Chapter 3 Fuck off, arrogant Prince!

Valerie's POV

“Valerie, are you out of your mind? How dare you reject a royal decree. No one rejects a royal decree!” Father thundered, his jaws clenching in anger.

Everyone, including the emissary were discombobulated at the audacity I had to refuse the royal decree and I even left them standing and walked to the dining hall, famished.

“Valerie, this is a perfect opportunity to do something with your life, why are you pretending not to be interested in it?” Lily fired back.

“You all said it yourself, I have no powers whatsoever, how do you expect me to even compete, unless you want me to bring shame to your name.” I shrugged, nonchalantly hitting the nail right in the head.

“Refusing the royal decree might anger the King and he'll revoke it, are you trying to ruin Lily's future?” Leona spat, venomously.

I laughed softly, so that was it? She didn't want me to go but also wanted me to go because of her son.

“Just a moment ago you were hellbent on not letting me go but now you want me to go, for your daughter? How ambitious.” I sneered.

Father shot me a warning glare. “Don't talk to your mother in such a disrespectful manner!”

I snapped. “My mother is dead! She's the mistress you brought home even before my mother's body was in the ground and gave her everything my mother ever worked for. Don't you ever compare her to my mother!”

I fought the urge to release my aura but frowned deeply, my Father snickered and flared his nostrils.

“You'll obey the decree and protect and serve your sister while she's there, you'll help her bring honor to this family. You should be grateful she's not as useless as you.” Father commanded and took my silence as agreement.

Leona's voice softened and tears began to fall from her eyes and she held my hand. “Valerie, I know you've never accepted me as your mother but Lily is still your adopted little sister, please take care of him.”

I snatched my hand away from hers. “Mistress Leona, how can you call Lily my little sister when we are just a day apart? She looks so much like my Father that I would've thought they're twins and everyone knows you were his lover when you both were younger but please refrain from trying to put on this motherly act around me. It's pathetic.”

Leona gasped dramatically and began to bawl, Father slapped me hard on the face and my lips split, letting blood drip.

“I won't allow you to disrespect my wife just because your mother is dead, do you understand me? I'm the head of this family and you will do as I say!”

I laughed sarcastically and raised a mocking eyebrow. “Mother was the original head of this town and when you married her, you became Lord but now she's dead and you hit her child for your mistress? There can only be one lady of the Blackburn family and she's dead.”

I was about to swear vehemently when Lily stepped in and dropped to her knees.

“Sister! Please, for the future of our family, accept the decree. I know you don't see me as your sister but I beg of you to put your hatred aside for the greater good.” Lily begged but I snickered, she was as manipulative and cunning as her mother.

Father rushed towards her and helped her get up. “You unfilial bastard!” Father cursed at me.

Then a wicked smile curled at my lips. Since they wanted me to be there so bad, I'll be there but only to crush their souls and hopes.

“I'll go.” I blurted.

“What?” Lily asked, shocked by my sudden change of mind.

“Son, you've finally come to your senses. I knew you were your mother's daughter!” Father bragged, arrogantly.

“Since you love your mistress’ daughter so much you'd sacrifice your own daughter then I'll do your wish.” I snickered, disgusted at him.

Their faces twisted into a frown that they hid because they had no choice. Leona smiled widely and tried to touch me but I moved away from her.

“Valerie, thank you for helping your sister. I promise you won't regret it.” Leona swore, sweetly.

“Leona, you can keep your promises to yourself. My mother is dead, marrying my father doesn't make you replace her.”

Not yet. I won't let them suspect I knew they were the ones who killed my mother.

“Valerie!” Father warned and I backed down.

“I'll be ready to leave tomorrow, until then, no one should dare come near my chambers.” I sternly warned, turned around and began to walk away. I could hear them whispering among themselves but I didn't care much about that.

The Beastward academy is a coveted academy that only the promising cultivators and mages qualify to attend, why did I agree to go? Because there will be soul pills, mana and spiritual grade weapons there that will help me grow stronger. I spent the night at my mother's grave, seeking her blessings and recounting the times we spent together.

A carriage from the palace arrived on time to convey Lily and I to there. I leaned back and watched the disgusting spectacle of my Father and Leona fussing over Lily as they handed her countless artifacts and even handed over a family heirloom to her ‘for protection’. A mocking smile tugged at my lips as they finally let him go and he sat in the carriage.

“Time to go!” The royal coachman announced.

As I made to enter the carriage, I felt Father's tight grip on my arm.

“Valerie, your suster needs spiritual protection and your mother's necklace is a powerful protection charm, give it to him so she can protect you both.” Father commanded.

My eyes widened in shock. “What?”

Leona chuckled nervously. “You have no magic, it is of no use to you anyway.”

“This is the only thing left that my mother gave me. You took all of them!” I snarled.

Disgust curled in my stomach, their audacity was almost admirable.

“Don't be dramatic, give it to her.” Father snapped.

I broke free from his grip and hissed. “Don't push it Father.”

I got into the carriage, glaring at them and the coachman spring into action.

“You should listen to Father and give me the-”

“Go to hell!” I roared at Lily, releasing a fragments of my aura which slammed him into the walls of the carriage but it was easy to blame on the movement of the carriage itself.

The rest of the ride was silent and I fumed angrily, a gut feeling made me suspect that Father would use the pretense of the academy to get rid of me. Mother's necklace is more than a protective charm, it heralds a powerful magic that even I do not dare to absorb totally.

When we arrived at the palace, there were other girls our age and some younger there as well, each one trying to look poised and powerful. A cold laugh escaped me, none of them were powerful enough to pose a threat to me.

Suddenly, a huge door burst open and a boy my age walked out, looking gracious and with an air of royalty around her. Gasps erupted from the crowd and they all bowed their heads.

“His majesty, Prince Aldric!!” An eunuch announced his presence.

There were whispers of his immaculate beauty and strength but my spiritual senses pried into his core and I snickered, he was just at the early stage of core formation yet they all revered him, pathetic.

He sensed I wasn't moved by his presence or aura and stopped right in front of me.

“You're in the presence of the Prince, bow.” She commanded, a suppressing aura boomed with his voice sending a wave of wind rippling through the room, sending some of the girls doubling over or kneeling.

A thin streak of purple mana flashed, aiming right towards me. A wicked arrogant smirk curled at the side of his lips and I frowned.

“Fuck off!” I roared, dispelling her spell.

It bounced back and shot right at her chest, causing her to stumble a few steps backwards. Her eyes widened in shock and pure horror.