Chapter Fifty-Three: Lilith's Transformation

"Now, let us discuss the spoils I am entitled to," I said with a smile to the illusionist.

"Very well. As the defeated, this is our burden to bear. Speak—what does Princess Liliana wish to know from me?" the illusionist replied, playing along.

"I want to know, this time, how many members were dispatched by the Vampire Council?" I asked, fixing my gaze on the illusionist's eyes.

"Thirteen Judgments," the illusionist answered solemnly. "All thirteen Judgments were sent out this time. Your Highness, you are indeed formidable, but forgive my candor—even with your strength, I fear you cannot stand against the top three Judgments. The outcome is already determined, why persist in this struggle? With the Prince present, the Council dare not truly harm you. Why continue to resist?"

I ignored the illusionist's advice. Even in defeat, so what? No one can make me yield—not the Thirteen Judgments, not the Vampire Council, not even my father. I, Lilith, obey only my own will.

"Who else is the Council targeting?" I pressed on.

"Is there need to ask? Besides you, who else could it be?" The illusionist smiled bitterly.

"Is it truly only me?" I demanded sharply, eyes locked on his.

My stare unsettled him; several times he tried to speak but swallowed his words, finally hanging his head in defeat. "Alright, Your Highness, you’ve won. Besides you, there’s a human named Star Whisper who has also been marked, regardless of life or death."

"Hmph, as expected," I sneered. "They know I once forged a blood pact with that human, hoping to use him against me. The Council still prefers such petty tricks." Contempt laced my words.

"I think it’s more out of anger," the illusionist replied. "For a princess of the vampires to forge a blood pact with a lowly human—it’s unprecedented. The Council must see it as a stain on our dignity. Even back when the Prince..."

"Enough!" I cut him off coldly before he could finish.

Seeing my icy gaze, the illusionist realized his misstep. "Forgive me, Princess Liliana, I spoke out of turn."

"Hmph." I scoffed, withdrawing my gaze. Only then did the illusionist breathe easier.

"I’ve asked all I wished to. You may leave. Do not let me see you again, or I will kill you without hesitation," I said coldly.

"Yes, I understand. This mission has failed; we’ll return to the Council for punishment. I doubt we’ll have time to trouble you again," the illusionist replied bitterly.

"Let’s hope so," I said, sweeping my eyes over the nearby woods before turning away.

Only after we had gone for some time did the illusionist finally exhale and, as if speaking to himself, said to the air beside him, "Well? No chance to act?"

At his words, a shadow slowly materialized from thin air, smiling wryly. "I was discovered from the start. There was never a chance to strike. Had I forced it, I would have been the one to die."

Not only had the Thirteenth and Twelfth Judgments come, but also the Eleventh—Shadow Thorn—lurking in the darkness, waiting for a chance to deliver a fatal blow.

"The Night Tulip’s reputation is well deserved. The four of us together could challenge even the Seventh or Eighth Judgment, yet we’ve lost so easily," the illusionist said helplessly.

"Rodriguez, are we simply going back now? If we return like this, we’ll be punished. Vivi and Ana hate being punished," the twins pouted, complaining to the illusionist.

"If we just return, we’ll certainly be punished. Even our places among the Judgments might be at risk. Many covet our positions, and this failure will surely give them an excuse to attack us. So—shall we gamble once more?" The illusionist squinted.

"Gamble on what? Go after the princess again? Next time, Vivi and Ana won’t lose to her," Vivi and Ana replied, their tiny fists clenched in excitement.

"No, this time we side with the princess. We help Princess Liliana resist the Thirteen Judgments," the illusionist said with a sly gleam in his eyes.

"Help Princess Liliana against the Thirteen Judgments? What are you plotting now?" Shadow Thorn exclaimed in surprise.

"If we’ll be punished anyway, why not make a big gamble? I bet Princess Liliana can escape the Thirteen Judgments’ pursuit. If we win, the Council cannot touch us; even if we lose, there are loyalists among the Judgments who will help us out. Well, Shadow Thorn, care to wager?" The illusionist grinned at him.

"I never know what you’re thinking," Shadow Thorn replied, half amused, half exasperated. "But I’d like to bet as well. I want to see why you have such faith in Her Highness. I trust your judgment. After all, it’s safer than simply accepting punishment," he said resignedly.

"And you two?" The illusionist looked at the twins.

"Of course we’ll bet. Vivi and Ana hate being punished," they chimed in unison.

"Then it’s settled. Now, we just wait for the right moment." The illusionist gazed into the distant sky. "I think the next batch of Judgments will arrive soon."

After sparing the illusionist and his companions, I led Liliel and the others to our temporary hotel refuge.

"Lilith, what do you plan next? Will you go rescue that human named Star Whisper?" Liliel asked hesitantly once we returned.

"Why should I rescue him? His life or death is of no concern to me," I replied coldly.

"Lilith, you don’t want to save that human?" Liliel stammered in shock at my answer.

"I told you, his fate means nothing to me. Why should I save him?" I repeated.

"Lilith, what’s wrong with you? Why are you like this? Are you still Lilith?" Liliel stared at me, disbelief in her eyes.

"Why ask? I am Liliana Lilith de Dracula, beyond doubt. Why would I want to save that human? He is nothing but a lowly mortal—what qualifies him for my rescue?" My tone was icy.

"No, I don’t believe it. Lilith could never be so cold and merciless. Lilith, what’s happened to you?" Liliel’s voice trembled with anxiety.

"I haven’t changed. In fact, this is the real me—the true Lilith. The real Lilith is nothing but a cold, unfeeling machine," I said with bitter self-mockery.

"How can that be? Where did the Lilith I knew go?" Liliel demanded.

"I told you. The present me is the true Lilith; the one you cherished was only a fabricated persona. When the seal on my bloodline was broken, she vanished," I said quietly.

"I don’t believe it. Lilith must still exist, she must," Liliel cried, then turned and ran from my room.

I watched her leave without a word. As I said, the real me is little more than a cold machine; emotions are nothing but a luxury.

"Your Highness, is this really alright?" Ang came to my side and asked, "Do you truly not wish to save the human called Star Whisper?"

"How many more times must I say it? His life or death has nothing to do with me," I repeated coldly. Yet, for reasons unknown, as I uttered these words, a pang of pain, helplessness, and resentment stirred within me. What is this feeling? Since returning to my true self, I have not felt such complex emotions. What is happening to me? I gazed out into the night, unable to calm my heart.