Valerian, The Legendary

Fragrantia had moved back to the Lumen Empire safely and the crown of Stella Nation rested on the head of the young Duke, Lux Constel. They achieved their goal and what they needed now was to wait for the opponent.

...

One day had passed, and Fragrantia was sitting in her study, looking at the various reports submitted by the people, when a shadow appeared inside the room and knelt on the ground. The empress was surprised by this sudden intrusion and asked in a calm voice, “Do you have no manners left?”

The shadow guard did not defend herself and said, “My Liege, the centaurs have taken action.”

Fragrantia raised her eyebrow and asked, “What could they have done to startle a shadow?”

The guard took a deep breath and said, “They have set forth the black witch.”

The empress stood up from her chair and asked, “Are you sure?”

She was so shocked that her composure vanished in a blink. The shadow guard said, “I can swear on my life, Your Excellency, the news has been confirmed and since the Lumen Empire is not at war openly, we cannot make a move against the princess. Please guide us.”

.....

Fragrantia sighed and asked, “Did they attack?”

The agent shook her head. Since the other party did not attack, it was not an act of war. Fragrantia frowned and mumbled, “Why is that person here?”

At this moment, the door was knocked and the empress dismissed the Shadow Guard and said, “Come in.”

Valerian walked in and said, “I am thinking about going to Sapientia and deal with the matters there.”

Fragrantia shook her head and said, “Not needed, you should stay here, beside me.”

Her tone was missing the usual calm that she had, Valerian noticed this and asked, “Something on your mind?”

Fragrantia nodded and said, “I cannot hide this even if I wanted to.”

She sat down on her seat with a distressed expression. Valerian came and sat opposite her, and asked, “Tell me. What is it?”

He did not like her in such a state. Fragrantia looked at him and said, “The Centaurs have taken action and they have taken it faster than we could have expected. That old bastard Jamal sure is a spicy ginger.”

Valerian was amused by her expression, Fragrantia rarely cursed but this time she was cursing without any restraints. He asked, “What happened, aunt? Tell me.”

The lady sighed and said, “That old man sent forward his secret weapon from the get go to act against us. You tell me what should I do?”

Valerian was confused and he did not say anything, he waited for the lady to speak her mind. She said, “Jamal Centurion rules the Centaur nation with an iron fist, even if he is old, he has not yet abdicated his throne to his sons or daughters. In his family, their are ten members. Two sons, two daughters, two grandsons, three granddaughters, and himself.

If you count his daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, it will add up to fourteen. The chain of power is held by Jamal Centurion followed by his two sons, Ameer and Akhlakh, who deal with military affairs. The two daughters Zeenat and Ayat, are there to deal with the issues of the country. They are wise and cunning.

Last but not the least, his grandchildren. They are all treated well from the birth and given the best education and training. However, among these few people stands a girl, who is said to be an adopted child. This girl is called Morgana Centurion. She owns the title of the best battlemage. However, she is much more than that.”

Valerian was interested and did not interrupt as she was speaking, the lady paused and said, “Morgana was three years old when she was awakened. It was her birthday night when this happened and the entire family. The people were scared, this has never happened before. Since she was adopted in the household by the eldest son, Ameer. Jamal asked him to deal with this matter.

Ameer injected her with a vial of shadow viper. The effect was that the girl lost her ability to smile but somehow she survived. It is said that when she casts magic, her eyes turn completely black, as if a witch from the hell. Thus she is called the black witch. I do not know, but this woman also seem to have a gift like you, she can read minds.”

Valerian was shocked he asked, “How is that possible?”

Fragrantia shook her head and said, “This is what they all say about her. I do not know much but yes, if she can read minds then this is troublesome.”

Valerian nodded and asked, “So, what if she can read minds? I do not get the gist of the story you told me.”

Fragrantia said loudly, “That girl is heading over here, to the lumen imperial palace. Nobody is safe.”

Valerian was stunned for a moment and then he chuckled. Fragrantia gazed at him, laughing as the boy said, “Do not worry, I will deal with her hear, let me see if she can read minds.”

Fragrantia shook her head and asked, “You have so many secrets, what if she found them? Valerian stay beside me, you will not be harmed by her.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “Walking on the land comes with a risk of falling to death. Let me walk my own path. I will deal with that lady.”

That said he stood up, and left the study, only to hear Fragrantia say, “Then you better come back alive.”

Valerian smiled and left the study hall. He did not allow her to speak and stop him. Fragrantia shook her head at his back and said, “Someone.”

A shadow appeared in the room and the empress said, “Go, protect him.”

The guard bowed and then left the place.

...

Valerian decided to get in touch with this enemy. He left the capital and came to wait on the road that led toward the capital. Linea was asked to fly around and see if the carriage of the Centaur Princess was approaching them. The thunder falcon was very eye catching and none of the humans could avoid his presence.

The silver haired child, meanwhile rested in the forest with Fortuna. He would act like he was sleeping, however, in reality he was using all this time to consolidate his strength as the level seven battlemage. He waited for three days, before finally Linea notified him.

Valerian sprang into action and moved to the middle of the road. A convoy of two carriages and ten horse knights was moving on the road slowly. As it came closer, the coachman halted the carriage. The guard asked, “Who are you?”

His voice was filled with caution and vigil. Valerian smiled and asked, “May I ask if the passenger of the carriage is the Centaurian Princess, Her Highness, Morgana Centurion?”

The guard hoisted his spear and aimed it at Valerian as he asked, “State your identity.”

Valerian chuckled and said, “You do not need to be so panicked, Sir Guard. My name is Valerian, the fourth prince of the Verus house. I came here to welcome the princess.”

...

Inside the carriage, Morgana sat with her attendant, and when she heard the identity and the purpose of the person obstructing her way, her eyes flickered with a gleam of surprised. She did not expect someone from the royal family to come across her.

She said in a low and cold voice, “Invite him inside the carriage.”

The attendant wanted to say that it was not appropriate but then she shivered, and opened the door before getting out. A few moments later, the door was pulled open again and the maid returned, but there was no Valerian with her. Just when Morgana thought that the other person is scared off, the maid said, “Your Highness, that person asked you to take a ride with him, on his beast mount. He said that he has been waiting here for three days, so it was not convenient for him to come in and stain the carriage.”

Morgana was surprised once again, this man did not work in line of conventional methods. She became curious to see who this person was. Thinking for a bit, she nodded and stood up from her seat. The maid was surprised, but then she quickly opened the door.

...

Valerian was waiting for a response when the door of the carriage was opened and a girl walked out. Her attire was nothing like that of a princess, but she wore a simple linen skirt, printed with flowers and butterflies. She looked as if an angel had stepped down from the heavens.

Black hair, black eyes, rosy lips and a high slender nose. Valerian have seen a lot of women, but never did anyone made him stand in a stupor.

...

Morgana looked at the ‘so-called’ prince and she was surprised, she had been used to compliments from a young age, but this guy was looking at her with a gaze that had nothing else but one feeling, truth.

Valerian woke up from his stupor, and bowed slightly as he said, “Welcome to Lumen, your highness.”

Morgana reciprocated the bow and said, “Glad to be here, thank you for welcoming me.”

Valerian nodded and whistled, Linea flew down and landed behind him. Shocking the people slightly, then Valerian extended his hand to the lady and asked, “May I, Your Highness?”

Morgana was shocked, and she did not know when her hand was entwined with Valerian’s and when they sat on the back of the thunder falcon.