Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 523: Every King Needs A Stong Queen

Chapter 523: Every King Needs A Stong Queen

The atmosphere in the room was palpably tense, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions. Silence reigned until the king’s voice shattered the heaviness, his words cutting through the tension, "You think killing Islinda would solve everything?"

The king’s question lingered, weighty and pregnant with anticipation. Lennox, his throat tight with nervousness, spoke up, his words measured yet hesitant. "I believe it is the only way to maintain peace and order in the kingdom, Your Majesty. Everything started with Islinda and should end with her for the sake of your sons."

The king’s head tilted slightly, his gaze fixed on Lennox with an inscrutable expression that stirred a sense of unease within him. With caution, Lennox inquired, "What is wrong, Your Majesty?"

"And then what happens after Islinda is dead?" King Oberon’s questioned, leaving his assistant bewildered.

"What?" Lennox’s confusion was palpable as he struggled to grasp the implications of the king’s question.

The king’s eyes narrowed, a fierce intensity gleaming within them as he leaned forward on his throne. "What happens then when Prince Aldric comes wreaking havoc on my kingdom after I took away the one thing that belongs to him? I bet you didn’t think that far," he challenged, his voice laced with a mixture of authority and accusation.

Lennox’s mouth opened to respond, but no words escaped as he found himself at a loss, unable to offer a reasonable rebuttal to the King’s pointed remarks. A flush of embarrassment spread across his face as he realized the oversight in his suggestion, feeling a pang of foolishness for not considering the consequences more carefully before presenting it to the king.

King Oberon’s voice held a mix of resolve and compassion as he continued, "Aldric has already lost so much, I’m not about to add another to the list. My poor son has suffered, and I refuse to hurt him further. As for Valerie, he deceived me. So send a message to him, the both of us have to talk and I’ll put an end to this madness between the brothers. And Islinda..." He paused, his brow furrowing in thought, "If the people love Islinda as you said, they would revolt against us if we were to harm her."

As the king spoke, a sense of realization dawned in the room. His words carried a tone of reflection and accountability. "The riot started as a result of one of our own abusing his power. Moreover, I’ve not been paying attention to that part of town, nor the people there and it’s not surprising they bear resentment towards me. If anything, I have to thank Islinda for bringing my attention to them before things escalated." His acknowledgment of fault was met with a contemplative silence.

"The moment everything is settled, invite Islinda to the palace. Once more, I’m intrigued by her and would like to get to know her more," the king declared, his voice carrying a sense of genuine curiosity and admiration for Islinda.

Taken aback by the king’s insight, Lennox faltered, his confidence wavering as he realized the truth in the monarch’s words. He had been so fixated on the idea of ending Islinda that he hadn’t considered the consequences of such a drastic move.

Lennox, overcome with embarrassment and remorse, felt the weight of his misjudgment press down upon him. With a heavy heart, he swiftly fell to his knees before the king, his head bowed in humility.

"Your Majesty, forgive this foolish one for feeding such useless advice," Lennox pleaded, his words heavy with regret

"Stand up, Lennox. You were only concerned about this kingdom," King Oberon’s voice resonated through the chamber, firm yet reassuring.

With the king’s command, Lennox rose to his feet, his demeanor humbled by the weight of his misjudgment. "Thank you for your benevolence, Your Majesty," he uttered, his words carrying a genuine sense of gratitude and humility.

"You can leave, now," the king’s voice echoed in the chamber, signaling the end of their conversation.

With a silent nod of understanding, Lennox turned on his heel and exited the room, leaving King Oberon to his thoughts.

Though King Oberon maintained his outward composure, inwardly, he braced himself for the turbulent storm that was no doubt brewing within the walls of his own castle.

Meanwhile, In the elegant tea room of the palace, Queen Maeve sat across from Elena, her supposed daughter-in-law, as they shared a moment over tea. It was the first time the two had been alone together in quite some time, away from the prying eyes and ears of the court.

The queen, usually regal and composed, appeared somewhat subdued, her demeanor reflecting the aftermath of the disastrous matchmaking ball. Everyone in the palace was aware of her retreat into her chambers, where she had secluded herself, refusing to interact with anyone.

Despite the palace’s bustling activity, the atmosphere in the room was tranquil yet tinged with an undercurrent of tension. Both women carried themselves with poise, but beneath the surface, emotions simmered. As they sipped their tea, each harbored their own thoughts, their conversation hanging in the air, waiting to unfold.

As the other Fae families departed, leaving the palace in the wake of the matchmaking ball, Elena remained in the palace. She was separated from her parents who had returned to the Summer Court.

Though it hadn’t been officially announced, the unspoken agreement lingered in the air like an invisible contract—Elena was destined to be Valerie’s wife. The signature of their union seemed to already be etched upon the walls of the palace, an inevitable fate awaiting her. Elena was now tasked with acclimating to palace life and preparing for the responsibilities that awaited her.

The queen was the first to lower her tea, the delicate porcelain cup gently settling onto its saucer. She reclined into her seat, her gaze fixed intently upon Elena, who met her scrutiny with unwavering composure. There was a sense of confidence about Elena, a self-assuredness that belied her youth and inexperience.

As Queen Maeve studied her, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Elena was not just a mere choice; she was an investment, carefully selected to fulfill the role of Valerie’s future queen. Queen Maeve had deliberately chosen the best for her son, recognizing the importance of a strong and capable partner to stand by his side.

In Elena, she saw the qualities of resilience and determination that were essential for navigating the complexities of palace life. She saw a potential ally, someone who could bolster Valerie’s reign and contribute to the stability of the kingdom. As Queen Maeve contemplated the young woman before her, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of assurance that her decision was the right one. Every king needs a strong Queen by his side, and in Elena, she believed she had found just that.