The Flower of Separation

Lillian rushed over to the bridge and leaned forward. A strong gust of wind blew. "How refreshing."

"Like my surprise?"

She rolled her eyes at his tone. He wants her to praise him, doesn't he?

"Hmmm, it could be better."

"Seriously? Even though I worked so hard putting those lights up-" Aaron trailed off. "Wait, there is one more thing." He took something out of his pocket, and she blinked.

Are those petals? What is he going to do with those?

Before she could ask, Aaron started to throw the petals everywhere, and she laughed, realizing. "This is too cheesy."

"But I knew it would make you laugh; there is that beautiful smile I haven't seen in a while."

Her eyes widened at those words. It seems he noticed something was wrong with her, but he hasn't asked. Is it due to their age difference? But Aaron is so understanding and patient with everything.

Lillian looked down at her feet, avoiding his gaze. Normally, she has a sharp tongue around him, but she does not know how to approach this topic. What can she say without revealing everything?

'The day before, I killed a father right in front of the mother and child. The mother begged her to spare him, but she didn't. The moment she cut the man's head off, the woman committed suicide too.'

Even now, she cannot forget the screams of agony and pain. But what remained firm in her memory was the look in the young boy's eyes as she walked away.

That look of hatred and disgust, it was a first for her sensing somebody's malice. There were also the words he said.

What was it that young child said?

Ah yes, 'I will never forgive you.' It was just five words, and it was not the first time for her to hear such things. How many times has she stained her hands with blood and had their family members say the same thing? How many times have those very same family members sought revenge and died in her hands?

But for the first time, she sensed something amiss.

Her thoughts broke off when Aaron stood directly in front of her and placed something on her hair. It was one of the blossoms from the silver tree.

"Plucking a blossom from a sacred tree will earn you a few curses or just cases of bad luck."

Aaron laughed. "Well, I guess we can get cursed together."

"Idiot."

"I don't know what is on your mind, Lili. There are many things I do not understand because of our age difference. I have gone through a lot since I was a child but I doubt it is anything compared to what you have gone through."

"Aaron I-"

He shook his head. "You don't have to explain, Lili. You are a member of the Ageha family; it's not like I am oblivious to what your family does."

But if that is the case, she doesn't understand why he would stay with her even if he had no choice but to accept the engagement; he didn't have to remain by her side and spend time with her. Aaron has put in a lot of effort to get to know his crazy bride-to-be.

Most arranged marriage couples seldom meet up unless they have to appear together somewhere. They normally keep to their own lives and do not interfere with each other.

It should have been the same with whoever ended up engaged to her. Nobody wants to hang around the daughter of such a man; she also thought the same.

She thought perhaps Aaron didn't know, perhaps he had no idea, and that was why he could treat her so well. But right now, he is telling her that is a mistake. So even though he knew, he stayed by her?

Aaron suddenly stretched her cheeks. "That's enough negative thinking. Did you truly think I wasn't taking this seriously?"

"Well, don't you have miss Lucy?"

"Hey, I already explained it to you! I get bad vibes from her. I just want to snoop around for a bit. When I find out what I need, I will stop."

"Ah-huh." Lillian looked at him suspiciously. "That is what all guys say when they get caught cheating."

Aaron hugged her tightly then, and she sighed. "Truly, I do not understand what you're trying to do, Aaron. I'm far too young."

"I know, but I said I would wait for you. You probably don't understand what that means but keep those words in your heart. Remember this day."

Lillian could only nod as he let go of her; he walked towards the silver tree on the end of the bridge and closed his eyes.

She quickly joined him. "Are you making a wish?"

"Mm, it's a legendary tree, right?"

Normal people won't make a wish on a legendary tree; moreover, a child would think of this. A deep sigh escapes her lips; well, she supposes it can't be helped.

'I will make a wish too.'

Lillian closed her eyes and clasped her hands into a prayer position, and she stole a quick glance at Aaron before mumbling her wish. It is strange for her to do something like this, but when she is with Aaron, she wants to behave like a normal person.

After a few minutes, she opened her eyes again and saw Aaron staring at her with a huge grin on his face.

"It looked like you were concentrating pretty hard there."

"I was just going with the flow."

"Hmm," Aaron looked her up and down. "I wonder what you could have wished for."

"That is my line."

"I don't mind telling you."

"If you do that, the wish won't come true."

At those words, Aaron grinned. "At the very least, I can give you a hint, can't I?" He trailed off. "My wish was to do with you, Lili."

Lillian sighed again when she heard those words. Of course, it was about her. Even if she is clueless about romance, there is one thing she is sure of. This fool is very fond of her.

'I don't understand why the five-year age gap would put most guys off. Once she becomes an adult those five years will seem very small, but right now when she is a child, five years is a lot.'

It is not new for a noble household to bestow engagements from a young age. But most tend to match their kids with someone the right age. She and Aaron aside, why is their father doing the same with Raiju?

The Zestra household is considered the guardian of the Empire. It is easy to see what her father is trying to do by establishing a connection with them. But one of them should be enough; her union with sir Aaron should serve as a foundation for his plans.

With her father's personality, he would use Raiju and wed him to another family that would be useful. So what is he doing? It seems she is still incompetent; she does not understand what is going on in that man's mind.

Her thoughts broke off when she realized Aaron had grabbed hold of her hands. "What is it now?"