Samael quietly sat in his seat as Dominic gave him and Lady Trix their final lessons and a whole ton of reminders.

"Remember, you'll be meeting powerful and influential nobles of all ranks. This is a good moment to strengthen your position amongst aristocratic society," Dominic said.

"Lady Trix," he called.

"Yes?" She flinched as she replied, nervousness clearly visible in her green pupils.

"Please calm down. I know this event is highly anticipated, and this is the first time you were invited. But being fidgety and jumpy won't help," Dominic said.

Taking deep breaths, she replied. "I understand."

"Good. Considering your family's rank, this is your moment to seal good relationships with other families," Dominic mentioned.

"Not only that, you're already quite known as one of the flowers of aristocratic society, so people are sure to swarm you. Unfortunately, some of them may have other motives, so keep sharp," Dominic reminded.

"I will keep that in mind," she said with determination.

"As for you, young man, just please! Don't be too rude," Dominic pleaded.

"Yeah, yeah," Samael dismissed.

Dominic could only sigh as he spoke. "Since your main objective is to help Sir Ajax establish his position as Tera's new saint, your role is more important than you might believe."

"Tera's hierarchy is not too hard to understand. We have the peasants in the slum at the bottom of the ladder, followed by common folks," Dominic said as he wrote on a chalkboard.

"After them are the knights with their own rankings, followed by nobles. However, the true highest in the hierarchy aside from the Thaesir families are the following," Dominic said as he drew symbols on the board.

"One, the guild. The watcher's guild holds quite the position here even though the nobles look at them with scorn. The next is the order of the knights, which are affiliated with the nobles, and lastly, a new power-holder family of demons. However, the true person to hold the reigns is the Saint that guards the city itself," he mentioned.

"I'm thinking the maiden of roses belongs in that family," Samael said.

"Oh, how pleasant! To think you know at least a little something!" Dominic said.

Nerves twitched in Samael's forehead as the man continued his lecture.

"You're correct. The maiden of roses, the hottest topic on Tera recently, belongs in that family," Dominic confirmed.

"What's her name?" Samael asked.

Dominic fell silent. "I... I don't know," he replied as his cheeks flushed red.

"How unpleasant to think you don't know something!" Samael taunted.

"YOU!" Dominic exclaimed as he took deep breaths.

"Her identity is confidential. All we have is eyewitness testimony of her, and the Thaesir heirs often give her gifts," Dominic answered.

"I heard her beauty is truly out of this world. Almost intoxicating!" Lady Trix chimed in.

"That's what I've heard too. All that we know is that she's a high-priority target for the Thaesir heir to strengthen their families," Dominic said before changing the topic.

"Samael, your goal is to associate with the nobles and gain their favor. Nothing more, nothing less," Dominic said.

"But knowing you, you probably won't do it, so just try not to get on their bad side," he followed shortly, prompting Lady Trix to chuckle.

"That's all. You guys take your rest and enjoy the rest of your day. Tomorrow is the day of reckoning, so best prepare yourselves!" Dominic said before leaving the room.

"For someone who claims to be faithful to one woman, you sure are interested in someone else," Lady Trix teased.

"It's not like that," Samael denied.

"Besides, her and me... were just friends when we parted ways. Maybe I'm just too clingy," Samael said.

"So then why are you so keen on knowing the maiden of roses?" she asked.

"It's for a specific mission I have," Samael truthfully answered.

"I'm not just here to enter aristocratic society but to protect the maiden of roses," Samael said.

Lady Trix's eyes widened as she squealed.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"What's wrong with you?" Samael asked, his brows furrowed.

"Don't you know how controversial that is? You, protecting her?" Lady Trix said.

"Enlighten me," Samael replied.

"The maiden of roses is one of the most curious and intriguing people in the sanctuary right now! No one knows her name or her background, and no one is even really sure of her beauty!" Lady Trix said.

"Then you come in and say you're supposed to protect her! That means you'll get to know her on a more personal level than even the Thaesir heirs!" She followed.

"You, some random kid who just appeared out of nowhere, getting a free pass to meet with one of the most influential people today!" She said as she squealed again.

"It's not that big of a deal," Samael said.

"It is that big of a deal!" Lady Trix fired back.

"I'm not even going to meet her. I'll just watch from a distance and make sure nothing bad gets close. That's all there is to it," Samael said.

Lady Trix's face fell as he looked at Samael with dead eyes. "Are you serious? You're literally ruining it for me."

"This is the perfect opportunity to gain a reputation out here!" She said with fires burning in her pupils.

"I don't care about reputation," Samael said.

"Still!" she insisted.

"That's enough of that bullshit," Samael said as he rose up.

"Are you going home?" Samael asked.

"Pretty much. My parents are really getting worked up over this event. They want me to attend it to solidify my position and garner attention for my debut," she said.

"Look who's talking. You were literally jumping earlier due to nervousness," Samael said.

"I think I can't hear you," Lady Trix said as she left.

