Facing such a frightening situation, shivers ran down Evelina's spine. Why is it frowning? Why is it frowning? That's not supposed to happen! What's happening? The statue wasn't supposed to do that! Evelina rose to her feet and hurriedly tried to flee, but Lilith wouldn't let go of such a good opportunity.

Fearing no one would notice what was happening with Evelina, Lilith called out to attract others' attention, "Lady Evelina,what did you do!?" With a seemingly horrified expression, Lilith shouted. Many were attracted by the sudden scream and looked to where Lilith was pointing. They immediately noticed the change in the Goddess statue.

"It's frowning…!?"

"What did lady Evelina do!?"

"Is the Goddess upset? Is disaster about to fall upon us!?"

Due to the commotion, the nearby workers of the temple rushed to the statue to see what was wrong. They pushed Evelina away and glared at her fiercely before kneeling down to beg for forgiveness. Seeing the frantic priests and priestesses, Evelina's panic deepened, only then did she realize that everyone's eyes were set on her. The Sainthallian Empire is heavily religious and loyal to their Goddess. They believe the fate of everyone and everything depends on their Goddess, now how can they stay calm when a situation like this occurs!?

"Lady Evelina, I saw you pray to the statue. What words did you spout to offend our benevolent Goddess?" Lilith played the role of a princess deeply concerned for her people seriously. Though she felt like laughing inside, it's best to react just how any authority figure would in this situation.

"I didn't...!" Evelina tried to deny it but she knew there was no escape in this situation. No matter how desperately she cries, no one would choose her over the Goddess herself.

After much prayer and more offerings, the statue returned to its original gentle appearance.

"The Skyler family has sunk so low, now not even the Goddess will cast them her divine gaze..."

"Lady Evelina did behave rudely to lady Harper who is now the saintess. It is of no wonder to me why the Goddess doesn't favor her."

"Wherever Duke Skyler is, he must be trembling with fear now that his dear daughter has offended the saintess and the heavens."

An overwhelming rush of helplessness rushed into Evelina's heart. What could she say? What? This isn't something she could control...! Seeing Evelina panicking like a fish out of water, Lilith smirked secretly. Now this is exciting. Lilith had already planned out a surprise for Evelina for today but this is quite unexpected. Witnessing how Evelina slowly but surely falls into the depths of hell really is worth all the trouble.

Then, Lilith spotted a familiar figure amongst the whispering crowd. Beatrice stood there with face full of nervousness. The two met eyes and both just silently watched one another. Beatrice was the first to look away. She glanced at the helpless Evelina before lowering her head and staying put.

'Hm, it appears she has finally made up her mind.' Lilith thought to herself.

"Don't be too frightened, lady Evelina. Not everyone can grasp what might offend the Goddess." Harper emerged gracefully, she looked upon Evelina with what looked to be understanding and virtuousness.

"...yes, thank you for your consideration, your holiness." Though Evelina was aware of Harper's words carrying belittling, there's nothing she can do about it. Harper responded with a gentle smile but the force of her hand that was gripping Evelina's shoulder was but gentle.

"Lady Harper, your too kind. Even if lady Evelina didn't do it on purpose, she must do something. I'm sure lady Evelina is ashamed for putting the priest and priestesses trouble earlier." Alice intervened with suggestive words.

"I..." Evelina hesitated on how to respond. She knew what Alice was trying to imply. She glared at Alice but Alice showed no fear.

"Is that right, lady Evelina? What do you think is fitting as a small compensation for the trouble you have caused?" Harper asked with 'a delighted surprise' expressed on her face.

'They are all going against me! How annoying!' Evelina thought. She was forced to swallow her rage but the fire blazing inside of her was no less that fierce. Her family is going through so much, why can't they let her off for just a day? So despicable! With a sigh full of helplessness Evelina said, "I'm terribly sorry for troubling everyone! My ignorance has offended the Goddess therefore I shall kneel before the statue to ask for forgiveness."

"How about kneeling down for the rest of the ceremony?" Alice said with a harmless grin.

"...sure." Evelina forced a smile.

