Valerian, The Legendary

57 Face Off.

The two people reached the dining hall, and Valerian found that this part of the palace was comparatively mediocre in terms of decoration than the rest. He did not understand the sense of aesthetics at work here.

A large wooden table with twelve wooden chairs was placed neatly. It did not look anything lavish to Valerian. Azula said, “That wooden table is three centuries old. It comes from the rare tree, Aurum Viridis. Do you know about it?”

Valerian was not a person to boast, he simply shook his head and Azula said, “Aurum Viridis is also known as green gold. The value of this tree is measured by gold. For example, if you hold a seed of this tree in your possession, you can exchange it for one carriage filled with solid gold. A sapling is worth, ten carriages of solid gold. The pod is worth a hundred carriages, and so on.”

The boy was shocked, he knew how much value gold had. One gram of gold was five hundred teals. He also knew that gold was not an ordinary material. Other than looking pretty and ornamental, gold had a special property, it could repel magic to a certain extent.

Azula saw him dazed and smiled, after all, when she heard this explanation by her father for the first time as a child, she was even more stupefied. She said, “The reason this tree is called green gold is that it can negate every magic spell below grade five. This is a measure to protect the food from being magically tampered with.”

Valerian nodded, he was still trying to digest this fact. He raised his hands and asked, ‘Would it not be great to have armor made from this wood?’

Azula chuckled and patted his head subconsciously, Valerian when confused or mesmerized could be very adorable, he was still a child and did not have complete control of his emotions, plus somehow, he would always feel calm beside Azula, until she provoked his rage.

The princess said, “Stupid Val, if you wear the armor made from this wood, you will not be able to channel mana, how will you attack your enemy then?”

Valerian woke up from his daze, he looked at the princess and said, ‘Your Highness, can you not use higher grade spells then?’

.....

“Where will you get such massive mana reserve in your body? A grown man, at the peak of his youth, can store mana just enough to cast two grade-five spells, but if you do that, you will not be able to cast any other spells, leaving you on the slaughter board. Now, think less, and eat first.”, said, Azula walking closer to the table.

Valerian pulled a chair, and gestured to her, Azula sat down, and the young gent helped her with the chair. Then as an attendant, he stood back. Azula was about to say something when footsteps sounded near the doorway. The Emperor and The Empress entered the hall, holding each other’s hands. They both had big smiles on their faces.

Valerian saw the two people and slightly bowed. Azula was sitting on the second chair on the left of the head chair. The first chair on the left belonged to Fragrantia. The two people were followed by Ordo, the head attendant.

The man spotted Valerian standing behind Azula and hatred flashed in his eyes, however, the protagonist had turned blind to this shady lowly villain. He stepped forward and was about to help Fragrantia when the Emperor said, “Let me do it.”

Valerian bowed slightly and moved back to his position. Fragrantia sat down on the chair with a serene smile on her face. She said, “Thank you.”

The Emperor shook his head, his eyes were filled with love and joy. Ordo helped his master with the chair and clapped his hands. A row of maids and stewards dressed in their uniforms walked inside. The uniform of these people was different than the rest of the people in the palace. They had a white and blue code.

Valerian looked at them pushing in trolleys of food inside the hall, spilling color and aroma in the bland golden brown painted hall. The boy had no idea why they painted this room in such a manner.

After the dishes were placed on the table the staff helped serve, whatever pleased the eyes of the three people, into their plates. Ordo was gazing at Valerian from the corner of his eyes constantly. However, Valerian stood on his spot behind the princess.

Two more people walked inside the hall. Valerian recognized one of them, the first prince Ignis. The other person, he did not know but given the clothes and the attitude he could tell that this was the second prince.

Ordo bowed his head and said, “Greetings, Your Highnesses.”

The two people nodded and sat down on the first and second chairs on the right of the Emperor. Ignis took up a napkin and was adjusting it when he asked, “Young Valerian, how have you been? Any gains in the forest of Acies?”

Valerian bowed his head and then nodded. Ignis smiled and began to eat, when the second prince said, “Azula, your attendant seems to lack manners, he not only did not greet us but also did not reply to big brother’s question. Does he not put the royalty in his eyes.”

Azula raised her head and said, “Valerian, you can reply to him freely. Also, this is my second brother, Prince Vertex.”

Valerian used a single-hand code to ask her, ‘Can I really say anything I feel?’

Azula was amused and said, “You can. I have your back.”

The child gazed calmly at the second prince, ‘Pardon me for any offense I may do, Your Highness, but I had no idea of your identity, that was why I did not bow my head to you. Also, you asked if I do not put the royalty in my eyes, then the answer is, that I do not.

I do not care about the royal status or blood, all of this vanity is something you can imagine because you were born in this house. You might believe that fortune is also a part of your strength, however, you are very wrong. If you were not born a poor civilian, you realize that vanity is fickle.

Emperor’s Might, written by the imperial author, says that the Royals are not meant to rule but to lead, and leaders are not supposed to be greeted with a kneel. Rather than protocols, I follow my intellect.”

While Azula raised her gaze, she found that the people inside here were gazing at the boy dumbly. She knew what he said did not sit well with the people, but he was not going to lie anyhow.

Vertex smiled and said, “What a good lad, dares to rebel against the royalty inside the palace, do you think just because you are young you can get away with this?”

Valerian replied, ‘I never stated that I disrespect or have any intention to go against the royal family. Second Prince, do not put your words in my mouth. Also, what I said is what I believe. Royalty is meant to lead and not to rule. A leader is a term far more respectable than a ruler. A ruler will care about his rule, but the leader will care about the people around them. You can comprehend the rest of it by yourself.’

The dining hall was silent, everyone could feel that Vertex was getting angry, he was being talked back by a mute, that too in front of his servants. He said, “Boy, do you think because of my sister I will spare you?”

Valerian raised his eyes and the sharp killing intent was unveiled from him. The people were surprised, both the strength and courage this guy displayed were too high for them to comprehend. To think he would reveal an intention to kill the second prince in front of the Emperor.

He said, ‘It is because you have a good family that you are able to live so long, Second Prince. Otherwise, the move you made against my lady in Acies city is enough to have your head placed at her feet.’

This statement exploded in the minds of people. The Emperor looked at Valerian and asked, “Boy, do not think because you played a crucial role in helping my wife as a ticket to malign my family. You will not have a second chance.”

Valerian bowed his head and replied, ‘With all due respect, Your Excellency, the second prince sent his people to attack us in the Acies City. As the servant beside the princess, I am not wrong in trying to protect her.’

The Emperor asked, “Why would my son want to harm his sister?”

Valerian shrugged and said, ‘The essence of politics is something you understand better than I do. The letters we sent back then you must be aware, so things are already clear. The more you hide this matter, the more trouble it will cause in the long run.’

Before anyone else could say anything.

Azula raised her head and said, “Second Brother, before you open your mouth and smear mud on anyone, Please know that I have a lot of evidence. It will not be good for you.”

Her calm voice contained a bare warning. A statement to shut up the arrogant second prince. Fragrantia smiled slightly at this development. Her gentle and harmless daughter has grown up.