Is it simply because she has too much mana? Up till now Lucas believed that was the only reason but perhaps there is something more to all of this?

“Sir Lucas?”

“Thank you for informing me.”

“You’re welcome but are you alright? I know you are worried about her, but her family members, as cruel as they are, will not let her die.”

No normal physician can help her, Lucas wanted to say but refrained from doing so. What good will it do getting worked up? He should just see her himself.

__

Lillian already knew that Lucas would come.

A part of her sent Jorah there instead of a normal messenger knowing that her friend would tell him. Her gaze fell on the man who had grabbed her hand and was dragging her along.

“Just now that was rude of you, that guy is my new guard.”

What surprised her was Lucas dragging her away from Gareth. “Did you misunderstand just now? I had cream on my face.”

Lucas looked away. “Don’t get me wrong, I just hate people who look like they have had a good childhood.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah.” Lucas trailed off. “I thought you would be crying without having me by your side but you picked out a new pretty boy already.”

Lillian rolled her eyes. “You know you’re very bitter, that guy is a harmless little puppy.”

“He is also younger than you, so you should probably think otherwise before messing with him.”

It is strange, they used to have these conversations before but something is different now. “Do you know who he is? He is a high member in the Imperial guard unit General Mo leads, and was one of my brothers trusted men.” Lillian trailed off. “The girls at home go crazy over him.”

“I know, but you’re not going to follow their example are you?”

Her sweat fell when she sensed him getting angrier. In the ten years since they met, there are still so many things she does not understand about this person. For one, occasionally when she brings up other men he would be extra bitter- Lillian paused in mid-thought. There is a theory that comes to mind but she cant think that way.

It almost sounds like Lucas is in love with her.

Before she could say anything Lucas suddenly leaned forward. “Hey, are you going to answer? Don’t tell me you actually-”

Lillian shook her head and sighed. “Quit messing around. He is my type, but the type of person I like to torture. Besides, I almost killed him the other day.”

Lucas blinked. “Are you saying he was one of the people you tortured over the Gilbert incident?”

“Right, so quit changing the story and assuming things.” Lillian pointed to the benches by the large oak tree in the backyard. “Let’s go there.”

“Your maintenance again, you are so hard to handle.”

He always complains like this, but he has remained by her side for the last ten years. Sure he made attempts to escape before but that was back when he still seemed like a lifeless shell. Back when they lived together in the tower, he spoke to her normally. But when she brought him to the Ageha family mansion, he seemed like a shell of his usual self.

It did not take her long to realize why that was. His dislike for humans is very dangerous. People saw him as meek and quiet but she saw differently. He is like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment.

Once they reached the bench she sat down and Lucas leaned down. “What?”

“There is blood on your knee.”

Oh?

Lucas frowned. “How can you not notice? Those creatures of yours have been sucking the flesh for a good few minutes before I arrived.”

Indeed when Lillian looked down she saw small red lily vines. “It is only a little blood, I barely felt it.”

“You know that is not the point, geez.” A bright light surrounded Lucas’ palm as he placed it over her wound. The vines immediately backed away.

“Lucas, my father’s actions towards you is most likely due to my brother.”

Lucas nodded. “I am aware.”

“You can manage?”

“It will be a pain but yes I can manage it. But you, need to stop hanging around and meeting odd people.”

Lillian chuckled. “But there is so many interesting humans out there. So many fun people I can use. Why would I give up seeing them despair after I give them hope?”

“That is one side of you I don’t understand. Is torturing them fun? You could just end their lives quickly instead of wasting any more precious time on them.”

“Indeed I do see where you are coming from there, but,” Her lips curve to a devilish smile. “It is more fun to see them cling to the foolish notion of hope in the face of despair. If I end their lives too quickly then they cannot suffer, ending their lives means ending their suffering. That is something I will never do.”

Humanity is trash, there is no hope for anybody in this Empire. All humans will die someday, but before they do she will make their life a living hell.

“I found that newspaper boy who ran away.”

“Oh?” Her eyes brightened at the mention. That little boy was fun to torture. He was quite brave and bold enough to threaten her. People like that who still cling to hope despite her torture are the most fun.

“But I think you should stay put until the hunt and the little brats birthday is over.”

Lillian sighed when she heard Lucas’ instructions. “Do I have to?” She muttered. “You have no idea how boring it is here.” She may end up torturing that new guard of hers again. “Also I can’t control my blood lust.”

Lucas pulled out something from his cloak pocket. “This is a list of corrupted officials doing shady business. You can punish them, but please be a bit more discreet since I cannot come along with you.”

“You’re the best!”

He sighed again. Lillian knew he wasn’t happy about this but she cannot stop now. How many lives did she take since she became a General? How many lives did she claim when she first learned about her abilities? Any hope of her returning to be a normal person vanished a long time ago. All that is left now is despair, and darkness. A darkness one cannot see the end of.