The Flower of Separation

"Miss Lillian interfered; she had me stay in a place outside the main city for a while."

So it was something like that. But that is strange too; her sister and sir Lucas were both under house arrest after that incident. Even when the Empress lifted that order, her sister didn't return to her duties as a General.

The sister she knew would never interfere unless it benefits her. Sir Sen is one of the strongest Knights, yes, but there is a reason why her sister refused him to be one of her knights. There is something wrong here.

"I got permission to attend your birthday banquet." Sen trailed off and draped his cloak around her shoulders. "The flames are getting very strong; we ought to be on our way."

'Huh? Why would he say that? Sir Sen was there when sister Lillian gave that explanation.'

"Did you get me a gift?" Natalia asked.

"Of course I did. But we can save it for later-"

"I would like to see it." She said sharply.

At that comment, the expression on Sir Sen's face changed. "Miss Natalia, do not be difficult; we can discuss this when we get outside-"

"No, we can't. I want to see the gift right now." Her sentence fell short when the silent Braden suddenly stood in front of her.

"Miss Natalia, I do not think you have to ask any more questions. You should know already, right? That person isn't your guard."

Right as Braden said those words, a dark black aura surrounded Sen. 'this magic is sister Bridget's?'

Just as she worked that out, soon she saw a familiar face. A woman with black-colored hair tied in a bun wearing a black turtleneck gown stood.

A deep sigh passed her lips once she saw the familiar face of her sister. What on earth is that woman thinking? Natalia could not mistake the hostile look on her face, but her gaze was not directed towards her but towards Braden.

When Natalia got a proper look at her sister's face, it was only then when she noticed it. There was a deep scar across the right side of her face. Uh, Natalia looked at Braden and then back at the scar.

"Did you do that?"

"It was self-defense. She started attacking me!"

She got that part but did he have to aim at her face? Natalia knew how sister Bridget focused on her appearance out of all her other sisters. To think Braden injured her precious face. It is no wonder sister Bridget has so much malice right now.

Natalia took a deep breath as she stepped forward. "Sister Bridget, please use your head a bit. Are you going to drag your attack on the Empress all the way here?"

"Shut up; what would you know?"

"Everything, actually." Natalia trailed off. "I doubt you treasure Rosa this much; you're probably doing this because you have an ulterior motive. I wonder which stupid person told you to harm the Empress."

At those words, she watched as a sinister smile appeared on her face.

"Are you saying that I have to follow somebody's orders to do something like this?"

"Yes."

After all, sister Bridget is not the irrational type; she is the third miss in the Ageha family. She holds considerable power in the family, and she is one of her father's favorites. But doing something like this will only lead to father's fury.

It is one thing to attack the Empress, but doing so on the day of the banquet where the Empress is a guest. Right now, father does not want any unwanted attention. They still haven't heard what father plans to do with the Empress, too; they cannot make a move unless he gives the order.

'Only sister Lillian can get away with testing the Empress, despite receiving no instructions.'

Right after she said those words, a hand shot out and grabbed hold of her neck. Bridget didn't hesitate to squeeze it tightly, and Natalia quickly felt her face lose all color, and her ability to breathe became difficult.

"I have always disliked you, but now I remember the reason why. You're just like your precious first sister. She acts so haughtily just because she has a bit more power than everybody else."

If she wasn't in the middle of being choked, she would comment. A bit more power? Sister Lillian has the eyes of the Empress; she could take down this Empire in a flash.

She could turn it into a sea of blood and flames with just a single word, and nobody would complain because they would be under her mind control.

Natalia knew full well that her sister was more than capable of destroying everything now if she wanted to. But the reason her sister hasn't done that yet is because she wants something else. 'What sister Lillian really wants to do, recently it has been on my mind more.'

Bridget's grip tightened, and she felt her vision gradually become blurrier. Ah, it is no good; she will lose consciousness at this rate.

'I have to get Braden out of here.'

Her father would not bat an eye if she died. But if something happened to the Empress' son, then this could easily turn into a political issue. The one who will be dealing with the harsh impact would not be her father, but her first sister and first brother would share the blame.

'I do not care about brother Eric, but I do not want to burden sister, Lillian.' Moreover, Braden is not a bad child. He didn't treat her like dirt or look at her with contempt despite finding out who she was.

Natalia struggled to break free from her sister Bridget's grasp, but it was a futile attempt. She was already starting to lose consciousness, but just as she was about to. Sister Bridget suddenly let go of her, and she fell to the ground.

Bridget screeched in pain. "My face-"

Natalia could barely see what was happening, but she noticed something odd. Sister Bridget's face looked like it was melting. Her thoughts broke off when a familiar voice spoke up.

"I thought I warned you already." A sinister voice appeared from the doorway. "Not to do as you please because there will be severe consequences."

"Sister-"

"Lillian!" Bridget screeched. "Stay out of this. I just want to get even with that little brat for scaring my face."

"Oh is that all? Then you should be attacking me instead. That scar is nothing to me melting away your face." Lillian chuckled. "I wonder what we will see when your face is no longer there?"

'Normal people would see nothing but bones once the flesh is gone. But with all the things sister Bridget does to maintain a youthful appearance, there is probably something frightening.'

"Lillian!"

"You keep calling my name; it makes us sound close when we aren't."

Sister Lillian kept taunting sister Bridget, and the woman kept trying to attack her, but Lillian swiftly dodged everything.