The Flower of Separation

Normally she is not the type who would lose her temper. But Lucas anger towards her did not make any sense. This is the first time she has seen him behave this way.

Lucas laughed, and then his gaze dimmed. "You truly are stupid. Do I have to spell things out or even show you? I don't want to resort to the second one just yet."

What is he trying to say?

Her thoughts broke off when she felt staring and realized something.

It was the faces of her father, brother, and some other guests.

When she noticed where Lucas stopped, it was directly in front of the ballroom.

'I thought this day couldn't get any worse-'

"I will not understand if you talk in riddles, sir Lucas." Lillian managed to regain her composure, realizing they had an audience.

"Then I will spell it out for you. I do not want you near Stuart, due to the reasons I stated and due to my jealousy."

If she wasn't confused before, she was confused now. What jealousy?

Lillian didn't get a chance to question him since Lucas dragged her away again.

...

There is a small waiting area for nobles ahead. However, Lucas took her to one of the empty waiting rooms instead. Judging from how he leisurely made himself at home, Lillian guessed this was the place they gave to him.

'Benefits of winning the game, I suppose.'

The number of insults that streamed out of Lucas's lips after they left the hall was horrendous. He had not stopped lecturing her since she broke the tense atmosphere by almost fainting.

Perhaps it was because he had increased his pace when he dragged her along. But the fever she held back took over, and she almost collapsed on the way.

'Alright, so it was my fault this time - but did he have to get that angry in front of everyone?' At the end of the day, no matter how much she curses her blood, she is still a member of the nobility. Lucas shouldn't treat her that way.

Even her father looked surprised at Lucas outburst.

After all, it was the first time for Lucas to display his emotions like that openly. Ever since she brought him to the Agenda household, he has never expressed his feelings. This is why up till now, it was difficult for her brother and father to make a move.

'Expression of emotion is dangerous. This is one of the first things I warned him about.'

Back then, she felt that there was no need to tell him. Lucas was emotionless like a puppet then. It was difficult to tell what was on his mind, but right now, he is different.

What changed?

What went wrong?

'Perhaps it was me? I did push him away for a while.' But she only did that so her father would stop paying attention to him. It would be bad if her father caught onto her plans with Lucas so soon. If father realizes how close they are- Lillian sighed. Then again, that man is no joke; he probably understands the real reason why she has kept Lucas by her side for so long.

The fact that he is playing along

Her thoughts broke off when Lucas slipped of her shoes only to reveal several bright blisters. No, not just blisters. There were signs of somebody stepping on it.

"I thought, why do you even wear these things?"

"Lucas."

A deep sigh passed his lips.

'Maybe I can move my feet away? He hasn't noticed, right? If Lucas finds--' Her thoughts broke off when she felt his intense gaze on her foot, no her swollen toes with blood flowing out of every single nail.

"Who was it?"

Lucas asked a simple question, but she couldn't miss his cold tone.

"Lucas." Lillian said sharply. "I am alright."

"You always say that. Damn."

"Did you see who it was?"

"Sir Stuart."

Or rather, he was the only one with her for a long enough time. But Lucas does not need to know that. He already seems quite upset that she followed Stuart out.

"That bastard."

She didn't think he would act so petty. It's true she low-key challenged him the last time they met. But this was way too much. It still struck her as odd that he kissed her. What on earth was that all about?

'Does Sir Stuart also have creepy feelings towards me like Eric?' Lillian shuddered. Is it not bad that she has to deal with her tyrant father and psycho brother, but now there is another one?

Why are all the men around me so strange?

When Lucas took out a small box from the drawers, her thoughts broke off. It was a small medical box. He took out some gauze and bandages and started to tend to her wounds.

"L-"

What is he doing?

This-

"I know you'll just lecture me about using magic again."

"I see."

But this is still very strange. Then again, this isn't new already. Ever since Lucas returned from that mission, he has behaved rather oddly. At first, she didn't think much of it, but recently it's gotten to the point that the servants ask her odd questions about their relationship.

Usually, the maids are too frightened to look her in the eye. But recently, a load of them approached her to ask.

Lillian thought about the events that had just happened. Just now, what was Lucas trying to say? That sort of atmosphere- she recalled what Ramon said to her before the start of the party. Could it be that Lucas- she quickly shook her head.

'That can't be the case. We have indeed spent so many years together, but this is a partnership of convenience. There is no chance of romantic feelings blooming.'

'I am the villain and not the protagonist, so such a story would not suit me.'

Lucas is more fond of her than she thought, but that was as far as this could go. Lillian knew he didn't hate her or find her annoying like before, but she wondered when did he begin to like her more than she thought? Perhaps she is overthinking it.

It is only normal for him to be concerned that somebody dangerous like sir Stuart approached her.

If she thought about it this way, this weird feeling would disappear.

So she changed the topic before Lucas caught onto her odd thoughts.

"What happened to Natalia?"

"It seemed like she was looking for the Empress's son. Ramon saw her leave the ballroom and decided to follow her. I was checking on the barrier to see if anything had slipped in when that woman approached me."

Lillian recalled what Seira had just said to her and frowned. Did that really happen? Would it be okay if she asked?

"That damned woman made it look like we kissed, so if you hear any odd rumors ignore it."

Seira must have done that in front of other people so rumors would start. If a rumor starts regarding those two, then her engagement with sir Shuhei would proceed since there would be nothing between her and Lucas.

It was easy to see where this was going.

"So you didn't?"

"Do you truly think I will allow that thing anywhere near me?"