Aftershock.

Time was at a sprint, and it has been a week since the letter was posted. Given that it takes two days for the hawk carrier to deliver the message to the capital.

If the second prince has taken the action they were expecting him to, then the result must be revealed soon. Azula was anxious because she was aware of the methods her elder brother could resort to, to get what he wants.

She was walking inside her study with her hands behind her back. Suddenly, the knock on the door startled her, and she asked, "Who is it?"

Priscilla said, "Your Highness, it is me."

"Come in.", said Azula.

The door was pushed open and the maid walked inside. Her facial expressions were not very cheerful. Azula asked her, "What is it?"

Priscilla gulped and said, "I asked Valerian to check if the animals can help us monitor the city."

Azula nodded and the maid continued, "Those alarm spells have triggered, the guards have spotted a few strong men sneaking around from the woods, moving toward the city. They have confirmed that these men all carry arms."

The princess' countenance turned solemn and slightly pale, she asked, "How long do we have?"

Priscilla replied, "Tonight."

This one word ended the conversation and the atmosphere became even tenser. Azula said, "Has Rectus begun working?"

Priscilla nodded and said, "He has been at it for the past two hours and is almost about to finish. Quies has also given instructions to the guards, two men are standing outside, while the other two are in the shadows."

Azula nodded and said, "Seems like the first brother really intends to get the throne."

Priscilla shook her head, "Your Highness, I think we are missing something."

Azula nodded and said, "I know, it is possible that if the second brother got the letter and called it out, then the first brother might have back off, however, it is also possible for the second brother to send his men to kill me and then push the blame on the first brother.

Either way, while we came up to pull out of this imperial maze of politics, they still succeeded in keeping us trapped."

Her tone reflected a touch of disappointment. She did not expect that her blood brothers will be doing such a thing to her. All she wanted was a life of freedom, however, she did not expect that the cost of freedom was turning faces from the relations she has cherished.

Priscilla sighed and said, "Do you remember what they taught you in the grooming classes?"

Azula turned to look at her maid as the latter continued, "A monarch is the one who ensures their survival, regardless of who they face, they must prevail."

The Princess was surprised and then she revealed a faint smile, mumbling, "A monarch, right?"

Azula closed her eyes and when she opened them, her aura had gone under changed. Her slumped shoulders had become taut again.

She said, "Well, let us deal with what we have, it is not like we are at their mercy. Let us change the plan."

Priscilla smiled and nodded, the two ladies moved out of the room to settle a few things.

…

Valerian was doing push-ups on the training ground, and his back was loaded with metal plates from big and thick to small and thin. His muscles were not well pronounced, but his strength was overwhelming.

The child has grown a lot in the past few months. His physique was better than an average child of his age. His strength was enough to compete with an adult.

His growth has shocked the people, and even himself. They did not know that every night Valerian was alone, a jade-like vine will latch on to him and strengthen and repair his body.

Valerian heard footsteps approaching him. He did not raise his head or more like he could not raise it from the weight on his back. He heard an aloof noise, "I thought I was the one working hard."

Rectus looked at him, and the boy closed his eyes and kept up with his work. The mage saw that his taunts have no effect on the boy, he wanted to say something more when a person came over.

Quies did not bother with anything and directly took the weight off the young boy and said, "Rectus, do not disturb him."

Rectus replied, "Only when you want to be disturbed can something disturb you."

Valerian gazed at him and said, 'Never expected you to know something meaningful.'

Rectus furrowed his brows and said, "You turned to be quite a sharp-tongued brat."

Valerian said, 'To deal with sticky crap, you need a sharp shovel.'

Rectus was pissed and wanted to say something, when the child interrupted him, 'Only when you want to be disturbed, can something disturb you.'

The mage was left tongue-tied. He had no idea what to say, Valerian stopped paying attention to the mage and said, 'Sir, I will go and run around.'

Quies nodded and said, "Go ahead."

Valerian left the scene and Quies said, "Do not try to mess with him in this manner. He is strong enough to leave you with a few broken bones."

Rectus was surprised and said, "What do you mean?"

"I mean his strength exceeds yours.", stated Quies.

Rectus asked, "How is this possible? It has only been a month or so."

His face was the epitome of shock and awe. He could not comprehend how this child grew so strong. Quies shook his head and said, "The reason you are looking for is simple, he is a battle mage."

…

Valerian had been running for a couple of hours and was now taking a breather, he spotted Azula standing under a pavilion, after some thoughts he decided to walk over. The princess noticed his approach and asked, "Taking a break?"

The boy nodded, and asked, 'Your Highness, what are you thinking about?'

Azula smiled, and said, "I was wondering what a true monarch means."

Valerian raised his eyebrows and asked, 'What do you think then Your highness.'

"I think, the people have twisted the meaning of this word. 'Monarch' was a term used to address the kings and the queens, however, I was thought a monarch is someone who ensures their survival at all cost.", said the Princess.

Valerian shook his head and said, 'I do not agree with this, Your Highness. Why should a Monarch ensure their survival? To rule?

A king and a queen are to serve the country, they are to lead the kingdom to the prime, to a point where they are not needed to look after everything by themselves.'

Azula nodded and said, "I agree with this thought of yours, however, if a monarch survives then they can establish the kingdom again."

Valerian looked at her and asked, 'The tale of a kingdom, that book tells the story of how a King sacrificed himself to assure that his kingdom and his people live on.

After the king passed away to ensure their safety, the people remembered it, and generations after they still worshiped the same king. That is what a monarch is. Someone who can rule the hearts of the citizen of his kingdom.'

Azula fell into deep thought and then she nodded, she said, "Valerian, I have to thank you for giving me a wake-up call."

Valerian shook his head and said, 'I only did what an attendant should do, Your Highness. I will go back now.'

Azula gazed at the boy as he bowed his head and turned around to leave. Suddenly, she recalled something and said, "Valerian, can you help me with something?"

The boy turned around and asked what the lady wanted…

…

The day has passed and the sky was getting darker by the second. Azula and Rectus sat in rocking chairs arranged in a garden pavilion, with Priscilla and Quies standing beside Azula serving the two people.

The pavilion was surrounded by eight strong men in metal pleated armor. Quies asked in a low voice, "Your highness, why no leave?"

He was confused to see that the princess was going to take a gamble with her life. Azula said, "If I fled, what guarantee is there that these people would not pillage the city."

Priscilla wanted to say something but before she could say anything, suddenly everyone shifted their attention to the sides. The guards picked up their weapons.

Rectus said, "They are here."

The other three nodded, and Azula said, "Come out."

Five figures draped in black cloaks walked out of the shadows, and the aura radiated from their bodies was so appalling, that Quies frowned and said, "Killer guard, the second prince acted."

Azula nodded and said, "Seems like, he wants to get on that throne at any cost. Well, since that is the case, might as well make it a big one that they cannot afford."

That said, she stood up and said, "Gelu Terminus."