Lilith was still pacing her room, trying to calm her nerves after asking Julian to visit her later, when a loud knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Big sis!" Luca's voice rang through the door. "Come down! Dinner's ready!"
Right. Dinner. Maybe food will help me pretend I'm not planning to seduce my fake brother tonight.
She fixed her hair, checked the mirror, and walked down the stairs.
The moment she turned the corner into the dining room—she froze.
Colorful streamers made of enchanted ribbons shimmered across the ceiling. Floating candles flickered in hues of gold and lavender. A small illusion orb hovered near the table, spelling out:
🎉 Happy 18th Birthday, Lilith! 🎉
The table was already full—roast mana-hen, glazed root fruits, caramel-glazed nut rolls, even sparkling berry juice in tall glasses. Everyone was waiting.
"Surprise!" Luca shouted with both arms in the air.
Julian stood behind him, looking pleased but smug. "Told you she'd freeze like that."
Father Elric—no, Gareth Elric—nodded to her from his seat. "You're officially an adult, Lilith."
Oh, I'm aware…
Her grandfather Thorne snorted. "Still look like a brat to me."
Lilith blinked, stunned. "You… all did this?"
"Of course," said Julian, guiding her toward the seat of honor. "You nearly died last week. What kind of family would we be if we didn't throw a party the moment you came back?"
Luca bounced in place. "I helped with the decorations! The candles are color-coded!"
"They're uneven," Thorne muttered.
"They're enchanted," Luca shot back. "They float. Can you float candles, old man?"
Thorne just grunted and sipped from his carved cup like a warrior in retirement.
Ren Elric—the eldest of the siblings—stepped forward with a lazy smile. His tall frame and rough-spun coat made him look more like a wandering mercenary than a noble heir.
"Time for the finale," he said, lifting a single finger.
With a subtle flick, flames ignited at the tips of his fingers, spiraling into the air. He traced patterns—blossoming roses, drifting stars, and finally a massive flaming heart that exploded into glittering sparks above the table.
Luca clapped with both hands. "Boom! That's my big bro!"
Julian raised his glass. "To the only girl worth this much trouble."
"To Lilith," Gareth said, his tone still steady, but the corners of his mouth tugged up in a rare smile.
Thorne lifted his cup without looking. "You'd better eat well. You won't always have Luca feeding you snacks."
Lilith sat down slowly, her eyes shimmering slightly.
They did all this. For me. Not for the woman scarcity. Not for tribute. Just... for me being alive.
She smiled, genuinely—no sarcasm, no internal monologue necessary.
"Thanks, everyone," she said. "Really."
Scene continues with dinner, laughter, teasing. Julian keeps glancing her way, curious about what she meant by "needing his help" tonight. Lilith avoids his eyes—barely.
After dessert—warm nutcakes and honeyroot tea—Ren stood up and cleared his throat.
"Alright," he said. "We didn't just gather to throw fire at the ceiling and feed Luca sugar."
"Hey!" Luca protested through a mouthful of cake.
Ren continued, his tone gentler now. "You're eighteen, Lilith. That means… the tribute system is coming."
Lilith's smile faded slightly. "I figured."
Gareth leaned forward. "Officials from the capital will arrive in a few days. They'll want to assess your health, mana signature, and begin processing requests."
"Requests?" she echoed.
Julian answered softly. "Profiles. From across the kingdom. Men who want to… offer."
Lilith tensed.
"Now listen," Gareth said firmly. "You don't have to accept every single one. In fact, you shouldn't."
"Every profile comes with full details," Ren added. "Name, rank, reputation, skills, temperament. You can read them, study them, and decide."
"And you can reject them," Thorne muttered, tapping his cup. "As many as you want."
"You can even tell the officials your preferences," Julian said. "They'll filter out anyone you don't like. Personality types. Ages. Magic types. Whatever."
"It's your right," Gareth finished. "Your body, your choice. The system is flawed, but we won't let them treat you like a token."
Lilith looked down at her hands.
"For your first time," Ren added after a pause, "you don't have to choose from the tribute pool. It's completely up to you. Who, where, how… all of it."
She didn't speak for a long moment.
So even this world gives me a sliver of control… if I'm willing to reach for it.
"But," Gareth said gently, "the government won't wait forever. Tribute is law. We can only delay them for so long."
Silence settled.
Then Luca stood on his chair and raised his arms dramatically. "So! We all pray that Lilith finds a super handsome, super sweet guy who treats her like the goddess she is!"
"Sit down, imp," Thorne grunted.
Everyone laughed.
Julian raised his glass. "To Lilith. For strength. For peace. For freedom."
"To Lilith," the others echoed.
She blinked hard, fighting the sting at the corners of her eyes.
I don't know what I expected tonight. But it wasn't this. It wasn't being seen. Or loved. Or… trusted to choose.
