Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 119: The Throne of Death

Chapter 119: The Throne of Death

As usual, his father wore his gold circlet, and sat the magnificent throne at the center of the room. The throne was carved from ancient wood and decorated with intricate patterns of golden filigree. However, the surface depicted a scene of war; the slaughter of humans and monsters and their kinds thereof, their ancestors before them. It was not just a throne of power, but of death. The throne of death that he desired. His birthright. His throne.

It called to him.

As it should.

The throne was enchanted so it sat only the royal lines, hence the bloodlines were revered. Their ancestry is blessed by the gods and the Faeries could never rise against it. Astaria without an heir was as good as dead. Thus, in times of war, while the Fae king fought, the Faeries protected the prince, or in this case princes, with their lives. The royal line must be preserved.

Hence, it was no wonder the Faeries are aggravated that the royal bloodlines have been tainted with the birth of a dark Fae. They could never let him on the throne else they feared what would become of them.

Aldric’s gaze rested on the Queen this time seated beside the king in her smaller throne and his lips curled.

As expected, the queen looked breathtaking, her red hair flowing like a waterfall down to her knees, skin so smooth you could barely see a pore, she looked like a beautiful painting one could stare at forever. But that was where everything beautiful about her ended. Queen Maeve was regal, prim, and haughty and those amber eyes bored into his with unbridled hatred.

Not that Aldric was intimidated by her stern expression, if anything he winked at her, and the queen was so ruffled by the gesture that her face turned red and she looked like she would spit blood.

Pleased at eliciting such a reaction from her, his gaze lazily roamed the rest of the room, and surrounding the throne are the ministers and courtiers, beautiful and mysterious Fae beings of all shapes and sizes, dressed in elaborate gowns and tunics adorned with feathers, flowers, and jewels.

Surprisingly, the other queen consort was in attendance without their sons. Now that he thought about it, Theodore and Andre had not been present at the party either. Interesting. What were his brothers up to?

Aldric was about to look past them when he saw an empty seat beside the queen consorts and while he shouldn’t bother about some chair, it was the emblem on it that had his eyes darkening and his jaw clenching hard. Not even the air thick with the scent of exotic flowers and enchanted herbs, conjuring up a heady and intoxicating aroma could calm him.

There was only one person responsible for this and his icy gaze crossed to the smug Fae queen. Of course, the bitch was the only one who would push his button by reminding him of the position once held by his mother - the princess of the winter court. A mother who hated him all because she had birthed a monster. A mother who spent the rest of her life trying to please the king so much she lost herself.

Aldric broke out of the trance, putting on his cold mask just as King Oberon stepped down from his throne, walking towards him. His father wore clothing befitting his royal status: an elaborate silk cloak highly decorated with embroidery and well-cut pants.

The king stood in front of him, a slight tension in the air.

The both of them scrutinize each other, their calculating looks recognizing they were apex predators and gauging their reaction, waiting for the first to back down. To Aldric, It was shocking how the both of them could be so similar and yet so different.

Aldric lowered his gaze.

His father was still the king and he was merely a villain with no power. He bowed and curtsy to the ruler of the Fae, his movement graceful and fluid.

"You may rise, Aldric," King Oberon said, turning as he walked back to his throne and sat down in a relaxed pose.

"You must be surprised why you were summoned to the palace."

"Of course not, father," Aldric answered with a smile, his gaze shooting to the Fae queen, "It’s normal practice for a father to ask for his son."

The queen flinched as if Aldric had physically slapped her while the Faeries whispered in hushed tones amongst themselves. It was so easy for them to brand him a monster that they forget that their righteous leader was his progenitor.

The king cleared his throat loudly and the side conversations stopped and the room fell silent once again.

"I called you here because I haven’t gotten the chance to thank you for rescuing the crown prince, Valerie."

As if on cue, Valerie appeared from one of the side doors and he wore his complete royal apparel, the crown on his head a stab to Aldric’s heart. However, he did not show it, his expression remaining impassive.

The king forgave Valerie quite quickly and Aldric did not doubt that it was the doing of the queen. It was not like Aldric expected to bring him down with one strike, that was merely the beginning. For the first time in so many years, the gods were on his side and gave him an opening, in the name of a human. He would not lose the chance.

"I know that our people have been prejudiced towards you because of the misconception of your er... ability. But, our kind also knows how to show gratitude and that is why...." The king gestured and an array of Fae stepped in with boxes of treasures and dumped it in front of him.

"The crates contain gold, silver, precious stones, and antique pieces you wouldn’t find anywhere else." The king said.

Aldric stared at the display of wealth with a raised brow. So Valerie was not going to give a speech of thanks, he had been looking forward to that.

"You are a magnanimous king, your majesty," Aldric said, bowing his head and the king acknowledged it.

The Fae servants came along to pick the treasures and load it for him for his return home.

"Now if that is all you require of me, your majesty, I would plead to be excused, your majesty. I wouldn’t want to stay any longer in the palace and impose on you, not to mention I have a human back home to entertain," His eyes twinkled, staring Valerie’s way when he said that.

He watched as Valerie stiffened, but that was all the reaction his beloved brother could give considering the queen was also staring his way like a hawk.

"Actually, that is not the only reason I summoned you, here, Prince Aldric." The king revealed and he faked a look of surprise.

Now things were about to become fun.