"Then that's settled. Do be cautious now, lady Evelina. We wouldn't want to upset the Goddess during the Sienna ceremony now would we?" Lilith chuckled, appearing pleased with the outcome. Evelina knelt in front of the statue for a very long time. Her knees were beginning to ache and she was really tired. But the worst part was all the eyes that were staying on her! She could feel their burning gazes even with her eyes closed! She could sense the ridicule stirring in their hearts without effort! Once a distinguished and honored daughter of a duke, now she has been reduced to this!

Her fiance abandoned her and her family is crumbling apart! And her reputation has never been lower! She tried her best, how could it come to this? All those years of hard work wasted because of a few petty brats! Speaking of 'petty brats', one of them seemed to be approaching Evelina right now.

"My heart is unsettled with the sight of you kneeling for so long. Even sweat has begun to show on your forehead, lady Evelina." Lilith walked over with a tone full of worry, but if she was really worried, why is her face holding a smirk!?

"... Thank you for your concern, princess. But don't fret, it was my fault thus I shall carry out some punishment." Evelina answered with a smile. If people weren't paying attention to them like right now Evelina would've ignored Lilith completely but alas as the 'hot topic' of the capital, Evelina couldn't even escape the aristocrats' eyes even for a short time...

"Come now, I know you must feel quite upset after having to kneel for such a long period of time, I came here to give you a little gift that I had prepared beforehand." Lilith chuckled excitedly.

"There's really no need, princess!" Evelina hurriedly tried to decline, it's clear to her that whatever this gift was, it would only be a horrible bestwoment for her than a sincere present. However she knew no matter what she says, Lilith isn't going to merely walk away after her words.

"Don't be like that, lady Evelina! We've never really been on good terms. We experienced multiple conflicts between the two of us and I've been feeling a bit guilty after some thought. We were sisters and though I have left the family, blood relation doesn't simply disappear with words on a piece of paper. I wanted to give this to you as a sort of apology. I wasn't the best little sister and I feel hurt when I remember how much you have suffered. That's why I would like to present to you this gift that both I and Princess Elizabeth have come up with." Lilith expressed with a meaningful grin. Her gaze was so gentle and her tone sounded very pleasing to the ears, if Evelina didn't know better she really would fall for this performer's act!

"Princess Lilith is going to give that girl a present? That disgraceful lady doesn't deserve her highness's generosity!" A noble among the crowd spoke quietly to her companion.

"After all that lady Evelina has done, the second princess still chose to spare her mercy… Her highness's kindness truly knows no bounds!"

"Lady Evelina had tried to humiliate her highness countless times and had just recently been looked down upon by heaven itself yet princess Lilith still holds her in her heart…"

"Lady Evelina should be grateful, but why does she seem so reluctant to accept the gift?"

"The gift was given by both princess Elizabeth and princess Lilith, such an honor is wasted for the likes of that man-stealing seductress."

Elizabeth, who came alone without the rest of the royal family, approached the two slowly and said, "Why look so down, lady Evelina?I just know you'll be overjoyed with the outcome!" After speaking, she clapped her hands and waited for Lilith to announce the splendid surprise.

All Evelina could hear was her pounding heartbeat at the moment. She knows nothing good will come out of this. It really is the most irritating type of feeling to know it will be bad for yourself but have no control whatsoever about it. The piercing eyes of those greedy and biased nobles stuck onto her like bees to honey, except she was no longer the precious treasure they used to protect, but the prey that they torment joyfully before mercilessly feasting on. Years of hard work, all to take control of her life, yet it all was worth not. She knows wherever her father is right now, he's frowning deeply and his fists are just aching to break something. Her brother, she was not sure. But she's certain he's not looking at her, perhaps he already left secretly.

It was only 5 seconds at most, but to Evelina it was centuries of waiting for her inevitable doom. Just a few words and she could be completely destroyed. Oh she felt this helplessness countless times before…

The hated voice belonging to Lilith finally brought the dreaded words. With a big smile and spring of laughter, Lilith announced,

"Congratulations, lady Evelina! I heard news of the failed engagement between you and the young master of the Casspan family. I was shocked to hear, you must've been utterly devastated. Thus I came up with this, the perfect present to cheer you up. Remember sir Rulias? You and him get along quite well, right? That's why I'm happy to announce here, at this moment that we have graciously bestowed you two an engagement with each other!"