Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 411: Take Me In As A Son

Chapter 411: Take Me In As A Son

Monster.

Islinda could finally understand why Aldric was called that because he was one. She had never seen anyone take such delight in another’s misery as Aldric did at that moment. Islinda could not forget the pure ecstasy on his face as he tore the dark Fae apart from limb to limb.

As a hunter, one would think Islinda was used to the gore, but she was sick to her stomach. She had never witnessed someone being slaughtered in front of her as if he were a chicken. Aldric had no qualms about torturing.

Their gazes locked, and she stiffened in response. For the first time, Islinda was terrified of Aldric. If he can do that to a fae, what will happen to her once she has served her purpose? Valerie was correct; Aldric was rotten to the core, and she could not put her trust in him.

Even with her doubts, she screamed his name when she saw Queen Maeve move threateningly towards him, her heart in her throat, "Watch out! Aldric!"

Quickly, Aldric dove out of the way as a ball of fire whizzed by and crashed into another area of the room. When the Faeries in that direction saw it coming, they squawked and ran for cover.

Looking slightly taken aback, Aldric turned to Queen Maeve. He never imagined the Queen would attack him in public.

He remarked sarcastically, "I never thought you were capable of a surprise attack, Queen Maeve." You should have just asked for a spar if you needed one."

"Y—you!" Queen Maeve seethed, white-hot rage coursing through her veins.

Queen Maeve was a sight to behold, her face and a portion of her hair matted with blood. Her outfit was ruined, and her co-wives chose to remain silent rather than assist her. If there was one thing Queen Maeve despised, it was sympathy. The Fae Queen was unreasonable at the time, and no one wanted their offer of help to backfire.

"You dare to defy the crown?" She roared at him, staggering like a drunken Fae despite the fact that it was only the fierce anger within her that made her tremble. "You disregarded my authority and humiliated me!"

"Take a look at me! Look at the Queen of this land! "Look what you did to the Queen of Astaria," she commanded, grabbing the attention of the audience and drawing them to her cause.

"Look at what you did to me," she said, her voice lowering to a whisper.

The Fae had conflicted expressions on their faces, and they could not look Queen Maeve in the eyes. They regarded Queen Maeve as their nation’s mother, even though she appeared to be in a state of disarray. At the same time, Aldric had captured the dark Fae who had attacked Lady Elena and had done what had to be done. For the first time, the Queen’s supporters were divided.

Queen Maeve threw her head back and started laughing, her eyes betraying her insanity as she seemed to sense the discord among her people. When the laughter died away, Queen Maeve’s eyes became as cold as glaciers.

She said, "Arrest him."

The Fae guards exchanged glances for a moment, unsure of the decision. That was until Fae Queen Maeve said icily, "Are you blatantly disobeying your Queen’s order?"

They did not have a choice.

"No!" Islinda whimpered at the spot, looking helplessly between the approaching Fae guards and Aldric. He appeared remarkably composed for someone who was most likely going to be cast into the dungeon.

Aldric did not resist the guards when they approached him, allowing them to seize him from both sides. The third Fae was about to disarm him of all weapons when an announcement came through.

"All bow in honor of his Majesty, King Oberon."

"The King?!" Queen Maeve let out a startled gasp, her head whipping around quickly to confirm that it was true. And it was.

Everyone in the room, including Aldric, who was flanked on both sides by guards, kneeled. Islinda did not know why, but the thought of the king gave her hope; at the very least, he would fight for his son.

Queen Maeve was the only one who remained standing, stunned, until King Oberon approached her.

"Dear Queen," he began, "it appears you are the only one who refuses to respect me."

The sneer in his tone was all it took to jolt Queen Maeve out of her trance, and she fell to her knees before her husband, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Her reputation was ruined tonight, and it was all because of Aldric!

"You may all rise." King Oberon gave the order, and everyone was on their feet, though Queen Maeve’s arrogance had faded, her head slightly lowered. Now that the king was here, she was pushed to the sidelines.

"What is the meaning of this?" With a straight face, King Oberon inquired, referring to the manner in which his son Aldric was seized by the guards.

The room was tense, and none of the guards could respond.

"I asked a question," King Oberon asked no one in particular, but the guards were the most troubled. So it was no surprise that one of them came out to say, his face bowed, "It was the Fae Queen Maeve’s order, Your Majesty."

When King Oberon heard that, he became intrigued and turned to face the queen. He took her in for the first time since he arrived, noticing her disheveled appearance.

"Why do you look like you stepped out of a war zone, my Queen?" he asked. When I learned of a dark Fae attack from my son Andre..." Prince Andre was suddenly put in the spotlight, "I assumed that my son Aldric would have taken care of it, after all, isn’t that his specialty?" There was an underlying meaning in his words and only the members of the royal family understood it.

"Of course, I did Father, but my lovely mother Maeve doesn’t seem to agree with my method." Suddenly realizing his slip, Aldric placed a hand on his mouth, looking shocked. "Oops, my bad. I should have referred to you by your official title, but since the winter Queen is gone, you wouldn’t mind taking me in as a son, would you, Fae Queen Maeve?"