Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 390: He Knew The Truth

Chapter 390: He Knew The Truth

"Hello, husband?"

Queen Maeve’s words carried a lot of weight and bound the room like a noose. Tensions simmer between Queen Maeve and King Oberon and the King’s cabinets who sensed it couldn’t sit properly anymore, all shifting to the edge and ready to flee once the fight begins. None of them wanted to be the casualty loss having seen the poor guard’s fate.

King Oberon finally spoke up, "What is the meaning of this, Maeve?" She disobeyed his order and disrupted the meeting.

Queen Maeve’s scalp prickled with irritation at him calling her by her name in front of everyone and undermining her position as the queen.

A bitter laughter escaped Queen Maeve’s mouth, "What do you mean by this? I missed my husband so much that I decided to seek him out." She added. "After all, my dear husband decided to hold an hours-long court session on the day of the matchmaking ball."

A furrow appeared on King Oberon’s face which was a signal of his displeasure.

"I did not realize I wasn’t permitted to conduct official business because my wife is organizing a matchmaking ball." He said, his gaze darkening and the tension thickened in the eye such that others couldn’t breathe.

Queen Maeve continued, undeterred, "Forgive me but I thought the role of the queen is to rule side by side with the king, her husband who is supposed to show support?" She dared him to argue that.

King Oberon did not answer immediately, not because he had run out of response but because he was trying to hold back his temper. He looked at his advisor as if seeking advice on how to deal with this, but the stricken-faced Fae subtly shook his head.

Queen Maeve was ever observant and noticed the interaction between the both of them and was satisfied inwardly. She would see how he got out of this one.

Pinching the space between his brows, King Oberon squeezed his eyes shut, and without even opening them, he ordered, "Leave us."

It was obvious whom the order was from and every minister in the courtroom ran out of the room as quickly as their feet could take them. They could already sense the war and did not want to be part of it.

Guards came in that moment and took away their injured brethren just as the king opened his eyes and his blue orbs were as cold as the frost powers he wielded. The temperature dropped as well and even for a summer Fae whose power canceled out the cold, Queen Maeve’s breathing formed a mist in the air.

King Oberon gracefully rose from his throne, his every movement of regal elegance. As he descended the dais, each step carried an aura of predatory intent, akin to a majestic beast closing in on its chosen prey.

The air seemed to thicken with tension, his approach exuding a silent power that echoed through the grand hall. His gaze, sharp and calculating, focused on his wife, Queen Maeve, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation, much like a predator deciding the perfect moment to pounce on its unsuspecting quarry.

As the air thickened with an undercurrent of power, a palpable energy swirled around the majestic figure of King Oberon. His every step left a trail of frost in his wake, a testament to the immense prowess of his winter abilities. The very atmosphere seemed to respond to his regal presence, which was no wonder he was crowned ruler of Astaria. He was unmatched. For now.

As they stood face to face, his piercing gaze locked onto hers. Despite the facade of false bravado and her stubborn resolve, Queen Maeve found herself unable to look away, meeting his eyes in a silent, intense exchange. The air between them crackled with the unresolved tension of their encounter, a palpable clash of wills playing out in the silent exchange of glances.

In a breath filled with anger, King Oberon retorted, "You really wish for death."

However, Queen Maeve brushed aside his threat and stated coldly, "The matchmaking ball is about to commence, distinguished families are gathering, and yet I find myself without the presence of the king. You’re making our strained relationship glaringly apparent. What do you believe others will say when they witness this? We are supposed to present a united front."

"Really?" King Oberon sneered, mocking her concern. "What do I think people would think?" He gestured dismissively, adding sarcastically, "The Queen orchestrating a ball without the input of her husband – I’m sure she would piece it together just fine as usual."

"Oberon!" she yelled at him, their gazes clashing.

But he shoved past her, and the Queen attempted to grab his arm, only to yelp in both pain and terror as her hand was suddenly encased in frost. She quickly withdrew her hand.

"Don’t—!" King Oberon fired, his eyes flaring. "You ever touch me!"

"What are you doing?" Queen Maeve asked tenderly this time, her eyes softening. "What did I do so bad for you to hate me?"

He ignored her and walked on.

"Nova is dead already!" she screamed, her chest heaving.

King Oberon halted.

She turned, spitting out, "It’s been centuries already, when are you going to get over her? I don’t even care so much if you don’t love me the same way you do to her, but what I don’t understand is this unending hatred! I have worked so hard to keep this kingdom together; I have helped to make your dreams come true, and this is how you repay me?" Queen Maeve was shaking with the anger coursing through her.

At once, King Oberon retraced his step and strode towards her, his imposing presence causing her heart to nearly jump out of her chest.

"You want to hear why I hate you so much?"

"Of course, I —"

"Nova’s incident."

Her heart stuttered, and Queen Maeve swallowed, trying to keep her expression neutral, or else she gave everything away. Her mind raced through various scenarios, questioning whether there was any way that he could know the truth. Ramirez would never snitch on her.

"Do you think I wouldn’t find out?" he snarled.

"W—what?" Queen Maeve was beginning to get scared of what he had to say.

King Oberon chuckled coldly, "I thought hard about it lately. How the dark Fae could get such information on Nova’s travel, it turns out the backstabber is staring me right in the face all this while."

By the gods, no....

"Oberon..." she tried to explain.

"Do you know why I kept quiet all this while? Because it would rend this kingdom in two, and you have been doing such a great job for the Fae. Yet, you dare to ask for my affection?"

Queen Maeve teared up, "Please, Oberon, listen to me, I can explain..."

She tried to touch him, but his icy gaze stopped her short, and she trembled.

Oberon told her, "You can go ahead and live your life as the queen you always wanted to be. However, pray to the gods that Aldric never finds out because, unlike me, he has nothing to lose, and this kingdom be damned if he doesn’t get his revenge."