The Flower of Separation

The flames around them grew harsher. Lillian could hear the sound of people screaming. By now, the flames should have spread to the area where the guests are. The Ageha family manor is large, so she doubted this would be enough to burn the place down.

But this much is enough to evoke fear in people's hearts.

"Did I mean nothing to you?"

How cruel of him to bring that up. She supposes she isn't the only cruel one. 'They were truly a match made in heaven.'

People said it back then when their familises formalized the engagement and held a banquet. She knew people only said those words to appease her father. Many disliked the situation. The greatest knight in the Empire paired with the daughter of a psychopath?

Back then, many were trying to unify the Empire and make it peaceful. So naturally, some disliked the idea of their union.

During that banquet, however, Aaron strongly defended her. 'It did not make sense to me; was it just because he was my brother's trusted friend?' Was that the reason he was so kind?

No matter how many times she tested him, she could never get an answer. Shortly after that woman, Lucy appeared, she heard all sorts of rumors.

An image of Aaron rushing to inform her with a serious look on his face. 'Lili, you have to trust me!'

It was the first time she saw him worked up. She told Aaron then that it didn't matter who he was seeing; she understood that they would not have a serious relationship until she grew older due to their age difference. Moreover, the topic of romance was foreign to her.

Just because they are engaged, does that mean they automatically become a couple?

It did not make sense to her, but he was one of the people she allowed to get close to her.

During the third winter after they became engaged, Aaron was staying over at the manor. In the beginning, he frequently stayed over to form good relations. But when she realized how that backfired, she instructed him only to visit during the winter.

The winter where she turned eleven was a day like any other, but it remained firm in her mind.

..

Thirteen Years ago -At the forest outskirts near the Ageha family manor-

"Are you gloomy because your father took Raiju to hunt in the North?" Aaron asked as they trotted up a steep hill.

It had snowed last night, so it took much longer to climb this mountain than it normally would. Aaron didn't seem to have an issue however.

Yes, this was why she asked him to come during this time. There were seldom any people around in the manor. Most of her siblings went to the North too.

"Not so much," Lillian mumbled. Normally she would be gloomy, but after she got engaged to Aaron, that has changed. "Is it wise for brother to go with father? The revolution plans-"

Aaron nodded. "Right, it's almost time. The last four years have been difficult, but I think we are ready now."

"Brother has delayed it way too long because he was fooling around with your sister."

"Hey, hey, should an eleven-year-old be saying those words?"

"I don't want to hear that from the sixteen-year-old guy who flirts with an eleven-year-old child."

Aaron looked at her, shocked. "But Lili, this is for your own good."

"How exactly?"

"It's so you could build immunity towards other men flirting with uture."

'Just when I thought he couldn't be more of a fool.'

"It's cold; why did you bring me all the way out here?"

It doesn't seem like he brought her out to hunt or train. Aaron dislikes hunting near these areas. Normally he stays clear from this forest because of all the dark magic in the air.

A huge grin appeared on Aaron's face as he beamed happily at those words. "You will see."

Well, it doesn't matter, with everybody gone there isn't much to do anyway. Lillian knew she could do some training, but she isn't in the mood. Moreover, 'I cleared my schedule because I knew Aaron would come.'

It is not like she has any special feelings towards this person; after all, she is only a young child deprived of the word love. After all, she was born into this type of family, so it is only normal that she doesn't understand it.

But sometimes, when she watches the servants, she can't help but wonder.

'Is it nice to fall in love?' Girls who previously looked lifeless and didn't have anything would suddenly change into cheerful characters. They would put more effort into their appearances; they would talk and smile more. Is love enough to change a person?

What would it do to people like her father and her bro- Lillian paused in mid-sentence and sighed. Well, she already saw with her own eyes what it did to her brother Raiju.

For the last four years, he has been in love with Zestra Zushi, even though he does not admit it. Geez, why is he being so stubborn when it is obvious?

"Aaron," Lillian called out.

"Hmm?"

"You don't mind brother being in love with your sister?"

A dark cloud appeared around Aaron at those words, and his expression darkened.

"So, you do mind?"

"That jerk falling in love with a young girl! He should know better."

"I don't want to hear that from you; at least their age difference isn't bad."

"Eh? It's different with us!"

"Seventeen and twelve as opposed to fifteen and twelve. You look like a real scoundrel right now."

"Geh."

Her gaze softened when she saw him sulking. "Although you haven't done anything unpleasant, so I suppose I can let you off."

"Lili, you really like to tease people." Aaron trailed off. "Even I understand our situation, with a five-year age gap, if I make a move, I will look bad."

"Hmm, so you're only not doing anything for appearances?"

"Kids shouldn't tease adults!" Aaron exclaimed.

'An adult, but you're a teenager.' Moreover, Aaron behaves like a child sometimes.

"Where exactly are we-" Lillian paused in mid-sentence when Aaron stopped walking and appeared behind her. He covered her eyes with his hands. "Hey, wait--"

"No can do. I can't let you find this place without me."

This man does such childish things- but she doesn't dislike it. Aaron is the only person who treats her as just plain old Lillian. When she is with him, she can be normal.

'It is stupid to have such thoughts. If Aaron knew what kind of jobs I do for father, he would certainly dislike me for it.' Is that why she tries so hard to keep it from him?

He has not mentioned it once in the last four years since they got engaged. Although there were many close calls, he has never caught her.

After walking for a few minutes, he eventually lets go of her, and she gets a good look at the view before her.

It was gorgeous; there was a large lake in the center surrounded by different types of trees covered in lights. A large silver-colored tree right beside a grey-colored stone bridge in the center.

For the first time in her life, Lillian thought.. 'How beautiful.' So there are places like this in the Empire?