Something I want to protect

How unusual, she thought the first thing her brother would do was meet Zushi. Then again, Aaron rushed to meet her first, too.

'What an odd situation; back then, those two were doing everything to make Zushi happy.'

She remembers asking Aaron why he decided to join forces with her brother, and he said. 'I want my sister to be free.' Those two worked so hard for that person. After being apart from Zushi for so long, why did they not rush to see her?

"Lillian? Are you feeling even worse?" Ramon asked.

"It is alright. I was just thinking." Lillian trailed off. "Currently, Aaron is staying with Jorah."

"With miss Jorah?"

"As long as Aaron is with Jorah, my brother will not leave the capital, but nor will he try and get him."

Why is her brother minimizing contact with the Zestra family? Did something happen back then that she is not aware of?

It would truly help if the Empress had her memories, but that woman has not remembered even after she told her the tale.

"I see." Ramon trailed off. "Do you mind if I go and pay my respects?"

"You can do as you see fit."

"Then I shall." Ramon looked around at their surroundings and sighed. "Lillian, do you truly want to stay in this place? It looks like it is about to fall apart any minute now."

Lillian laughed at his words. "Although it is not the classiest of places. I have been coming here to recuperate ever since I was a child."

"I have a villa nearby; you can rest there. Nobody will disturb you."

"Even if that is true, you still have servants there. It is not a completely secluded manor."

"They won't say anything if I ask them."

"I do not believe you have the power to control every single servant. Moreover, if I stay over, it will give people the wrong idea, will it not?"

It is enough to have fake rumors about her and Lucas. If something arises between her and Ramon, her camouflage will break, and her father will suspect something. The talks regarding her marriage have halted since she casually went with the rumors.

Her father has shifted his attention to 'getting rid of Lucas' too. Right now, this is the best solution. She cannot allow her father to focus his attention on Ramon. Ramon is strong, but he is no match for that man. Ramon cannot die just yet.

Ramon awkwardly looked down, and she sighed. "There are other things you should worry about. Focus on the task I gave you. With my body in this state, it is hard for me to go around."

"I understand." Ramon nodded. "But Lillian, it won't be easy to win over the other nobles. You understand right?"

"I am aware, but it has to be done."

'That' cannot be activated without the blood of the gifted ones from seven different noble families. She will need that for the final battle.

"Does sir Lucas know everything?"

"Hmm?"

"Sometimes, when I talk to him, it feels like he does not understand what you are planning." Ramon looked at her with a serious gaze. "Lillian, if you cannot even tell sir Lucas, then I fear you are taking on too much of the burden alone."

"Even if that is the case, that is my fate and my fate alone."

Ramon sighed again.

"I understand your concern, Ramon. But this is my battle."

"You and your brother are very alike." Ramon slipped a small box in front of her. Lillian immediately recognized the writing on the box. "I just wanted to test your reaction. I already met with your brother, and he told me to pass that onto you."

"Why did you-" Lillian had to admit she was shocked. She thought with Ramon's personality; he would not act unless she commanded him. It is rare for him to take the initiative on his own like this.

"I wanted to confirm it with my own eyes, and also, I had to punch him."

Huh? Lillian stared at him with wide eyes and finally got a look at his appearance. There were small bandages on his face, but she could still see the edges of the injuries. She bolted up, startled.

"You idiot! Why did you try to fight with him? He is stronger than you."

Her brother was one of the strongest people in the entire Empire back then. Since he has not had to do paperwork or other affairs, he has probably spent that time wisely training. He must be far stronger than the past. How could Ramon fight with him head-on like that?

"Even if you say that I punched him for your sake. How could he leave you alone for so many years? It's like leaving a small baby cub alone surrounded by a pack of wolves."

"I wasn't that weak-"

Ramon shook his head. "But you were. Lillian, let's face it if it were not for sir Lucas you would have died a long time ago due to your uncontrollable mana."

She cannot argue with him there. Lucas is indeed her lifeline.

"It wasn't his fault."

"Even if it wasn't, it was irresponsible for him to leave a small child with unstable mana alone in the hands of the Ageha family." Ramon sighed. "Back then, you were stubborn too, but at the very least, you accepted your brother's protection."

".."

"Lillian, I know where he is staying, so if you do want to meet with him, tell me anytime."

"Ramon, are you sure he does not hate me?"

"He is your brother. No brother will hate their sister."

"I see." Her gaze fell on the small box in front of her. "What is this?"

"He said it was a birthday gift. He decided not to mail it to the manor this year."

Now that Ramon mentions it, she would receive a gift each year on her birthday. The gift would be very small, and yet she could sense the consideration and affection behind each gift. It turns out her brother was the one sending her those.

"I apologize for mentioning this when you are recuperating."

"Not at all. I understand your sentiments."

"Lillian, I think you should use this chance to carefully think about what you truly want to do from now on."

After a few more words, Ramon swiftly left the room, and she held back that sigh she was holding in. What she truly wants to do, huh? It is not like her goals have changed. What she wants to do has not changed since that day, since the day she discovered those ancient records since she learned the truth behind the death of the first Empress.

'Since I learned that there is something I want to protect.'

Lillian closed her eyes. For now, she shall not think too deeply about it. She needs to recuperate quickly and regain her strength. Even if we cannot meet, the fact that her brother is alive and well is enough for her.