# The Princess — Lilith character guide > The Princess in Lilith by George MacDonald. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** princess, Princess **First appearance:** 0026-xxv-the-princess ## Snapshot A cruel, beautiful ruler whose proud refusal to submit to Adam marks her as a queen who would rather stand alone than be carried. ## Who they are The Princess arrives at Adam's door in state, borne by elephants, and when Adam moves to lift her down she thrusts the beasts apart and stands erect between them — gaunt, unsubmissive, ashamed yet unbowed. She answers Adam's welcome with silence and turns to leave when pressed, crying that she will go back whence she came. Her defiant dignity in the face of judgment makes her the story's most arresting figure of pride that has not yet learned to kneel. ## Relationships ### [Mara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/mara) _psychological_ Mara exerts a possessive, obsessive control over the Princess, treating her as a prized captive and object of dark fascination. ### [Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/adam) _romantic_ Adam is deeply devoted to the Princess, viewing her with a mix of reverence and longing, though their connection is fraught with unspoken tension. ### [The Little Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/the_little_ones) _social_ The Little Ones regard the Princess with childlike awe and dependency, often seeking her guidance or protection. ### [Lona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/lona) _friendship_ Lona shares a close, sisterly bond with the Princess, offering comfort and loyalty amidst the surrounding turmoil. ### [Lilith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/lilith) _rivalry_ Lilith views the Princess as a rival for dominion and attention, their interactions charged with jealousy and antagonism. ### [Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/eve) _social_ Eve interacts with the Princess with a distant, almost maternal concern, but remains largely passive in their encounters. ### [Mother of Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/mother_of_sorrow) _psychological_ The Mother of Sorrow projects her endless grief onto the Princess, seeing her as both a source of pain and a vessel for lament. ### [Odu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/odu) _professional_ Odu serves the Princess as a loyal, enigmatic guardian, carrying out her will with silent efficiency. ### [Mara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/mara) _psychological_ Mara exerts a possessive, obsessive control over the Princess, treating her as a prized captive and object of dark fascination. ### [Odu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/odu) _professional_ Odu serves the Princess as a loyal, enigmatic guardian, carrying out her will with silent efficiency. ### [Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/adam) _romantic_ Adam is deeply devoted to the Princess, viewing her with a mix of reverence and longing, though their connection is fraught with unspoken tension. ### [Lilith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/lilith) _rivalry_ Lilith views the Princess as a rival for dominion and attention, their interactions charged with jealousy and antagonism. ## In the story ### [XXI: The Fugitive Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxi-the-fugitive-mother) Mentioned as the cruel ruler of Bulika who sends her leopardess to kill babies; suspected of being in league with the Shadows. ### [A Woman of Bulika](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxiii-a-woman-of-bulika) Ruler of Bulika for thousands of years; owns a dangerous leopardess that terrorizes the city. ### [XXIV: The White Leopardess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxiv-the-white-leopardess) Vane resolves to find the princess in her palace, believing he has power over her because he saved her life. ### [XXV: The Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxv-the-princess) Claims to have been enchanted by a woman, tests Vane's love, and tries to fascinate him. ### [XXVI: A Battle Royal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxvi-a-battle-royal) The spotted leopardess who feeds on Vane and battles the white leopardess. ### [The Silent Fountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxvii-the-silent-fountain) Lies about her wounds from the cat-woman, manipulates Vane into climbing the tree for a healing blossom, and is revealed in visions to have been present at past events. ### [XXIX: The Persian Cat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxix-the-persian-cat) Lilith is referred to as the princess when she stands in her radiant human form. ### [Lona's Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxxiii-lona-s-narrative) Lives in terror of a prophesied infant; her hostility to children is noted by the Bulikans. ### [Preparation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxxiv-preparation) The wicked princess of Bulika, who is afraid of babies and determined to destroy them. ### [The Little Ones in Bulika](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxxv-the-little-ones-in-bulika) Mentioned as giving no sign; Vane worries about her plotting. ### [The Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-shadow) The princess is present, recognized by Odu as the wicked one who fought the leopardess; Vane sets a watch over her outside the camp. ### [I Am Sent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xli-i-am-sent) The princess appears as a phantom, trying to reclaim her hand and stop Vane. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/the_princess - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters