"Why am I being invited here instead of being banished"?
Well, that's a very good question...
Also has the prophecy already happened? I suspect the tiger's den is the prince's love for Valarie.
@Wizardrone probably because she's not on par with his standard (as there aren't many mages mentioned in this story, I'm not sure his standard is high or not). Or he's just be the usual him an A-hole.
What a bastard for a teacher. He taught her just to make her realize she wasn't worth it. Could have been straight forward and told her she doesn't have potential.