Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 118: His Secret Agenda

Chapter 118: His Secret Agenda

After his father, King Oberon’s summon, Aldric could have gone right away with the use of the medallion, however, he was in a mood to ride Maximus. Nor would he give up on a chance to annoy his father. It has been a while and he feared the horse shifter was beginning to slip through his finger. While her loyalty remained with him, she was currently obsessed with an unfaithful second in command.

Aldric knew deep down that Maxi was the only reason Issac could still breathe the fresh air. He ruled with fear, so what was the use of having an insolent subordinate, especially one in such an important position? He could have him replaced but there was potential in Issac and if Maxi says she could handle him, he would leave everything to her.

"What do you think of her?" Aldric referred to Islinda, "You saw what she’s like already."

He was communicating mentally with Maxi since they were on their way to the palace and sadly, even the trees have ears. He has protected Maxi long enough and her being a horse shifter made things very convenient. Her kind was rare and probably extinct, no one could even fathom the thought of it. Thanks to his princely title, he was the only dark Fae left alive in Astaria.

She grinned, "The human’s feisty, I like her. Can I play with her?"

"No," Aldric answered right away firmly.

"That’s so mean." She pouted her lips in his head.

"She’s mine. Don’t even think of it." He pulled her reins as a warning.

"She and I could be friends." She chipped, never giving up.

"Maxi, even I am afraid of your definition of friendship. So no."

"I can start now. You said it already, I need to integrate into society, give up the barbaric ways of our kind and change others’ views of us."

Aldric frowned, "When did I ever say that?"

"You didn’t need to say it, that’s the propaganda you have been pushing for a while now, your royal highness." There was slight teasing in her voice, yet Aldric’s expression didn’t soften.

"Accommodate others, it’s high time we change the perception surrounding our kind, however, don’t even think of changing for hypocrites." He added immediately, "And who are you even changing for when you’re mostly in your horse form.... Oh." It dawned on him.

"You haven’t fucked him yet." Aldric’s face brightened, the wolfish curl of his lips suggesting he likes where this conversation was heading.

"It’s a work in progress."

"This is the first time I hear you use such terminology, perhaps keeping Issac around isn’t so bad. This would be enough to keep me entertained when the human isn’t driving me crazy."

"Funny, she’s driving you crazy already?"

"What are you trying to get at, Maximus?"

"It’s Maxi." She corrected him with a clipped tone.

"Well, Princess Maxi, answer my question," His words dripped with sarcasm. It annoyed Aldric slightly that she stuck to the name Issac gave her when she’d liked her androgynous name for centuries until now. It felt like his position in her life was becoming threatened.

"I’m just saying to be careful, it’s already rare to feel a strong emotion and when we feel it we will react intensely to these feelings. Our mission is still the throne and creating a haven for our kind. You haven’t forgotten our agenda, have you?"

Instead of an answer, Aldric burst into laughter out loud such that a group of Faeries who were passing through the path warily screamed at their lungs and ran off at the speed of light. Aldric sighed, shaking his head in pity. Before the end of the day, rumors were sure to abound that the dark prince had attempted to cast his spell on them.

For such a brutal race, they were cowards.

Unfortunately, Aldric still needed the support of those cowards if he hoped to rule them one day. Even with the king bestowing the crown on him, he couldn’t rule a whole kingdom set against him. There would be sure to be rebellions and that would tear Astaria apart.

Aldric was sure that was one of the reasons King Oberon was firmly set on making Valerie the future king. His father was not blind not to recognize his strength and ruling capability. However, If Astaria was divided, that would give the humans the upper hand, not to mention their enemies from the Tamry forest and other factions of dark Fae hell-bent on revenge. Not that the conceited Faeries needed to know that. That was the trump card he would play when the time comes.

He would gain everyone’s trust, Aldric was determined. All he needed was time and a certain human’s help, even though he would mostly manipulate her.

Aldric said to Maxi, "You need not worry about me. Moreover, it’s laughable receiving advice from a horse shifter unable to stick her prick in the Fae she’s interested in."

She bristled, "Do not mock me, Prince Aldric. Issac is fragile and I do not have a prick."

"Horse prick!" He joked

"Horny prince." She retorted.

Thus they playfully exchanged words until they reached the palace and the atmosphere shifted at once. Aldric ended his conversation with Maxi although he left the communication line open in case she made an observation. It was not wrong to be on alert even while in the palace, however, his father was a worthy warrior and would not fight dirty like the ugly-hearted fae queen.

The guards at the gate let him in without a word having received instructions from the king directly. Once he mounted down, Aldric stroked the horse shifter’s side, muttering into his ears loud enough for the guards to hear, "Be a good boy."

Maximus neighed in response, perfecting her acting as a horse drawing the attention of the guards who stared at them warily.

With one final pat, Aldric followed after the Fae guards who took him directly to the throne room. To be honest, Aldric expected a private audience with the king, except he met a session in progress.

"Good timing, Prince Aldric. We were waiting just for you."