Valerian, The Legendary

113 Pride.

On the floor, at the spot where Fortuna should have been, stood a silver cat. Valerian was surprised, he had no idea how to explain this. He cast a gaze at Fragrantia, who stood there smiling at him. She said, “Yes, this was the trick I mentioned.”

Valerian asked, “This is her innate magic?”

Fragrantia shook her head and said, “Dragons had two blessings, either an innate skill, for example, brute force, or they have innate magic. It is rare for them to have both blessings. This is mentioned in the book. Calm down first.”

Valerian sighed and found that he was a bit too agitated, he calmed his mind and said, “The book mentions, that the physical capabilities of a dragon are called innate skills, while magical capabilities are called innate magic.

Not only can they control the seven elements, but they also have another unique attribute of magic. If a dragon is blessed with a skill, such as brute force, or shape-shifting, then they might not have innate magic, or vice-versa. So, this means, Fortuna may not have an innate magic attribute in the future.”

Fragrantia nodded and said, “Yes. Why? Do you pity her?”

Valerian shook his head, and bend down to scoop up the kitten from the ground and said, “It is good that she can shape-shift. This skill will allow her to mingle better in the world, and things will be easier. What do you say, Fortuna?”

His fingers caressed the fur of the kitten gently, and the little one seemed to have fallen asleep in his embrace. It looked very adorable. Fragrantia looked at the boy and with an affectionate gaze she said, “Come, Azula had also returned in the morning so she must be waiting in the garden.”

Valerian nodded and then left with the lady, as they came out of the door, they found a silver fox sitting in front of the room. Fragrantia was surprised and Valerian said, “This is Silk, a charming fox. I found her in the Tenax City turmoil, she was manipulated by the enemy to control the beasts and cause the beast tide.”

.....

Fragrantia was surprised and asked, “Why did you bring her back then? What if she controls every beast in the western wing? Would it be not causing a similar scenario here as well?”

Valerian shook his head and said, “She is aware of what could happen to her.”

The two of them moved around and walked away, they did not observe the fur of the fox standing on its ends. She sensed the aura of a dragon and was scared terribly. If someone could hear the thoughts inside her mind, they would find her screaming, ‘Are you fucking nuts? How dare I act insolently in face of her graceful presence?’

Magical beasts were all very sensitive to the aura of a dragon. The higher the status of the dragon, the stronger the suppression. Valerian found the beast not following him and stopped, he turned around and said, “Silk, come on. You will miss food.”

The beast gathered her wits and followed the people, with her gaze peeking at the cat in Valerian’s arms every now and then. Soon, they reached the garden and found Priscilla waiting for them with Consano and Conixia. She smiled at Valerian and greeted him as soon as he stepped into the pavilion, “The might Valerian returns.”

Valerian smiled and said, “You jest, Your Highness. I am not yet mighty.”

Silk gazed at the young boy with a strong desire to roll her eyes, and say, ‘You killed a grandmaster, have you no shame?’

Valerian could sense her gaze and shook his head. The three girls followed his gaze and found a silver fox on the ground, and they were surprised. Azula could not help but say, “Oh, what a beauty you are little one.”

She came over to crouch down in front of Silk, and the fox let out a growl, Valerian cast her a gaze and let out a low growl. The fox immediately relaxed and allowed the princess to pet her. Azula was very happy. Conixia asked, “Your Highness Valerian, may I ask why did you ignore me earlier?”

Valerian was surprised to hear this gentle tone from her, he recalled her shadow in his vision earlier when he was rushing to meet the empress and shook his head, he said, “I apologize, but it was not my intention to ignore you, I simply could not talk as I had to meet, Her excellency first.”

Consano smiled as she served tea to the empress. Valerian sat down on a chair beside her and caressed the fur on the cat’s body. He asked in a gentle tone, “Did you not want to play? Now that you are out, you sleep?”

The people were surprised to see this side of him, Valerian was a cold piece of ice that could freeze everyone, and he rarely let out a genuine smile, but with this gentle tone he used, none of the people ever expected him to use it. Azula could not help but ask, “Valerian, who are you talking to?”

The boy looked at her, and said, “Fortuna.”

Then he scooped up the little fur ball in his palms and extended them for everyone to see, a small silver kitten sleeping. They were girls and their hearts melted in a blink. They all gathered around and wanted to touch the little thing when Valerian pulled his hands back and said, “Do not touch her, until she allows you to.”

Conixia said, “Petty, you are so petty.”

Her complaints and disdain did not affect the boy, and he kept caressing the kitten in his palms. Fragrantia was more than happy to witness this scene, the past two days, have been troublesome as the dragon had taken her head as a throne.

Consano asked, “Your Highness, where did you find her?”

Valerian replied, “In the woods near the academy.”

He replied indifferently, no way in hell was he ever going to tell them where he found her.

Azula pouted and asked, “Why can’t I find such cute things?”

Valerian rolled his eyes at her and said, “You do not look cute like this your highness, also, if your blizzard bucks heard you, they will be sad.”

Fragrantia chuckled and said, “Alright, enough of your bickering, sit down.”

The scene turned serene all of a sudden and Valerian leaned back against the chair and let out a sigh. Azula asked, “Val, was the trip too tiring?”

Valerian nodded, he said, “But I made some gains as well.”

Consano nodded and said, “Indeed, you seem stronger than before.”

The child did not reply, he was indeed a bit stronger, but it was just a bit. He suddenly recalled something and asked, “Your Highness, what about you? Did you finish dealing with the things His Excellency told you to before?”

Azula nodded and said, “I have acquired a small merchant firm, I will focus on making that grow and then spread its influence in other parts of the empire.”

Fragrantia nodded and said, “It is good that you have a layout planned in your mind, however, be mindful that the royal family’s involvement cannot and must not be discovered at all. The purpose of intelligence gathering will be wasted otherwise.”

Azula nodded and replied, “I will be a careful mother.”

Valerian interjected, “You can ask, His grace, Duke Vulcan. We captured the master of The golden merchant firm, Ensoma Ecudare. He was found guilty of colluding with berserks. Now we have three of his adopted sisters, who were rescued by us as well. This connection might come in handy for you.”

The princess was surprised and cast a gaze at the empress, who nodded and said, “It is true.”

The people drank tea and talked about this matter on a deeper level. Just when the sun was about to go down, the fur ball in Valerian’s lap moved, and Fortuna raised her head. She yawned and looked around groggily. Her gaze fell on Silk, who was laying close to Valerian’s feet.

The latter suddenly stood up, as if a lightning bold hit it. The silver fox lowered her head as she backed away slowly. Silk did not even dare to raise her head and look at the prideful creature looking down on her.

Valerian and the rest of the people witnessed this and suddenly, Azula said, “Your kitten looks so small but she is so dominating and possessive.”

The silver-haired boy did not mind and gently asked, “Do you want to walk around, Fortuna?”

The kitten turned her head to see Valerian, and then after some thought, she nodded. The people were surprised by the intelligence displayed by this small kitten. Conixia asked, “Your Highness, is your kitten a magical beast? But how can it react to human speech, she is so intelligent.”

Fortuna heard all these questions, she gazed at Conixia, and her eyes were brimming with disdain as if saying, who are you looking down at, you pathetic human?

Valerian chuckled and said, “There there, come I will take you around, I have also never explored the garden.”

The two walked away, leaving behind a scared magical beast, three shocked girls, and a lady, who sipped her tea elegantly.