Chapter 3

"If you don't marry me, who else can you marry?"

Sol found it hilarious. "Could it be Karnos? You surely know his methods for dealing with women, don't you? For the past few hundred years, any goddess who got close to him has disappeared. Do you really want to become the bride of the Shadow Sovereign?"

My parents had chosen two suitors for me since I was young.

One was Sol, the God of Dawn in the Temple of Dawn, in charge of all light and warmth.

The other was Karnos, the Dark Lord who ruled the Shadow Realm, whose power made even the oldest gods tremble.

Everyone knew Karnos had a brutal personality. Not only were his methods against enemies cruel, but he also showed no mercy toward goddesses.

It was said that those who provoked him were either exiled to the Void or trapped forever in the Shadow Abyss.

The High Lords of the entire Divine Realm did not want their daughters to marry such a devil.

I said indifferently, "Even marrying a devil is better than marrying you."

After speaking, I turned to leave.

Seeing my resolute attitude, Sol couldn't believe it, and a hint of panic actually rose in his heart.

He instinctively blocked my path and demanded: "What do you mean?!"

"Are you still bothered by the matter between me and Lilith? Haven't I already said I would marry you? Stop throwing a tantrum with me!"

Sol frowned, his tone carrying irritation: "Lyra, my patience is limited. If you continue to be so willful, don't blame me for publicly rejecting you when the time comes!"

Even now, he still thinks I'm just throwing a tantrum?

He doesn't know that the one choosing to reject isn't him, but me.

Just as I was about to answer, Lilith appeared, her eyes wide as she feigned worry.

"Sol, Lyra—are you fighting because of me?"

Lilith looked at me with a face full of guilt: "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have accepted this starlight necklace just now. I'll return it to Goddess Lyra immediately."

Saying this, Lilith took off the necklace from her neck.

Sol stopped her. "It's yours. You deserve it. You're too kind, always letting her bully you."

"It's okay." Lilith’s tone was piteous. "I am a handmaid in Goddess Lyra’s temple; I've been used to obeying her since I was young. Moreover, tonight is her awakening ceremony; I don't want her to be sad."

Saying this, Lilith walked toward me with the necklace: "Goddess Lyra, let me help you put on the necklace."

However, in a corner where Sol couldn't see, her expression turned smug. She lowered her voice and mocked: "Do you see? Lyra, so what if you are the daughter of the Sun God and the Moon Empress? Your beloved Sol only likes me! You will never compare to me! I won't let you have a good time at today's ceremony. Just you wait!"

After speaking, Lilith suddenly let out a loud cry and fell toward the ground.

"Ah!" she screamed, saying in disbelief: "Goddess Lyra, I only wanted to put the necklace on you, why did you push me? Do you hate me that much?"

Seeing this, Sol immediately rushed forward and took Lilith into his arms.

His eyes were full of fury as he barked: "Lyra, you've gone too far! I know you are usually arrogant and willful and like to bully the servants under you, but I didn't expect that with so many people at today's ceremony, you would dare to lay hands on Lilith in public! Apologize to her immediately!"

"I didn't push her," I explained coldly. "She fell down herself."

But then, without giving him a chance to doubt, Lilith said piteously: "Goddess Lyra, do you mean to say I intentionally framed you? I am just a tiny handmaid; where would I get such courage?"

"Is that so?" My tone carried mockery. "I see you've never treated yourself as a handmaid, but rather as Sol’s Divine Queen? Why don't we just change my awakening ceremony directly into your wedding scene today?"

Sol became increasingly annoyed: "Enough, Lyra! No more insulting Lilith!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand, intending to give me a slap.

But in the next second, that slap did not land on my face.

A tall figure blocked the way in front of me, stopping Sol’s hand...

Looking at the familiar yet strange back in front of me, my heart suddenly skipped a beat.

In the next moment, I heard the people around me exclaim: "It's Karnos! Why is Karnos here?!"