Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 150: Cat And Dog

Chapter 150: Cat And Dog

All eyes were on Theodore.

It wasn’t until that critical moment King Oberon walked in to see Andre making harmless fun of him that the laughter he kept bottled up inside of him finally erupted. He couldn’t help himself and the sound echoed across the hall while his family members watched, stunned.

But that was not all because Theodore set off a chain of events that he never saw coming. The servants, though tried as hard as they could to fight the urge back, couldn’t hold it in anymore and broke out in laughter. There was no stopping it because Theodore’s laughter was contagious and the scene of Andre bumping into the king was just so funny. They laughed so hard that tears escaped their eyes.

However, reality set in at the same time and the guilty party did not need a seer to tell them they committed a capital offense by laughing at the king after the hysterics subsided.

"Y-your Highness." Theodore stiffened and looked up at his father, the king with dread. King Oberon’s expression was intense, much different than the warmth he was used to giving.

"Your Highness!" All of the servants involved in the act fell on their faces and began to beg the king for mercy, frightened. They had not meant to laugh at him, but Prince Andre’s joke was hilarious. They couldn’t help it and now had to beg for their lives.

Although Theodore was not afraid of his father taking his life, he could be punished, not to mention he embarrassed him in front of everyone. Including his subjects. The spring prince wore a somber look as he glanced nervously at his father, waiting for his decision.

Queen Maeve frowned at the discordant noises made by the servants as they begged for mercy. This is what happens when a prince is unsuitable for his role, she showed disapproval, tutting her lips.

"Enough!" King Oberon ordered, his voice booming across the hall and everyone fell silent, holding their breaths as they awaited judgment.

The king set his jaw, his gaze roving across the hall, and challenged each of them with a stern look. Not that any could hold his gaze because they lowered their faces and wouldn’t look him in the eyes.

The king was enraged, they could tell that from the dark look crossing his features. This was it. They were finished, the servants gave up hope. All they had to do now was accept their fate, this was the end. Just when they anticipated the death sentence, the king gave a great bellow of laughter instead.

Huh?

The whole audience was confused because this was not what they had expected from King Oberon. Their ears must be deceiving them, they assumed. And yet, the king’s joyous cackle rang across the room. Nor did they know how to respond to it.

Out of nowhere, Andre burst into peals of laughter, joining his father in his madness, as Queen Maeve thought of their sudden behavior. All eyes were on the both of them now as they tried to understand what was funny to both father and son. Prince Andre had not told any joke, what then could be comical when this was a dire situation?

Thus everyone watched with a gobsmacked expression, still not believing their eyes. As if that was not enough, Valerie joined in the fun too, giving them the biggest surprise. At this point, no one would be surprised anymore if the stern Queen Maeve did the same.

As if finally understanding the King’s motive, Theodore followed suit and it was all the princes laughing along with their father, the king. It wasn’t until Queen Maeve joined them that everyone else was free to laugh along. The others had been cautious to follow without the Queen’s cue, scared of her out lash.

Thus for the first time, great laughter resounded through the dining room and when the King went silent, everyone halted at once. Tension stretched in the room, numerous hearts pounding speedily as they anticipated the King’s next move.

But King Oberon pulled Andre into his arms, saying, "Such great joy today as I dine with my family. Come on, let the feast begin."

King Oberon could not let the servants go, not after such a lapse in manners. Hence, he laughed as well to save his face and honor. Thus it would be said that the king started a joke that had everyone crumbling with laughter and not the other way around.

The servants understood King Oberon pardoned them and they couldn’t thank him enough, quickly resuming the rest of their duties. In one corner of the room, a small orchestra played music on instruments. The melodies were hauntingly beautiful, while pixies flew across the hall carrying out little tasks like handing the required cutleries to the members of the royal family who needed it, filling their cups with wine, and opening the dishes.

A Pixie gently dabbed Queen Maeve’s lips with a napkin after she had a taste of the delicacy served and she waved the creature away.

As if she was not a fan of the peace, she started, "I’m afraid, your majesty, that not everyone joined us in this joyous feast this morning." Queen Maeve said, obviously hinting at someone everyone in the room knew.

"You might as well just call out my name, your majesty," retorted Queen Consort Nirvana, mother of Prince Theodore, finally arriving at the hall.

It was no secret that no love was lost between both Queens considering Nirvana was the first legal wife of his majesty. Plus the fact that the kingdom of Astaria was built on Spring Fae land, granted her enough power and authority to control the harem. And yet, King Oberon betrayed her by making Maeve Fae Queen and her son the crown prince.

In one word, both women held too much power and none would bow to the other. It was not uncommon to see both Queen involved in a power clash with queen consort Victoria always stuck in the middle of it.

It was quite a wonder Theodore and Valerie were good friends when their mother fought like cat and dog.