The Flower of Separation

"You just returned from death a moment ago, you should not walk around freely."

"I told you before I wouldnt have died anyway." She pointed to the glowing part in her clothes. "Lucas spell is still active."

"The young warlock is certainly talented, but I am sure even a man like him has limits when he is wounded too."

At that comment her gaze dimmed. "How exactly did you know he was wounded?"

"Because my men were the ones who attacked him."

Lillian raised her blade again but he immediately caught it. "You are too hasty, at least allow me to finish what I say."

"After saying that, do you think I will allow you to walk out alive?"

"I have no doubt that you can kill me

miss Lillian. However are you not searching fof capable people?"

At that comment Lillian laughed. "It seems somebody has been investigating me."

"Were you not aware already?"

She was but she didn't think it was him snooping around her. Lillian wanted to get the banquet and Natalia's birthday over before she dealt with the person asking about her.

"Do you think your capable?"

"Although mr warlock, and the mysterious first son of the blank family are talented they have their shortcomings."

"Oh?" She raided her eyebrow at his words. It seems this man has investigated more than he ought to have. But, that is what makes this interesting.

"Are you saying you can fill those gaps?"

"If you would allow me the chance, then I shall prove myself to you."

…

Lillian finished her explanation and if looks could kill she would be dead already. The look on Lucas face was terrible.

"What do you think? Can I use him?"

Lucas tsked as he extended her hand out towards her cloak. "Take that off, let me see the injury first."

'He seems hostile again.' Now that she thought about it, Lucas always acts oddly whenever she mentions other guys. Lillian removed her cloak and Lucas gaze dimmed as he saw the wound.

"Was it that serious of a fight? I know you just described what happened but something seems weird."

Right, this time she deliberately left out that she did this on purpose.

"Lillian." Lucas said sharply.

"What?"

"If you hide something from me--"

Lillian sighed as she cut him off. "Alright, so it was deliberate. But you said it yourself recently, quite some time has passed since the last time so you want to make sure it is affective."

"Surely there was another option."

"Even if there was, at the time this was the only one available."

"…"

"Besides, I do like the idea of running to you whenever I am in danger. Even I can be a damsel in distress."

Lucas rolled his eyes at those words. "Who are you trying to convince? Stay put, I can't heal like the Empress so you still have to get treatment later."

"Or maybe, we can just ask the Empress herself."

Lillian pointed to the corner and Lucas sighed. "I told her not to follow.."

"Let's make use of her. Besides, it will be hard for me to do father's task in this situation.

The two of them quietly walked away from sight, but not too far. Lucas urged the Empress to follow and she did so.

"Miss Lillian---your--" Zushi seemed horrified at the sight of her wounds. 

It was a real wonder how she managed to walk back but Lillian knew she would last. 'I can't die.' The person who will end her life will be Lucas. But that will be after they achieve both their goals, until then she will not allow herself to die.

"Just treat it."

Zushi nodded and raised her hand towards the wound. 

'Up glance this woman is very beautiful. I can see why there are many who see the current Empress as a figurehead. Those with appearances above the average end up discriminated. But, there is something different about this woman.'

"What were you doing spying on me?"

Zushi's cheeks turned red. "I--I wasn't spying!"

"Then you had bad intentions." 

"That's not it!" Zushi trailed off. "I just heard from other noble lady's that the best example of a perfect lady is you Miss Lillian. Indeed you've already shown how strong and cool you are so I wanted to observe."

Lillian looked at the woman puzzled. What on earth is she thinking of right before the hunt?

"You agreed to participate, so shouldn't you be more worried about it?"

"While I do agree that it will be very dangerous. I will be fine." Zushi trailed off. "It isn't the first time for me, to be under such bad situation.'

'It isn't?' Lillian paused in mid thought. She thought she investigated this woman properly. Other than her familiar members acting odd, there is no sign of hardship. 

"Your saying it's better now because you have magic?" Lucas scoffed. "You know they are serious about killing me, so the magic restriction for us outsiders id higher."

Zushi beamed. "That's what makes this fun. Isn't it like a little adventure?"

At those words Lillian looked at her dumbfounded. Is this woman crazy or is there something wrong with her head? Does she not realize how grave the circumstances are-- Lillian looked towards Lucas for support but he simply shrugged.

"This is just how this one is."

"Aha, is that a compliment?"

Lillian didn't say anything but she observed Lucas lecturing her. 'Somehow this is strange, Lucas normally does not open up to people so easily. I have only seen Lucas act like this towards me.'

She felt her heart beat speed up when suddenly Lucas grabbed her hand. "Lillian?"

"Hmm?" She said innocently.

"I was thinking that maybe we should work with the Empress to clear the traps."

"With the Empress?" Lillian said puzzled. 

This isn't like Lucas. Normally he wouldn't bring a third party into their plans. Her gaze landed on the cheerful woman who was healing her wounds. What did this woman do to make Lucas behave this way?

She didn't use some strange magic on him did she? Lillian shook her head. 'I need to stop acting this way towards Lucas.' At the end of the day Lucas and her are two different people. 

Even if he is one of her servants, he is not hers. Lucas has never belonged to her. She cannot treat him like she does the other servants too. He is not a toy, or a chess piece she can simply throw away.

Her thoughts broke off when she felt a familiar warmth on her forehead. Lucas placed his forehead against hers. It took her a moment to realize this but when she did she exclaimed. 

"W--what?"

"Your acting weird. I thought the wounds gave you a fever or something, but that does not seem to be the case here."

So he is concerned? That is not new but somehow why-- thump, thump. The beating sound of her heart increased, and she felt heat creep onto her face.

"Now your red-- hey Empress can you check if she has other wounds?"

Lillian immediately pulled away. "This is enough." She said to Zushi. She knew she was not healed fully yet, but she had to get away from Lucas.

Zushi called after her but Lillian didn't waste her time as she rushed off. This time she knew Lucas wouldn't follow her.

What is this, what's wrong with her heart? 

'Pardon me for saying so but your not just overprotective of him'

'What do you mean?'

'Miss Lillian you haven't noticed it? You are in love with sir Lucas.'