Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 439: Rightful Owner

Chapter 439: Rightful Owner

Valerie marched purposefully towards the King’s chamber. His eyes glowed with anger, hands clenched at his sides, and his body radiated tension. The morning’s events lingered in his mind, replaying with vivid details every time he closed his eyes.

Nothing pissed Valerie off the most than the helplessness when Aldric’s shadows fell on them, cutting off every source of light and plunging them into darkness. Terror had seized him and he couldn’t even do anything until the panicked voices roused him. Then he thought about his mother and cold shivers washed over him at the thought of losing his mother. Queen Fae might not be affectionate but she was still his mother.

Only then did his feet move into action and he began to fight the shadows with his flames until they retreated, letting in enough light for him to witness the wreckage Aldric had brought by. His shadows had not attacked nor hurt anyone, but the Fae were weary of him and what he had done had caused enough panic.

There was a stampede and the Faeries in their panic had fought blindly, striking their neighbors instead of the enemy, Aldric. There was recorded no death, only injuries, and Aldric was not getting out of this one easily because most of the Faeries were children of noble and high Faes. Their parents would be out for their pound of flesh.

As for Valerie, he had to speak to his father and put some sense into him once and for all. Aldric has to go. Perhaps, back to the front lines where he would be more useful. And maybe then he would find a way to free Islinda from his shackles.... Fuck. Where was Islinda?

He had been so occupied with taking care of the mess he had practically forgotten about her. He was the crown prince of Astaria and the well-being of the royal family with its citizens came first. There were so many injuries and tensions to clear before they had a riot in the palace of the king. All of those matters had kept him occupied for almost throughout the day.

Valerie was conflicted between abandoning his father and going to check up on Islinda. In the end, duty won over his concern for the love of his life. This was for her good anyway. If his majesty Oberon agreed to this, that would mean she would not see Aldric for a while and that was enough time to come up with a solution. Moreover, Islinda was one of the toughest humans he had seen. He was sure she was fine somewhere.

Thus Valerie headed to the King’s chambers and though he gained access at the entrance, Lennox, his father’s assistant and advisor stopped him from seeing his father.

"I’m afraid his majesty is busy right now."

"Let him in." King Oberon’s voice came from outside the door and Valerie let out a relieved breath. He had been thinking of an unorthodox way of seeing his father if he was denied communication with his father.

"Very well then, you may go in, Your Highness, Valerie," Lennox said, protracting as he got out of his way.

Valerie barely spared him a look before he pushed the door open and went in to see his father. The first thing that he saw was his father’s long shock of white hair that cascaded down his shoulders as the king had his back turned to him, his hands clasped behind him.

"Your majesty," Valerie greeted him with his head bowed. When he straightened up, his expression softened and he said, "Father."

King Oberon finally turned around, his expression hard to read. He commented, "I heard what happened. I should have known the palace would never remain the same with the presence of my youngest son, don’t you think so?"

The hint of humor grated on Valerie’s nerves. His teeth ground hard. It couldn’t be that his father was not taking this seriously.

"Father—" But Valerie couldn’t speak the next word as his father lifted his hand, halting him.

King Oberon winced, "Please don’t tell me you’re here to lecture me on my son; I’ve had an earful of that for the past hours."

King Oberon snatched a small paper out of thin air, watching emotionlessly as the paper froze and then disintegrated like tiny snows at his feet.

He looked at his son, wincing slightly as he recounted," The worst of it was your mother. She nearly rendered me deaf."

Valerie saw an opportunity to speak. "You cannot blame mother; Aldric attacked—"

"A friendly banter, I heard," King Oberon said too sharply, causing Valerie to flinch as if struck physically.

His expression eased a little as he said, "It’s not his fault that our people misunderstood his ability."

Desperate to prove his point, Valerie stepped forward. "You cannot keep defending him, father. Aldric is—"

"Your brother and your blood," the king cut him off. Again.

Valerie scoffed, "I bet you he doesn’t think that way."

"I don’t blame him if that’s the case. He didn’t live a sheltered life like the rest of you brothers, and it’s all my fault. I was more interested in pleasing my kingdom than helping my son navigate the deep waters he found himself in. He had to guard himself against everyone, and now we’re reaping the consequences."

"He intends to covet my throne, father. My position. Aldric is not what you think he is. He’s far more devious than what you expect, and he would do everything to take what doesn’t belong to him!"

"Then guard what belongs to you!"

"What?"

"Fight for your throne if he intends to steal it and show him once and for all that he is not worthy of it. That you are the rightful owner, not him."

Valerie was taken aback by his father, sputtering and stammering over his words. "But... I..."

King Oberon sighed, "I have no time for this, Valerie. Stay out of this matter; I’ll take care of it."

Anger filled Valerie once more. He protested, "But father—"

"With Aldric in prison for the time being, see to it that the dark Fae is executed. A little bloodshed would ease our people’s anger and give them something to talk about." King Oberon shifted the responsibility to him, considering he had the time on his hands.

Valerie reined in the rage running through his veins, knowing his mission was not fulfilled. He could argue some more, but he recognized that look in his father’s eyes, and this conversation was over.

With fire burning in his eyes, he reluctantly bowed his head and said, "As you wish, father."