Chapter 4
Cecilia's POV
Looking at his serious expression, warmth spreads through my chest.
I finally get a chance to fix the regrets from my past life.
I stand and walk over, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Welcome to the Radiant Sanctuary, Julian. If Arthur wants to burn everything down, we'll just watch him do it."
I look out at the sky beyond the hall, a cold smile crosses my lips.
The show's about to start.
Three months later.
Arthur finally makes his big move.
He ignores the protests from every clan elder and insists on holding the most lavish coronation for Lilith.
Not only that, he issues a divine decree at the highest level, forcing every god in the realm to show up in person to celebrate.
Anyone who refuses gets branded a heretic and stripped of their divine core.
"Lady Cecilia, we just received Arthur's decree as well."
Julian hands me a scroll.
"He's trying to provoke you. If you don't go, he'll have an excuse to rally the other clans against the Radiant Sanctuary. If you do go, he'll definitely humiliate you at the ceremony."
I take the scroll and toss it on the table.
"Of course I'm going."
I scoff. "He went through all this trouble to set up his little stage. Would be a shame not to watch the show."
By my calculations, Lilith's absorbed enough divine treasures by now. That abyssal energy inside her should be completely out of control.
This coronation is going to turn into a bloodbath.
The day of the ceremony, the Core Divine Territory looks obscenely lavish.
Ninety thousand steps covered in stardust, the air thick with the scent of the Fountain of Life.
Too bad that sweet smell can't hide how pissed off everyone actually is.
I walk into the cathedral right on time with Julian and a unit of elite Seraphim.
The noisy hall goes dead silent the second I step inside.
Every eye turns to me. Some look awed. Some look sympathetic. Some can barely hide their schadenfreude.
I don't even glance at them. I head straight for the front row.
Arthur sits on his throne, and when he spots me, something smug flashes in his eyes.
He thinks I caved to his decree. That I'm here to grovel.
"Cecilia, I'm glad you came."
Arthur looks down at me like he's doing me a favor.
"As long as you behave today and pay your respects to the Queen, I'll consider forgiving you."
I sit down, cross my legs, and stare him down.
"Arthur, you better talk while you can. After all, this is the last time you'll be sitting in that seat."
Arthur's face twitches. He's about to snap when a priest calls out nervously from the side.
"It is time! The Queen approaches!"
Solemn music fills the cathedral as Lilith walks in, supported by several attendants. She wears an elaborate white gown fit for a queen.
She looks radiant. That sickly, pathetic act is completely gone.
Arthur's face melts into this lovesick expression. He walks down the steps and takes Lilith's hand himself.
"Lilith, from this day forward, you are the mistress of this realm."
He says it with this sappy sincerity as he slowly places the crown on her head.
All the gods are forced to stand and prepare to bow.
The moment the crown touches Lilith's head, everything goes to hell.
The clear sky outside suddenly fills with thick black clouds.
The holy flames burning in the cathedral turn an eerie purple-black.
A surge of pure malice explodes from Lilith.
The attendants closest to her vaporize into red mist.
Chaos erupts.
"What's happening?!"
"That's abyssal energy! Demons are here!"
The gods scream and scramble backward.
Arthur takes the brunt of it. The sudden burst of demonic power throws him back several steps.
He stares at Lilith in disbelief.
Her white gown has turned into black demonic armor. Her once innocent face is covered in twisted black markings. Behind her, a pair of massive dark purple bat wings unfold.
"Lilith... what... what's wrong with you?"
Arthur's voice shakes. He still tries to reach for her.
"Don't touch me, you idiot."
Lilith slaps his hand away. Gone is the soft voice. Now it's sharp and cruel.
She floats into the air, looking down at Arthur.
"Let me tell you the truth, Arthur."
"I'm the Abyssal King's daughter. A succubus princess."
"I degraded myself, played the helpless saint, all to wrap you around my finger. Every time we slept together, listening to your pathetic declarations of love, I could barely keep my food down."
Lilith throws her head back and laughs.
"You've served your purpose."
"Now it's time for this realm to burn."
