Valerian, The Legendary

80 End & Beginning.

Ensis walked inside the courtroom, and greeted the officials and the Emperor, before she recounted what happened when they were returning from the Imperial Academy, she also recounted the entire raid conducted to arrest Draco.

The people heard and they were all surprised, later when they heard about the process of identification they were even more surprised, they could not believe that Lady Amour dared to train a force under the nose of the throne. Prime minister Alm stood at the side with his fists clenched and head bowed. He was enraged and humiliated.

Ensis retired and Libra asked, “Has the culprit been apprehended?”

Fragrantia nodded and said, “Draco was arrested by Guard Captain Ensis, while Lady Amour is being brought over.”

The people nodded and they began to discuss a lot of points in this process. If the high official was to be punished, the news will spread and the people will lose faith in the throne. When they all expressed such opinions, Alm said in a calm tone, “You all think too much.”

The people heard him speak and the court became silent. He said, “The difference of opinions is commanded by projection. Just spread the word that the Empire did not go easy even on the high officials if they were to spoil the hard work of generations in the name of ambition. The opinion will not drop.”

Hearing him a lot of people nodded, while a lot were shocked. This man was so ruthless to even his family, no wonder he could be the prime minister. This cruelty originated from the pride instilled in his being. Alm was the successor of the glorious family who dedicated themselves to building this empire better.

Libra heard this and nodded, Alm was his most trusted person after Fragrantia, he admired his wisdom a lot. Thinking about this, the Emperor said, “Summon the accused.”

Ensis walked in with Draco in tow, he was shackled and his appearance was a tragedy. However, nobody had any sympathy for him. As the son of the prime minister, Draco was well received and was observed by everyone. However, his actions today had ruined his image completely.

.....

Shortly after Draco was presented in the court, Priscilla walked to the center of the hall with Amour in her arms. The people were surprised at this. Fragrantia asked, “What happened?”

Priscilla bowed her head and said, “Your Excellency, as per your command, I visited Lady Amour with Valerian. When we told her about the summon, she attacked us and even injured Valerian, he is receiving treatment in the infirmary. Also...”

She deliberately paused and looked around. Alm said, “Go ahead and report what it is.”

Priscilla cast Alm a gaze and with ‘great hesitation’ said, “Sir, Lady Amour is an Archmage.”

This simple sentence exploded the courtroom. Almost all the officials stood up from their chairs. They were shocked by the depth of their souls. An arch-mage can change the face of wars if used correctly. This was an asset, no matter how sinful Amour was she could still be of use. Before they could entertain this thought, Fragrantia asked, “How did you apprehend her if she is an arch-mage?”

Priscilla replied, “Did not allow her to use high-grade spells.”

Fragrantia nodded and said, “Seems like she is not that good of an arch-mage then. What do you think General Veneficus?”

Veneficus was an old man, he was an Arch-mage, leader of the mage corps of the empire. His attribute was fire, he sat on his chair wearing a vermilion tunic. His eyes locked on Amour. After the question, he stood up and said, “Your Excellency, as a mage, allow me to clear up a few doubts for everyone.”

Fragrantia nodded and the old man said in a deep voice, “A very few members of this court are gifted, as the rest of the world calls them. However, the gifts may look the same on the surface but are very different. The talent, mana quality, and comprehension skills are what determine the skill level of a person.

Lady Amour may be an arch-mage, but if she lost to a girl who is using grade four spells with a difficulty, then the level is really not good enough to be kept. That is what I think.”

The people did not doubt the words spoken by Veneficus, because he would never lie and his goodwill was high and the people trusted his opinions. The Emperor heard his words and said, “Wake her up, let us see if she has anything to say in her defense.”

Draco did not have anything to say, he was a mother’s pet through and through. He was also standing shocked in the middle of the hall, looking at the lady held by Priscilla. She was not injured but her appearance showed that she had a tough battle.

A few attendants were called over and they woke up Amour. The lady had some burnt hair and the appearance was not as charming as it was before. When she woke up, Amour looked around herself, then she recalled everything and became alert.

Her gaze was locked on Alm, Fragrantia, and Libra in front of her. She wanted to stand up and the attendants propped her up. She bowed her head to The Emperor. The latter asked, “Amour Alm, do you have anything to say in your defense?”

Amour knew what they were talking about, she was also aware that delaying will only make her look bad, she said, “I have nothing to say, your excellency, I accept the responsibility of the actions.”

Libra nodded and asked, “Since the accused have excepted the charges of treachery, by the power vested...”

Alm spoke up at this moment, “Your Excellency, I would like to accuse Amour of an attempt to murder as well.”

Amour reacted, “What murder did I commit?”

Alm ignored her and kept on speaking, “As the battle maid just mentioned, when Lady Amour was notified of the summons, she attacked and injured her companion.”

Amour was surprised, she did not recall injuring Valerian even a bit. She said, “Fragrantia, you dare to scheme against me? You cruel bitch, I challenge you for a mage duel.”

Her speech surprised some people as they did not expect her to be so unkempt after surrendering to her crimes. That too in the presence of the Emperor. However, before Libra could say anything, Alm cast a gaze at the guard and said harshly, “What are you waiting for? Put a gag on her mouth, her voice defiles the court.”

People expected Alm to be angry but this was simply burning the bridge to ashes. He simply did not want to have anything with this woman. If she had told him about her tricks then he would not have let her live a life of mediocrity. However, she hid all this from him. Now he will not care for her matters. This also helped Fragrantia, she was worried if Amour was going to reveal Valerian’s secrets.

The guards acted quickly and put a gag on Amour’s mouth. Fragrantia said, “Since the charges have been decided, let us announce the sentence.”

The court officials nodded and Fragrantia looked at the prime minister, who said, “Accused, Amour, and Draco are now found guilty of treason and trying to harm the court officials. They are to be imprisoned in solitary confinement for three days, and are to be executed.”

Originally the sentence was life imprisonment but now the prime minister put down the order to execute his wife and child. While the people understood his pain and loyalty toward the throne. They were all worried that the prime minister will go crazy.

...

Three days passed in a blink, Valerian was standing beside Fragrantia as they watched Lady Amour and Draco being executed under the Guillotine. The child had no emotions in his eyes, he had personally killed people even more brutally than this.

Fragrantia asked, “Did she injure you?”

Valerian cast her a gaze and smiled. Fragrantia patted his shoulder gently and said, “Good Boy.”

This compliment was given to him to help her solve the threat completely, although the method was a bit underhanded, what mattered in this situation was the result. If she cared about the method to get things done, Fragrantia would not have stuffed her second son against the ally, who was not laying down in parts.

After the execution, Valerian and Fragrantia came to the servant quarters. The people there were surprised to see that the Empress had come to visit this area of the palace.

Valerian led the lady to his room, where his luggage was inspected to see if he was missing something, later Fragrantia gave him a warm embrace, shocking the boy, he did not expect this to happen. He was shocked.

Just when he was about to push Fragrantia away she said, “When you are out there take good care of yourself. Azula will be there, so tell her if you face any trouble. The Imperial Academy is a place where students from all over the western continent come to study. Do not pick fights and do not trust anyone easily. Okay?”

Valerian realized that she was expressing her care for him so he did not push her away and let out a hum. After the packing was finished, they came to the western wing of the palace, where Azula was waiting for him with Conixia and Consano.

It was time to depart from the palace and start schooling.