The Flower of Separation

It most likely is a warning. That took him longer than she thought. This entire time Eric behaved like the perfect older brother; even when they went off to dance, he still kept up his facade. Lillian felt his grip on her waist tighten, and she sighed deeply.

"I am happy you are so concerned for me, brother."

"Eric," Father called out. "Come here." She glanced over and saw a bunch of important-looking officials and sighed. This man is as heartless as ever.

Did he forget this is Natalia's birthday?

Then again, with the party's star missing, it isn't too hard to forget. After parting ways with Eric, she quickly looked around for the little girl. Where did she get to? Lucas and Ramon are missing too.

Lillian recalled sensing the presence of the blank family and paused.

Those people aren't stupid enough to pick a fight with Natalia. If they wanted to use the girl against her, they would have done so long ago.

Another reason why that girl would rush off would be the Empress and her son.

'The Empress and her son aren't here.'

Late, the Empress was late.

Lillian was dumbfounded when she heard stepped into the ballroom and heard that. But before she could focus on that, her brother and father had approached her.

'What is wrong with her now? Doesn't she know the customs?'

Being late to a gathering like this is a direct insult towards the hosts. It makes it worse since she is the Empress.

It seems like even if her father doesn't do anything, the Empress will fall on her own. But that is no good to her.

'I need that woman to hold onto that position for as long as she can.' Until she finalizes her plans, Zestra Zushi must remain the Empress.

Only a few minutes had gone by, and she was tired already.

Walking in these shoes and this dress is difficult. Usually, she would attend the gathering wearing formal knight gear. But since this is Natalia's birthday, she decided to wear a dress for her sake.

'Maybe I ought to stop being soft on the child.' It appears that a number of her enemies have started to notice how close they were. It is too dangerous to continue that way.

"Lillian," Her father approached her with a glass in hand. "Go greet those people over there." He points to a group who just approached from the side entrance.

"Yes, father."

'Greet them yourself!' Lillian cursed but quickly made her way over.

This is Natalia's birthday, but he treats every single event as a place to gather more questions.

Lillian wanted to walk away once she saw Mr. Stuart Robert amongst the crowd, but it was far too late.

"Ah." Stuart stopped talking. "It seems the hostess has come out to greet us."

"You flatter me, sir; this event is for my sister." Lillian maintained her usual smile, but she felt angry.

Isn't he just trying to mock her?

"I wonder about that. Your father seems to have gone all out the day after the games."

'Gone all out? I was the one who organized all of this- But I suppose that is not the point here. What does this man want with me now?'

Lillian hadn't forgotten the little stunt he pulled the other day. Lucas already gave her a briefing on how dangerous this man was. But how can he be worse than Eric? That guy is already a psychopath; surely, this one can't be any worse.

The other guests seemed to have sensed the odd atmosphere around them since they quickly went away.

Stuart pointed to the gardens. "Shall we take a stroll for a bit, my lady?"

Lillian nodded and silently followed him out. 'I sense a strange aura around this man, and yet it is oddly familiar.' Lucas did say this guy stole his magic, so perhaps that is the reason why.

It was dark out in the gardens, although she put small lights up. Nothing could mask the darkness of the Ageha family gardens. Why is it so much darker in the manor than any other place in this Empire? Is it because there are more dark magic users?

"Miss Lillian, have you thought about my offer yet?"

"Your offer?" She repeated.

"Have you forgotten already? Our conversation the other day."

"Sir Stuart must like to joke."

"Not in particular."

"Then I wonder what your motives are for bringing up the other day. Were you not the one who criticized my methods? For me, that was a threat, not an offer."

Stuart chuckled. "I was only teasing you a little as the sister of my dear friend. It seems you misunderstood me." At those words, he turned around and stepped forward.

She took a few steps back, but her gaze did not leave his. 'Do not show any sign of weakness; otherwise, you will end up devoured.' Lillian stopped backing away when her back hit the wall, and soon Stuart stood very close to her.

He reached over and cupped her cheeks while stepping on her foot, trapping her from moving. "It seems I should rephrase my question. Lillian, join me."

'Psychopath number two, and I thought Eric was weird. What is with this guy?' Still, she cannot lose her calm composure; she will have the last say no matter what he is trying to do.

The pain on her foot increased every second, but she dismissed it. This is nothing compared to those times.

Even if he breaks it apart, she will not allow him to win. Her gaze did not leave Stuart's even for one second.

"You truly are an amusing woman. It seems Eric intends to make you his Empress and take over the Empire."

At those words, Lillian blinked. 'It is not like I hadn't known, but I have never confirmed it. The psycho does have unusual feelings for me. If somebody like Stuart can see that, then it must be true.'

"I have no interest in becoming the Empress." Lillian did not comment on her brother's so-called feelings. "I made that clear a long time ago."

She will never take that throne.

"Indeed, we are a perfect match."

What is he talking about?

"Lillian, you should accept my offer, no my invitation. Instead of becoming the Empress, there is something else you can do."

"What is that?"

Stuart bent down to whisper in her ear, and maniac-sounding laughter passed her lips. If it isn't Eric, there is also this guy. How much longer do these people think they can continue to fool her?

Even though he had her trapped, Lillian managed to pull out two short daggers from the small pocket in her dress and took one swing towards Stuart's face. Fresh droplets of blood appeared, but he did not move an inch and grabbed hold of her hand.

"It seems talking is pointless. I thought you would be an interesting woman to converse with."

"Sir Stuart seems to be living under an illusion, or perhaps my brother fed you with strange lies."