The Flower of Separation

*UNEDITED*

"What about the little boy next to him?" Zushi wondered.

"That guy is the ageha family heir, the first son Deric, he is a similar age to you but still a few years older.

Zushi blinked surprised at that revelation. She figured that he was not just a bit but much older. To think that boy is close in age with her.

"If you would like you can meet him next time he comes. It is about time you have a playmate your age."

Indeed there have been talks about her having a playmate but why would her brother suggest a playmate of the opposite gender?

Aaron must have understood what she was thinking since he quickly added. "That's right, he has a younger sister that is the same age as you. I am sure you two will get along."

Zushi however raised her hand. "Brother, are you serious about that?"

She knew who her brother was referring too, despite how closed off she is from society, she did have some knowledge.

"Miss Lillian is an adorable little girl."

She frantically shook her head. "I have heard what that girl has done to other people brother. She frequently visits the torture chambers in her home and sneaks out into the divine forest to mess with the divine creatures. I also heard how she chopped of a maids hand, and sew it back together but inside the woman's mouth not her hand—" Zushi trembled at the thought.

Aaron rolled his eyes. "What have those maids told you?"

"But-but I heard this from Lucy!"

Lucy is her head maid who has been with her since she was a child.

"I think miss Lucy needs to avoid going into town so much."

"Brother, why are you always so against going outside?"

At those words Aaron sighed. "As the guardian family, it is only natural that we do our work in the shadows. Besides unlike normal humans we have an unusual amount of light mana. In the Empire something like that is unheard off, to have such pure magic means you would be similar to a deity."

"But we aren't?"

He shook his head. "We aren't gods, our powers have restrictions and consequences if we overuse it."

"If people learn about our ability, they will use us." Zushi understood her brothers words.

Aaron reached over and ruffled her hair. "Smart girl." He trailed off. "It is not unheard of for other nobles to use us to the point that we can no longer fight."

"They will use us until our mana runs out?"

"Then they will conduct an experiment on our bodies. It won't stop even after death. Zushi you are a girl, they will be even more brutal with you."

Zushi knew her brother was avoiding the details, even though she was curious and wanted to ask more about it she refrained from doing so.

"I understand."

"I know it is difficult especially for a young girl your age, you want to explore a world beyond these walls and meet new people. I am not saying you cannot go out. Father and I have never restrained you to that extent, you have had more freedom than anybody else. But you must only go outside with an escort."

An escort huh? "Why can I never go to town with servants other than Lucy?"

"That is because other servants have not received the same training."

It is fun going with Lucy, the woman was like an older sister to her. Moreover she seemed to have an unusual relationship with her brother Aaron. Whenever she watches those two she starts to hope that one day she will have a nice romance like them.

Before Zushi could ask anymore questions the doors opened revealing lucy, she was a woman with dark violet coloured hair and silver coloured eyes.

"Aaron I heard that the master—" Lucy paused when she spotted her. Her face turned red and she coughed. "Sir Aaron, I came to check if your wounds are okay."

Zushi rolled her eyes at those words. It is clear these two are in a relationship but why do they act so secretive? Lucy is not a commoner, she is a noble from the purple lions family. Then again she has heard that relationships between that family and her own are tense. Is that the reason why?

"Mistress what is wrong?"

"I was wondering when you two will get married."

At those words Aaron coughed. "What are you talking about?"

"Why are you even bothering to hide it when everybody can see?"

Lucy laughed awkwardly. "Uh I think the mistress needs to head back to her room."

"Then I will leave it to you."

Zushi shook her head. "I don't want to get in your way. I can head to my room myself." She quickly scurried away. She walked for a few minutes before she turned to head back. Zushi peeked through the door to see her brother caressing Lucys tear stained face.

So they aren't in a relationship?

Grown ups are so weird, why do they lie about the most stupid things?

..

Central Town

Her brothers words remained in the center of her mind, and she was unable to sleep well. The following day Zushi decided to sneak off into town. At a clearing way on the outskirts of town is a small forest area, there Zushi discovered an unused small cottage house beside a beautiful lake area. At least on the surface it looked like nobody was using it.

But around a week ago, she discovered a boy around her age staying there.

"That is what my brother said. What do you think Pierre?" Zushi questioned the boy practicing with a wodden sword.

"Miss Zestra why do you keep coming out here?"

Zushi blinked puzzled. "Is there something wrong with that?"

"Not quite. But I have never heard of a noble household who allows their young mistress to rush off without an escort."

"Is it that obvious I am a noble? I tried to dress simply today." Zushi pointed to the dress she wore.

"Even if you dress simply, your way of speaking and walking is the same as a noble."

"Then how do commoners speak and talk? Teach me."

Pierre rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "You must have nothing to do miss noble."

"Naturally I don't I am only a child."

"Don't noble children go through an early education?"

Zushi looked over at him and the sword, "Even though you are a commoner why are you practicing the sword? Do you wish to become a knight?"

She heard from her brother that it is not easy for commoners to become knights.

Although there are nobles who will higher them as slaves, and back up soldiers to do their dirty work. Zushi shook her head, it was a disturbing thought. But she often heard the maids gossiping about it so she assumed something like that must have happened.

"No I don't."

"Then-"

"Like you said I am just a commoner, I do not have anything valuable material wise. But I do have something."

"That is?"

"My life."