Lili

"Your Holiness!"

A panicked voice rang through his ears, cutting through the deafening silence of his chamber. His heart skipped a beat, it was a voice that he thought he wouldn't hear anymore.

He turned to his back swiftly and laid his gaze on the familiar face standing before him.

It was Lili. She looked younger, free from the cursed experiences that they went through before. Her doe-like green eyes filled with untouched innocence.

Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead as she gasped for breath, looking concerned at the sudden noise that came from his room.

"Lili," Sorin whispered breathlessly, he tried to hide the way his voice trembled. He wanted to reach out to touch her, wanting to confirm if this was real.

Lili tilted her head in response to his shocked expression "Did something happen, your Holiness?" she asked in confusion "I heard a loud noise so I ran all the way here."

Sorin took a moment to compose himself, relief washed over him like warm water. Trying to reassure himself that this was his new reality now.

He was indeed back.

At the expense of his newfound relationship with Lucifer.

He smiled at Lili before reaching out a gentle hand to caress her cheek, noticing Lili's flustered expression "...Huh?" she mumbled.

Sorin pinched her soft cheeks "Ah~ It's really you."

The younger girl puffed out her reddened cheeks, surprised by his sudden actions "Your Holiness, did you hit your head? Why are you teasing me!" she

Sorin's smile softened at the innocence and purity that Lili still held in the past. He missed this lighthearted exchange between them, a time when he could feel genuine warmth.

"I'm simply glad to see you, Lili." he said teasingly.

Lili's cheeks flushed a deeper red as she faced away from Sorin, trying to compose herself.

"You're always too worried about me." he sighed.

It was what caused your death, Lili's unwavering towards him.

"Of course! I'm your servant, after all!" Lili pouted shyly, as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Her chest puffed with pride as she spoke.

Then she saw the fallen painting behind Sorin and gasped "Oh no! Your Holiness." she ran behind him, kneeling down to pick up that wretched painting.

He watched as Lili hurriedly retrieved the fallen painting on the floor, her expression filled with concern and urgency. Lili knew the extent of Sorin's close relationship with Kieran.

With a sigh, Sorin placed a gentle hand on her shoulder "It's alright, Lili." he reassured her "I'm planning on replacing it, anyways."

Lili looked up at him with a worried look "Ah... but it's you and Sir Kieran." she frowned.

He eyed the painting one more time, and the same repulsion filled him. It reminded him of how foolish he was, being too naive and gullible that he let Kieran deceive him.

Just the mere thought of it made him sick.

"I've grown now, Lili." Sorin's jaw clenched in hidden anger "That painting just reminds me of how foolish I am." he said with full honesty.

It was a vague sentence, Lili's concerned expression showed her confusion but he knew that Lili wouldn't ask him anything more about it.

Lili was perceptive, after all.

She slowly nodded her head "Then what should I do with this?"

Sorin's expression darkened, and the smile on his face twitched "Burn it. I don't want to see any traces of that." his voice held a bitterness that made Lili shiver.

Lili hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on the painting "Yes, your Holiness." she gave him a determined nod. His heart softened at the sight.

She picked up the painting from the floor and turned to the fireplace. Sorin followed behind her, each step almost measured as he stood by Lili's side.

As a nymph, Lili's elemental magic wasn't strong but it was enough to start the fireplace. He watched carefully as flames licked the edges of the canvas, satisfaction filling him with each flicker of the flames.

"Oh, Lili can you see this?" Sorin cut off as he showed Lili his palm. Even if she can see the new demonic stigmata, he knew he could fully trust Lili to stay quiet.

"Huh? it's your stigmata, Your Holiness," she said plainly.

Ah, so she can't see it then. That's a good sign but he probably needs to be careful.

The crackling sound of burning echoed in his mind. He watched as it slowly turned into ash, erasing all of his ties with that man.

With a soft exhale he chuckled "Thank you, Lili."

Soon, it won't just be a mere object razed into ashes. The sight of the entire empire set ablaze filled his mind, a large inferno that would crush the foundations of humankind.

And it was beautiful.

***

Sorin knew what he should do first.

He'll start from the root of this chaos; the beginning of his journey as the saint. It was the orphanage, the place where he was discovered by the temple.

He didn't know that the orphanage was not a place for abandoned children– it was merely a facade used by the corrupt nobles.

Sorin delved into his memories, remembering the sudden news of the orphanage burning down. Every single one of his old friends was killed. It was an accident, they said.

It took years for the truth to come out, the orphanage was a mask to maintain appearances while nobles indulged in illicit activities.

The only thing he could do was try to fight for the rights of the children but it was to no avail. Nobles were more powerful and they considered those children as tools.

"...What should I do with them?" he mused to himself, ignoring the brutal thoughts that came to his mind. He needs to be more rational.

