The Flower of Separation

Zushi beamed happily. Other people's love stories fascinate her more than her own. If they were close, she would ask more details, but unfortunately, they aren't. She would love to know how he fell in love with her.

Miss Lilian is not the average girl, and she has done many bad things. Sir Lucas stood by her side for so many years should know this better than anybody, yet he still has feelings for her. For somebody to accept all your faults like that, what a beautiful relationship. She envies them.

"Does miss Lilian know?"

Lucas sighed and awkwardly scratched his hair. "Truthfully, I have hidden it this entire time. When I realized it before I used my magic so I could erase my feelings for her, it did not work, so instead, I put a seal on it. But after I returned from my recent job, that seal turned weaker, and now here I am."

"So how long ago?"

"I think probably a year after I met her?" Lucas said vaguely. "I have a hard time remembering since so many things happened that year. Moreover, I wasn't in the best condition, so it was hard to say."

"I see."

"You are listening to this type of story earnestly, but you didn't know about the situation with the north?"

Zushi sweat fell. Is he going to reprimand her again?

"The north has been in a bad state since an accident that happened last year."

She raised her eyebrows at this. An accident?

"Are you serious about learning more about Lilian?"

"Of course I am," Zushi said with a determined look in her eyes. "I understand there are many rumors about her, but none of these rumors contain any information on the real her."

"The real her?" Lucas repeated.

"Yes! I am not dismissing those rumors completely. I know she can be ruthless, and she doesn't hold herself back, but there is more to her than those evil deeds she commits."

It took her a few seconds extra to realize how bold that statement was. What if he gets mad? Even if she does have magic, she can't confidentially say she will win in a fight against him!

"Ha." Lucas suddenly burst out laughing, causing her to blink, surprised.

He is laughing?

Zushi was sure he would get mad at her, but instead, she got the opposite reaction.

"You're an interesting Empress."

"Interesting?"

Lucas lips curve to a smile. "Quite some time has passed since I found another interesting person; the last one was Lilian."

"Oh."

He moved his hand away and put the bubble onto the container. "Well, that was the last one."

'My body feels lighter.'

"I wouldn't work so much for the next two or three days. Make sure that guy checks on your condition at least twice a day."

"Um, thank you!"

Lucas chuckled. "Remember that I tried to kill you earlier."

"That--!"

"Take care, Empress." Before she could say another word, he disappeared through the window.

Zushi didn't bother checking whether he landed safely. Do magicians have the habit of not using the door or something?

The moment Lucas left, a servant entered the room. "Apologies, Empress but an urgent message from the Ageha family head."

Urgent?

Zushi immediately understood and holted towards the window. She scanned the area for sir Lucas and eventually found him. He was already quite a distance away, but she knew he would hear her.

"Sir Lucas!"

After she said those words, he turned around. "What?"

Zushi held up the letter, and in the next second black smoke appeared in front of her. The black smoke vanished, and in its place was sir Lucas.

He immediately took the scroll from her hands and watched as his expression darkened.

"Is it bad?"

Zushi figured with the timing.

He tosses the scroll back to her.

Dear Empress

Apologies for the troubles our household has caused you. To make it up to you, please make use of my daughter's servant.

Meanwhile, my daughter will remain in the scarlet mansion on the outskirts of the city. You do not need to concern yourself as she did something discourteous. She will remain there until the day of the hunt.

Zushi's eyes widened when she read the contents of the letter. What on earth?

Lucas slammed his fist against the wall. "So it was deliberate."

"Deliberate?"

"Somebody knew about what Lilian and I were planning. They used your sister so she could harm you before we used the potion, so the potion effects would have a negative impact."

"They knew master would arrive and ask you to help me?"

"Damn it," Lucas muttered. "I should have been more careful."

--

Meanwhile- Scarlet Palace

"What do you mean I can't see Lucas for a while?"

"It is exactly like that. Please, eldest miss, do not disobey the master's orders."

Lilian screamed, frustrated. She knew there was something odd when they allowed Lucas to go to the Empress. They wanted him to leave the manor for a while and coincidentally call her back when he is away to lock her away.

"So, you expect me to stay put in this place until?"

"Until the day of the hunt, miss."

Her eyes twitched, annoyed. She knew this was coming but even then, are they not overdoing it?

"Moreover, what is that?" Lilian pointed to the man next to the messenger. It was the ginger-haired man she tortured the other day.

"He is the servant you requested, mam."

'It seems eric already knew what she planned to do with him.'

It is no fun messing with this servant if he already knows her plans.

"You can leave." Lilian pointed to the messenger.

It looked like he wanted to say something but quickly left.

She turned to the man kneeling on the ground.

"So why did you agree?"

"Mam, I heard you saved my life, so I wanted to repay you."

'Saved your life. Ha, what type of strange story did they tell him?' Then again, initially, she intended to use him, so they most likely just told him what she instructed.

Should she reveal it now? No, it will be boring if he dies right away. Maybe she can still take advantage.

Lilian's gaze drifted onto him. He does look naive.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty, mam."

Twenty, not too young, not too old either. Indeed this is the perfect age to trick somebody. Still, she cannot let her guard down. He is still somebody her brother used.

"Your name?"

"Gareth."

'No last name, but he does not look like a commoner. So there must be something else hidden. But I can learn that another time.'

"Then, sir Gareth, you are aware that I do not accept new knights easily?"

"Yes, I know."

"Your first job." Lilian pulled out a small pouch from her desk. "Deliver this to the imperial castle."

"T--the imperial castle, mam?"

"Please give it to the Empress."

Gareth seemed startled but slowly nodded. "I shall do as you say."

It did not take long before Gareth left. Lilian looked around the room and sighed. Well, she supposes she can leave Lucas with the Empress for a while. It will be a good opportunity for them to learn more about the Empress.

But, Lilian recalled his behavior earlier. 'I wonder if it is okay to leave him be.' Recently, he seems more attached.