The Flower of Separation

"I thought it was weird that he was not with you. I tried to have a conversation with him, but the imperial guards got in my way. So I became desperate and went over to your place."

The imperial guards are guarding Lucas securely, not because they respect him but because they are cautious. Even if Lucas's image has improved amongst the regular nobles, many think poorly of him because of her.

"It is fine."

"No, it isn't! I heard the blank family are coming over to the imperial castle tomorrow and bringing the head's sister."

At that comment, Lilian dropped the cup in her hands.

"Are you okay?!" Jorah exclaimed.

"Yes, I am fine."

The blank family's second heir, the only lady in the family, Lady Seira. Perhaps it was because of the dream she just had, but she suddenly recalled her bitter emotions towards the woman.

Five years have passed since she met Lucas, four since that woman pulled that crazy stunt. So much time has passed since she last saw her. As a general of the Imperial family military, she seldom had time to attend social events, so naturally, she has not seen her since the incident.

"What about them?"

"I think you will get summons to the castle too; they say your fiance will attend a conference there."

Lilian sighed deeply. Now she understood what was going on. This is her father's response to her and Luca's recent actions. It does not seem like that guy knows about their plan, but he suspects something to do this.

She wondered why he suddenly rushed the marriage thing. Her father's main concern is not to marry her off; she is useful to him after all.

"So everyone in town thinks that man is my fiance?"

Jorah sweat fell. "He isn't?"

"They decided that on their own. While it is not unusual for parents to arrange marriages for their children, the children themselves have to agree. I have not accepted this guy yet, and there has been no engagement banquet."

"True! Plus, you have sir Lucas; how could they do that to you?"

She cant tell Jorah it is because of Lucas that they are behaving this way.

"If you bring your husband or say you're visiting the Empress, then I am sure you can get in contact with Lucas."

"Do you want me to send something directly?"

Lilian nodded. "Just a little gift."

__

At the imperial castle - Empress Office-

"So this is what she said."

Lucas' eyes twitched, annoyed when he saw the large parcel. He wondered what Jorah was doing here.

Zushi chuckled. "Isn't it nice? It seems she was thinking of you when she made these weapons."

This Empress is getting far too accustomed to Lillian's weird behavior. Lucas looked at the handmade weapons and sighed. Lilian knows he doesn't like to use weapons, but the hunt is designed for weapons, not magic. He will be at a disadvantage if he does not have at least one weapon.

He spotted some blood at the edge of the bow and sighed. That idiot, he told her repeatedly, to be careful.

"Lilian is very skilled, right?" Jorah beamed proudly.

"Yeah."

Of course, he knew that. But that girl isn't a genius. It is because she puts in considerably a large amount of effort in everything she does, and that is why the results end up this good. Lucas paused when he saw a small box on the side. "What is that?"

Jorah chuckled. "She made you some food!"

Lucas blinked, surprised at those words. It is not unheard of for Lilian to cook; after all, she makes food for that little brat all the time. But this is the first time they have known each other in the past ten years that she has given him something. Does she feel bad about using him as a cover not to get married?

He recalled what she said about staying together forever and shook his head. No, she wouldn't feel bad. After all, from the very start, their relationship has always been like this, using each other until they are satisfied.

"When you saw her was—"Lucas halted mid-sentence. It would be bad if the Empress learned about Lillian's condition. She will find out later on but now is not the time. "Forget it."

One of the reasons why he seldom left her alone the last few years was her condition. Though she has better control of her mana now, the problem is she has way too much, and it keeps increasing. The average person's body cannot hold that much mana.

If she were a mage, then it would be okay, but even mages would struggle. No matter how strong she is, her body is still that of a mortal; she is still human.

A normal person having that much mana is dangerous. He stuck around by her side for so long because he found her interesting, but ten whole years have passed. This is the longest time he has remained anywhere in so long. After the humans' betrayal and his master, he vowed not to get attached to anybody anymore, but in the end, he broke that by staying with Lillian for such a long time.

At this stage, he could leave her. He knew her very well by now; he could escape. But the only thing that is keeping her alive right now is him. Her family won't be the ones to kill her, but her magic will destroy her insides until there is nothing left.

A few years later, she disclosed that her eye power is the same as the Empress, but there was something different. After he heard that the first time it struck him as odd. In the last few years, the only theory he came up with is the power got divided in half. But why would that be?

His gaze fell towards Zushi. One of the reasons why he is obeying this stupid order and not rushing to Lillian is he wants answers already. How is it possible for him not to learn anything after so many years? The answer is simple. He needs to observe the Empress too. Maybe there is a problem with her; otherwise, why would the power split?

I hear voices sometimes, Lucas, no, not the voices from my victims but another voice telling me about me being another vessel.

The reason why Lillian rejected the Empress position is because she heard that voice.

It fascinates him, but fascinates him enough to destroy his values and abandon the vow he made? This would be a good chance to leave since they are separated, and she is confined. But, her words from that time echoed in his mind. It should be okay for him to remain with her for a little while longer.

He can think of the consequences later on.

..

Lucas waits until the ginger head woman finishes speaking with the Empress before he stops her in the hallway.

Jorah chuckled. "Is this an ambush?"

"Was she feeling okay?"

He watched as her expression changed, and Lucas sighed. "Just tell me."

"Well, you see," Jorah nervously bit her lip as she fidgeted with her fingers. "She started to cough up blood; that is why she sent me away."

Lucas frowned when he heard those words. Blood again? Though the common symptom of tuberculosis is coughing out blood, Lucas knew she didn't have that. Later on, when he met Linden, he asked the man to double-check just in case he made a mistake. But Linden also agreed with him.