The Flower of Separation

But what about her? Ever since she was younger, her father has sent people to kill her every single day. Lillian has lost count already how many assassins she had to kill. Every single time she fought back and killed them he would praise and reward her. Even though he is the one who sent them to her in the first place.

For that man, it is survival of the fittest. The forest of death test every month aside, he would send assassins after his own children from the very moment they could speak. She has to live in fear every day. The moment she lets her guard down, it will be her head on the stand in the center of town.

"If you are afraid. I will protect you."

At that comment her gaze turned hollow and in the next second she was about to use her magic to vanish, but she felt a odd presence. Lillian quickly pulled out some knives and threw them in that direction, she hears a screeching sound from the shadows. That should- a knife goes past her cutting her cheek in the process, and landing on the wall beside her.

Ramon pulled her arm and pushed her towards the wall. "Stay still for a moment."

Lillian sighed understanding. He was hiding her with his invisible cloak. Those who passed by would see nothing but a wall.

"You still get worked up as usual."

"This is your fault."

She hates it the most when people treat her like glass.

Ramon sighed. "How can you get so worked up over a little comment? You should know better than anybody that I am not underestimating you. But the situation has gotten a lot worse recently, and you are not in the best state either."

He figured it out? Yes, her health has been poor recently. This is the reason why she accepted the house arrest and did not bother fighting back. It is because she wanted to have time off to recuperate her strength before the day of the hunt, and before Natalia's birthday.

Each year, there are a lot of assassins who wish to kill Natalia. But each year they fail. They fail because they do not realize that she intervenes. She needs her strength to return before then.

A little comment he says. Lillian sighed. "For a moment you sounded like those men who give me empty flattery or try to sound sweet. That line may work on any other girl but not me."

"Trust me Lillian, if I wanted to make a move on you I would have done so."

"Then why is your face red?"

At that comment Ramon averted his gaze and coughed. "This situation would make anybody flustered."

Indeed they were quite close to each other. She could hear his rapid heartbeat, and their faces were close enough that she could feel his breath. "I see, but is this romantic? It is dark and cold."

"Why are you even asking?"

"If you heard the rumors I am sure you know I am pretending to be a couple with Lucas. I just wondered if this is the sort of thing couples do."

If so maybe she can try something similar with Lucas in front of people? There are many who doubt the credibility of those rumours, so she needs to put on a show during the hunt.

Ramon coughed. "Lillian, surely you don't need to pretend."

Lillian blinked. "I don't?"

Ramon turned to the side and muttered. "Silly girl, how is she so oblivious to these things? Sir Lucas and me will have a long battle ahead."

Lillian heard his mumbling but she did not understand what he was getting at. It seems the past ten years have made him stranger. She will have to relearn things about him since he is different now.

"About you meeting Lucas, the day of the hunt is a good time. I am sure you received an invite?"

"Yes, strange enough I got one too."

"My brother remembers you very well."

Ramon looked troubled but nodded. "I suppose. But have you told sir Lucas about me before?"

Actually she hasn't ever mentioned Ramon. It is not like she was deliberately avoiding it. But so much has happened the last few years. There was a time where she thought just having Lucas is enough to fulfil her goals. But as time went by she realized that she would need some more people.

Just the mere thought of gathering a bunch of people exhausted her. But indeed even she knew she and Lucas could not handle everything. While they will still be doing the most of the work, Lillian understood that they would need more help.

Besides she does not want Lucas to do too much. Even though he does not say anything, it must be exhausting keeping her mana from leeeking out all the time.

She does not want to see him tired.

Lillian paused in mid thought.

Lately it seems as though Lucas is on her mind a lot more. Is it because she does not see him as often? It is true for the last ten years they do not spend much time apart from each other but this is not the first time this has happened, she wonders what has changed.

Still, her gaze fell on Ramon. Out of all the people she has met Ramon is the only one who has proved to be more useful, well aside from Lucas. It is like everybody in this Empire has been brainwashed except this man.

"I heard strange rumors lately."

"About me?"

"General Lillian is working so much lately that she barely sleeps. I heard that you're the ones negotiating with the foreign diplomats, and working on improving the conditions of the army sent north."

"Who told you that?"

It seemed oddly detailed for a rumor. Rumors in the Empire tend to skip over important facts and details.

She watched as Ramon awkwardly looked away and she immediately understood the situation. So Naomi is offering her services to the Blank family too? Then again even if she is the royal therapist she is not restricted to the Imperial family.

"By asking that are you not exposing our relationship? Is that okay?" She teased him knowing what his reply would be.

Before she could hear a response however they hear the sound of those footsteps gradually going past. For a moment Ramon had to edge closer just in case he accidentally made contact.

She wonders when did he grow up this much?

Ten years have passed huh? It never occurred to her how much a person would change after teen years. Although he has treated her like normal since they met again, she knew that he most likely had a lot of questions for her.

"Apologies for intruding on your personal space." Ramon said as the footsteps finally vanished. He immediately took a step back.

"No.."

That was a bit odd, for a moment she thought something strange. "Let us get going." After seeing those suspiciously dressed soldiers she got a bad feeling.