Valerian, The Legendary

230 Ideas.

Morgana had a minister make arrangements, and Zeenat was asked to call over the children of the family back home so that they could attend the funeral. The news was also passed down to the people in the city and this was like a bomb exploded in the hearts of the people. They could not believe that the Iron-fisted Emperor and his beloved right hand were gone.

The death of Princess Ayat was yet to be news of the past when three more people of the royal family died. This was going to change the government massively, and the people hoped that the change would bring them joy.

After the arrangements were made, Morgana left Zeenat in the care of her husband and went back to her small room. She had just entered inside when she sensed warmth on her back. There was only one person who could give her this sensation, and she leaned back in his arms. Valerian asked, “How was it?”

The girl nodded and said, “Played out fine, now, let us see if the nobles and the court support me or the eldest son of the family. They will not allow Zeenat to ascend the throne. If they supported that half-brother of mine, then I will just have to challenge him to a fight.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “Let us sit down first.”

The two sat down on the ground, with Valerin leaning against the wall and the girl sitting in his embrace. Valerian said, “Do not worry, Zeenat will not allow that to happen.”

Morgana asked, “Why are you so sure?”

Valerian patted her shoulder and said, “Humans cannot help but point out the differences they have with each other, and the biggest difference she has is her injured leg. The entire family thinks she is not as capable as the rest of the people, yet since she survived and is the direct blood of Jamal Centurion, she has the most say in this matter.

Your half-brother is a dumbass, so he will judge her on her leg and this unsightly behavior will make him lose the favor of the court and the nobles. Another thing is that your nation supports a voting system for the people to select a ruler. Jamal Centurion broke it when he killed his father.”

.....

Morgana nodded and asked, “What if they do not go back to it?”

Shi Lang smiled and whispered, “Your siblings will come forward to concede the throne. In front of the public and the court, and they will also renounce any future claims.”

Morgana was surprised, when Shi Lang, looked at the silver fox at the side. The girl understood what he meant but then she said, “You know, there are methods to detect such things? They will be checked for mind control.”

Valerian nodded and said, “Indeed, but they will have their hearts in control. You just wait and watch how things play out if the court does not select you.”

...

Two days later, the funeral was held, and the entire nation was mourning for their Emperor and princes. While the people were happy, they did not show it outside because the loyalists were strict and did not allow anyone to blame the emperor.

All the younger generation was present at the occasion and Zeenat stood in the lead. She poured a handful of sand onto the caskets of three people and after praying for the peace of the dead, she walked away. The last person to pay respects was Morgana, her eyes were swollen as if she had cried a lot.

Well, this was all a part of her acting. The princes of her generation were left confused at this display. Just when she was about to present a handful of dust from the side, Noor Centaur said, “You are not qualified to pay respects to my father, back off.”

Zeenat and the rest were standing there, they had expected this and were about to step in to make sure that Morgana gets to pay her respects, but the girl looked the prince right back in his eyes and said, “You better not mess with me at the moment, I am not sure if I can contain my rage.”

Her voice was cold, and she was directly threatening the plausible emperor in front of the masses and the court. This strong side was something she has never shown. She did not give anyone the time to recover and said, “Despite the way you treat me, I am here to pay respects, I guess that is enough to show my qualifications. When you were acting like a spoiled person, I was staking my life for the nation and for the people who live in it. What right do you, a grade one warrior have to question my qualifications? If I cannot pay my respects as a daughter, then I will pay my respects as a battle mage of Centaur. You just try to stop me and I will show you what your qualification is.”

As she was speaking tears came out of her eyes. She turned around, picked up a handful of dirt, let it fall over the casket, and then with a bow she left the place, alone. This scene shocked the people. They did not expect such a thing to happen, but this showed the hatred Princess Morgana received in the palace.

The funeral came to an end, and the royal family returned to the palace, at this moment, they met Morgana, who was carrying a small bundle of clothes in her arms with a silver fox behind her. Zeenat was surprised and she asked, “Child where are you going?”

Morgana looked at her and said, “I apologize, your highness, I will be leaving the palace.”

The ministers behind Zeenat were also surprised. One of them asked, “What do you mean by this, Your Highness?”

Morgana replied, “I always tried to do the best at anything I was told to, never asked for anything in return, hoping that someday I will also have a family, however, that dream is no longer alive, the family I wished for has left me, just like my mother did.

Today during the burial rites, I insulted his highness, knowing his temperament, I will probably have to sleep outside in the corridors or even die. I still have to live and serve this nation. I do not wish to suffer humiliation anymore, so I wish to leave the palace.”

An old loyalist asked, “If you left the palace, how will you serve the nation?”

Morgana bowed to him and said, “The crown on the head only makes your neck unable to bend and look around freely. Without the crown, I will have more freedom and more ways to serve the nation. I beg your pardon, Minister Idiom.”

The old man shook his head and said, “You will be pardoned only if you go back inside, wait till the next Emperor is decided. I will take you with me then.”

Morgana hesitated, when Zeenat said, “Love, did you not say that you will support me? Why are you leaving now then?”

Morgana had red eyes, and with a bow, she rushed back in. Idiom said, “This child has been overlooked, yet she wishes to serve the nation. She has suffered so much that her heart is akin to a calm ocean.”

Another person said, “If the ocean has waves, it will be a storm that could hit us too.”

Idiom nodded and said, “However if we have this storm at our side? Or better yet, this storm be our leader?”

The people were surprised when Zeenat said, “The harm that my father’s rule bought to us, is evident to all. Today during the funeral, the masses gazed upon Morgana as if she was their savior. It is obvious given the charity she has done in the past, and her wisdom to deal with the enemy, the strength that she displayed during the beast tide.

They make her a worthy candidate, please do not bring up the issue of her birth. My father was of noble birth but was he better than Morgana at her age? She will be suitable.”

The people were in thought and Idiom said, “Let us go in and discuss this properly.”

They all nodded and made their way to the emperor’s study. Meanwhile, three people were holding a meeting, they were Noor and his cousins. Two sons of Akhlakh, Jamil and Kalam.

Jamil and Kalam were younger than Noor, but they were wiser than him. Noor was walking all around the room in anxiety. The two siblings did not say anything, they were aware that they had yet to reach the level to claim the throne. Wisdom was not the key that got the people the throne, it was the recognition of the others.

Noor asked, “What can I do?”

Jamil asked back, “Do you wish to live peacefully? Or to die?”

Noor was surprised at this and asked, “What do you mean? That Morgana will kill me?”

Kalam nodded and said, “Given the hatred she has, if she is allowed to go out of the palace, she will plot against you, and you know she is strong enough to do it. She could have done it at the graveyard, but stopped. You might not see, but her feelings were sincere. By stopping her you drew a negative rapport.”

Noor was surprised and said, “You mean to say, I am the bad guy now?”

Jamil nodded and said, “You are surprisingly quick today, elder brother. It is in your best interest to wait for the right opportunity to take her down.”

Noor fell into deep thought and said, “I have an idea.”