending yet another event. My energy has been completely drained from sister Lily's crowning and those dreadful days I was forced to spend inside the temple. I mean, sister Lily's crowning was fun but it lasted hours! Hmm, do you think I should just fake being sick to skip the Sienna ceremony?" the little princess thought carefully.

"Don't even think about it." Alistair quickly shot that idea down.

"Hmph! How troublesome..." Elizabeth pouted, clearly unsatisfied and annoyed.

"Lizzie, how about I make the Sienna ceremony a bit more interesting for you, will that lift your spirits?" Lilith suggested with a meaningful grin.

"Oh? How interesting?" Elizabeth raised her head, intrigued.

Although the two merely exchanged looks, Alistair could sense that nothing good was gonna come out of this but alas, what could he do?

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

With the help of the temple, Harper's Sienna ceremony was prepared in merely a few days. Such an important event like a Sienna ceremony, all were planning on attending to witness the sight of the Sienna. Harper's original commoner family were also invited, they were also generously rewarded by the Bailey family for raising such an amazing and beautiful daughter. Every aristocrat waited anticipatedly for this day to arrive and had all prepared luxurious gifts for the Sienna and Bailey family.

Bright lights shining down from the chandeliers were cast upon the lively and crowded grand hall. The ceremony was being held mainly by the temple thus it was held there. The certain ceremony that would be performed by the Sienna and few accompanying priests was actually very simple. All they had to do was hand food offerings to a statue of the Goddess and wash their hands from the sacred lake by the temple, as a symbolic gesture to 'rid themselves of impurities', before praying devotedly to the Goddess. Once the Goddess receives their offerings and prayers, the statue's head, that was lowered originally, shall rise to honor the mortals with the Goddess's divine gaze. Many who attended the celebration are very much looking forward to this part. In some old legends, it is said that few of the many people will be blessed with great fortune if the Goddess is willing to favor them.

Many have even told ways to increase a person's chances to be bestowed with the 'great favor'. The most popular one is to pray to the statue on one's knees with the purest sincerity shortly after the Sienna had prayed, because the holy powers of the Sienna might still longer around the statue, thus increasing your chances. Lilith wondered if this method was really true and if anyone was willing to lower themselves to actually kneel and beg like a fool in front of so many...

Chattering, laughter, and gossiping surrounded Lilith but her mind strayed from these things. Last night, she read through collections of many methods people have used to try to have the Goddess bestow them the 'great fortune' during occasions like this and they were all quite... intriguing to say the least.

One method even said that to increase your chances, you must sing folk songs and dance to the statue before shouting out your most hidden embarrassing tales out loud...

Either the person who wrote that book wanted to have a little fun, or this was somehow the Goddess's doing. Whatever it is, Lilith definitely does not plan to ruin her own pride and reputation like that...

"Lilith!" Rienne called with a few other girls and her brother following behind her.

"Rienne, it's nice to see you are as energetic as ever." Lilith smiled, but she couldn't help but notice how drained Rienne's twin brother looked. With slight concern Lilith asked, "Rienne, is your brother alright? Why does he look so tired?"

"Hm? Oh, no need to worry about him. He's always like this during events like these. He'll attend a gathering if he must but he tries to avoid it as much as possible. He doesn't even want to host celebrations or parties for himself! He prefers quiet places thus he feels quite out of place here. He's such a shy kid..." Rienne laughed, ignoring her little twin brother's flushed face due to embarrassment.

"Sister, stop teasing me please. Though I'm like this, at least I'm not one of those types of people that likes to keep the attention all to herself..." Adrian coughed.

"Wha- hey!" Rienne pouted with her cheeks painted bright red. Lilith chuckled and said, "You two are so cute. But Rienne, it appears earlier that you wanted to tell me something, what is it?"

"Huh? Oh yeah!" Rienne pulled Lilith close to her side and directed her sight to a certain direction using her finger. "Look, I think Evelina is going to kneel before the statue to pray."

Lilith almost couldn't restrain herself from laughing. She saw Evelina sneakily steal glances of the tall statue, her intentions practically written on her face.

"Oho? Well, wouldn't that be a wonderful sight, her begging on her knees desperately for a statue." Lilith smirked.

"Yeah but I'm afraid I won't be able to witness it, regrettably I have to take my mother back home." Rienne sighed, her spirited face losing its vibrant color.

"Hm? Why is that?"

"Uh, she had too much to drink and my father is afraid she'll unknowingly say something troubling or offensive in front of the other nobles..." Rienne shrugged but she did appear greatly disappointed.

"Shame, I actually had much planned. It's alright, I'll tell you in detail the next time we meet." Lilith nodded.

"Hmmm." Rienne swiftly turned to Alice, who had been silent, and requested, "Alice, if Evelina makes a fool of herself, be sure to insult her and humiliate her in my stead!"

"Um, alright!" Alice made a thumbs up and looked at Rienne with fiery determination in her eyes.

Rienne and the Balloria family hurriedly left, with Duchess Balloria leaning onto her husband and son that was desperately trying to keep her distracted so as to avoid her brazen mouth from unleashing itself. Soon after they left, the ceremony took place with Harper making her first official appearance as a Sienna.

Harper was adorned with regal colors. Her attire symbolized her noble and holy status as a Saintess. The white gown she wore was perfectly fitted, her cape trailing behind her. Over her head and covering her long brown hair was a silk white veil. When she performed the ceremony, she did it with grace, one couldn't even see a hit of nervousness.

After the ceremony was done, Harper joined the crowd as many came to greet her and shower her with gifts. As this was going on, a certain blonde beauty rushed to the statue and knelt down...

Lilith caught sight of this and laughed as quietly as she could. Evelina knelt down, with her head lowered, as she muttered prayers. Lilith didn't use 'the travelling soul on her', she did this by her own will, that is why this is even more satisfying to see. But as if things couldn't get more amusing, it did.

Evelina looked up after praying and noticed that something had changed.

The Goddess statue that originally held a gentle motherly smile, had changed into a frown...