The Black Lake shimmered beneath the pale light of the moon, its rippling surface reflecting the heavy clouds drifting across the sky. The night air was crisp, biting against Lilith's skin as she stood near the water's edge. A part of her wanted to sink into its depths, to let the weight of everything pull her under, but another part—one she wasn't quite ready to name—refused to let go just yet.

She had spent her entire life bending to expectations, moulding herself into the perfect image her father wanted. But Dorian's words had ignited something inside her, something she wasn't sure she could silence any longer.

Stop trying to please him.

Could she? Could she really break free of her father's iron grip and carve out something for herself? The very thought of it felt like treason. She had been trained to be a Nightingale first, a person second. To disobey her father was to abandon everything she had been raised to be.

But was she truly living if she wasn't allowed to make her own choices?

The sound of footsteps crunching against the grass behind her shattered her thoughts. She turned, already knowing who it would be.

Elias Thorne stood a few paces away, his golden-brown hair catching the moonlight in a way that made him look effortlessly untamed. His usual smirk was absent, replaced by something far quieter. Concern. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his robes, watching her as if gauging whether or not she would bolt.

"You're avoiding everyone," Elias said finally, his voice softer than usual.

Lilith sighed, crossing her arms. "I just needed some space."

Elias tilted his head, studying her in that way that made her feel like he could see right through her. "And has it helped?"

She hesitated before answering, because she wasn't sure. "I don't know."

Elias nodded, stepping closer. "Dorian's worried about you."

Lilith let out a humourless laugh. "Of course he is. He's always worrying about me."

"He has good reason," Elias pointed out. "You disappeared after lunch and didn't come back. You didn't even show up to Prefect rounds."

She glanced down at the water again, avoiding his gaze. "I couldn't."

Elias was quiet for a moment before he spoke again, his voice gentler this time. "Is this about your father?"

Lilith inhaled sharply, feeling her chest tighten. She had spent years perfecting the art of keeping her emotions locked away, of maintaining an image of control. But Elias had always had a way of pushing past her walls, seeing the cracks she tried so hard to hide.

"I got a letter," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "He knows about... about who I've been associating with. He thinks I'm a disgrace."

Elias frowned. "Because you're not living up to his ridiculous expectations?"

She let out a shaky breath, nodding. "Because I'll never be good enough for him."

Elias took another step forward, close enough now that she could see the sincerity in his hazel eyes. "That's bullshit, Nightingale."

She let out a breathless laugh, but there was no humour in it. "You don't understand. My entire life has been about meeting his expectations. If I don't, then who am I?"

Elias hesitated before speaking. "Who do you want to be?"

Lilith stared at him, her heart pounding against her ribs. No one had ever asked her that before. No one had ever given her the space to consider it.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Because she didn't know.

Elias sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Lilith, you don't have to be who he wants you to be. You get to choose."

She shook her head, overwhelmed by everything pressing against her mind. "It's not that simple."

"It is," Elias insisted. "You're the only one making it complicated."

Something inside her snapped. "You don't get it, Elias! You don't know what it's like to have your worth measured by every action you take, to constantly feel like a failure no matter what you do."

Elias took the blow without flinching, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he said, "No, I don't. But I know what it's like to feel like you have no control over your own life."

Lilith frowned. "What?"

Elias let out a breath, looking away for a moment. "My family doesn't care about blood purity or social standing, but they still have expectations. They expect me to be fearless, to charge ahead without doubt. But I do doubt, Lilith. All the time."

Lilith watched him carefully, realizing for the first time that maybe she wasn't the only one burdened by expectations.

Elias continued, his gaze locking onto hers. "I know what it's like to feel like you're failing the people who are supposed to love you. But I also know that at some point, you have to decide if their approval is worth losing yourself."

Lilith swallowed hard, his words sinking into her skin like ink on parchment.

"Do you want to keep living for your father?" Elias asked quietly. "Or do you want to start living for yourself?"

She didn't answer right away, but as she looked out at the Black Lake, at the reflection of the stars on its surface, something inside her shifted.

Maybe it was time to start choosing herself.

Elias must have sensed her thoughts, because he smirked slightly. "That's a start."

Lilith rolled her eyes, but there was no bite to it. "You're insufferable."

Elias grinned. "And yet, here you are, talking to me instead of hexing me."

She shook her head, but a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips. Maybe, just maybe, Elias Thorne was right.

And maybe, just maybe, she was ready to find out who she truly was.