Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 128: An Instant Boner

Chapter 128: An Instant Boner

"Exile to this place doesn’t seem so bad,"

Aldric couldn’t tell if Theodore was complimenting or mocking him. He chose the latter, after all, the both of them had never gotten along.

As the firstborn son, the spring prince was bitter that the throne would not go to him even though the spring court was the foundation of Astaria. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do, nor was he a match for Valerie’s powers, hence had no choice but to acknowledge he would never be the crown prince.

However, Theodore would not accept that Aldric, the youngest of them all, was more powerful than him. He detested his haughtiness and the fact he had ambitions for the throne. He would rather side with Valerie and be his lackey than support the dark Fae scum.

"Why? Do you want to have this place as well?" Aldric taunted, peering at him through slit eyes as he slowly sip his wine.

Theodore scoffed with indignation,

"I might not be the crown prince but I’m still the prince of the spring court and I’m not poor enough to require a tainted hands-me-down from you." He sassed back.

Those words cut through Aldric evidenced by the way a pulse of darkness radiated off him as a warning and Theodore rose to the challenge as green leaves crept along his arms defensively, both Fae glowered at each other.

"Brothers, brothers...." Andre drawled with a deep sigh, "Why can’t the both of you get along for once?"

He spoke with a heavy heart, trying to ease the level of tension in the room. Both Fae looked ready to launch their magic across the table at whoever snapped first.

He faced Theodore, "You’re currently a guest in this tainted castle, so get over it with, brother."

Theodore growled at him in response, not that he minded

And to Aldric, he said, "Must you fight your guest, we didn’t come here to cause trouble, baby brother."

Aldric bristled, but lost the fight in him.

"Fine," He grumbled in response.

Unlike the spring prince who was all brawn and no brain, Aldric couldn’t see through Andre. Of all the brothers, the autumn prince was the one he was most cautious of. His brother Andre seemed playful, wild, and carefree, Aldric knew there was more to him than meets the eye.

Theodore’s intention was written all over his face, but not Andre’s. He couldn’t guess his sneaky half-brother’s plans. There was no telling if Andre was on Valerie’s side or his. After Valerie, Andre was the second most loved by their people - especially the females - even though he was full of mischief. But it was mostly harmless fun.

However, Aldric refused to believe that Andre was dumb, no, contrary to what the others thought, the autumn prince was smart and incredibly devious. His playful nature was just a front to cover up his shrewd intentions.

Since they were young, Andre was the only one who attempted to come close to him. But that doesn’t mean he would take the fall for him; Aldric cleaned his own mess. He merely extended an olive branch to him.

In one word, Andre didn’t hate him as much as the others did, more like he tolerated him. They were neither friends nor enemies, their relationship was just so-so.

Aldric wasn’t stupid to think the autumn prince cared for him. It was as if Andre was holding onto him and Valerie at the same time because he couldn’t tell who was going to win in this battle for the throne. So he remained neutral until either one had been crowned, only then would he switch allegiance.

However, Andre was increasingly close to crossing that line with his insistent request to meet Islinda. It didn’t sit well with Aldric that the both of them had met in the human realm. He had been busy playing games with Valerie, he didn’t realize another of his brothers was up to his games too.

Andre was not vying for the throne, but he was strong enough to help either him or Valerie get that crown. The question remains, who was he going to support? Also, what does he want with Islinda? Did he perhaps figure out the plans he has for her? Aldric had a million thoughts going through his head as he watched his brothers.

"What’s taking the lowly human so long? How dare she keep us waiting?!" Theodore snarled irritably.

Aldric did not answer him and busied himself with the wine. Theodore had a nasty temper and they would only fight all night if he were to get involved. He would leave it up to Andre, the peacemaker.

"Patience brother," Andre responded just as he expected, "Have you forgotten that females require a lot of time to doll up?"

Theodore scoffed, but did not say anything more. Their gaze connected by chance and he openly snarled at him. Aldric found his attitude laughable considering he was only a guest and he could kick him out at any time and he would only throw a fight. But Aldric was not going to do that, not until he figured out what Andre wanted with Islinda. Islinda couldn’t have bewitched him too like Valerie, it was impossible.

Andre and Theodore started small talks and Aldric was almost bored to death until Islinda’s arrival was announced and he looked up and froze.

She was wearing a breathtakingly beautiful dress made of icy-blue satin and frosted lace. The dress was long and flowing, reminiscent of a winter snowdrift. The bodice was intricately embroidered with silver thread, depicting delicate snowflakes and crystalline motifs that shimmer in the light.

The sleeves are long and flared, and trimmed with white fur that accents the icy hue of the dress. The skirt of the dress is layered with soft, feathery tulle and lined with fur, keeping her warm from the cold temperature.

To complete the ensemble, Islinda wore a matching cape made of shimmering white silk and trimmed in more fur. The cape is fastened with a sparkling brooch made of frosty diamonds. On her feet are ankle boots lined with fur and embroidered with snowflakes and intricate winter patterns.

The human was dressed in one of the winter court attires that he has seen female Faeries wear countless times and yet seeing it on her, gave him an instant boner.