Valerian, The Legendary

...

Libra was reading a few reports and asked in a low voice, “We need to quicken the process of getting the border regions evacuated and have the people settle around the big cities.”

The official in front of him nodded and said, “Your Excellency, the people are aware of your concern, but they have refused to move away. We have told them about the dangers they might have to brave, but the people refuse that if everyone left, then the land surrounding the settlements will deteriorate to the point where it will become barren. They do not wish for that to happen.”

Libra sighed as he caressed his forehead, and said, “I never understood why a man would stake his or her life to grow the crop, till now.”

The official nodded and Libra said, “Go and tell them, that it is our fortune to have people like them. They can stay behind if that was what they want.”

With that, the official was dispatched and the door of the study was pushed open by Azula. She bowed her head to the Emperor and said, “Greetings, Your Excellence.”

Libra nodded and said, “Come in, and you have been waiting for quite some time.”

Azula shook her head and said, “It’s not a big deal. I am here to report the status of the tasks you handed to me.”

.....

Libra nodded and said, “I am listening.”

Azula sighed and said, “The information flowing from the three countries is stable, there are indeed small moves made by the royalty of the Centaur nation. The Stellan Empire is in shambles, the ministers are having a hard time governing the place since the Emperor is dejected.

Centaurs are getting chummy with the troops to pass through their capital. This is some resolve shown by the second strongest on the continent.”

Libra sighed and said, “Do not worry, they will not hold that title for long. What is the situation with the negotiations in Sapientia?”

Azula nodded and said, “The nation is still in good hands and quite progressive. They have been going over the negotiations and Ignis is leading us, so there is nothing to worry about losing out on anything in the negotiations that need to be adjusted as both sides reach an agreement. The aim is cooperation, which is easier to achieve now that the royal families are related.”

Libra nodded, he raised his head and wanted to ask something but stopped. Azula knew what was going on in his mind and said, “Do not worry, the mother is fine, she is taking care of herself at the same time she is looking after Val. His condition has been improving, and his bones are almost healed completely, but he has yet to wake up, the Medicus has said that he should be waking up soon.”

Libra nodded and they talked with each other for some time before a knock on the door interrupted them and the guard said, “Your Excellency, Mage Rectus requests an audience with you.”

The emperor was surprised, after being rescued the mage has been comprehending the meaning of his magic in seclusion and trying to break through to the archmage realm. Now that he came over here all of a sudden it raised his brows.

Libra said, “Let him in.”

The door was pushed open and a lean figure walked into the room. The person bowed to Libra and said, “Greetings Your Excellency.”

Libra looked at the man as he said, “What brings you here, Mage Rectus?”

The elusive man smiled faintly before he raised his hand and the gust blew around the chairs. He said, “I have broken through successfully.”

This was great news for them, one archmage could take down a lot of troubles on his own, and now that Rectus had managed to achieve this level, he will prove to be an asset to the Empire.

Libra stood up and express his thanks, and the mood became cherry.

...

In Valerian’s room, the boy was still laying on the bed, but beside him, Fragrantia was sitting on a chair near the bed, looking at the chessboard intently. The vine wall inside the room had vanished and Fortuna had become a cat again, who was scrutinizing a piece of chess token in her hand and was ready to make a move.

Yes, the cat has become a wise creature, who could go toe-to-toe with the Empress and not give up an inch. The lady suddenly sensed something and turned to look at Valerian, then she rubbed her eyes and said, “Hmm, an illusion probably.”

She seemed to have thought that the boy moved, but she did not find anything out of place. Fortuna let out a gentle meow and placed a piece forward. She was very precise in using her claws to pick up the pieces.

Fragrantia looked at the board and said, “How clever of you! Fine, I resign from this match.”

Fortuna flicked her tail and expressed her joy with this battle, when she suddenly turned her head to look at Valerian, and Fragrantia said, “I thought of him waking up too, but there does not seem to be any change.”

However, the cat did not pay attention to the Empress and jumped off the chair and came to Valerian’s bed. The lady stood up and came to her side as well and just when she was about to tell Fortuna to not worry, Valerian opened his eyes wide.

Fragrantia looked at him and pounced on the child. She hugged him tightly in her arms and said, “You almost scared me to death, Val.”

She wanted him to say something, but he did not say anything. After regaining clarity, the boy traced his finger on her back. He said, “I lost my artifact to speak with that guy. Sorry, aunt.”

Fragrantia patted his back and said, “It’s okay, I will get you a new one. Okay?”

Valerian let out a humm and asked, ‘How long have I been sleeping?’

He moved his finger on her back to communicate with her. Fragrantia replied, “Today marks the tenth day.”

Then she let go of him, and said, “You rest here, I will get some light food for you. Your body must be deprived of nutrition at this point, let me get you proper food.”

Valerian nodded and laid back in the bed. He cast a gaze at Fortuna, who was staring at him with a deathly glare, and with a guilty conscience he said, ‘I apologize for making you worry.’

Fortuna watched Fragrantia leave the room and she jumped over to sit on Valerian’s chest and smacked her paw on his face repeatedly. Valerian could feel the strength she was displaying was being held back, but the repetitive impact still numbed his face and made his cheeks swell a bit. The dragon said, ‘If this happened again, I will abandon you to die.’

Valerian smiled slightly and nodded. Then he was attracted by a knock on the door and opened his mouth but no sounds came out. After a few seconds, the door was pushed open and Azula entered the room with Rectus in tow. She said, “Mother must have gone out to get him some soup that is why no one responded.”

However, Rectus was surprised as he said, “This brat is awake?”

Azula cast a gaze at the boy and found his eyes looking at her with a faint smile and then he raised his hand and said, ‘Is this mage forgetting his status and calling a prince a brat?’

Azula was surprised at this and then she ran up to him, and forgetting everything, she scooped him up in her arms. Fortuna sat at the side, engaged in a stare-down with Rectus. Azula broke away from the hug after a few seconds and asked, “How do you feel?”

The boy used his signs, ‘A little weak, but maybe because I did not have enough food in the past few days.”

Azula nodded and said, “Yes, that must be the case. Did you lose your collar chain?”

Valerian nodded and Rectus on the side said, “What is a collar chain?”

The boy did not reply to him and Azula told him about a magic artifact. Rectus nodded as he was thinking about something, when Valerian asked the princess, “Why is this nuisance here with you?”

Azula was helpless these two would fight like cats and dogs every time they crossed paths, so she said, “He just broke through to the Archmage realm.”

Valerian gazed at Rectus from head to toe and turned his head away without hiding the disdain in his gaze. This triggered the mage and he said, “Brat, watch out for a wind lash on your buttcheeks.”

Suddenly a ‘piak’ sounded in the room, followed by a scream.