The Flower of Separation

The central town has a huge monastery. There was a large fire a few years ago, and a large portion of it ended up burned down. However, it seemed recently they finished reconstructing the place. After the hunt, one of her invites, other than the birthday party the Ageha family would hold, is visiting the monastery.

To say she wasn't looking forward to it would be a lie. She was very excited when she heard the news. For the Zestra family, places of worship were holy grounds. Before this incident, the central town monastery was the best place of worship.

She always thought it was a shame that she never got a chance to see it. So it was something like this. Now she is starting to understand why Miss Lillian is hostile towards that person. It is because he replaced her dear brother.

"If nobody has found his body, he is alive," Zushi said with a determined look.

Lillian paused for a moment. "Indeed, I think that too. But if that is truly the case, then I resent him for not returning and leaving his mess to me." She trailed off. "You see, my brother was planning to sabotage our father and take over the Ageha family. He was in the final stages of his plan but vanished."

Zushis eyes widened, stunned. "Is it okay for me to hear this?"

"It is because Empress if you want what is best for the Empire. You have to get rid of the route of the problem."

"Are you saying the Ageha family are the ones who-"

"Half. The Ageha family has half the power in the Empire, and the other half belongs to the Blank family."

The blank family, huh?

'When you get to the capital, you must be careful, child. The ruthlessness of the Ageha family aside, some work in the shadows. Those people are even more dangerous since they hide?'

Now that she thought about it, her mother-in-law warned her about these people. They were the only ones who didn't send a representative over during the coronation. Although they did come and greet her, it was only when they heard that sir Lucas was staying.

"Are the two sides at war?"

"In a sense, yes, but they do not declare it openly since it would tip the balance of the Empire."

It seems there is no place for her in the current Empire.

"But your appearance has already tipped that balance."

"Eh? But I haven't done anything."

"Right, you haven't done anything yet; you have no actual power. But the presence of an actual Empress and not just a substitute is dangerous enough. I suppose this is the reason why the Blank family has become bolder recently."

Just her presence? No, that seems wrong. "Is it my power they fear?" Zushi mumbled.

"Yes. The Empress's special ability can change the balance easily. If you want to make either of them submit, you can easily do so. But Empress, you're not going to force anybody to obey you, correct?"

Zushi slowly nodded her head. She could never use this ability to force people to obey her. Although that is the main purpose of this power, she cannot use it for such things.

"My father and the Blank family must understand that very well; otherwise, they would treat you with more respect. They probably don't think you have enough control of your power." Lillian trailed off. "But that isn't the case."

It happened in a flash second, there was a blade at her throat, and Miss Lillian let out a murderous aura. In that second, a blue-colored light surrounded her, and gorgeous butterflies appeared, pushing the blade away.

Lillian chuckled. "It seems you have the protection of the heavens, dear Empress. Just now, I seriously intended to wound you."

Zushi stared at her dumbfounded. Despite what happened seconds ago, she didn't mind. Miss Lillian did try to hurt her but only to test her abilities; she didn't seriously intend to kill her.

Miss Lillian treats her like an enemy, but she answered all those questions and even gave her information.

She thought she was starting to understand what this woman wanted from her, but now she is even more confused than before. What does this person want with her?

Lillian finished roasting the chicken and placed it on a makeshift stick, and passed it to her. "Here, eat something; it will be tiring tomorrow."

Indeed now that Miss Lillian has joined her, the situation has changed. They won't carelessly attack her, or her presence may cause more of them to head her way.

"Thank you." Zushi accepted it. It was only fried meat, and yet it tasted very good. Then again, she didn't watch how Miss Lillian prepared it since she focused on the content of their conversation.

Survival skills, huh? She hated to admit it, but she lived a rather sheltered lifestyle. Although her uncle's behavior towards her gradually became stranger, he never sent her out of the house.

"I must admit I am impressed. You accepted this invitation with zero survival skills; even an idiot would know better than to enter the enemy den like this. What were you planning to do for food?"

It felt like an arrow had shot her chest when she heard Lillian say those words bluntly. Indeed she didn't think this through. She has zero survival skills. She doesn't know the first thing about the forest, let alone staying here until the end of the game.

"I was thinking of using magic to sustain my hunger," Zushi mumbled.

Lillian rolled her eyes. "You really are a fool. You do realize that using magic in this place will have the opposite effect since you're an outsider."

"I was thinking of ways to avoid people until the end," Zushi admitted.

A flash of disappointment appeared on Lillian's face, but she nodded. "I should have known. Then again, it doesn't matter what option you chose; the general public will still judge you."

Is that how it is?

"Then what about you, Miss Lillian? Won't they say something about you helping me?"

Lillian sighed. "So the people must have heard by now that I entered, but they are most likely debating who I came here to help. They went through all the trouble of not informing you two, so now they must be placing bets."

Zushi didn't immediately reply to that.

It is still difficult for her to adjust to the games of the Ageha family. She doesn't understand their mindset. For her, this entire game held no meaning whatsoever, it is a game that would lead to fewer people in the Ageha family.

With the current situation won't it be a disadvantage? Unless the current Ageha family head is that confident in the people remaining. There is Miss Lilian- but surely the current head understands that his daughter is unpredictable?

Nobody in that family trusts one another. Zushi understood that much about the peculiar Ageha family.

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