The Flower of Separation

"By the way do you remember the bet we made before you went on that long mission?"

"Bet?"

Lillian chuckled. "It seems sir magician is having a hard time remembering things. Then I shall remind you." Lillian extended her hand out and a red coloured shaped metal gun appeared in her hands.

Lucas eyes widened and his gaze darkened. "I didn't think you would actually do this."

"I do not know what types of weapon this is, since this is clearly an item not from our world but I tried it a few times. It seems powerful enough to kill a person."

"Of course it can- wait," Lucas looked at her alarmed. "Don't tell me you have tried to use this in combat already?"

"Just from a distance. I shouldn't bring out an unknown item in close combat, otherwise there would be rumors."

A relieved sigh passed Lucas lips but his expression was still dark.

"So, you basically lost."

"This is impossible. I mean not even I can do it, how are you able to?"

"I read the book you gave me." Lillian said simply.

"Anybody can read that!" Lucas exclaimed.

"I do not see what the problem is, it should be a good thing for us. One more weapon we can use to surprise our enemies. Moreover, why did you tell me to read that book if you did not think I could do it?"

"It was obviously to prove that your still not better than me at magic."

Lillian looked at him dumbfounded. 'Lucas can be so childish sometimes.' She could tell from the expression on his face that he was serious.

"It is not like it was easier for me." She took out a small velvet coloured book from her bag and passed it to him. "Here this is the break down of all the tests and trials. I did not succeed immediately by the way."

Lucas flicked through the book and a dark shadow crossed his face. "Lillian, how many times did I tell you not to use your blood for experiments?"

"So many, but I was getting frustrated with the failed attempts. So I cheated a little, what is the big deal?"

"The big deal is your body does not have unlimited blood. What if you accidentally use too much in one go? You could pass out in the middle of a fight and your defenceless body is left in the hands of your enemies." Lucas shook his head. "It is far too dangerous, do not use it if you have to use your blood-"

Lillian cut him off by walking over to where he was and pressing her fingers across his lips. With a somewhat gentle smile she said.

"You are fussing far too much. I am alright, besides did you see me use blood just now?"

"No." Lucas quickly realized his mistake. "Did you find another way?"

"Yes, so keep reading first before you make assumptions." She moved her fingers away and Lucas went back to reading her notes.

Lillian leaned on the large table for support but she was having a hard time standing. This is so weird, she managed to get from the Ageha family mansion to the imperial castle earlier. Maybe it was her willpower alone that managed to get her to castle? She is quite stubborn.

Her vision gradually blurred and she was unable to stand up any longer, but before she collapsed somebody lifted her off her feet. Lucas looked at her with a scowl on his face.

"Your already over twenty Lillian. How much longer do I have to babysit you?"

Lillian laughed at his sarcastic words. "When I tell you that I no longer have any use for you."

Her words did not phase him one bit.

"It seems I will never break free. The great me has many uses."

Her gaze softened at those words. Indeed, Lucas usefulness is not limited to his strong magic. If she were to be completely honest, she likes his company. They get along very well and have many hobbies in common. Their conversations never get boring either.

It did not take long before they reached a familiar door, Lucas kicked it open. She expected to see the familiary cold stone flooring, walls and small window. But what she saw was a replica of her room in the Ageha family mansion, not an exact replica. The beddings and decorations were different but the atmosphere was certainly the same.

Lillian looked at him baffled. Did Lucas change everything? Now that she thought about it, the last time they came here. He told her not to go in her room. He did not give her a reason why but she figured she would just do as he said. So this was the reason?

Lucas positioned her on the bed and used magic over her clothes changing her to a nightgown, before covering her immediately with the blanket.

"You don't want to have a look at your tastes-"

"Be quiet and rest already." Lucas snapped.

From where she was she could clearly see his red stained ears. This guy is worse at being honest than her.

Still this is not a bad thing. She wondered when was the last time she relaxed properly? Certainly nothing comes to mind within the past year or so.

Ever since she learned Aaron was alive she ended up doing all types of crazy stuff. A deep sigh escaped her lips, she supposes that is the only thing that has not changed the last few few years. Oh, but wait there is one more thing that hasn't changed. It is something she needs to remind father.

'Now that I have confirmed that Aaron is alive that means our engagement hasn't been annulled.'

With Aaron's death/disappearance twelve years ago their engagement got cancelled. Normally elite engagements are difficult to break, since they have to pay taxes to the imperial castle. Ever since the former Empress passed away this rule was created because the ones managing the castle could not control how they spent the funds. Of course the same went for her and Aaron's engagement, their family has to pay a great sum for the engagement.

This is why normally people do not break it off. The only way for an engagement to be annulled is the death or disappearance of the spouse. They have to disappear for half a year before it is considered official, in her case after Aaron was declared missing for a month her engagement was annulled.

No doubt her father did something about that, but it still puzzled her. They declared Aaron missing, but nobody- the reaction of people in town and high society bothered her greatly. She later on learned they were put on a strict gag order regarding Aaron but it did not make any sense why.

*Unedited*