Growing up she never had to worry about finances and what not. Now though she was on her own and had no family money nor influence to rely on. The issue arose from the fact that she had never truly worked a day in her life. Not to the degree most people did. Her apprenticeship with Lady Anna didn't count as a job for the simple fact that she had a bit more free reign in that situation than others. So she had tried to work in a small shop in Thraben. That lasted maybe two weeks before she grew frustrated and bored with the endeavor.
A better solution came to her one day as she was ranting her worries to one of her mentors, Lucien. At the end of her frustrated tirade all he did was laugh, fangs glimmering in the light. "My dear the solution is very simple. Take the wealth you seek." When she gives him a confused look he only chuckles again. "Look, you're a beautiful young woman. It's more of a weapon than you realize." He leans back in his seat, shooting her a quick wink. "You should use it to your advantage, if you know what I mean. But ah, not in Thraben. Too many self-righteous busy-bodies. Try Nephalia. Or anywhere that isn't Thraben."
She's uncertain about the idea at first, yet after a few times she became more confident in her method. Charm, seduce, and watch the fortune roll in. She received numerous things including jewelry and actual coin. The greatest thing she swindled was a whole estate. But of course it couldn't be that easy. No, the issue arose when the men started getting attached to her and started expecting more for less. Telling them off or even ignoring them didn't scare them away. The only remedy she found was to kill them. So now not only would she get a small slice of fortune, she'd get bodies for her necromancy as well.
That only led to another problem. If too many people went missing, it'd be suspicious. This problem she tells her other mentor about it over tea. Elsie and Vera roll their good eyes at the girl's worries. "Don't be so foolish, girl. You can never have enough bodies." Vera says haughtily. The tea runs like a waterfall down her rotted ribs when she takes a sip. "If you're so worried, why not just take from the dead as a supplement."
Liliana bites her lip, brows furrowing. "What do you mean exactly?" Her voice is soft and tiny as the question is spoken.
Elsie shakes part of her head (earning an annoyed huff from her sister), letting out what one would assume was suppose to be a sigh though it merely sounds like a mix of a groan and a squeak. "So naive. You're brighter than that." She sets down her cup only to pick up a spoon. "When you raise the dead or even dig them up," she says while demonstrating somewhat by scooping (or rather flinging) tea out of her cup. "You search them and take their goods. The dead have no use for all that rubbish anyways. What are they going to do with diamonds and gold and whatever else? Better you put it to use." The lich lifts her spoon from the dark liquid to reveal an eyeball.
"You already have that manor, what more could you really need?" Vera adds in with a bit of a snide tone.
The sisters are right though. She has a roof over her head and getting essentials like food and water isn't that hard nor expensive. That doesn't stop her from wanting more however. She's use to luxury in the form of fancy decor, beautiful dresses and really whatever else she wanted. There's always some sort of work or beautifying to be done around her newest home.
The next time she's visiting the cemetery, Liliana takes the latest bit of advice to heart. And my does it pay off! Gold, coins, jewels and more! Why would anyone bury such treasures with the forsaken? A mystery she's glad exists. There are no qualms about having to get up and close with the corpses which includes but not limited to: searching through pockets, ripping items out of stiff grasps, taking off jewelry and riffling through the coffin. Perhaps the act should bother her more. Morally, it's wrong to disturb the dead. However, she does that on a regular basis anyways. Not only that, for a majority of people just being near a cadaver was shocking, and even stomach churning. From the nauseating stench to the overall appearance of decay, it was enough to make anyone distressed. She on the other hand has gotten use to it. Maybe in the beginning such things bothered her. Now it's as normal as breathing.
Death was the cornerstone of her kingdom. It provided her with everything she needed. The living never seemed to realize what treasures lay buried beneath their feet. Such a thing is what necromancy such an unappreciated art. No matter though. That only meant there was more for her.