Valerian discussed things with everyone and then returned to his room. He lay in his bed and thought about what had happened to him in the past few years. He could not help but feel restless.

Then he got an idea. Valerian went to the kitchen and found a few jars of lily jam. He prepared a few toasts and set out. His first stop was the western garden. However, he spotted someone on the balcony when he was about to look for Linea.

The western wing was the residence area, so Shiba, Captain, and Viney were only staying there. Valerian saw Viney standing on the balcony and jumped up to the ledge. She also spotted him earlier, so she was not scared.

He asked her with some rudimentary signs, ’Why are you not sleeping?’

The girl replied, "I am fascinated by these beasts. They look so beautiful. But Shiba said not to approach them. If they attacked, I would die early."

Viney was a lively girl; she always sought adventure, and these magical beasts were very tempting. When he heard a complaining voice, Valerian smiled and wanted to say something, "I knew you would not be obedient. Maa sent me to look for you. What are you doing there?"

Valerian turned his head and found Valerie squinting at him with her hands on her hips. The young man smiled and gave her a few signs. The girl nodded and said, "Fine, maa predicted this."

Valerian said, ’You be my interpreter. These guys do not understand signs. You come over and ask them if they also wish to go along.’

Valerie said, "Only if you can negotiate with Maa and let me wear pants."

The young man chuckled and nodded. Valerie exerted some force and appeared next to Valerian the next moment. Surprised, Viney gawked, and the girl said, "I am half beast and half human. You do not have to be surprised. Except for big brother, none of the people can catch me."

Viney found a pair of cat ears under her silver hair. Valerie said, "Big brother and I are going out. Would you like to come along? You will get to ride on one of the magic beasts."

Her words immediately excited Viney. The girl said, "I will go and talk to Shiba and Captain. Just a minute."

Valerie turned her attention to Valerian and asked, "When will you visit, Morgana?"

Valerian narrowed his gaze and asked, ’Aren’t you very curious?’

Valerie nodded and said, "I want to see you two get married."

The prince was at a loss because he had never considered getting married. He never had the time. When he was thinking about it, Viney returned with Shiba and Captain. Valerie said, "Do you guys also intend to jump?"

Shiba and the rest shrugged. They were physically fit too. Valerian and Viney jumped off, and the three followed. Valerian came to the western garden and found a few beasts strolling around.

These were all nocturnals, and this reminded him of something as he asked, ’Where is Priscilla? I have not seen her even once.’

Vali replied, ’She moved to the Eastern Continent with Grandpa Quies and Mage Rectus.’

Valerian was surprised, but then he nodded. The three people had been together for a long time. They also had a good tactical understanding to follow. Valerian looked around and found a big raven.

He let out some sounds from his mouth, chatting to the bird, then asking if it would take them out of the palace.

The bird cawed and nodded. Shiba said, "No matter how often I see you talking to these beasts. It is always a surprise."

Valerian smiled faintly and helped Valerie and the rest sit on the raven’s back. The bird let out a call and flapped its wings. Shiba, Viney, and Captain took their time to balance themselves while Valerian and Valerie were sitting as if they were on the ground.

Viney exclaimed, "It is so fast."

She had never experienced such speed, and Valerie remarked, "Her Majesty Fortuna is a hundred times faster."

Captain asked, "Valerian, where are we going?" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The young man looked back and shook his head with a smile. The journey from the palace to the forest was not long, just a few minutes, and they arrived at the outskirts of the forest.

As soon as they landed, Valerian held Shiba’s hand, which surprised her. Valerie said, "You all hold hands. We are spoofing."

She had wild anticipation flashing in her eyes. Valerian shook his head and patted her head gently. The girl stuck out her tongue. Shiba and the rest did not know what was happening but held hands as asked.

They sensed a cold feeling covering their bodies a moment later and exchanged glances. Then they sensed they were being squeezed, and when this sensation vanished, they appeared surrounded by trees.

Valerie cheered, "Big brother, faster."

Valerian nodded, and Shiba sensed that someone was squeezing her heart and releasing it multiple times. Captain and Viney were the same and arrived at a clearing after a few minutes.

Shiba and the two heaved a sigh of relief, and Valerie skipped forward. They all saw a huge tree in the middle of the clearing. This tree seemed to be dying. It had no leaves, and branches were peeking out.

The young man froze briefly and then appeared below the tree. Then something magical happened: the tree shivered, but there was no wind. Shiba exclaimed, "Holy mother!"

The dying leaves overflowed with life, and they began to glow. The surroundings brightened from the light emitted by the tree. Valerian waved his hand to call over the people.

...

Valerie said, "This is where Mother Flos is resting. She was big brother’s birth mother and loved him a lot."

The trio was shocked and hurriedly bowed to the tree. They looked to the side and found Valerian placing a few sandwiches on the ground, and his lips were moving. Valerie beckoned the people over to some distance.

She glanced around the clearing and said, "He is talking to her. Let us not bother him."

Shiba asked, "Valerie, can you tell me what is happening here? This place, that tree, I am confused."

Valerie smiled and sat down on the grass. She said, "This place is where Mother Flos took her last breath. She was a battlemage, and her mana was of wood attribute. So, with her dying breath, the mana leaked out and turned into a tree.

When I first came here, I wondered the same thing as you are. But you know, her spirit is still here. Look."

The people turned around and found that the shallow canopy was changing. New leaves appeared on the branches at a pace that shocked their hearts. Then they saw a vine descend from the crown and graze Valerian’s cheek.

Valerie said, "The loving mother Flos had for big brother transcends basic common sense. She loved him more than anything, but to ensure he grows strong, she let him fend for himself...."

Shiba, Viney, and Captain realized they knew nothing about Valerian. In the story he recited, he never told them anything like this. Valerie told them everything, from the tormenting childhood to the struggling teen, from a cold knife to a warm embrace.

How Valerian grew to be a person that everyone looked up to. He would turn twenty-one in a few days, just the beginning of his life. Shiba commented, "How much will and patience does one need to face what he faced?"

The people had no idea. They stood in the place for a few hours before Valerian beckoned them over. Valerie skipped over to come and stand next to him. She took a small pouch from her magic bag and placed it on the ground. She said, "Mother, I bought you lily candies. I made them myself. Also, you know, that kid Jalio? He proposed to me before the court. Hmph, what does he think of himself? I beat him black and blue."

Valerian gawked, and the tree shivered. One more vine fell and tickled Valerie. Her laughter echoed in the clearing livening up the mood. Valerie then introduced the three newcomers, who were still somewhat awkward. However, they were shocked when three emerald leaves fell on their shoulders and melted into their bodies.

Before they could panic, they sensed their bodies becoming stronger. Valerie said, "This was a token of gratitude from Mother Flos. Do not tell others about it, or they will suffer."

The trio nodded and bowed in gratitude. The group of five sat under the tree’s canopy and spent the night talking to each other.

In the morning, Valerian touched the tree trunk and thought, ’I will go now. There are a few things I need to deal with. Do not worry, and you can rest assured I will be safe. Give Father a message for me. Whatever happened, it was not his fault. He was a good man. Also, bless me so I can face the upcoming trouble with courage.’