The Flower of Separation

Love, it was not an emotion she ever considered before.

No, from an early age it was an emotion she chose to discard. She saw first hand what 'love' did to her mother. Her mother was a strong woman. She managed to become a knight despite her families wishes. It was during a mission where she was stuck with her father. After a life and death situation the two ended up getting married.

People who here the story think it is romantic. But Lillian felt that something was amiss. When she saw her mother and father arguing for the first time she understood something.

Ah this is a marriage of convenience. Lillian did not know what her father had that would benefit mother since back then mother had more fame and wealth. But it did not take her long to connect two and two together.

Mothers childhood friend, also her childhood sweetheart ended up gravely injured during that mission. It seems Mother made a deal with father. Fathers people were hunting that man down, so in exchange to keep his life safe, she sacrificed herself.

On a certain day of the week mother would leave the manor for business. One time when she was curious she ended up following her mother to see her in the arms of another man that was not father.

She could tell from the expression on her face, ah this is the person she truly wants to be with. Then, what does that make her? She who has the Ageha family blood, the blood of the man she despises.

For the first time she felt the emotion called sadness. But she did not want people to know about it, and so she ran to the forest. She ran to the magician tower and cried there.

In that lonely abandoned tower, there was a small young girl crying after she realized how unwanted she was. Her existence itself is the main cause for her mothers sadness. Even though she was only a young child, Lillian understood the situation.

How did her mother die? Lillian did not know the answer to this very day. But the day after she slayed the dragon, her mother was not in the manor. Lillian waited for a few days before deciding to write a letter to her mother to attend her ceremony to become a general.

The ageha manor is a large place, it is possible to miss somebody for days. Perhaps their timing was bad. Her mother was not the typical housewife, and dealt with many important matters. On the day she was writing the invitation, she received summons from her father.

Lillian remembered his anger, as he tossed a piece of broken fabric and items covered in dirt. They were her mothers treasured belongings. Father told her with a disgusted look on his face that she fell of a cliff with her lover.

Lillian immediately understood, ah—so mother could no longer take it, no longer take being another mans wife. That person must have found out and chose to die with mother.

A lovers suicide huh? It was not uncommon in the Empire. Due to political marriages, and family status, there were many tragic love stories in the Empire. Even if both parties belonged to a famous family, there were many who could not be with the person they love.

Her thoughts broke off when she spotted Ramon approaching her.

"Eric."

It was just one word but Lillian immediately turned to the direction where he pointed at. Indeed, like Ramon said her so called brother was already in the seating area. But he was greeting a few other guests, also there was a man beside him.

"Stuart Robert." Ramon pointed to the grey haired man. "That guy is a real eyesore."

"The black diamonds—"

"Right, even though his father is still alive, everybody in the household listens to him. Have you heard the rumors? He has a strange nickname."

"An odd nickname?"

"The King of Blackmail."

At that comment Lillian frowned and her gaze fell on Eric.

'I hope you oversee the banquet with me this year, I have an interesting friend I would like to introduce you too.'

When Eric told her that he had a friend she thought he meant another pawn. But, indeed if it is this man- "Do you know him?

Ramon scoffed but nodded. "Unfortunately, he visits that woman and second brother a lot."

Oh? Eric's close friend seems to visit the Blank manor often. Lillian wondered if father knew, no if he did then surely he would not allow it. In public father maintains good relations with every head of the seven royal families, but she knew he disliked many of them. The blank family is the main target of his fate.

There is no way he would approve of the friendship between Eric and sir Stuart.

"It seems he is like me."

Ramon sighed. "Well I don't know, your both evil but his evil is different from yours."

Lillian chuckled. "Since when were there different types of evil?"

"Lillian, he—"

She cut him off by nodding. "Do not concern yourself, even I can tell who is dangerous and who isn't."

People like her father and eric for one, she remains cautious and vigilant towards them for a reason. Even if she is capable of defending herself, there are people like those two who play dirty tricks. If she lets her weakness show for a moment then those two will

"Come with me."

Ramon sighed. "Do I have to? I hate even looking at his face."

"Aren't you worried?"

Ramon looked reluctant but the two of them headed over.

It was sir Stuart who spotted them first. "Is this not the Ageha family Miss Lillian?"

Her lips curve to a smile when she heard his tone. He is acting like a pleasant gentleman, but she could tell the meaning behind his words. This man is evil, just a simple greeting like that and yet she can tell his hidden intentions.

Eric nodded. "Sister, this is the friend I spoke about."

Lillian bowed. "Sir Stuart Robert? It is a pleasure to meet you, my brother has spoken about you a great deal. Your expedition last year was quite the huge deal."

She watched Eric's expression briefly, but he did not seem surprised that she knew. It is hard to catch this man of guard, he does not have many facial expressions. But he is not a heartless man, he is capable of smiling, getting angry or crying- although she has never seen it.

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