The Flower of Separation

"Why did you bring this up?" Lucas questioned.

"Other than curiosity," Zushi trailed off. "My sister Mo picked up a package addressed to me in the Zestra manor the other day. It seemed my uncle and other relatives were fussing about it because there was no sender. They thought it was some type of bomb and was about to dispose of it. But Mo took the package and said she would bring it to me."

Her uncle and relatives, huh? Right, Lillian mentioned this before. The ones who lead the current Zestra family are corrupt but amateurs and quote nothing to worry about it. Otherwise, they would have long been on Lillian's execution list.

"What's the deal about the-" Lucas trailed off, realizing something. "Did your brother send it to you?"

"It seems so. Mo recognized the handwriting."

'So that confirms that bastard is alive-' A troubled look flashed through his eyes as he ran his hands through his black locks. What a pain; it would have been better for that guy to remain dead. Suppose he bases his overall impression of the guy on what the servants said.

'He is very attached to Lillian.' Twelve or so years have gone by, but with a guy with that type of personality, he must still be loyal to her.

"I don't think your brother should meet her." Lucas trailed off. "I am not just saying this due to my own feelings. But, you understand, right Empress?"

"I do," Zushi whispered. "But then, can I meet him?"

Lucas shook his head. "That idea is worse."

Zushi looked down at the ground, and Lucas sighed at those words. "If you truly want to, there is something I can do."

He watched as her downcast expression quickly brightened.

'Lillian won't like this, so I won't tell her about it. There should be some time before the lakeside trip.'

"But you know I hate to burst your happy bubble, but if your brother is alive and wanted to see you, he could have done by now."

Why would he bother sending a package without coming to see her? That guy probably won't show up before anyone who isn't Lillian. The girl over the sister, huh?

Zushi's face color turned pale, and she sunk to the ground. A dark, gloomy aura surrounded her.

"So even my brother is running away from me."

His sweatdropped. He didn't think it would bother her this much. Lucas was about to say something when he heard the sound of rattling outside the door. The blood lust was hard to dismiss, and he exhaled deeply.

"Empress, you can use a shield, right?"

"I can, but why-"

"Wrap it around yourself," Lucas mumbled as he closed his eyes. A wall of flames surrounded the room in the next second, causing the person outside to appear.

He would like to call the person a human being, but with their face half distorted and the rest of their body similar to a monster. 'I heard about the problems occurring in the north, but how did these things get here?'

"Sir Lucas-" The voice mumbled.

Lucas blinked when he heard the familiar voice. It was the guard Lillian assigned for that brat. "Is that you, Sen?"

The person no the monster growled, and Lucas clicked his tongue annoyed. This is such a pain; he was already in a bad mood before because Lillian suddenly changed the plans. But now he has to deal with this.

"Is that guy-" Zushi trailed off. "Sir Lucas, you have to be careful."

"I know; just stay quiet."

'I should be able to reverse the spell, but it is going to be a pain searching for the other half-' His thoughts broke off when Sen charged towards him. He supposes he can find another method later.

One of the reasons Lillian said she needed him was his flame magic. It appears as though only members of the Ageha family have this ability, and nobody else in the Empire should have it.

'Nobody else in the mage village has it too.' So it did not make sense why he would have a noble family elite magic. However, it was not just limited to the Ageha family magic; he could use the special characteristic magic of all seven royal families in the Empire.

Not only could he use a destructive flame but also a healing one.

'You are an interesting guy.'

Lucas sighed at the memory as he dodged Sen's attack and continued to attack him with different types of fire.

That girl was cuter when they first met, there was even something innocent about her. But as time went by, he saw less of that normal side of her.

At first, he did not intend to remain so long by her side. He found her interesting too; she has so much mana for a normal human. Where does all this strength come from? No, her mana seems to increase more as the day goes by.

He did not intend to stay long; he figured if he was awake anyway, he may as well travel around the different worlds and see the state of the magical scene. But before he knew it, ten years went by, and now he could no longer leave her.

'I didn't want to involve myself with humans. I know better than anyone how corrupt humans can be.'

Moreover, Lillian just belonged to the most corrupt family in the entire Empire. Although he is no saint, he is not as bad as the members of the Ageha family. He does not torture children, nor does he take pleasure in torturing them. He does not deal with slavery or seduction like the Ageha family.

A family of assassins is how Lillian summarises the Ageha family. But he found it difficult to believe. Even if they are raised as assassins surely, they can use other methods?

What kind of assassin family tortures their victims? Normally assassins try to get the job cleanly and fast. But Lillian? She drags their bodies and tortures them in the cruelest way. She also drinks the blood of all her victims.

'I must be crazy falling in love with a woman like that. She could kill me in my sleep if we ever went out.' But strange enough Lucas felt like he could trust Lillian not to kill him. Was it naive of him to think that way? Other people would say so; however, he recalled her expression during the house arrest.

'Don't go anywhere; you have to stay by my side forever.'

That girl said such bold-sounding lines without realizing the consequences behind it.

He knew that Lillian didn't dislike him. She won't keep anybody she dislikes by her side for so long after all. But it was the first time for him to hear her say exactly how she felt about their relationship.. She wants him to stay by her side? No, the words forever remained in his mind.