Sorin was still the saint at this time. He also has to keep appearances. With a smile, he decided to start his plans.

***

The Empire's streets bustled with life, stalls, and shops lined each tall building towering above the city. Nobles dressed in their opulent clothes along with the haggling of merchants, and the laughter of children surrounded the streets.

Emma, a young florist, was already used to such feats as she focused her attention on a noblewoman outside the shop's window, dressed in a luxurious ochre gown. She admired its embroidery and the gleaming jewels that adorned her neck.

Emma knew wearing such clothes would only be impossible for someone like her, but there was nothing wrong with dreaming. The gentle lull of the bells snapped her out of her daydream as a customer entered the shop

"Ah! Welcome!" she greeted automatically, straightening her slouched posture.

The customer that entered wore a hooded cloak, their tall figure loomed over her as they approached the counter. Emma couldn't help but feel uneasy at the cloaked figure, there was an air of mystery following the customer

"Is there anything I could help you with?" she asked warily. Who would wear such a cloak during this hot weather?

The stranger lifted their head "Oh, I apologize. I must be startling you." the customer said sheepishly. It was a male voice, gentle and graceful. It was the way he carried himself under that hood with such poise that Emma felt intimated.

He pulled back his hood, revealing a pair of striking purple eyes that looked like amethysts. His black hair was similar to that of a crow's feather; it possessed an iridescent luster when touched by sunlight.

Emma's face turned a bright red. The man was handsome an air of elegance emanated from him. His gaze at her was soft, a small smile playing on his lips.

"No, my lord. I-I'm sorry if I appeared that way." she mentally slapped herself at the way she stuttered at the man's presence.

The man chuckled waving his hand smoothly "No need for any titles, miss. I'm not a noble." he glanced around the shop, his eyes focused on the flowers that filled each shelf.

Emma composed herself immediately "Is there anything you'd like?" she asked the man. It was weird, though, she had spent most of her time watching nobles outside the street.

They have a different aura surrounding them, always moving with such elegance and poise that she could swear this man was also one.

"I'm here for some lilies." he said "I'll be visiting someone."

Emma nodded as she reached out her hand to the assortment of flowers "How should I arrange it sir?" she asked. The man glanced at the flowers "Hmm… something simple. Ah! Also perhaps add some red flowers." he had a distant look in his eyes as if he was reminiscing some old memories.

Emma busied herself with the arrangement, humming quietly at the task she was trained at doing. There was a strange connection between her and the stranger as if she knew him before.

Taking some courage she asked the man "Sir, If it's not too much. Can I ask if I've met you somewhere before?"

A small smile graced the man's lips, his eyes narrowed into half-moons when he does so "Well, I visit the city quite regularly. You see, I'm here to visit someone's resting place." he explained.

"Oh, I'm sorry for asking, sir." she bowed in sympathy her head at the man, feeling shame at the question she asked. The man chuckled at her "It's fine, miss. It's almost been eight years." he assured her.

Emma changed the topic to lighten up the mood "Don't worry, sir! I'll make you a beautiful arrangement, I hope they appreciate it." she cheered.

"You're very skillful, miss." the man praised, appreciation twinkling in his eyes. Her cheeks flushed once more at the compliment and she couldn't help but give an honest response to the kind man

"I-It's because this is the only thing I can do, I grew up in an orphanage on the city's outskirts. Getting this job is more than enough for me because I can support myself and some children at the orphanage," she said with a shy smile.

The man placed a gloved hand under his chin as if he was contemplating something, Emma wanted to reprimand herself for oversharing with a stranger.

"...Hmm. The outskirts." The stranger muttered, "Perhaps from Willowmere?"

Emma's eyes widened at the name "Yes! I grew up there." she exclaimed.

That's probably why the man was so familiar, perhaps he was a visitor at the chapel before.

She couldn't forget such an angelic face, after all, "Do you go there, sir?"

"I visit from time to time." He smiled kindly "I'm going to Theorime, to visit the orphanage there."

'Was there an orphanage in that village?" Emma thought to herself.

Emma finished the arrangement, the delicate lilies and red chrysanthemums blended to create a dainty bouquet.

She handed it to the man with a wide smile "Thank you, miss." he said softly "I'll be visiting your store more often." he placed his payment on the counter before elegantly bowing his head.

He turned to leave the store but paused "Can I ask for your name, miss?" he asked with a smile.

"It's Emma, sir," she answered.

The man eyed her for a moment, warm amber eyes gazing upon hers as if he was familiarizing her presence "My name's Sorin, Miss Emma." He introduced before closing the door behind him. The soft ringing of the bells filled the shop.

Emma watched as he blended with the crowd from outside the window "What a kind man." she whispered under her breath.

Sorin... wasn't that the Saint's name?

Emma gasped at the realization.