The Flower of Separation

"You always act like I am going to bite."

"Big brother told me to be careful around you."

"That damned Raiju interfering-" Aaron trailed off and averted his gaze as he placed a small box in her hand. "Take those."

"What is it?"

"A gift. I'm going to be very busy, so I will be missing your birthday. I wanted to give you this in advance."

Right, her birthday was coming up. But it was the last event on her mind since brother Raiju announced that the time was drawing near. 'I am itching for a proper fight. I follow my father's orders, but the jobs he sends me on are dull. Being an assassin does not suit her. That silent killing method is dull.'

The only issue is her brother Raiju assigned Aaron to be her partner. Aaron has never seen her fight before. She understood with his personality that he would dislike the way she fights.

Lillian opened the box to reveal a gorgeous pair of diamond earrings with a red ruby in the center. When she held it up towards the sun, she could see several other colors. This is not the first time she has received something like this, but they usually give her plain colored jewels. It is either silver or gold.

"These-"

Aaron's cheeks reddened. "Red is your favourite color, right? I thought you would like it."

So why does he even know something trivial regarding her? He has done his research. But unlike the bad people, he has good intentions. Lillian took a deep breath; she supposed there was no harm in thanking him.

He did his best; moreover, she does not dislike her gift.

"Thank you, Aaron." She smiles at him faintly, but that is enough to set him off.

"Lili, you're really cute when you smile."

Lillian rolled her eyes. "Quit it fool."

...

Back then, she had such naive thoughts; she even made a naive wish.

'If only these peaceful days with Aaron would continue.'

Lillian recalled how it was only when Aaron came over when she could genuinely smile. She never behaved that way when she was around her brother; it was only with Aaron.

This person was very special to her, that much she could acknowledge. However, she feared that he would dislike her if he found out her true self.

Whenever they went around town together, and people whispered all sorts of nasty things about her. Aaron always defended her and questioned the rumors.

Everything they say is true; how many times did she want to tell him?

To think he reappeared after such a long time. How many years have gone by? She was twelve, then no thirteen. She had just turned thirteen before the rebellion. So it happened twelve years ago.

Why did he wait so long?

What was he expecting to see- no, what did he expect she would do?

"Do you remember that winter where we saw the aurora in the forest?"

"I do."

"Back then, you made a wish on that silver tree. Your wish was about me, wasn't it?"

"I wanted to be with you forever."

Of course, he wished for something stupid like that. After all, her wish was similar to his. By wanting those peaceful days to continue, she implied that

Lillian took a few steps forward until she stood directly in front of him.

"Then let me tell you a little secret. The reason why the clergymen didn't evacuate that day was that they didn't hear the news because of me. I killed the messenger."

"Stop-"

"I did that so your sister wouldn't get the message, no, so I could kill her too."

It was already clear to her. The moment brother Raiju met Zestra Zushi, what she had to do. Her brother was changing because of that woman. 'In his state, he would not be able to kill father, no he won't be able to lead the revolution properly.'

"There was no other choice, sir Aaron. You must have realized it too. Your sister was in the way; as long as she is around, a revolution is impossible."

'I have to kill Zestra Zushi.'

"You stole Raiju's sword too."

"Oh my, how clever, I made sure to leave no traces. A holy sword with enough light magic to purify another person. I wonder why you bother giving it to brother; you should have held onto it yourself."

"Raiju, your brother had light magic. I saw the potential and betted on him to end the corruption. Lillian, you joined us, but you had other plans."

Lillian giggled. "It was truly naive of my brother to think he could carry out a peaceful rebellion. All those people he told me to chase after and interrogate died by my hand. Oh, but I did get the information he wanted, so he never suspected a thing."

"Lillian," Aaron exclaimed. There was a pained look on his face. "In the last ten years, I have thought long and hard how I can help you, no how I can save you."

"Did you find an answer?"

Aaron dropped the blade and pulled her into his arms at those words. "Come with me. Let's run away from the Empire."

"And where would we go?"

"There are other places you should know."

Is that where he has been the last ten years? How would Zushi feel if she told her that her brother didn't disappear but ran away? She did not approach the Empress with good intentions from the very beginning.

That woman behaves like a fool, but Zushi must understand that part; she is smarter, unlike this fool in front of her.

"Do you still like me?"

"I will still do anything for you," Aaron replied immediately.

He truly is a naive fool. But in the future, she envisions she will no longer be there. She cannot run away when her fate has already been dyed red.

Lillian wrapped her arms around his neck and mumbled. "You truly are a fool, Aaron, but that is a part of you that I liked." She didn't hesitate to pierce the small blade into his stomach. But these small blades are infused with poisonous dark magic.

"Lili-" Aaron couldn't finish that sentence since a fight of bloody coughs passed his lips as he fell on the ground beside her with a thud.

"Goodbye."

'I should have killed him back then, but after I killed Lucy, I gave him the chance to escape. That single mistake has haunted her all this time. It was a moment of weakness.'

If she had killed him, then her brother would not have vanished. If Aaron died, her brother would have surely confronted her.

'Brother was testing me too, testing to see whether I would kill Aaron.' It was the reason why her brother paired them together. If anything happened to Aaron, the blame would fall on her.

Her thoughts broke off when she felt a familiar presence behind her; before Lillian could turn around, the person hugged her from the back.

"What are you doing?"

"I don't want to say goodbye to you again."

At those words, she sighed deeply. "You have to."

"No."

Despite his weak hold on her, Lillian didn't move. She knew he was sincere even now. 'I just stabbed him, and yet look what he is doing,

he did the same ten years ago, too; this person has not changed at all.'

Lillian moved his hands away and picked up his sword that was on the ground. She placed it in his hand and extended his hand with the sword towards her.

"If you cannot let me go, then you have to kill me."

"Lillian!" Aaron exclaimed, horrified. "That's not why I came here."

"I know, you just said you wanted to take me away. But you have to understand. Aaron, I'm sorry." Lillian mumbled. "But you already know what I'm like. Kill me or let me go."

She hears the sound of him dropping his blade and collapsing onto the ground. It seemed like it took all his willpower to just stand up.

"Lilian-"

Lillian crouched down and placed her hand over his eyes. A bright light flashed through her palms. "Go to sleep; whether that wound will kill you depends on your luck. Will that wound kill you, or will your companions arrive first and help you?"

She made a signal when she used her flames. Those people are most likely on their way to help him. But if he dies beforehand, that is his fate.

Her thoughts broke off when he weakly grabbed hold of her arm and leaned forward. For a moment, she froze when she felt his lips on his. It was a brief and light kiss since her spell made him pass out immediately.

She didn't move right away and stared at the man for a few moments.

'Just wait when you turn eighteen I will no longer hold back-'

A deep sigh passed her lips. "Even now, you are so foolish."

Doesn't he understand that coming out here was pointless? He should have remained hidden. But there is no use thinking such pointless things now. Lillian quickly stood up.

'Now then, I have created a large enough commotion, so those people cannot hide.'