The Oracle

Chapter 62: What it Means to Radiate Home

AKARI

While wandering around the castle grounds, I happen to find myself in the kitchen late at night, surprised to see a tall woman in a long white t-shirt and ripped teal jean shorts with a thin brown belt leaning down to peek into one of the stainless steel fridges. My eyebrows raise whenever the woman turns around upon hearing me enter and I realize that it's Princess Valerie, her hazel eyes blinking upon spotting me.

"You're Akari Hana!" Valerie squeals and points, making me blink in surprise.

Valerie lets the fridge door close as she runs up to me and I stare up at her height of probably almost six feet that towers over mine of 5'4".

"It's wonderful to meet you," Valerie beams and pulls me into a bone crushing hug.

"Nice to meet you too," I wheeze, Valerie smiling sheepishly when she lets me go. "How exactly do you know me?"

"A girl has her ways," Valerie winks. "In any case, what are you doing up this late? Shouldn't you be resting for tomorrow?"

"Probably, yeah," I rub the back of my neck and sigh. "I'm more of a night owl, I guess."

"I see..." Valerie hums. "Me too. It's the only time I really get to be myself behind all the glamour. Would you mind taking a walk with me?"

"Sure thing, Your Highness," I nod.

"Oh, please," Valerie rolls her eyes. "Call me Valerie. Now, let's go."

Valerie and I begin to roam the castle grounds, her telling me how she wished to be a part of her kingdom's army but her family told her it was too much of a risk.

"What's the point in being a leader if you can't treat your people as you treat yourself?" Valerie frowns as we walk. "I understand that I'm influential and that I have to stay safe to keep being influential, but I want to be out there on the battlefield with my citizens. I don't want special treatment. If I make them fight, why shouldn't I have to fight too? I ask them to make sacrifices but yet don't make the same ones myself? That hardly seems fair to me. I guess, that's why I tried to help make Aurora as equal as possible by redistributing the wealth. I don't want our people to suffer."

"You seem very wise and kindhearted, Valerie," I smile softly. "The people of Aurora are lucky to have you. Cordelia is lucky to have you."

"I suppose," Valerie hums, blushing lightly. "Sorry, is this weird? Dragging you around the castle beyond midnight when we barely know each other, I mean. It's just that, I've heard of your accomplishments at Aria and I've always looked up to you. The girl who has no powers yet managed to keep up with the Virtues and the Sins themselves. It's truly remarkable. Well, at least, you didn't use the powers that you didn't know you had."

"Thanks," I laugh sheepishly. "I actually...still don't know how to use those."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually," Valerie hums. "Time is all we need, after all. Isn't it?"

"Yeah..." I breathe out, thinking just how right she is. "It is."

"Valerie!" Cordelia calls out and Valerie grins sheepishly, turning around to see Cordelia walking towards us. "Again?"

"Sorry," Valerie sighs. "You know how boring I find my studies sometimes."

"I know, but you have to keep working on them," Cordelia sighs in return, her eyes holding sympathy. "Come on, I'll let you take tomorrow off while I'm gone if you finish tonight."

"But what's the point in that if you're not here?" Valerie mumbles as Cordelia lightly grabs her wrist and begins to drag her off.

"Valerie," Cordelia sighs. "Come on, please?"