Valerian, The Legendary

Fragrantia was correct, Silk has developed stronger her skills than she was in the past, but she was still unable to reach a level where a Warrior Grandmaster could be held under her clutches. Valerian nodded, “I am aware of what you mean to say. I have a solution for this.”

Fragrantia sighed and said, “Tell me, oh all-knowing, Valerian.”

The boy chuckled and said, “It is not as if I know it all, but Silk had told me about this scenario in the past. So, I have thought of a plan to rectify the flaws.”

The empress nodded but did not speak and Valerian continued, “The charming fox can take a handful of blood slaves, this capacity increases when they grow up. Silk is relatively young and is only a couple of years old. Thanks to the number of resources you showered on her, this little fellow can now take a blood slave.”

Fragrantia was surprised and she did not know anything about this blood slave. She asked, “What do you mean?”

Valerian said, “Charming foxes are weak in physical aspect and thus as they grow up, they take in a few blood slaves to protect their safety. Usually, these slaves are strong beasts. They are left alone usually, but when the charming fox faces danger, these slaves will come and protect their masters at the cost of their lives.”

Fragrantia was shocked and said, “I never heard of something like this.”

Her shock was genuine, this was too absurd, Valerian shook his head and said, “Do you think any beast will let such a great secret out willingly and compromise their security?”

.....

Fragrantia thought for a bit and nodded, this was a feasible argument. Everyone in the world had a secret, and the magical beings were even more mysterious. She nodded and asked, “So, do you intend for Silk to enslave this guy?”

Valerian nodded and said, “This is in line with my thoughts. The sooner we sort out the situation in the Centaur nation the better. You said it yourself, the Centurion family needs to be put under.”

Fragrantia had a solemn expression when she heard this. She nodded and said, “Let’s do it your way then. To think you brat is even more cunning than me. I wish to ask your mother what she ate while she carried you.”

Valerian smiled faintly when he imagined this scene. He said, “The blood enslavement will have to wait for a bit, I need to make sure that Morgana is on our side, till then, Silk can maintain her control with ease.”

He stroked the head of the silver fox in his arms. The fox liked his strokes and squirmed in his embrace. Fragrantia nodded when she heard his thoughts and said, “Fine, do as you see fit, Morgana being on our side will indeed be a great deal, however, do not forget that every nation has an Imperial Guardian. Do not make any rash moves until you are sure. Imperial protectors do not come out too much but when they make a move, the result will be destruction.”

Valerian nodded, after he witnessed the actions of the Imperial Protector in Sapientia, he understood the degree of threat these old men possessed. One sentence could alter the entire structure of the royal family. As Fragrantia said, he must be careful in his actions.

...

After the empress left, Snare was sent back to Morgana’s room to stay by her side in the dark, a shadow guard had also been stationed inside the room to observe the princess, to make sure that she does not wake up and call for her confidante.

The next morning, Valerian skipped his way to the dining hall for breakfast followed by Silk. Fortuna had gulped down the magical cores from Azula yesterday and was sleeping. Morgana was already present in the dining hall eating small spoonfuls of porridge served to her. She preferred a light meal in the morning.

Valerian greeted her and Fragrantia and asked, “His Excellency is not here?”

Fragrantia shook her head and said, “Alms called him over to visit a city on an urgent basis. The City Lord was accused and found guilty of corruption. He thought it would be good to deal with this matter personally to set an example.”

The young prince nodded while Morgana was thinking if they did not notice her being present in the space to discuss such confidential matters. She could have sent her guards to assassinate the emperor while he was out. She did not know if these guys trusted her or did they underestimated her too much.

She noticed that the revolting cat was replaced by a docile fox, and said, “Your Highness seems to have a lot of magical companion beasts.”

Valerian raised his head from the dish in front of him and wiped his mouth before he replied, “Umm, I do not understand, what you mean, Princess Morgana.”

The girl asked, “Did you not have a cat beside you? Also, that thunder falcon and now this fox.”

Valerian opened his eyes in realization and replied, “You misunderstand, that cat and the thunder falcon are the only magical companion beasts I have. Silk here is a free spirit. I have not formed a bond with her.”

Morgana was surprised and asked, “You mean to say that this beast beside you is a wild one?”

She found it hard to believe that a wild beast and a human can co-exist in such harmony. Valerian asked, “She is a free spirit, charming foxes do not harm others till they are threatened, and none of the beasts seek violence needlessly. I would appreciate it if you restrained yourself from using the term wild to associate with magical beasts.”

His tone was chilly all of a sudden, Fragrantia said, “Valerian, calm down.”

Morgana was surprised but she wanted to know the reason behind this outburst and asked, “Then tell me, if the beasts are not wild, who is?”

Valerian looked her right in the eyes and said, “Humans, fighting for something that is momentary, pillaging and destroying all that they see for the sake of pleasure. That is wild. I am a human, and I have done things I wished to avoid but when some scum decided to disrupt my peace. I became wild.

Wild is not living in forests or being closer to nature. Wild is when you put aside your instincts and morals to seek things that will bring you to the illusion of pleasure and joy.”

That said he stood up from the chair and said, “I beg your pardon for being so rude, allow me to retire.”

He bowed to Fragrantia and left the dining hall. The Empress looked at the maid on the side and said, “Have some follow him from a distance, he did not eat properly.”

The maid bowed and left the scene as well. Morgana was surprised by this and wanted to leave but before she could say anything in her defense, the Empress said, “Do not take his words to your heart. He does not get close to humans easily. It took him a long time to integrate into our family, and even after almost a year, only Azula is somewhat close to him.”

Morgana shook her head and said, “I can somewhat relate to him. He was not originally a member of your family by birth.”

Fragrantia sighed and said, “If that was the only reason. Ever since he was a toddler, the people around him treated him like a curse, and the only person who shed her love on him was killed brutally. Azula found him in a forest, where he killed the people for revenge. The mage protector of the princess knew him so they took him in. The initial reason was his skills, and probably that is why Valerian drew certain lines that he did not wish to cross.”

Morgana looked at the empty chair in front of her and said, “I will apologize to him in person, thank you for telling me this, Your Excellency.”

Fragrantia shook her head as her eyes revealed a sad expression. She cleaned her mouth and said, “I have some work to do. I wonder if you would like to have tea with me in the evening.”

The Empress stood up and Morgana followed her actions as she replied, “It will be my pleasure. I will be present there, thank you.”

Fragrantia nodded with a faint smile and left the dining hall with her guards. Morgana on the other hand looked at her personal maid and said, “Go and ask the palace staff where I can find his highness the fourth prince.”

The maid was surprised by the attitude of this demonic iceberg but she nodded and left the place quickly.