Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 156: The Witch Did Not Trust Him

Chapter 156: The Witch Did Not Trust Him

Rat Ear and Valerie went through the old, shabby alleyways and unlike the teenage Fae who walked deftly and confidently as he was familiar with the routes, Valerie struggled with his steps, disgusted with the rundown place. How could anyone even live here? It didn’t help that it was winter, meaning the roads were wet, muddy, and dirty.

Valerie tutted in disapproval, had it been his season, this land would be dry and less disgusting. Unlike the spring and Autumn court Faeries who suffered the most during winter, Valerie regulated his body temperature with his heat. He couldn’t wait for Aldric’s winter to be over.

They arrived at a tenement building which was a multi-family residence, known for its small individual units. The group of apartments had their entrances facing each other and both Fae walked through the narrow hallway, often avoiding Fae children playing and running along the corridor.

Valerie sighed at the dilapidated and impoverished housing, the living condition was overcrowded, unsanitary with a lack of privacy. This place was a hotbed for disease outbreak and he didn’t want to spend even a minute more here, but there was nothing he could do. He needed to meet the witch.

"Come on, we are almost there," Rat Ear urged him to move on, sensing him lingering behind as he took in the environment.

They walked to a room at the far end of the corridor and Rat Ear said, "This is it. The witch’s residence."

Valerie looked over the place, the door didn’t look any different from the ones installed in the building, however, he could sense a low vibration of magic coming from the room. So he brought out the pouch of money and tossed it towards the Fae who caught it swiftly, his face alight with happiness. Today was his lucky day, he licked his lips.

"Now let’s hope you’re right," He gestured at Rat Ear to finish his job and have him invited in.

The Fae eagerly stepped forward and knocked on the door but there was no response. He did the same over and over again and yet nothing. Feeling anxious now, he turned to Valerie with an nervous smile, "Perhaps, she’s asleep and didn’t hear us. She would probably be cranky when she awakes. "

Valerie didn’t say anything as the Fae continued banging on the door, knowing deep down this might be the end of the his life if he dared to lie to him.

Thankfully movements were heard from the inside and Rat Ear expelled the breath he had been holding in, his hand on his chest. That was so close, he thought he was about to die.

The next minute, an eye peered through the security peephole in the solid metal door.

"Hello Dorcas, I have another one for you," Rat Ear waved at her casually showing they were well acquainted with each other.

"Let him show himself," Dorcas demanded and Rat Ear stepped out of the way and gave her a view of the guest.

Valerie had a stoic expression as the witch scrutinized him and from the slight frown on her face, it appeared the witch didn’t trust him. Which was a good thing, he didn’t trust her either.

Rat Ear must have sensed her distrust because he added, as if to convince her, "He has the money to spend."

The witch looked him over again and closed the peephole. There was no movement afterward and just when Valerie thought the witch outrightly rejected him, there was the sound of a latch being lifted and she opened the door.

Dorcas stood before him the next minute and Valerie scanned her from her head to her feet, sensing the power inside of her. She was indeed a witch.

"Come in," She turned and went in, leaving the door open after inviting him in.

"I guess this is it then, sir." Rat Ear saluted him dramatically and vanished before Valerie had second thoughts about going in alone.

Valerie took in a deep breath, it’s not like he’s scared of a mere witch. While witches were efficient at casting deadly spells and some of them were powerful enough to manipulate the element, they were not immortals. An attack a Fae could recover from, a witch wouldn’t.

The summer prince had barely taken a step when he noticed a line of black ash at the entrance and hesitated only to hear the witch say from inside, "That’s mountain ash, you wouldn’t be able to pass through if you are a malevolent Fae or have bad intentions towards me."

Is that so? Valerie mused. With his head lifted high, he put out his leg and crossed the line without a hitch.

"Very well." The witch said, looking mildly impressed.

Once inside, Valerie observed the room, it was small and cramped, with limited light and ventilation. The walls were covered with dark velvet curtains and tapestries depicting divinatory symbols and arcane creatures. A large cauldron at the center of the room burned with smoky incense, and candles flickered around it, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

The room was filled with the smell of mysterious powders, roots, and herbs that stirred Valerie’s sensitive nose and it took him so much not to sneeze.

"Sorry, the room is not quite to your liking but this is what I have to manage with after your king kicked my kind out even though we are the bedrock of Astaria, only inviting us when he needs us," Dorcas said, sensing his displeasure.

"The rule might have been unfair on your kind but I believe the king made the right decision. He is the sovereign leader and should exercise power without limitation. Not to mention the chaos that would reign if every Fae had access to a witch. Moreover, there tend to be too many conflicts amongst witch factions, Astaria has enough problems of its own to be sucked into your kind’s politics. "

The witch laughed mirthlessly, "And yet you come to secretly seek my help, isn’t that hypocritical?"

"What’s hypocritical is you hiding amongst my kind. I’m curious though on how you’re able to hide out here efficiently and the fact the Faeries hadn’t sold you out yet. Although I doubt it wouldn’t be long now." He hinted at the fact he easily bought Rat Ear with enough coins and the fact anyone else could do the same.

"Easy," The witch lifted her hand over one of her eyes, and her round ear on that area became pointed. She said, "Our magic might look the same but different, and while a Fae could see through Fae glamour, the same couldn’t be said for us. But that is not why you’re here, is it, Prince Valeria of the summer court and crown prince of Astaria?"