Flay never expected Lu Tianming to throw a punch without hesitation, let alone one so swift and powerful.
The moment she was struck, her entire world plunged into darkness. Her mind seemed to freeze, unable to process what had just happened.
Only when the darkness gradually faded into blurred vision, accompanied by returning sensations of pain, the metallic taste of blood in her mouth, and the clamor in her ears, did she realize—Lu Tianming had landed a solid blow on her, then discarded her like roadside trash.
And what about that Lu Tianming? He now appeared to be fussing over someone named Lacus...
Seeing Lacus being cared for and protected while she herself was cast aside and ignored, Flay immediately protested again:
"You... How dare you hit me? Even my father never hit me!"
"What's wrong with hitting you? Your father spoiled you too much. It's his indulgence that made you so lawless."Lu Tianming replied in a flat tone, his voice devoid of any emotion, paired with a cold, condescending gaze.".. making Flay instinctively shudder.
"Actually... there's one more thing I don't quite understand."
As he spoke, Lu Tianming approached Flay. Seeing his sharp, unwavering eyes piercing toward her, Flay instinctively retreated.
"At this moment when the father you relied on has fallen in battle... how do you still have the audacity to remain so spoiled and unreasonable?"
Lu Tianming's words struck Flay dumbfounded.
She felt the pillar of her heart collapse under this revelation, her thoughts instantly blank.
After a moment of stunned silence, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, her entire body turning cold. Her gaze toward Lu Tianming shifted from anger to confusion, then from confusion to fear.
Only now did she truly realize her situation.
—Her father was dead. The high platform that supported her standing above others had crumbled.
The arrogance and resentment on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a bloodless pallor. Her entire body went limp as if boneless and soulless, collapsing to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
Watching Flay in this state, Lu Tianming felt no sympathy, only pity.
"Alright, everyone, don't just stand there watching. Tolle, Sai, take Flay away and find another room to look after her. We'll discuss her punishment later."
"I'll go settle Lacus. The rest of you, find people to clean up this scene."
Lu Tianming waved toward the crowd, and immediately Tolle and Sai understandingly stepped forward. Each taking one side, they escorted Flay away through the path cleared by the crowd, followed by two or three staff in formal military uniforms keeping watch.
Seeing Flay taken away, Lu Tianming gestured to Lacus nearby, signaling for her to follow him.
"Are you hurt?"
Only after leading Lacus some distance from the crowd did Lu Tianming seem to relax, bending down to ask quietly.
"Yes, thanks to Mr. Lu's timely rescue, I'm safe."
Even after the chaos, Lacus maintained a calm smile, though the slight tremble at the corner of her mouth suggested she might be forcing her composure.
Come to think of it... No matter how mature Lacus's thoughts might be, she was ultimately still an inexperienced young girl who had never directly faced life and death. Even if she had some resolve in her heart, when truly confronted with such a life-and-death situation, she might still inevitably waver.
"What exactly happened just now? Why did she suddenly try to take you hostage?"
Although Flay seemed to have had a mental breakdown and gone completely mad, he felt there were still some unknown factors at play.
"Miss Allster originally intended to use me as a hostage to... to pressure ZAFT into stopping the fighting... But before she could take me out, the tragic news had already arrived."
"The sudden good news followed by another tragedy caused Miss Allster to lose her sanity... That's why she chose to do this."
"But I believe she actually had no intention of harming me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the chance to chat with you like this."
Lacus shook her head, seemingly still feeling sorrow for Flay's plight, her tone carrying a hint of explanation on her behalf.
Hearing this, Lu Tianming also sighed:
"Yes, essentially she just wanted to vent her emotions... or even act spoiled. She wanted to attract attention through this method, to have people focus on her and comfort her wounded heart."
After hearing this additional explanation and considering Flay's personality, Lu Tianming suddenly understood her motivation.
But understanding was one thing - he still couldn't forgive Flay's actions. Other people's lives weren't something to be used for her to act spoiled with.
"And... she was too naive."
"Yes, what Miss Flay didn't know was... that taking me there would only invite more fierce attacks."
Lacus continued, and Lu Tianming shared the same view. Even if Flay had succeeded, it would likely have backfired.
In the original work, with Kira present, Athrun would believe whatever the Archangel said. But in the current situation... he felt it was hard to say.
Lacus seemed to have some insight as she continued softly with a sigh:
"If only the war could really end with my death..."
Both of them were somewhat dispirited after what had just happened, so they didn't speak much more. Lu Tianming stopped before an empty, unoccupied room and gestured to Lacus:
"You can rest here until things are sorted out over there... Of course, you can stay here permanently if you wish."
Lacus nodded, then seemed to notice something. She tilted her head toward the direction behind Lu Tianming and smiled as she indicated:
"Well, Mr. Lu probably has his own matters to attend to? I won't disturb you further then... Goodbye?"
Lu Tianming nodded, watching the Haro in Lacus's arms noisily saying "sayonara" along with her, and returned the smile with a wave.
Then, looking puzzled, he turned to see what Lacus had indicated earlier. After careful observation... he finally spotted Murrue at the corner.
She stood behind the corner, seemingly hesitant about whether to come out, but before she could make a decision, something protruding from the wall seemed to have already revealed her position.
Seeing the usually strict yet caring captain in such a state, Lu Tianming couldn't help but feel amused. As some of his negative emotions dissipated, he cleared his throat lightly toward Murrue, who thought she hadn't been noticed, and said with a playful tone:
"Captain Murrue? You're here too, what a coincidence."
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