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Fragrantia did not waver, she still had a subtle smile on her face and her eyes were focused on Valerian. The child was processing the ins and outs of the task given by the Empress. Priscilla and Consano were also shocked, they had their own questions but their status was not enough.

Valerian took his sweet ten minutes before he raised his head and said, ‘Your Excellency, do you intend to teach the Second Prince a lesson?’

Azula turned her head to look at the child, she did not realize what they were talking about. Fragrantia nodded and said, “Correct indeed. How come I realize that Valerian is the smartest among you? He did not rush to question me but tried to find out the reasoning behind my words. That is a sign of an intelligent person who is destined to achieve a lot in life.”

The princess ignored the satire and the teasing points, she asked, “Mother, what do you mean by your words, please explain them to me.”

“Oh, such a goody two shoes you are. If the people in the dark are trying to use my son as a weapon, then first you have to render the weapon useless. This way the family will not fall apart, and at the same time, those in the dark will become restless, thinking that someone is onto them. What happens when someone panics?”, asked Fragrantia.

Valerian replied, ‘They make mistakes.’

The Empress smiled and said, “Bingo! This mistake is what I need from them. That will be the moment when I will have them by their throats.”

Azula still could not digest all this, after all, even though she was a strong person, who will never let go of any sinner or criminal, she was not cruel enough to harm her own family. She shook her head and said, “Even if you say that killing your own son, mother do you not feel cold in your heart?”

.....

Fragrantia’s smile vanished, she did look very cold at the moment and said in a solemn tone, “You do not understand, if the duty of the Emperor is to make sure that the empire does not fall apart and all the people are living in harmony, then it is the empress’s duty to look after the family.

Vertex did not take the fact of being a family into consideration, he needs a lesson, and when did I say anything about killing him or crippling him? The assassination will fail. He will suffer an injury but not something that could not be cured. Just a superficial one, the only thing I need Valerian to do is to leave a strong mental impression on his mind. This is the punishment for his recent deeds.

If you do not have the resolve to mend the twisted people in your family, then you are not worthy of looking after an Empire.”

Her words made people realize that the Empress was not actually looking forward to killing her son and that she was definitely not someone who will forgive the mistakes of her children in the guise of being young.

The princes were both in their early twenties, and the princess was about to step out of her final teen year. They were not children anymore. Azula understood the meaning of her mother and calmed her mind. She had always admired her mother for being a strong personality, and it was because of Fragrantia that this family was staying together.

She bowed her head and said, “I apologize for my rashness, Mother.”

Fragrantia waved her hand and asked, “Valerian, what do you think? Can you do it?”

Valerian thought for a moment and said, ‘How long before I make the move? I will need to practice a few things with Priscilla.’

Fragrantia said, “Five days. I will tell you other things later. It is quite late, you did not eat anything at the noon either. You can start training in the morning.”

That said, the crowd dispersed. Valerian went back to the staff pantry and ate a good meal. Priscilla then showed him to his room and the boy settled in. The night seemed to have grown wings and flew away in a blink.

...

The next morning, Valerian came to attend to the Empress and after serving her tea, he left to practice. The training was basically how they will plan the assassination. It was not like killing a rogue priest, the second prince had a very strong security detail.

One mistake and Valerian might become the hunted. In the training, he sparred with Priscilla and a few warriors from the Empress’s security detail before he returned to his duty.

After taking a shower and dressing up, Valerian looked very crisp and clean. He came to find the Empress, only to learn that the lady has gone to study. After ten minutes, he came to the study and knocked on the door.

Fragrantia said, “Come in.”

The study for the empress was made in the residential south wing. The aesthetics were completely different than those in the Emperor’s study. This place had big windows and the decoration was comfortable for the eyes.

Valerian asked, ‘Your Excellency, can you tell me a few more details?’

He was asking about the assassination. Fragrantia smiled and said, ‘Your inability to speak is a blessing in disguise, what we discuss will not be heard by the others.’

Fragrantia was the third person who made him feel good about his inability. However, he did not show it on his face. Since the child did not react, the Empress spoke, ‘Five days later, Vertex will go for his weekly hunt in the forest outside the city limits. He will not take any guards with him during that time, because he will think of it as training. You will leave the palace after sunset, four days later.

You will use a secret tunnel that leads outside the palace and directly into the forest with Quies. After getting out of the tunnel, Quies will wait for you in that same spot. The tunnel opens directly into the forest surrounding the imperial capital, you will have to track and trap Vertex by yourself.

Do you have anything else to ask?’

Valerian nodded and asked a few more questions, such as the capabilities of the second prince. Turned out Vertex was also a battle mage, but he only commanded the wind element in magic, so his physical prowess was higher. The other thing to take note of was his magical beast.

Vertex had tamed a Flaming Horse. This beast had a mane of fire, was quick like the wind, and most importantly, this beast had very keen senses. Fragrantia mentioned for Valerian to be wary of this beast.

The boy nodded and he left the room. He found Quies, who told him that the empress had already asked him to train Valerian. Two people, one young and one old, both went to the training field and began to fight with each other.

Valerian spent four days, eating, and fighting. During the twilight hour, Azula summoned him and she gave him a set of knives, these were the bear claw knives that he had handed over to her.

Then the silver-haired boy made his way to see Fragrantia and the lady gave him soft armor and a mask. She said, “To maintain secrecy, change your hair color. Okay?”

Valerian nodded and the lady patted his head, the boy wanted to flinch away but he did not sense any repulsion from her. She said in a soft voice, “Come back safe, and do not beat him too much.”

The boy could not help but leak out a smile which he covered quickly. Then Valerian left the room and met Quies, who led him to a secret tunnel in the palace after carefully making sure that they were not followed.

He asked, ‘Sir Quies, how long till we reach the other end?’

Quies replied, “A few hours, do not worry, it is safe inside. Let us just move quickly.”

Valerian asked, ‘Sir, how strong is the Second Prince?’

“Enough to face twenty warriors on his own, and that too when he is not serious. Do not worry, you have a better magic advantage than he does. Stick to the elements stronger against wind and fire. You will be fine then.”, said Quies.

Valerian nodded and said, ‘I am not scared, just a little nervous. Why did her excellency choose me, and not someone else?’

Quies slowed down and said, “It is because your eyes do not lie. You show what you are inside and outside. Focus on your task, do not waver.”

Valerian nodded and they continued.

...

Back in her room, Fragrantia stood on the balcony, looking at the dim-lit sky. The two crescents in the sky were reflecting in her gaze and she mumbled, “He looks too much like you, Flos. What happened to you after we parted? Why is your son in such a state?”