Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 222: Even Andre

Chapter 222: Even Andre

Music Recommendation - Walls - Ruben

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Andre was not quick enough to stop Islinda from dropping to the ground but he was fast enough to save her head from hitting the hard surface and getting injured. He stared at the unconscious Islinda with perplexed emotions in his eyes, her head cradled in his large palm.

He carefully settled her before turning to Aldric with burning fury in his eyes and charged at him. With great speed, Aldric was snatched from his seat and slammed against the wall such that a crack formed.

Although he was a victim of such a powerful strike, Aldric looked unfazed and was not bothered even as Andre snarled in his face, "What in the Fae is wrong with you?! You were so close to killing her! How could you take her life for granted?" His eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Or is this revenge for Tatiana? You are punishing Valerie this time!"

In a blur of motion, their position was reversed, and the breath was knocked out of Andre’s breath when he clashed with the wall. Aldric’s hand was clenched around his tunic and choked him," I told you, not to mention her name! " His eyes were dark and bulging with fury.

"So what? You would kill me?" Andre snorted, "Sure, go ahead and kill me then. Do it! What’s holding you back?!" He spoke to Aldric in defiance, without fear of retaliation.

Aldric gave him a long look before letting him go reluctantly. "Get out of here." He ordered him.

However, the instant Andre was free, he swung a fist at his brother’s face and Aldric staggered from the impact, reaching a hand to his face, his face distorting when he saw blood.

"You–!"

"You are not worthy of love!" Andre shouted, stopping him dead in his tracks.

He went on to say, "You are so twisted and bitter inside that anyone who dares to love you might as well drink poison and sleep with their ancestors! You don’t need affection, because you’re not capable of it. You have nothing but darkness in you, Aldric."

Aldric let out a ridiculing laughter, "Hello brother, isn’t that what I am? A dark Fae!" He admitted it rather proudly.

"No, don’t you dare! Don’t you dare justify your actions with your descent, Aldric? Over the centuries, I have seen worse Fae’s than you and they’re not even dark Faeries. This is your own decision, you choose to be this way. You choose to be evil."

"In that case, good to know. Now you can leave." Aldric indicated the door, tired of listening to his endless lectures. Who was he to educate him on the concept of good and bad? Not when he wasn’t a saint.

"No, I would not leave until I say my piece," Aldre refused, standing his ground.

They stood almost at the same height with Aldric being just a few inches taller, yet Andre straightened up, meeting his eyes dead on.

"I came here to make you a deal, let the matter with Valerie go and I would grant you a favor that you can collect at any time. But now, I have changed my mind, you can do whatever you want, Aldric. You are free to tell the king," He scoffed, "no, you can announce Valerie’s offense to the whole of Astaria with a trumpet, I don’t care. But do remember this, that would not change your status to the crown prince. How can you control a kingdom when you can’t control yourself? Also, Queen Maeve would kill the girl. Let’s see the leverage you would hold over Valerie once Islinda is gone."

Aldric narrowed his gaze at him, bristling at the challenge in his tone, "Is that a threat?"

Andre laughed, "Oh, of course not, how can I threaten the great Aldric, the prince of the dark Fae?" The smile faltered on his face and he drew closer till their chests were touching, "But do think of this, if Valerie hates you this much, then what would happen when Islinda is gone?"

For a moment there it looked like Aldre had gotten through to him, but he scoffed, "I am not scared of him."

"You would be once he’s king."

"Which is why he can never be king!" His eyes flashed, "That is my rightful position," His eyes trailed over Andre, and nodded his head, coming to an understanding, "You have made your decision. It’s Valerie that you choose. Here, I was thinking that you understood me a little."

"I understand that you are the strongest and in a normal setting, you should be the king...."

"But?" Aldric said with an arched brow, waiting for the worst.

"But you have no compassion." He shook his head pitifully as if mourning a big loss.

Aldric laughed, "You don’t need compassion to rule. What Astaria needs is a powerful ruler!"

"You’re stronger than Valerie, that is for sure, but he is a powerful ruler and has a heart of compassion. But you, Aldric, you would bring a never-ending warring to Astaria. This nation would never see peace if you ascend the throne,"

He added immediately," Unless, of course, you change, which is impossible. You don’t even see the good things right in front of you. "

At this point, Aldric’s jaw was clenched hard enough for muscles on either side to tick.

"You should leave now, brother. My patience is currently thin." He warned him.

"Of course, I would leave." Andre knew any more time here and a fight would break out between them. Aldric always did have a foul temper and he couldn’t tell if it was his personality or because he was dark Fae.

"But before I leave," He stole a glance towards Islinda one more time, "I don’t care about your real motive in capturing Islinda but make sure you ensure her survival, not just because Valerie would make your life a living hell, but you would have me to answer to too." Andre threatened the dark prince for the first time.

Aldric swore under his breath, holding onto the last cord of control in him.

Andre slowly began to retreat, saying,

"You know where to find me if you want the deal, little brother." He turned and left through the door.

With Andre gone, Aldric stared at the space for a moment before bursting into maniacal laughter. He laughed and laughed until he gurgled to a stop, his face darkening with rage.

Was Islinda fucking kidding him?

Even Andre too?

Not to mention this was the first time Aldric was put in his place and it left him feeling very bitter.