The Flower of Separation

"Time travel?"

Lillian wondered why sir Orion left them alone. So it seems Ramon had something to tell her. They remained on the edge of the forest within sight.

It would be bad for her father to get suspicious of her. However, she still has to be careful. His actions towards her recently show he has plans for her so he will not kill her, but that man will not hesitate to dispose of her. The moment she displays any signs of weakness, she will cease to exist.

Before he can do that, she will-- her thoughts broke off when Ramon started to speak.

"To be exact, it seems there are people in the Empire who have a special characteristic magic that allows them to turn back time according to somebody's dying wish."

Special characteristic magic, "Over the years, I have heard that phrase a lot. It seems Empress Olivia and the imperial bloodline isn't the only one blessed with a unique trait. I wonder how many more there are."

Ramon paused before he nodded. "There should be one person among the seven royal families."

One person among the seven-- Lillian, recalled something that occurred recently.

"The Empress, son."

"That young boy?"

Lillian then began to explain what happened on the day of the banquet. Ramon did not reply to her immediately, but Lillian watched his expression. Does it remind him of something?

"Would you set up a meeting for me?" Ramon said after a few minutes.

"Do you know something?"

"I would like to confirm something first, and then I shall inform you."

Lillian looked at him carefully. Ten years have passed, but she still got the feeling that this man would not stab her in the back. It is not trust that she has towards him like she does with Lucas, but more of mutual understanding.

"Tomorrow is Natalia's birthday, the Empress and her son will attend. I will find time, so you must arrive early."

Ramon raised his eyebrow. "Since when have I ever been tardy?"

At that comment, Lillian covered her mouth and looked away. Why did she say that to Ramon? Besides, the one who is consistently tardy to those events is Lucas. Lillian shook her head frantically; she must be tired. Lately, she has had a lot on her mind.

But even then, it is unlike her to make such a mistake.

"Lillian? Do you feel alright?" Ramon asked.

"A bit of fatigue, but I shall be fine."

"- or so she says, but later, you will find curses stuck to her like glue just because she is vulnerable." A familiar voice said.

Lillian looked towards the source of the voice and couldn't see anybody in sight, so she looked up. She spotted black hair on top of a tree.

"Lucas, what are you doing? The participants have to be at the gate."

Lucas sighed. "So naggy, I'm just taking a nap since I won't get a chance to sleep later."

Her eyes twitched, annoyed. This person knows how to get her mad. She usually can control her emotions around other people, but something is different when it comes to this guy.

"Besides, I don't want to hear that from the person sneaking off to have private conversations. Shouldn't you be sitting on that fancy chair overseeing the hunt?"

She wondered what he was going to say. Lillian didn't bother replying and immediately walked away. There is no use getting angry over this. Lucas always acts that way, and yet why did he seem strangely hostile today? He usually is blunt, but today is too much.

What is his problem?!! Lillian wanted to calm down, but she recalled how he behaved in Ramon's villa the other day. He behaved strangely then, too, and seemed oddly bitter.

She never asked him why he hid sir Ramons letters-

Lillian paused in mid-thought. Now that she thought about it, isn't Lucas strange behavior recently because of sir Ramon? Sure he behaved oddly when sir Ramon and she met again. Huh? But if he acts that way-

"You know, I think you forget that even I get jealous," A familiar voice said from behind her. Even without turning around, she knew who it was.

But Lillian did not turn around, knowing he was directly behind her.

"Why would you have to, sir, magician who has stayed by me the most the last ten years?"

Lillian acted calm, but she felt a bit odd. Lucas was taller than her, so he hovered over her.

"That's true I have, huh."

"Why do you even have to be jealous? Surely this isn't the time for this."

Lucas sighed. "Perhaps, hey, turn around."

She cautiously did so, and Lucas brushed his fingers on her forehead. She immediately knew what he was doing, even though it was not visible. He was draining the bad mana away.

"Are you prepared? It doesn't look like you brought too many things." She noted that he only carried a small bag.

"That is because I am hiding everything away using magic. So it would be troublesome for me to have my stuff confiscated."

"Won't they detect that at the gate?"

"Relax, I asked the Empress."

Lillian blinked. "The Empress?"

"More like she forced it on me when she learned that I got hurt recently. It's some concealing magic that bypasses even those with stronger magic. I am surprised she has something like it since it is an ancient art."

So the Empress has tricks like that. It seems that women will prove to be more interesting than the previous candidates. Then again, she knew that would be the case.

"I see."

Lucas suddenly grabbed her hand. "More importantly, you reek of blood. Who did you kill on your way here? Did you at least hide the body?"

Lillian sighed. "I won't do anything stupid before the hunt."

"Then-"

"Assassins, dressed in the magician cloak."

Lucas dropped her hand then, and his gaze darkened. "Lillian, I think-"

She shook her head, "Even if they are after you and chasing me because of our relationship, it is fine. But, you know, with the recent events, I have to confront them eventually."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, besides," Lillian's lips curve to a smile as she extended her hand out, and vines of red spider lilies appeared behind her. But, unlike normally, there was something that differed. The flowers seemed redder than usual. A strong gust of wind blew then.

"Lillian, did you--"

"Quite some time has passed since I had something that delicious."

Lucas sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "Just when I thought you were behaving lately, you did something like this."

"Today, it is the hunt Lucas, either you hunt or get hunted yourself. Those people just had bad luck; they intended to hunt me but ended up hunted themselves."