The Flower of Separation

Stuart chuckled. "Oh my, that little thing, it was nothing."

"Oh, please don't be modest. You are the first person to discover the existence of other Empires. It was only a myth until you sailed that ship."

As if- she already knew there were other Empires a long time ago. She discovered it among mother's belongings—maps and drawings of places not in the Empire.

"But I believe it was Miss Lillian's mother who discovered the foreign treasures; that is an accomplishment itself."

Lillian blinked before she chuckled again. "Why, thank you."

It seems he can read her mind. So that is his magic? Lucas told her before that mind reading is a very high-level skill; there are only two people other than him in the Empire who has it. Reading another person's mind is a very scary thing, especially during these turbulent times. Times where the seven corrupted royal families take charge and have more control than the Imperial family. The top of the corruption is her very own family, but if she were to choose one, that would come second.

With their head in name, the black lion family- her gaze hardened on the man who maintained a smile.

"It is good to see you two get along, but do we not have an intruder in our mist?" Eric commented.

Lillian's thoughts broke off when she heard Eric's comment. What on earth is he trying to do now?

Ramon sighed deeply. "Do you think I would voluntarily come here to see your ugly face up close? Lillian invited me."

"That is Miss Lillian to you," Eric corrected, his gaze darkened. "I find it odd to see an old fly beside my sister again."

She thought Eric already heard about her seeing Ramon again, but it seems his spies have not told him yet. Lillian rubbed the temple of her forehead before she turned to the two men. It seemed like small lightning bolts formed across their heads.

Right, these two do not get along. She almost forgot how often they bickered or had a staredown like this one. This is troublesome; she does not want to attract unnecessary attention.

Her thoughts broke off when sir Robert stood beside her.

"Your brother speaks a lot about you."

Lillian chuckled. "Are you trying to fix our torn sibling relationship?"

"As amusing as that sounds," Robert suddenly grabbed her collar. "Miss Lillian, are you not interfering too much?"

Despite the sudden dangerous aura around him and close contact, Lillian did not bat an eyelid. She was not afraid of him at all. But she could see why many people would find this man frightening. Did he grab hold of her like this to try and scare her? What a foolish person.

"Your bravery will be your downfall. I can read each and every move you make before you make it."

"So, what are you trying to say, sir?"

"It would be unwise of you to make an enemy out of me."

Lilian chuckled at his warning. "I should be the one directing those words at you."

"-- and I thought you were a wise one."

Before she could question his words, he suddenly grabbed hold of her neck. Robert looked at her with such a deep hatred in his eyes.

"Do you think everything will go your way just because people fear you? Some will overcome their fear and squash that punny life of yours in a second. Do you think your evil? Do not make me laugh; a fake will always be a fake. You can continue to delude yourself, but eventually, the truth will come out. The people you have stepped over will crush you in a heartbeat."

So that's how he sees her. Lillian, however, was not too shocked by this statement. She has heard it all the last few years; ever since she slew that dragon and became more ruthless, she has heard many things. She was not exactly a docile child, but she was not as bad as she is now.

She has heard it all before, but this is the first time she has seen such resentment. There was something good about seeing somebody confront her in this manner.

He could kill her at any moment, and yet she was still calm. She felt a sudden thrill.

"Whether or not you're necessary to the Empire, I will be the one making those decisions and not you. Unfortunately, I cannot end your life since there is something valuable about you. I will not throw away any useful cards like that. I do not know what you are scheming, but you will have to step over me before you get to it."

Lillian struggled to maintain her calm expression. No, she didn't want to cry; it was the opposite. She wanted to laugh. How very interesting to think there is somebody like this around.

Sir Ramon must have finally noticed since he rushed over and grabbed Robert's hand. "What are you doing?"

"Ramon," Lilian interjected. "Sir Robert was only giving me a greeting, but he got a bit too excited. Isn't that right?"

"But just now-"

Lilian stopped him as she grabbed hold of his arm. Ramon sighed, frustrated. It seemed he could understand just from this gesture alone. Her gaze fell back onto sir Robert. The Empress makes a good pawn, but the one she will clash with in the future to reform this Empire seems to be this man.

Ramon pointed to the gate. "We already have another problem."

Lilian looked towards the northern gate and noticed that Lucas and the Empress were in the same spot. She immediately turned back to her brother, who remained silent this entire time.

"Sir Robert offered me an interesting suggestion. When I informed father, it became this way."

When sir Robert had his fingers around her neck moments ago, she didn't react much. But, the situation has changed since then. "It seems the two of you do not wish to live past today."

Eric sighed. "You always lose your calm when you are around that man. Lilian, need I remind you that you are an Ageha."

It was just a few sentences, but Lillian immediately understood. That is right; she is an Ageha. An Ageha family member must remain strong, confident, and dignified at all times.

They must not bow their head to anybody or get on their knees. If they get captured, they must end their lives on the spot than be used as a pawn, even for a single moment.

But the key rule is not to give their heart to anybody. The moment they do that is the moment they will lose everything.