She clinked her glass against Julian's. "Thank you. All of you."
Even if I go through hell, at least I know where I come back to.
----
The party slowly unraveled into warmth and laughter. Dishes were cleared, candles floated a little lower, and Thorne snored half-upright in his seat, untouched tea still steaming beside him.
Lilith caught Julian's eye across the table.
Just a glance.
She tilted her head slightly. Subtle. Intentional. A flicker of meaning passed between them—unspoken, but unmistakable.
Julian's smile faded a little. Not in discomfort, but understanding.
He nodded once.
Lilith returned upstairs alone, heart pounding. The glow from the candles below barely reached the hallway now. Her room welcomed her like a soft exhale—quiet, still, faintly scented with lavender and something warmer.
She locked the door behind her.
This is it. This is actually happening.
She peeled off her dress and set it carefully aside and put on comfy nightdress.
In the mirror, her reflection stared back.
"I look calm." That's a lie.
She ran her fingers through her hair, brushed it smooth. Her skin was still flushed from the wine and firelight. She touched her lips, her collarbone, then lower—feeling each curve again as if memorizing them for the first time.
Is this really me? This soft, beautiful, powerful body…
And I'm about to offer it. Not because a law says so. Not because a quest says so. But because… I choose to.
She lit a single mana lamp, casting the room in gentle amber glow. Just enough to see. Not too much to scare him.
Her hands shook slightly as she smoothed the sheets, fluffed the pillows, and sat on the edge of the bed.
Okay, system. No countdowns. No quests. No tricks tonight.
Just me. And the boy I trust the most.
A knock came. Gentle. Three soft taps.
Lilith exhaled.
"Come in."
-----
Julian stepped into the softly lit room and closed the door behind him.
"Hey," he said gently, eyes scanning the space. "Wow. You really lit the place up like a shrine."
Lilith stood by the bed in her nightgown, hands clasped in front of her. Her cheeks were pink, but her eyes were calm—determined.
"Julian," she said, voice low. "Can you… lock the door?"
He blinked. "Huh?"
"Please," she said. "Just for a bit. I don't want anyone coming in."
Still confused, Julian turned and slid the iron lock into place with a soft click. "Alright… now I'm officially nervous."
Lilith walked toward him slowly, every step careful. When she reached him, she took his hand—warm, calloused, safe.
"I need your help," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Julian's brows pulled together. "Of course. Anything."
She looked up at him.
"You're the person I trust most in this world," she said. "You've always protected me. Treated me like someone real—not some trophy, or a goddess, or... whatever people think I am."
Julian nodded, silent. His grip on her hand tightened slightly, reassuring.
She took a deep breath.
"I want you to be my first," she said. "Tonight. Right now."
---
Julian froze.
His fingers twitched in hers, and his expression shifted—from surprise, to confusion, to something caught between guilt and disbelief.
"Wait… you mean—like actually… now?"
Lilith nodded once. "Yes."
He stared at her, lips parting, then closing again like he wasn't sure how to breathe.
"Lilith… I—look, I care about you more than anything," he said, stepping back slightly. "But you just turned eighteen. The tribute stuff hasn't even started. You still have time. We don't have to rush this."
She felt her heartbeat stutter.
"I know I'm not supposed to say that," Julian added, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I don't want to be the reason you regret your first time. Especially not tonight. You should think and take more time."
Lilith's hands clenched slightly. The moment hung—fragile and cold. The warm glow in the room felt like it was flickering out.
And then—
-----
🔔 [System Suggestion]
Target hesitation detected. Risk of quest failure rising.
Recommend activating skill: [Arousal Field Lv.1]
Effect is undetectable. Will subtly heighten target arousal, reducing resistance without overt influence.
------
Lilith blinked, a whisper of blue light flashing behind her eyes.
You want me to seduce him. To tip him over the edge with magic. Is that… okay?
She looked at Julian—his nervous stance, his clenched jaw, the way he was avoiding her gaze so hard it hurt.
But this is my choice. My body. My quest. He cares about me, but he's too careful to act unless I push first.
She breathed in slowly… and accepted.
[Arousal Field Lv.1 – Activated]
A subtle hum pulsed in the air. No sound, no scent. Just a faint shift—like the tension in the room grew warmer. Closer.
Julian inhaled, his shoulders tightening just slightly.
Lilith stepped closer. Her fingertips grazed his arm.
"Julian," she said softly. "I'm not rushing because of the system. I'm choosing this. I want this."
He looked down at her then, really looked. His eyes dilated, lips parting just a little as if something inside had just… clicked.
"I…" he started. Then stopped.
She touched his chest. "Don't be afraid to want me. Just this once, let yourself be selfish."
Continued...
[Fot old readers: There has been a little change in Lilith's age. Chapter 1 has been added some extra for that reason. Story stays unchanged. 12/06/2025]