The Flower of Separation

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Isn't he your ally? Why would you hurt him?"

"I think you are misunderstanding something, he is not an ally but a pawn at my disposal."

An ally? She only has one and even then she cannot admit it.

"I don't want to complain but this is too much."

Lillian sighed. "This is what I dislike about you." She extended her hand out towards the woman's neck. "You know I can break this in less than a second, before you even get a chance to think it will be over."

"But you wouldn't.."

"Oh?"

"Miss Lillian you are not the type of person who will let things end quickly. You would rather torture your victims until they are desperate to end their own lives correct?"

Despite the woman's weakening state, Zushi still managed to speak. In fact there was strength behind her now fierce gaze.

'Indeed this woman is interesting, she seems to be a better pawn than sir Ramon. Ageha, Zestra and Blank. In order to take the three down I need someone from every family.'

"That is what will happen to you, sometimes there is no need for me to dirty my own hands." Lillian trailed off. "But people like you and that sorry excuse for a human over there bother me greatly."

How dare they try to turn her into a saint? How dare they make light of her? Do they think just because she offered to help she has suddenly become a good person?

Hah, how laughable. These people have know idea how much she has had to suffer, how much she had to endure. Life after her brother's passing, no his disappearance was very difficult for her. It never occurred to her how much he had shielded her from their father until he was no longer there.

Whenever she thought of what she had to endure, the pain, the beatings until she passed out. All those moments locked up in the dungeon, starved, beaten and most of all alone.

'Ah, I see. There is nobody anymore, nobody to shield me from the cruelness of this wretched family. I have to get stronger, stronger so they do not think they can throw me in here carelessly.'

From that time onwards she worked on showing how much control she had, she showed everybody her strong but ruthless side. Eventually even her father who treated her like dirt looked at her like he won a mine filled with gold.

'I always knew you were similar to me. Your only issue was you had that weighing you down.'

Lillian could remember how hard she had to surpass her anger when he said those words. How after she left the room she caused a masacre in another town. One day, that man will pay for everything. She will bring him down in her brother's place.

The Ageha family will pay for the sins of corrupting the Empire.

"A saint?" Lillian laughed. "Do not try to shake my resolve, it is the same as asking me to die."

If she shows her weakness again, it will end up like before. She does not want to destroy her brothers efforts of bringing down their father. So many years have passed now, so much wasted time. Her father has amassed an annoying large amount of power.

'I suppose this way it will be more interesting. It will not be fun if she crushes her father when he is weak.'

Zushi suddenly turned quiet and Lillian tilted her head. Has it already gotten to her? She was about to turn to Ramon but suddenly she sensed a strong wave of manner. Zushi stood up and a bright white light surrounded her body she raised her hands and blue coloured butterflies appeared.

Lillian looked over at Ramon and noticed the white light slowly healed the wound on his neck.

So she can do something like this too? Still releasing a large amount of power due to her anger is not the wisest thing to do. Lillian sighed. No matter how useful this woman is, the control she has over her own powers is terrible. Did nobody in the Zestra family teacher her to control her mana? No in the first place those people focused more on what benefit she will bring them. They most-likely made her carelessly use her power whenever they could.

Her brother told her before that he spent more time trying to help Zushi before than investigate the monastery. So this is what he meant by help. With my brother's training she ought to have control by now.

'Is it because she lost her memories?' That was the only reason she could come up with. Even though the Empress healed Ramon, she knew that right now the other woman was losing control of her abilities.

If she goes berserk for long, then this entire forest. No even the people in the audience area will be obliterated. That outcome would not be bad however ginger hair flashed through her mind and she frowned. Jorah is here, she is in the audience. Even if the rest of them are scum, that person has done nothing wrong.

Lillian closed her eyes and a stream of red spider lilies appeared around her. Just as she was about to raise her hand however, somebody tossed a red coloured sword in her hands. With her reflexes she immediately caught it.

Lillian sighed deeply. "Tossing a sword around is dangerous."

"So are those things around you, but you keep them around." The voice belonged to Lucas. He was sat perched on top of the tree. It looked like he had been having a nap. "You're way too slow, I already killed the ones guarding the tower."

Lucas landed beside her. "I was waiting casually but then I sensed your mana flaring up." He extended his hand out and flicked her forehead. He then pinched her cheeks. "Stupid, moron, fool."

Her eyes twitched annoyed at the wave of insults that escaped Lucas lips.

"I will kill you."

"Sure Miss Lillian who can't survive without me."

Gah- this is what she dislikes about him! He is so smug. Lucas continued. "But really even if you want to kill that idiot Ramon at least keep the Empress alive."

Lillian recalled Teo's words. "Are you that fond of her?" Unknowingly she had clenched her fist.

"In a sense."

So Teo's words are correct, these two will get together in the future. It was absurd of her to completely believe sir Teo's story but there were signs of it already. It seems she will have to accept it.

"In terms of fondness my respect for her is on the same level of how useful she is to you."

Lillian blinked when she heard those words. Huh? What does he mean? Is he saying he only puts up with the Empress because he knew how useful she is?

"If she is unneeded?"

"Then we dispose of her like all the others." Lucas did not bat an eyelid or waver as he said those words.