Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 205: Love Is Not Perfect

Chapter 205: Love Is Not Perfect

"Your Highness...." Derek called Valerie tentatively, having no clue how to go about this matter. The Fae had woken up from his brief sleep only to see the room in this devastated state.

Derek didn’t need to ask who had made this mess considering he was defeated by the very Fae in question. He hadn’t been brazen enough to think that he would be able to best Aldric in battle, but the attack had taken him by surprise and he performed woefully in defending his prince. He failed Valerie.

He watched Valerie who sat on the bare floor, leaning his head against the wall with a distant look in his eyes. There was nothing but utter devastation on his face and Derek didn’t know how to comfort him. Not that the prince would appreciate such a gesture, not with such a huge bruise to his ego. What Aldric not only crippled his plans, but was a huge slap on his face.

His gaze dropped to the corner of the room where the witch’s body lay and he closed his eyes, grieving her death. This was an epic loss. How were they going to deal with this? Had it been a Fae, they could easily bury this incident, but not witches. They shared such close bonds. Once a member of a coven died, the loss would be felt and her fellow sisters - if alive - would come to investigate and take her body back for proper burial.

"Fuck," Derek groaned, clutching at his shock of hair as if realizing the amount of trouble they were in, or to be precise, Valerie has gotten in. What were they going to say to the witches? If they get wind of their identities and come to the palace for answers, things will get ugly for Valerie and his crown prince’s position in peril.

A sudden muffled noise stirred Derek and his bloodshot eyes lifted in the direction of the now awakened half-breed and his blood boiled. To think that another obstacle existed, his eyes glowed with the wildness of bloodlust and anger as he strode towards her.

Anita, unaware of the apprehension and danger looming in the air, began to scream and pull at the binds. She had thought that her life would be over by now, but it was a miracle that she was somehow still alive. Perhaps, they had a change of heart?

She had held onto that glimmer of hope and intended to bring their attention to her. They needed to let her go. This was not worth it. She was nothing but an ordinary half-breed! Hence she continued to shout for attention until a shadow fell over and the next she was staring into the face of a ferocious-looking Fae.

Anita swallowed, the situation finally dawning on her. The crown prince did not have a change of heart, something went wrong; she sensed the tension. This Fae was here to finish what should have been done in the first place.

"Mmmm," She pleaded through her tearful eyes. Anita wished she could speak so she could swear confidentiality to them. Who would believe her anyway if she told the public that the crown prince of Astaria kidnapped her for a soul swap ritual? She was at the bottom of the food chain and her chances of surviving was by keeping her mouth shut.

But Derek’s heart was hardened and he paid no heed to the girl’s pitiful look. This was for the prince and the future of Astaria. He kneeled beside her and snatched the dagger from his side and unsheathed it, lifting it and was about to stab the half-breed when Valerie said,

"Let her be."

And he halted, the dagger in mid-air.

He turned to Valerie with confusion, "But your Highness, if she dares to open her mouth, then it’s over for -"

"It’s over, anyway," Valerie said, his voice dull with tiredness etched deeply on his features. He looked like he had given up already, but Derek did not believe it was over yet.

He jerked up to his feet with determination, "I can clean up the scene, no one would know that you were here today."

But Valerie shook his head with a sad smile, "What’s the use when my brother has the upper hand anyway? He would never let this go and would surely use it to bring me down -"

"Then you shouldn’t have attempted the move in the first place," Someone said out of nowhere, startling the both of them.

Derek was the first to get into a fighting stance, fully alert and eager to let off some steam. He needed to get rid of this shame and anger coursing through his veins and beating the crap out of the intruder, it did not seem like such a bad idea. Except the intruder was not whom the both of them expected at all.

Valerie’s brow lifted in surprise at the sight of the Autumn prince and he scoffed, "I should have known you kept an eye on me. You were always the type to go poking your nose into other Faerie’s business."

"Well, good thing I did." Andre walked into the center of the room, hands in the pocket of his pants and taking in the room with disappointment, "I finally confirmed you landed yourself in trouble that has been brewing ever since the day that human appeared in the palace."

Valerie stood to his feet with a grunt, "Have you come to chide me brother for my stupid mistake before taking the news to our beloved father, the king?" He tilted his head, scrutinizing him, "The title of crown prince would look good on you."

Andre turned the other way with a disinterested look, "Trust me, I certainly do not need such glorified prison. You can spend the rest of your days confined in the palace, certainly not me. I need the open air and freedom. "

"Then why are you here then? To laugh at me?"

"I’m obviously here to help you out of this mess, fool." He gave him an admonishing look, covering the distance between them.

But Valerie shrugged a shoulder, his lips pulsed, "It’s too late. Aldric is not going to let this go. He would not give up this opportunity, not that I regret my action. If I have the chance, I’ll do it over and over again if that means I would have Islinda back." He admitted it boldly.

"You are blinded by emotions," Andre told him.

"I love her."

"Sadly it’s not a secret humans and Fae do stupid things when they are in love." Andre sighed, pinching the space between his brows, and said, "I would handle Aldric, just take care of this scene."

Valerie’s eyes widened briefly, and he composed himself. "What are you talking about?" He could not believe it.

"I would speak to our brother tomorrow and convince him not to use this mistake against you."

"It’s stupid, he’s not going to listen to you. Also, remember what happened the last time you and Theodore crossed his territory without an invitation," He reminded him with a bit of ridicule in his tone. He did not believe that Andre would be able to get through to Aldric. The dark Fae brother listens to no one.

"That happened because of Theodore’s stupidity, I do not bring a fight to his territory. I will send a request later tonight to our brother."

"It would not work."

"Have you forgotten who I am, Valerie? I am the best at pulling off negotiations." He smirked, exuding confidence.

"No!" Valerie growled at him, "Don’t play me for a stupid Fae, brother Andre. I would not let you make a costly deal with that scum. Also, why would you do that for me? Why would you go to such an extent for me?!"

He snapped at him, "Because I am your brother! I am your brother, Valerie! We are family!"

With his chest heaving, Andre came closer till their bodies were touching and leaned his forehead on his, looking into his eyes as he said with utmost conviction, "Family stand for each other in times of trouble, brother." He breathed raggedly, "And you are the best choice for Astaria. We can’t lose you yet."

Valerie’s throat clogged with emotions and the tears threatened to fall but he held it at bay. Sure, he and Andre got along, but they had not been that close as compared to his relationship with Theodore, but this was the first time he was seeing such devotion and care from his older brother. This was the first time Andre believed in him and his ability to rule Astaria in the future.

He continued, "Everyone makes mistakes, Valerie, and loving is not perfect either. We do what we can and hope it works out." Andre said with such strong emotions and longing in his voice he knew without a doubt his brother had fallen in love in the human realm.

"What happened?" The question slipped to her.

"What?" Andre finally leaned back as if catching himself.

"To her," Valerie said.

Andre gave him a sad smile, "Love knows no color or race, but some people are just not made to be together. Humans are still fragile, you know."

She was gone, Valerie got the point. Nor did he press any further for details.

Andre patted him on the back, "Get your acts together, this is just the beginning." He looked around the room with a deep sigh, "Now, who else knows about this arrangement while we hope our deceased witch that we are about to cover up her death doesn’t belong to a powerful coven."