Valerian Empire

Seven months had passed since Josephine Delcrov's birthday, which had been grandly celebrated in the land of Valeria. With many guests and close family friends who had come to attend the little girl's birthday, they had left the manor to get back to their own homes.

One would think the corridors of the Delcrov's had turned quiet, and maybe it was, except for the little girl, who now followed her mother like a cat.

"Mama," Josie held Lady Katherine's dress while looking up at her mother.

"My answer still stays the same, dear. I cannot have you travelling in the carriage without your father or I being there with you," answered Lady Katherine. She had stepped out of the manor and into the garden.

"But, brother Evan is going to be there with me," the little girl paused before saying, "Brother Evan said that he is going to Bonelake," she persuaded her mother, continuing to follow her into the garden. "I promise to be good. I won't trouble anyone, I promise!"

Lady Katherine went to pick up the flowers that were going to be used to place in their dining room.

"I don't think that is the issue here, Josie. I know you won't trouble anyone," said Lady Katherine, looking at her daughter, who frowned.

"Then?" asked Josie, looking up at her mother with curious eyes.

The reason was that somehow the luck of trouble had passed from her to her daughter, thought Katherine in her mind. Years had passed, and she was no more the young girl who would often find herself in trouble. She had turned into Lady Katherine Delcrov, a respectable and kind woman, where people looked up to her similar to how the people looked up to Alexander.

"We decided to go after two months, didn't we? Why not wait and finish your studies until then? I am sure others are doing the same," said Katherine, bringing the flower that she had picked to bend down to where her daughter was. Pulling out a pin from her hair, she placed the flower on one side of Josie's short hair and pinned it in.

Momentarily forgetting about her persuasion, the little girl touched the flower on the side of her hair.

"Mama!" Josie's voice went high, and she then asked, "Uncle Damien is there. Aunt Penny, and Vincent and Trinity."

"Hm," Katherine smiled at her daughter's words. "I see so that's who you want to meet. Uncle Damien and Aunt Penny must be busy with their council work. And if I am not wrong, Vincent has a lot of studying to do too. Trinity too."

"I take my books there to study with them," said Josie, and Katherine started to laugh. "Why are you laughing?"

Katherine took a moment before she finally said, "I don't think anyone has ever mentioned having a motivational study like yourself, especially to travel so far. It takes two to three days before you reach Bonelake."

"It does?" asked Josie, thoughtfully, and Lady Katherine nodded her head before she returned to pick the flowers. Though the Delcrov's had servants, the lady of the manor liked to do some things herself. "But Uncle Damien travels so fast. In minutes."

"That is because your Uncle Damien has the ability to go back and forth without the constraint of distance, dear. Now even if you decide that you will travel with him like that, your father wouldn't allow it," replied Lady Katherine, her voice gentle and patient with her little one.

It was because she had heard Alexander mention the time in the past when Damien had been stuck with his wife in the forest because of the sudden lack of blood.

Josie turned sad that her mother wasn't agreeing to her going to visit Bonelake. Hearing footsteps from behind, someone said, "Looks like the princess is busy with her mother."

Both Lady Katherine, as well as Josie turned around to meet a man with grey eyes. 𝒇𝑟e𝗲𝚠𝚎𝐛𝗻𝐨νel. 𝒄om

"I didn't know you were visiting us, Malphy," a broad smile appeared on Lady Katherine's lips.

Josie let go of her mother's dress, and she walked forward, where Malphus picked up the little girl. Malphus returned the smile, "I came here to visit Alexander, but I caught sight of you two. Thought I would have a little chat." He then turned to look at Josie and asked, "That is quite a big flower you have there."

"Looks good?" asked little Josie in eagerness, and Malphus nodded his head.

"If I may say, very pretty," replied Malphus, and the little girl smiled, a hint of shyness for being complimented. "Were you both gardening?" he asked, looking at Katherine.

"I want to go to Bonelake!" Josie quickly said, hoping the Lord of Mythweald would help her in the mission of getting approval. Malphus looked at Katherine to see her softly sigh. Still in the garden, she mentioned Josie's wish to visit Bonelake.

Right now, Josie was chasing a butterfly that moved from one plant to another, and the two adults watched her. "I am going to Bonelake next week. I have to go meet the head council, I wouldn't mind dropping her at the Quinn's. Didn't you tell that Evan has to travel too? I will make sure she's fine and doesn't leave my sight."

"She's too young to travel, and I cannot stop but worry about her if she were to leave Valeria. We have never had her away from us for too long and far," replied Lady Katherine.

"I am sure everyone is worried about you, but look at you now. Not only are you Lady Delcrov, but you have brought up two fine children of your own with Alexander," commented Malphus, his eyes catching the little girl finally catching the butterfly that settled on her palm for two seconds before flying away. "With no one of her own age, she must be wanting some company and it isn't too bad to have a vacation of her own and let her explore."

In the evening, Katherine spoke to Alexander about their daughter's wish about going to Bonelake. They were at the dining table with Josie, who was staring at her plate. After a lot of discussions at the table, where the Lord of Valeria was initially not happy about it, he finally agreed as Malphus and Evan would be riding in the carriage. But with them, two more people would be riding in the carriage.

"Don't worry about it. When little Josie has uncle Eliot with her, nothing will happen," said Elliot, placing his arm around the little girl and Josie's eyes brightened. "I haven't paid a visit to Jerome in a long time. It is a good time to meet him."

"I will tag along with them to make sure it is fine," assured Sylvia so that the Lord and the Lady of Valeria didn't have anything to worry about.

"Fine," said Alexander and Josie quickly got down from her seat and jumped to hug her father.

"Thank you, papa!"

Alexander ran his hand over Josie's head and then said, "Make sure you don't leave their side when you are travelling with them," and his daughter nodded her head with a smile on her face.

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Important Note: A Facebook group has been created where the initial chapters of the new book will be posted along with the author updates. Look for the name - 'KnightSquad ash_knight17 book discussion'