Chapter 2 Intruder! Royal decree?

Valerie's POV

When my mother clasped the chain of her necklace around my neck on my tenth birthday, I beamed with smiles as its obsidian pendant with a center that floated a single droplet of golden light shimmered. She whispered one clear instruction; “Never take it off.”

I never took it off, not even when I burned with fever and grieved after her death, I swore to keep it on me forever but an intruder dared to steal it?

“You? Who are you?” The intruder asked, shakily pointing a finger at me.

I scoffed and flexed the muscles at my back, straightening my gait. “Hand over my necklace to me.”

He frowned, irritated at my commanding tone. “Do you know who I am? How dare you try to stop me?”

The air grew heavy as he released his aura. It was depressing and annoying at the same time. Normally, the Valerie everyone knew would cower in fear and run for his life, he was standing before an obviously powerful figure but that's what I wanted them to think, this thief was about to find out the truth.

“That necklace belongs to me, hand it over and we pretend none of this ever happened.” I lazily offered a hint of contempt in my tone.

He flared his nostrils. “You look useless and at most you've reached the spirit sense stage but I'm a lot stronger than you, such a powerful necklace in the hands of someone like you is useless, letting me have it is an honor to yourself, don't be arrogant.”

I guffawed at his entitled delusion. “Go to hell.”

He let out a short evil laughter and shot me a stare, I could feel his spiritual senses trying to pry into my core; to see my true abilities and extent of my powers. “How rude.” I snickered.

For a moment his senses brushed against the outer edges of my core and I casually flicked my fingers and the prying spiritual senses shattered instantly. The intruder's eye widened in horror and blood trickled from his nose as he staggered backwards.

"You little bitch!" He cursed, violently.

His hands moved in a rhythmic motion gathering draconic mana and an array lit up in the sky, a magical dragon emerged from the array, breathing fire and havoc. Its presence released a raging fire mana that blazed and screams filled the air , the dragon fixated on me and headed directly to me, ready to strike.

With the flames half an inch away from me, I raised my hand and raised the invisible protective shield around myself, the dragon attacked and caused a loud boom.

The intruder's evil cackle filled the air. “You should've just gone home you weakling.”

The dust cleared off to show it writhing in pain, scales blistered and skin searing in its own fire, a ghastly scream of pain and horror growling from it. I shot out a ball of fire to deliver the final blow.

The intruder spat out a mouthful of blood; his spiritual energy had been used up on summoning the dragon and he was depleted and I defeated him. His face was pale with horror so I stepped forward and snatched the necklace from him.

"Impossible, how can a girl be as powerful?" He muttered, horrified.

Before I could deliver the fatal blow, he turned around and disappeared into the shadows of the dark night.

"Bloody thief." I cursed under my breath as my lips curled in distaste

I didn't stay much longer in the cabin and just went back to my chambers. My father, as always , had sent some guards to bring me my dinner since I wasn't interested in eating with them. I locked myself up in the secret room I built behind the walls in the chambers and sat on the ground, meditating to stabilize my core and practice more.

The secret room was also a secret my mother had told me about, I practiced my magic in here and fortified myself, waxing stronger, breaking through level by level and not a single soul knew.

My core was never destroyed, I simply made it look that way so no one would see me as a threat, that way I can become stronger to destroy those who murdered my mother and tonight, I was forced to release a fraction of that power to retrieve her necklace.

I stayed indoors for two days, concealing whatever spiritual energy and mana residual around me. By the third day, I went to the courtyard, resuming my nonchalant wayward lifestyle.

“A royal decree has arrived!” A loud voice cried out.

I groaned grudgingly and headed to the ancestral grounds to receive it, my father, Leona and Lily were there already, on their knees.

“From his royal highness, the King of Aurelia, all female children above fourteen years are to resume to the Beastward academy to participate in contests to choose the future queen and wife to Prince Aldric . Does the house of Balckburn receive this royal decree?” The emissary announced.

My father bowed deeply and took the decree scroll. “We accept it with honor.”

“Very good. Have your two daughters come to the palace tomorrow evening, say your goodbyes and prepare yourself. Only the most favored and talented are allowed to join this contest, consider yourself highly lucky.” The emissary added.

I saw the look of shock on my father and Leona's face.

“Both of my daughters? My lord I fear that you're mistaken, only Lily is qualified as she has spiritual enlightenment, Valerie has no core and is at best a fragile human.” My Father explained.

I snickered then smirked, good. He was used to looking down on me and favoring Lily.

“That's right, Valerie is lazy and has no skills, she'll only embarrass us. Let Lily represent us.” Leona added, boisterous.

I almost laughed at their obvious favoritism.

“The King himself wrote this decree.” The emissary reminded them.

Leona cast Father a knowing look and he laughed nervously.

“Can you just tell the King we have one daughter? The other one is good as useless, I just keep her around because her mother is dead and she has nowhere to go. Lily would be the best candidate.” Father said, convincingly.

“Tell him Valerie, tell him your sister is better. I'll get you a good and kind husband.” Leona urged me.

I was used to this, being termed useless and Lily portrayed as a hero. Lily smirked arrogantly, looking down on me.

“The decree stands, have a nice day.” The emissary said, looking disgusted at how they were being unfair.

“I turned down the decree. I'm not going.” I dropped the bombshell.

They were all bamboozled by my outburst.

“The King himself-”

“I know, I'm not interested. I'd rather spend my days eating and drinking wine than having to fight for someone's attention. Please tell the King one of the Blackburn daughters is as good as dead, I'm a human with a dead mother, what use would I be?” I casually said.

They didn't want me going because they want a good life for Lily, not me so why not give them what they want? Besides; why waste time on some Prince just to become his queen when I can become more powerful and become a god?