Start this beautiful night

Lilith gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She was adorned in a white gown made of the
luxurious and finest silk. Golden embroidery embellished every inch of the gown, adding a touch
of opulence to it. The weight of heavy jewelry, already burdening her, compounded with the
addition of a gold tiara embellished with rare gemstones. Its pressure already gave a headache
to her.
Ignoring that, a wave of nostalgia washed over Lilith as she reminisced her father's words from
her childhood, when he would speak of her future marriage to a kind and loving man. In her
youthful imagination, she had envisioned a wedding, but never pictured it would be with a devil.
'Sigh! Dreams never come true for some people,' Lilith thought.
"Miss Lilith is looking so beautiful," Zoey said after fixing the golden hairpins in Lilith's hair bun.
Lilith did find herself different from the other normal days. The touch of light makeup on her
radiant face had already enhanced her beauty, transforming her outer appearance.
"Miss Lilith, it is time to head to the hall," Zoey humbly said.
Lilith felt a knot forming in her stomach. She was nervous and scared at the same time. Why did
the evening approach earlier today? She wanted to run away, but she could not do that.
Apollyon would find her in mere seconds and might punish everyone around her, who didn't
keep an eye on her.
"Miss Lilith!" Zoey pronounced her name with a bit of a loud tone since she noticed Lilith looked
lost. Zoey sensed the nervousness in Lilith and asked her if she wanted to sit for a while.
"I do not want to sit," Lilith said. She took a deep breath to calm herself and strode out of the
room with Zoey. Carefully, she descended the stairs before turning to the grand hall, where
everyone was awaiting her presence.
As Lilith approached the hall's door, she held her head high, suddenly filled with unwavering
confidence. Lilith refused to appear like a damsel in distress lady. She also knew what her aim
was! To find the murderer of her father and also a key to lock the devils again.
Earlier in the day, when Jareth told Lilith, she should die because that was the only way to
escape the marriage, she ignored it. Lilith didn't want her life to go in waste. Instead she vowed
to bring the downfall of the devils even if she had to sacrifice herself.
The guests present in the hall turned their heads to look at Lilith, who walked up the aisle, ready
to be wedded to the Devil Lord.
Apollyon's smile widened as he beheld Lilith's stunning beauty. She surpassed his expectations,
appearing even more exquisite in that dress. He studied her face, perceiving the dissatisfaction
hidden behind her eyes.
When Lilith stood before Apollyon, he took her hand in his and led her onto the wedding altar.
Lilith curled her fingers in his grip as she finally got married to him. However, she felt fortunate
when Apollyon didn't kiss her lips. Instead, his lips found his way to the top of her forehead.
For the first time, Lilith found a different kind of feeling developed in her for Apollyon. He kept in
his mind the boundaries she mentioned earlier. Lilith's fluttering eyes found his intense gaze on
her.
She became the Devil's wife and that was enough to awake her from the sweet dream of ever
having a kind man in her life.
After they got seated on the thrones, Apollyon declared Lilith as the Queen of Azuria, raising the
glass of wine, showing his immense happiness. He waited for a long time for this moment to
come.
~~~~~~
Lilith was led to the chamber, not the old one, but the one where she would live with Apollyon.
The thought of it terrified her, but the fear quickly gave way to other emotions.
The maidservants assisted her in getting out of the heavy wedding gown. Lilith felt light when
the heavy jewelry and the crown were taken off. Now, she clad in a white nightgown adorned
with red embroidery all over the silk fabric. Zoey sprayed perfume on her neck before sending
her into the bedchamber, where Apollyon would soon join her.
As Zoey shut the door, Lilith rose to her feet. She began walking back and forth in nervousness.
Before Zoey left, she reminded Lilith about her wedding duties, which she blatantly refused to
fulfill in her mind. This marriage had been forced upon her against her will, and she intended to
keep it devoid of any love or affection.
Lilith halted abruptly as the door of the bedchamber opened. Her eyes darted at Apollyon's
figure, who was now her husband.
Husband!
Why did she think of that word for Apollyon? Lilith's thoughts ceased as she heard Apollyon
speak.
"You didn't eat well earlier. I brought the apple pie for you. Its sweet taste will surely please you,"
Apollyon said, placing the plate on the round table.
Lilith was surprised to find that Apollyon kept a watch on how much she ate.
"I am not hungry," Lilith replied and averted her gaze from him.
"Eat this pie or undress me," Apollyon gave her a choice, bringing her attention to him.
Lilith stared at him for a few moments before approaching the table. She chose to eat the pie.
Swiftly, she picked up the fork and took a slice, savoring its sweetness that surpassed honey.
Apollyon pulled out a chair for her, urging her to sit.
"Finish it before I return," Apollyon whispered in her ear, his lips tantalizingly close to her
earlobe.
Lilith bit her bottom lip, watching Apollyon headed to the washroom. She continued eating pie
and soon, she finished it.
"Would you like some water?" Apollyon's voice startled her once again. She glanced around and
found him wearing a black velvet robe near the bed. He poured water into a golden glass and
approached Lilith.
"Here, have some," Apollyon said, presenting the glass to her.
Lilith took the glass and slowly drank water from it.
"So, how shall we start this beautiful night?" Apollyon inquired, his question still hanging in the
air.