The Flower of Separation

Eh? Zushi seemed surprised. She did not think he would join the conversation like this. Then again, Zushi recalled how quickly he appeared the other day to help Lillian. It seems they are close friends?

"Do you think it is that easy to run the Empire? You're taking the Empress title too lightly."

Luca's words echoed in her mind, and she shuddered under his cold gaze. 'What is this?'

She didn't pay much attention to him that time. But this guy his magic is so strong.

'Beside the evil general is a powerful magician, no the most powerful magician this Empire has ever seen. His magic even surpasses that of the former Empress.'

So this is what they were talking about. To think somebody like this is helping Miss Lillian.

"Lucas," Lillian said sharply. "That is enough."

The dark aura around the magician seemed to vanish gradually. He still looked half annoyed, but he nodded.

"You know I thought you hated her; why are you defending her now?"

"Whether I do or not isn't the point. She is the Empress; if you insult her, you will get punished."

"Ha, like the imperial family can do much damage."

"When my father punished you, though, you spent days in the torture cell."

"That's because I got comfortable. If the imperial family locks me up, I will escape immediately."

Zushi sweat fell. 'Uh, do these two not realize that I am still here?' Moreover, sir Lucas just admitted that if he did commit a crime, he would immediately escape. It is a good thing that she didn't bring any servants with her. She knew even if she told them not to say anything, they would not follow her orders.

She sighed at the thought. Right now, she is only an Empress in name; as it stands, there is nobody in this palace that will listen to her. She somehow managed to deliver that imperial order for a house arrest.

But Zushi understood it was because they wanted for her to make a mistake. If her first imperial order is a mistake, then they can use it against her. That was why nobody stopped her when she did that.

Figuring all of this now is too late, but she held this meeting so she can make amends.

"Excuse me." Lucas suddenly said as he leaned forward and brushed his fingers across Lilian's hair.

"Geez, you're so troublesome recently, always needing maintenance."

"Why do you have to be so rude about it?!"

"You should be grateful."

"I am! But sometimes you go overboard!"

Zushi sweat fell at their exchange. Do they always talk to each other like this?

But she is learning a lot just from this meeting alone. Zushi brought the cup of tea to her mouth and took a sip. It seems like the key to Miss Lillian is sir Lucas. She does not know the woman well, but everybody saw Ageha Lilian as an evil woman from what she has heard so far. She is refined, dignified, and would make an excellent ruler, but she can be very cruel.

Moreover, she has no friends. The words the head butler told her echoed in her mind. It is not like she didn't think this before. After hearing all that scary stuff, it is normal that people fear her. But. Miss Lillian does not control the people with fear.

In her short time here in the palace, she has learned that more people respect her than fear her. Zushi wondered if that was enough reason for people to stay away from her.

Surely she has at least one friend by her side, other than the magician here; there should be-- Zushi paused in mid-thought as she recalled something.

That day, wasn't Simon and his wife there too? That person looked very concerned towards Lady Lillian. To think she just remembered that. So the past week, where she scrambled around for information, was useless; she should have just asked somebody she knew directly.

"Is it fun watching us, Empress?"

Her thoughts broke off when she realized that Lillian and the magician were staring at her. Uh, when did they finish their conversation? More importantly, isn't it rude to stare no to eavesdrop on their private conversation? Although it is difficult for her not to overhear anything since they are talking right in front of her like this.

Lillian seemed amused rather than upset. "It seems you are more interesting than I thought."

What? Interesting?

Lucas sighed deeply. "If you say things indirectly like this, I doubt this woman will understand, but then again, even if she is naive, she isn't that slow."

Could it be that Lady Lillian is curious about her too?

"Empress, I am sure you have figured this out after your stay here for the past week, but to survive in this palace, you will need me."

Zushi kept her head low when she heard those words. It frustrated her, knowing that she could not do anything. She became the Empress only to protect her son but being in a position of power and having no actual authority bothered her. She thought it would be okay as long as she had the Empress name backing her up, but it isn't enough.

At this stage won't, Braden be in even more danger? Was it wrong of her to bring him with her? Sure living apart would have been difficult, but perhaps she ought to have solidified her position here first.

"Even if I were to directly ask you, Miss Lillian, you will not help me, correct?"

"Correct. But it is a good thing you're admitting that you need me; that is a great sign those other candidates refused to acknowledge."

Other candidates, right there were others before her. "I heard that you sent them all away."

Away was a nicer way of putting it. Zushi fully understood what happened to the previous candidates. All of them met with an unfortunate accident. All these accidents happened after Lady Lillian disapproved of them, so it was natural who caused the accidents.

Lillian chuckled. "It seems the Empress has studied the rumors very well."

Gah, is she making it this obvious?

"You are the type of person who does not believe in rumors until you confirm it with your own eyes. The reason why you sent that invitation was not just to apologize for my house arrest but because you wanted to learn things about me."

Isn't this person way too sharp? She has seldom spoken to her. Since this meeting started, the ones who have mainly spoken are her and sir Lucas.

"I will help."

Huh? Wait?

"Truthfully, I am getting bored of the state of the Empire. It would be good if there was an Empress that can lead everybody, the burden would be less on me."

Zushi blinked, surprised at those words. Even though she is saying this, something felt wrong here. Is it just her imagination? But she felt something ominous in the air.

"What is the catch?"

"Catch?"

"Miss Lillian, you are right. I mainly invited you here to learn what type of person you are. I still do not understand you very well, but there is one thing that is clear to me. You are not the type of person who will help somebody easily like this."