The Lilith estate buzzed with activity. After a long stretch away, everyone had finally returned, and the grand halls once again echoed with voices and laughter. Catalina Kai, Zayan's elegant but ever-scheming mother, had wasted no time planning a lavish evening — a party filled with music, rich families, and beautiful daughters of the city's elite.
All eyes were on Zayan.
At thirty, the city's most powerful and feared man was still unwed. To Catalina, it was a crisis. She didn't want to admit she was meddling, but in truth, tonight's party was a test — to see if her son's heart already belonged to the stubborn maid with fire in her eyes.
Nora.
Zayan had warned her — no, ordered her — to stop working as a maid. He didn't want her serving anyone. Not because he was ashamed, but because she meant too much to him. But Nora, stubborn and headstrong, had refused. She said she had nothing else to do, that she just wanted to help. Zayan had scolded her in anger, words sharp with frustration and love tangled beneath the fury.
Nora had stormed off, mad and hurting. But she still showed up in her uniform, pouring drinks and serving guests with practiced ease. Zayan, meanwhile, was cornered by a flock of giggling women, all preening in designer gowns, hoping to catch the devil's eye. Among them was Iris Backwoods, daughter of the third-richest man in the city. Beautiful. Bold. Bratty.
And entirely unimpressed by Zayan.
Across the hall, Nora moved like a shadow, graceful yet aloof. Every time their eyes met, she'd stick her tongue out or look away with a pout. Zayan felt the guilt tighten around his chest. He wanted to apologize, but the party kept him chained.
Eventually, Nora escaped to the back garden — her little sanctuary. She paced angrily under the moonlight, mumbling to herself.
"Don't do this, don't do that — I just wanna help, okay? Ugh! That man is nuts! So stubborn and arrogant and—"
Behind her, Iris laughed. "Are you talking about the devil himself?"
Nora blinked, surprised. "Zayan? Yeah. That man's insane."
With a dramatic sigh, Iris plopped down on the grass. "Handsome, but totally nuts. I don't know how anyone deals with him."
Nora snorted and joined her. "Tell me about it."
They both stared up at the stars, and slowly, a strange and unexpected bond started to form.
"You're a maid here?" Iris asked curiously.
"I was," Nora replied. "Zayan doesn't want me working anymore. And if my brothers find out I've been working again, they'll kill me."
"Brothers?"
"The Liliths."
Iris sat up, eyes wide. "Wait… you're a Lilith? The Nora Lilith?"
"Yeah," Nora muttered. "Just found out not long ago. It's a whole messed-up story."
"Girl. WOW."
They lay there, sharing pieces of their pasts — two girls from different worlds finding common ground under the stars. Nora opened up, told Iris everything. Iris, in turn, confessed her own struggles: the pressure of being Backwoods' daughter, of being seen and never heard.
Then came a familiar voice.
"Nora!"
She turned to see Zayan walking toward them. "I've been looking everywhere for you, love."
She crossed her arms and turned away, still pouting. "Hmph."
"Come on, darling. You're still mad?" he said with a soft smile, pulling her gently toward him.
Iris rolled her eyes playfully. "Mr. Zayan Kai, please take care of this adorable, stubborn woman, will you?"
Nora laughed and stuck her tongue out at him again. "I have a friend now. Go away."
Zayan grinned, lifted her onto his shoulders, and started walking away with her protesting and lightly hitting his back.
"Nooo, put me down!" she shouted, giggling.
"I'll call you, future bestie!" Iris called after her, waving.
"Bye, Iris!" Nora yelled back.
Inside, Zayan carried her into one of the quiet rooms, finally setting her down gently. Nora's arms were folded, face turned away.
"Nora, love…" he whispered.
She didn't respond.
He moved closer, wrapping an arm softly around her waist, then pulling her close by the back of her neck. He kissed her slowly — gentle, apologetic.
His lips moved to her neck, and he murmured, "I'm sorry, my sweet darling. Hm?"
Nora melted in his arms. She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
Zayan scooped her up and sat down with her in the old rocky chair by the window. They held each other close, the night wrapping around them like a lullaby.
Outside the window, Catalina stood silently beside Aveline, watching them.
"Finally," Catalina whispered, a small smile on her face. "My son is happy."