Shaking his head, Samael returned to his room.

***

Lilith sat in the dining room as the maids laid down the dishes before her, arranging them neatly, while her grandmother sat opposite her.

"Are you excited for the event tomorrow?" Aphemis asked.

Lilith shifted her attention to her grandmother as she replied. "It's alright."

"Is that so? I thought that was what's keeping you so occupied," Aphemis said as her brows rose up.

"It's just an event, grandmother," Lilith said.

"I know. But this is one of the biggest events you're going to attend in your whole life," Aphemis said.

"I'll just mingle around and sit in a corner. Nothing new, nothing less," she replied.

"Booh! How boring!" Aphemis responded.

"By the way, we just received another batch of letters today. Guess who it came from?" Aphemis asked.

"The Thaesir heirs?" Lilith answered.

"You're getting used to this," Aphemis said.

"Too used," Lilith said in exasperation.

"It's another marriage proposal. The fifth time since we arrived here," Aphemis said.

"From which one of the heirs?" Lilith asked.

"All of them," Aphemis replied.

"Figured," Lilith said as she fidgeted with her food.

"However, one of them is quite bold," Aphemis followed, luring the girl's attention.

"How so?" she asked.

"Well, the one from the house of Donovan, Eric, said he will be waiting for your answer personally tomorrow," Aphemis said.

Lilith could only sigh. To think that Eric would actually take advantage of such a high-class event is beyond her.

Noticing her granddaughter's annoyance, she asked. "Why are you so resistant to them? It's not like they're lacking in any department."

"They're rich, powerful, and have bright futures before them. Every girl and her mother would take such opportunities without hesitation," Aphemis said.

Lilith shot a look of disbelief at her grandmother as she answered. "I... I just don't."

"It's because of him, isn't it?" Aphemis asked.

Lilith remained silent as she shifted her gaze to her water cup, watching her reflection.

Aphemis could only internally sigh. Her granddaughter still hasn't improved.

Ever since her encounter with the boy Samael, she has never looked at another man the same way.

When Samael came, he gave life to a part of Lilith Aphemis had never seen before. But when he left, he also took a part of her with him. Changing her forever.

But the change wasn't bad. Lilith was strong now because of him. Although Aphemis did blame him, she never truly meant it. It's just that demons find it hard to express how they feel. But she tries.

"So what's your plan for tomorrow?" Aphemis swiftly changed the subject.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Lilith answered.

"I'll play nice, get along with them, and leave. That's all there is to it," she answered.

"But you do know it won't work like that, right?" Aphemis said.

"I know," Lilith said.

"Knowing your reputation, people will surely rush you to establish some form of connection," Aphemis mentioned.

"I'll just deflect them," Lilith answered.

"You'll find it hard to believe, but some of these humans are quite persistent and often blind to the fact that you're trying to separate from them," Aphemis said.

"How about Eric? What will you do?" Aphemis asked.

"I'll do as I've always done. Politely reject him," Lilith said.

"But what if it's Samael?" Aphemis asked, her gaze narrowing down.

Imagining the scenario, Lilith's cheeks flushed red as her tail swiveled back and forth. A gesture Aphemis did not miss.

"W-Well, I don't know," she answered as she clutched the ends of her clothes.

"Figured," Aphemis said as she took a bite of her food.

There was only one day left before the long-awaited Serenity Ball. Nobles of all kinds, along with merchants and other opportunists, have taken action as they flood the streets.

Many were preparing; some were planning. Nonetheless, they did not know of the brewing danger lurking over the horizon.

Multiple cloaked individuals quietly inspected a gadget as their leader spoke. "Is this it?"

"Yes, sir," the other cloaked people answered.

"Have they started planting it?" he asked.

"All the devices are in place and ready to be used," they answered.

"Good. We cannot fail this mission," he reminded them.

"But when do we activate it?" The cloaked assassins asked.

"When the ball is at its peak and everyone's guards are down," he answered.

"Are we certain this can prevent the real monsters from entering?" they asked.

"I trust our master," the leader said.

"Remember, our target is the chaos witch and her alone. We kill her; we complete our mission," the leader reminded his men.

"Do we have a complete list of the attendees?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," the assassins replied.

"All is going according to plan," the leader muttered to himself.

"What of the Thaesir kids?" the other assassins asked.

The leader fell silent for a moment before replying. "We kill them if we have sufficient time left."

"These brats are nurtured by their families to uphold their legacy in the future. Getting rid of them before they become a threat is a good way to hasten the grand plan of the ministry," the leader said.

"Your will is our will," the assassins said in unison.

As the hour neared, the cheers of the people strengthened. But so were the dangers lurking, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike.

While their plan to take over Tera may have failed once, they're still willing to try again and again.

After all, it is the will of their God.

And all that comes in their way will be smitted by his divine retribution.

"All hail the God of Light, Taranius," the leader praised.

"All hail the God of Light, Taranius," the assassin chanted in unison.

One day left before the ball.