Valerian appeared before the Centaur Court, and everyone asked him various questions. The young man answered them all with ease. Morgana also talked to him because the two did not have time to say anything last night.

After the court was settled, Morgana announced for the people to take the rest of the day off, and she decided to visit the city with Valerian. The two people talked softly, and Valerian said, "The Fire we put out last time still burns strong. I wonder if we will burn in it."

Morgana blushed but did not say anything. She slightly looked at him and said, "In your dreams, maybe."

Valerian smiled, and the two visited the city. The people were surprised to see the Empress visiting them, and they all wanted to kneel. However, the last time the Empress had come, she forbade them from kneeling. Many people came forward with their problems, and Morgana solved them all.

Valerian did not say anything to her at this moment because Morgana was the Empress selected by the people, and it was her territory. He did not wish to meddle in her business. When it was time to return to the palace, an old lady said, "Your Excellency, you and the Prince of Lumen look very good together. May Vita bless you with all the love and joy."

Morgana blushed and looked at Valerian, who bowed to the old lady and said, "Thank you for your blessings, Grandma."

The lady was ecstatic that the prince called her grandma. She patted his hair and recalled what she had just done when Valerian shook his head, comforted her that he did not take offense, and hugged her gently. The citizens were surprised and cheered louder.

On the way back to the palace, Morgana said, "I see that Your Highness Valerian has become quite a sensation among the people."

The young man shook his head and said, "Your Excellency, I am just a humble person basking in your limelight. How can I enter the eyes of the elders if I am not with you?"

Morgana chuckled and remarked, "Glib tongue."

The two people entered the palace, and Valerian told Morgana about the issue of the meeting, and then he said, "I will have to leave tomorrow."

Morgana was reluctant to part with him but understood his responsibilities. She nodded and said, "Go ahead. I will meet you at the meeting."

Valerian smiled and said, "I have to leave in the morning. We can still be together for the night."

Morgana looked at him with her eyes wide open, and after the momentary shock, she said, "You stay away from me, or I will tell Mother Fragrantia that you coerced me, and then she will spank you right. Understood?"

Valerian opened his mouth in disbelief and retorted, "I coerced you? Was it not the other way around? Who beat me up and then sought consolation?"

Morgana rebuked, "What?! You could have consoled me some other way, right? Why didn’t you? You lusty satyr."

Valerian pointed his finger at her and said, "You!!! Fine. I will leave right away. Hmph."

He turned around, and mana wings appeared on his back. However, just when he was about to leave, he sensed some soft and warm feeling on his back. Morgana said, "If you want to go, then go, but do not be angry. You must know this act is often seen as a sin. The people who have accepted me even after my status as a maid’s daughter. They will not accept this. The protest for such acts has grown stronger in the past three years. Love and Fire can never be hidden, Val."

The young man calmed and said, "I understand what you mean. It is okay, and I am not angry. I originally wanted to tease you. Who knew you would become this emotional in my absence."

Morgana replied with a pinch on his waist, and the lady pushed him away. She said, "You can stop dreaming. I only said that to appease you. Now you can leave. Visit Sapientia first."

Valerian sighed and shrugged before he flapped his mana wings and floated higher. He said, "Morgana, I love you!!!"

His voice was loud, and it attracted the gaze of everyone in the palace. The people saw a heart made of fire appear in the void. Then the fire dispersed sparks fell everywhere. Valerian made sure that no one would get hurt by this act of his.

The men admired Valerian for expressing his love so openly, while the women wished their partners also pampered them as the prince did. At the same time, Morgana wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in it.

...

Valerian flew to the Sapientia nation in three days. He was aware that Ignis and Adele were there. So, he did not understand why everyone put so much emphasis on him going there.

As he was thinking, the young man reached the Imperial Capital of the Sapientia Empire. A few people noticed this on the city wall and did not panic. Valerian deduced that the news of his return must have spread through the empires. Since he did not have to wait, the young man rushed closer to the palace.

As a sign of respect, he landed in front of the palace gate, and the guard said, "Open the gates. His Highness Valerian is visiting."

The young man thanked the guard, and the gate opened to let him in. Valerian walked in slowly, noticing that the scenery had not changed much.

At the palace gates, a steward greeted him and led him through the corridors. It was evening, and the court had come to an end. The Empress was resting in her room. When informed of his arrival, Ashlyn had asked for the young man to be led directly to her study.

Valerian followed the steward and arrived at the study. The steward said, "Your Highness, please wait here. Her Excellency will arrive soon."

The young man nodded and began to browse the books in the study. Ashlyn had a few books on her table, and Valerian picked one. It turned out the girl was reading about magic; on the other side, she was recording her comprehension in a journal. He smiled at this, thinking his chili pepper of a friend would grow into a brainy.

Just as he was reading, the door was pushed open outside. Ashlyn walked in with a smile on her face. Valerian greeted her formally with a bow, but before he could say anything, the girl said, "Val, can you drop the theatrics, please?"

The young man smiled and said, "How have you been?"

Ashlyn nodded and then asked Valerian about the time he was away. The concern was genuine, after all. If not for his help back then, she would have died or become a puppet to her treacherous aunt and uncle.

The story was long, and Ashlyn was patient. Just when Valerian had finished telling her the story, the door was knocked, and a milky voice sounded from outside, "Aunt, open Meri have candy."

Ashlyn smiled and said, "Val, are you ready?"

Valerian was smart enough to know what she was talking about, and he nodded. He waved his hand, and the door opened. A small figure rushed inside the room. However, when the lady rushed closer, she stopped and looked at Valerian carefully.

The young man stood up from his chair and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Princess Meridiem."

The little girl was surprised, and Ashlyn said, "Meri, the gentleman is greeting you."

Valerian bowed his head, and the young girl spread her dress and said, "Greetings, handsome sir."

Valerian was surprised, and so was Ashlyn. The Empress asked the little girl with great amusement, "Meri, why did you call him Handsome Sir?"

Meridiem replied in her milky voice, "Mum told Meri, Handsome Sir, marry the princess. Meri will marry him."

Ashlyn could not help but laugh aloud at this comment, and Valerian stood up straight, looking at the ceiling. At this moment, a lady walked into the study, "Meridiem Ignis Verus, what did I tell you about eating too much can..."

The lady was none other then Ashlyn’s elder sister, Adele. She froze when she watched Valerian looking at her with a smile. The young man said, "Long time no..."

This time his words choked. Adele rushed over and hugged him tightly. She wanted to say something before a crying sound echoed in the study. The two people were surprised when a man rushed over, and without looking at anyone, he crouched in front of Meridiem and asked, "Baby, what happened? Tell papa."

Meridiem pointed at the two people behind Ignis and said, "Papa, your wife, took Meri’s husband."

Ignis patted her hair and ignored everything around him. He said, "Baby, papa will get you a new husban... What did you say?"

His eyes gawked at the little girl and the little princess said, "Look behind, my Handsome Sir, your wife."