Lily certainly does, even more as the years go on - which she's more or less good during - and through which she steps ever more enthusiastically and skilfully into her role as Eldarra's lieutenant. (She could, probably, actually overthrow Eldarra if she really put her mind to it - she doesn't want to, though, not in the slightest, because Eldarra is her rightful Queen and, indeed, should be Queen of more. Perhaps even an Empress...)

Attractive as that possibility may be, one thing at a time. And the thing still is Eldarra's ascension. Which, she is making progress on reducing the fatality of. Setting up a notion of the sacrifice of potential rather than actuality, it would mean slower growth for Lily afterwards but be far, far safer. (And there's a space open for a complementary ritual, where the potential once attained is turned back, raising both parties further but also binding their lives together. Eldarra works most of this one out in her head. There are, technically, enough notes that someone driven and gifted could arrive at the same conclusion. She's not sure if she leaves these out as a purposeful test or not.)

Lily approaches her anyways, shortly before her sixteenth birthday, and says: "We can both ascend if we do this right, can't we?"

"...In theory."

"Do you want that?"

"Do you? My reputation as evil is only in part driven by the things I do. It's very useful to have an enemy you cannot actually defeat to keep your own in line. They'll hate you as much."

"I can change minds. And for those I can't... Your enemies are already my enemies."

"Good answer."

"Yes, I do want that."

Ridiculous sappy smile. "Then - together."