Valerian, The Legendary

59 Summoned.

Valerian and Azula were reading books, and the strange ambiguity of the atmosphere, made the staff think twice about approaching them. They both sat at the same table, but they were not interacting with each other at all.

The princess was reading books on philosophy while Valerian was dabbling with the subject and topic of politics. He wanted to read this to be more proficient while dealing with monarchs and so-called royalty. Today he took a gamble, this gamble could have backfired and the Emperor could have had him beheaded.

Valerian realized another chink in his armor, the lack of sophistication. He wanted to hone it. Just when the two were getting immersed in the books, Priscilla appeared in the library and came to Azula. She bowed her head and whispered something in her ear. The Empress had summoned her as she was running late for their evening tea.

Azula raised her head and cast a look outside the window. She said lightly, “Valerian, I am leaving, you can read here. I will call upon you once you are needed.”

Valerian looked up at her and stood up as the princess left. The boy sat down again and continued reading, after a few minutes someone came and sat across him. The person was Consano.

The silver-haired child was an attendant and this lady was a noble. He asked, ‘Can I help you with anything, your grace?’

The lady shook her head and asked, ‘Why are you reading about politics?’

She used one-handed signs to talk with him. Valerian knew she did not want to make noise inside the library. A lot of officials would come here to read and even some children of the officials could be seen here. It would be of no good to disturb them.

He raised his hand and replied, ‘I want to be proficient in talking to other people. Mainly when you talk to a monarch who is driven by their interests, they can overwhelm you in terms of aura and status.’

.....

He indirectly mentioned the reason to her. Consano was smart and she understood that he was talking out the Second Prince. Although there was an unspoken gag order for the conversations among the Royal Family, however, just like the walls have ears, they also have mouths that work in silence.

Consano nodded and said, ‘I have a suggestion if you do not mind.’

Valerian nodded, Consano said, ‘Learn about how the human mind works. It is not only the politicians that could be cunning, even a merchant is driven by gains. Understanding the thought process is what you need. Facing them is not good enough, one must make sure to plan ahead. After all, while you are thinking about the move now, a monarch will think of what move he or she will make after a hundred years. This is how you have the chance to win. The battles between cunning and calm are not fought with swords, but brains.’

This statement of hers was like a door to a new world. Valerian nodded and after thanking her, he picked up some books. When he came back to the table, Consano was already gone. This was her way of doing things, and for Valerian, it had no effect on him.

He sat down and began to read, this book was like a story, and Valerian was able to learn how a human will act in different situations. Thinking about this, he immersed himself in the words.

...

Azula came to the pavilion with Priscilla, at this moment, Fragrantia was sitting alone, her sons were dismissed and ordered to a ceasefire with each other. She was aware that even if the two princes were strong, they were not yet at the level to go against her.

Azula sat down in front of Fragrantia, and was about to say something to Priscilla when the latter asked, “Where is Valerian?”

Azula sat up straight, she thought her mother wanted to deal with the boy and was ready to come forward with a defense when Fragrantia noticed the expression of her daughter and chuckled. She said, “My dear Azula, do you think your mother is a heartless woman? I am asking you about him only because I want to thank him.”

The princess was confused and asked, “Mother, I do not understand, what are you talking about?”

“His audacity was not unfounded, when Vertex came inside the dining hall, he gazed at Valerian with a glint of murder in his eyes. That was why he poked, however, he underestimated the child and suffered humiliation.

Valerian also stated a lot of crucial things during the conversation and successfully made you stand up for yourself. Now tell me he did not deserve a thank you?”, said The Empress.

Azula was shocked, she could not figure out why his mother was saying all this. She asked, “Do you mean that his disrespect for the royal family and my brother can be overlooked?”

Fragrantia raised her eyebrow and asked, “Now, when did I use the term overlooked?”

This left the princess in a daze again, Fragrantia chuckled and said, “He will be punished, but it is to be my attendant for the time being. The old lady is ill and till then I will have to borrow your precious attendant.”

Azula felt relieved and sighed. Then she asked, “Mother, what do you intend to do with Vertex and Ignis. You know they are almost on the verge of killing each other.”

Fragrantia nodded and said lightly, “I will take care of it. It has been a long time since I have stepped out of my room so a few people think, that I have gone soft. Used my children to end the line of the royal family and then take over the Empire. I will make them regret it.”

Azula perked up her ears and was about to ask more when Fragrantia said, “You do not have to worry about this. I want to know, if this thing is dealt with properly, and if your brothers come to apologize to you. What will you do?”

“Why don’t we think about it when we have reached that point?”, replied the princess. Of course, she was still angry with her siblings.

Fragrantia nodded and said, “Fair enough.”

At this moment, Consano walked over with a trolley. She bowed to The Empress and the princess, and said, “The tea you called for, Your Excellency.”

Fragrantia nodded and gestured for her to serve the tea. She asked, “Consano, how do you like it here in the palace?”

Consano poured the tea into cups and replied, “It is a bit alienating, but will get homely soon. I hope.”

Fragrantia nodded with a faint smile. She asked, “Where is your sister?”

The ladies began to chat.

...

Valerian was sitting inside the library. He did not have any books in his hand but was staring at the man in front of him.

The man was none other than the head attendant, Ordo. He said, “Come along.”

Valerian asked, ‘Where?’

Ordo cast him a condescending glance and asked, “Do you not understand that I am your superior, and you will have to follow my words.”

Valerian sighed and shook his head, he went back to reading the book. Ordo was enraged, and said, “Blasphemous creature, you dare to defy the words of His Excellency?”

The child closed the book and stood up, he said, ‘You asked me to come with you, and I ignored you. Now you say, His Excellency, are you trying to rebel here, Sir Head Attendant.’

Ordo did not realize but his arrival, and later his almost roaring tone had attracted a lot of attention. The children of the officials, and the staff, all had learned sign language and could understand what was going on. They all began to whisper to each other.

A little cleverness had turned the head attendant, the loyal dog of the Emperor into a white-eyed greedy wolf. How did this happen, others did not think about it, but Ordo was shocked. He realized the loophole in his behavior. He said, “You do not slander me. I am here to summon you on behalf of His Excellency, The Emperor.”

Valerian nodded and said, ‘Why did you not say so earlier? Are you trying to make me look like a villain so that you can impose your designation over me?”

Ordo was at a loss, he did not expect this guy to have such a sharp tongue. He had faced silent slaps in the west wing/beast garden. However, this was something different. Valerian was using his own words against him and the damage was even more.

He was being looked at like a rebel. Ordo said, “No, no, you misunderstood me. I was in a hurry. Let me say it again. Valerian, you are summoned by His Excellency. Please follow me.”

Valerian nodded and said, ‘Please lead the way, Sir Head Attendant.’

Ordo hated being called the head attendant, it sounded like he was the king of servants. However, after the slaps just now, he could only squeeze out an ugly smile and lead the way.

Valerian was thinking, why was he called by the Emperor?...