LILITH (young, shaking) I’m not ash. I’m not fucking ash. I’m not fucking ash—

A knock on the door. Too polite. Too slow.

Enter Queen Bitcharia, gliding in like a demon swan dipped in acid. King Malgore follows behind her, sipping blood tea like this is just another episode of “Let’s Ruin Our Child.”

QUEEN BITCHARIA (sighing, dramatic) Darling, are you sulking again? For Satan’s sake, you’re such a disappointment, it’s exhausting.

KING MALGORE (muttering) Even the servants we tortured today showed more potential.

LILITH (head still down) Why did you have me?

QUEEN BITCHARIA (blinking) Excuse me?