Lily wanted to scream, but she held back, not because it would be unladylike, but because she didn't want to cause a disturbance and have her servants run to her. She knew she wouldn't be able to hold it in, however, so she raced away from the manor and past the garden. She stopped, out of breath, by some trees, then she finally let herself scream. It shook the trees and made some leaves fall. She shouted, "Damn these rules! Damn this society! And damn this dress!"

The young lady tore at the fabric of the dress, and she ripped her stockings and gloves off and threw her shoes far away. So many years of pent-up frustration led to this moment. A lot of people would be horrified by the scene, but Lily didn't care. She didn't care much for society's silly, pointless rules. A young lady must always be polite. A young lady must never lose her composure. A young lady must be meek and keepers of the home and raise children. A young lady must be perfect.

If that was all what was considered perfect, then she wanted to have many flaws. She tore at her dress more. "I'm falling apart! I am in a cage! I WANT TO BE FREE!"

Lily fell on her knees, out of breath now. Her words echoed in her mind. She would never be free as long as she tried to follow the rules. She then realized she would never find her mother and father if she was in a cage. She had to do whatever it took, even if it wasn't what was expected of her.

"My, my, mistress, I do say you are rather unkempt at the moment."

Lily didn't bother to look at whom was speaking. "I don't care. I care no longer of such stupid things. All that matters to me is finding my parents. I cannot do this by being a proper lady."

"What about your family name?"

"I would think my parents would be more focused on the fact that I found them rather than the fact I was unladylike."

Sebastian smirked. "You are determined to find them at any cost."

"Of course. I gave you my very soul. Anything else I give to anyone pales in comparison."

"Indeed."

Lily stood up and faced Sebastian. Her long, brown hair gently moved in the wind. She was barefoot, and scraps of her dress were missing. She had her arms at her sides with her fists balled up. "This is me. This is Lady Lillith Mary Winifred Athelward. I am my own person. I am no one's pet, no one's slave, no one's toy. I am a human being, nothing more, and certainly nothing less. I am not a proper lady; what I am is myself. You can either accept me or avoid me. I will find them with or without your help."

A sly smile spread across Sebastian's face. "I do believe you are forgetting our contract."

"Contract?" I ask.

"Yes. I rescued you, and you want to find your parents. I will help you in exchange for your soul."

"What would you do with my soul?"

He smiles. My nerves are shaken, but I must not let him know I am intimidated. "I am a demon. At the end of your life, I would consume your soul."

"You want a broken soul?"

"Those are the best meals. The more despondent they are, the better and more satisfying they are."

"It would actually make no difference to me. My soul will never be at rest no matter where I go after I die."

"So, do we have a deal?"

"Only if you do two things."

"Which are?…"

"Never leave me, and never lie to me."

"The contract will forbid me from leaving your side. Your other condition is fair."

"Excellent. Now, do you have any conditions of your own?"

He looks surprised. "That is very considerate of you to ask, but all I want is to have your soul after you pass away."

"Then, I agree. We have a deal."

"Of course, I haven't forgotten our contract. I am merely saying that no matter what you think of me, I will live my life the way I choose."

"I can only give you advice. The choices you make are your own."

"Thank you. I am going inside."

"That is a very wise idea."

As soon as they got inside, the gardener, maid, and cook ran to them. They looked scared. "Mistress, are you alright? You look like an animal attacked you!"

Ignoring them, Lily firmly said, "I am no longer going to pretend to be someone I'm not. I am not a proper lady. I will not live by society's standards. If you all have a problem with that and no longer wish to serve me, I am giving you a chance right here and now to resign from your jobs without being reprimanded."

The servants except Sebastian looked at her in shock. They examined her appearance and took in her words. Then, Bard spoke. "I won't quit."

"I won't either, no I won't," said Mey-Rin.

"We enjoy working for you, Lady Lillith. That won't change," agreed Finny.

Lily smiled. "That means a lot to me. I am so fortunate to have you all. Now, I must go to bed."

"I will be there, shortly," the butler said, and the others wished her good night.

Once in the bedroom, Lily got dressed for bed. She held her ruined ballgown in her hands. She left the room, stood in front of a fireplace, and tossed the dress into it. She watched as the flames consumed it until there was no trace of the fabric. The reflection of the fire danced in her eyes, and the sight engraved itself into her soul.