The Flower of Separation

Lillian stood up. "Your concern is unnecessary; besides, there is another reason why I came here." The girl started to walk away, and Zushi quickly followed behind her.

She didn't say another word and left Miss Lillian to her thoughts. But the entire time, Zushi kept stealing glances at her. The other reason she came here is obvious. She must be worried about sir Lucas. It seems that sir Lucas and she were the only ones not informed about having helpers. If that is the case, then that means they plan to dispose of both sir Lucas and her.

…..

It was nightfall when Zushi finally summoned up the courage to speak, more like she had to because she couldn't walk any longer. Perhaps it was because quite some time has passed since she used so much of her power, but she felt more drained.

To her surprise, Miss Lillian agreed and set up a fire.

"Won't the lights attract beasts?"

Lillian paused. "That is true. But there are no animals in this forest."

Zushi blinked in surprise. "No animals?"

"Think about it; this event has been ongoing for many years. The animals that were once here, the others have hunted them long ago. This is why the challenge is getting harder and more people are dying. There are not many who have trained to last a few days without food. While the members of the ageha family are military trained, we are still part of the nobility. Some cannot withstand such a harsh environment."

So that's how it is. More people are dying of natural causes than the game. Zushi didn't know whether that was a good thing or not. It made her feel peculiar.

Zushi watched her take something out of her bag; it was a dead bird.

"While there are no animals in this forest, there are some on the outskirts where the games don't take place. I caught this earlier, so it may not taste good anymore, but it is better than an empty stomach."

Zushi immediately understood what the girl was getting at, and her cheeks reddened. "N—no, I am okay without-" Her sentence fell on death's ears when they heard the rumbling sound of her stomach.

Lillian rolled her eyes. "There is no need to be modest. I don't expect the young miss of the Zestra family to have had military training to go without food."

"There was something of the sort, where we had to eat rations only for days while praying."

"Is that during Empress Olivia's mourning ceremony?"

"That's right. The Zestra family would lead a prayer and go to the temple."

"I see."

Zushi looked at the girl with curiosity. She addressed the last Empress with her title. While that is not a surprise and many people do that. Some just used her name now.

She was the first Empress who ruled this land, but at the same time, there were many problems with her reign. Those problems extended after her death, and many people blamed her. The seven noble families, for one, never forgave her for her last order. So even Miss Lillian respects the former Empress.

"Is staring at me that fun?"

At that comment, Zushi turned frantic, and Lillian sighed. "You have had that habit since your coronation. I wonder what you think of when you are watching me. I am used to all the attention since many watch me, but all those people have hidden intentions. I know for sure that you have no hidden intentions."

"Are those the only people around you?" Zushi immediately said what was on her mind, and Lillian laughed.

"How bold."

Zushi quickly understood what she just said and tried to correct her words. But she couldn't do it, and Lillian replied right away.

"That is right; those are the only people surrounding me."

That can't be right; after all, Miss Lillian has somebody who cares for her deeply. The image of the black-haired magician appeared in her head. She could clearly remember the expression on his face when he spoke about Miss Lillian.

"Sir Lucas?" Zushi asked.

Lillian paused for a moment before she nodded. "Right, I suppose Lucas is the only different one."

Zushi hesitated to press the issue any further. The two of them aren't close enough to have such a discussion. But she suspects that Miss Lillian also likes sir Lucas that way. If that is the case, perhaps she won't turn out to be a completely bad person.

Still, she recalled what happened earlier and shuddered. Is it that easy for her to harm her own relative? No matter what evil deeds they have committed, surely doing something like that is too much.

Zushi recalled a conversation she had with her sister Mo not too long ago.

'There is no use trying to act friendly with her, Zushi; you don't know how scary she can get. You do realize that whenever we go to war, she single handily defeats the enemy?'

'Isn't it good for her to do that? That means our men don't waste their strength.'

She remembered thinking that it isn't a bad thing to be too strong. But after witnessing it again with her own eyes, Zushi can't help but think. Too much strength can be deadly and a burden- Zushi wondered how Miss Lillian felt. No matter how strong she is, there will be those who fear her.

"You're staring again."

"Uh-"

"If you have questions for me, you can ask. I am in a good mood."

Her sweat fell hearing the last part. So it all depends on her mood? Then again, sir Lucas mentioned that Miss Lillian has a bit of an eccentric personality. Zushi took a deep breath as she chose her words carefully. Even though she gave the okay, she still ought to be careful with her words.

'I saw with my own eyes how ruthless she was just now.' But despite seeing it with her own eyes, she isn't afraid. Why isn't she afraid? Isn't this the woman who hurt her son?

Zushi decided not to beat around the bush and directly ask. "How do you feel about being too strong?"

"Too strong, huh?" Lillian mumbled. "Although it may seem like I am invincible, I do have my flaws."

What flaws? With strength like that, nobody can get near her.

"Moreover, there is somebody out there who is stronger than me."

"Sir Lucas?"

Lillian shook her head. "While I do not doubt his capabilities, there is somebody out there who is stronger than him."

"That person-"

"This isn't a huge secret, but you probably haven't heard of it before. I had an older brother; he was the heir of the Ageha family."

Zushi cringed when she heard the past tense.

"I don't know if he is dead or not. But one day, after a huge incident in the monastery, he vanished."