Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 617: In The Face Of Death

Chapter 617: In The Face Of Death

"Welcome to the Summer Court, your highness, Valerie. I’m sure the journey must have been long and tough. I’ll arrange your room as usual and have you settled in." Valerie was greeted and welcomed with customary courtesy by his relative, the substitute high lord, as soon as he arrived at the Summer Court palace.

"No, thank you, I plan to have just a short reprieve, then I leave for the heart of the mountain." Valerie told him.

"The heart of the mountain?"

His relative, Jagon, scrunched his nose in dissatisfaction, concern etched on his face.

Jagon, despite having royal blood, lacked enough influence to claim his throne due to his mother’s ruthless streak. Everyone knew not to cross the crazy summer Queen. Queen Maeve had systematically eliminated any potential threats to his position, be it uncles or relatives through threats or even death, though she wouldn’t admit it.

In the past, Valerie couldn’t understand why his mother safeguarded the Summer throne when, as future king of Astaria, he would naturally have control over every court. But finally, Valerie understood. If he failed in his quest to be the king of Astaria, he could always return to claim the Summer Court throne. Valerie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, realizing the extent of his mother’s trust in his abilities.

Thankfully, Jagon was a kind ruler, exactly the type Queen Maeve wanted, a puppet she could easily control while ensuring the prosperity of the summer court. The same way she likely intended to control Astaria through him once he became king.

"What are you going to do in the heart of the mountain?" Jagon asked with a note of suspicion.

The "mountain," as it was popularly referred to by the Summer Court Faeries, was a harsh and unforgiving landscape. High heat and molten lava dominated the terrain, making it a formidable challenge even for high-ranking Faes who possessed the ability to manipulate intense heat.

According to Summer Court folklore, the mountain held significant importance in their realm. It was said to be the place where the primal gods first descended upon their visit to this realm, bestowing upon the Summer Faeries their powers and teachings. Legends spoke of how the gods taught the chosen summer Faeries how to wield and draw power and strength from the sun itself. It was rumored that the mountain served as the source of their powers, making it a sacred ground.

Despite its significance, the mountain was rarely visited, not only because of its sacred status but also because the intense heat made it inhospitable for the Faeries. While their powers were a blessing, they were also a curse, especially for the Summer Fae. The power to draw the power of the sun came with a price – they had to constantly regulate the amount of heat surging through their veins and surrounding them. Failure to do so could result in combustion and death, turning their blessing of power into a curse of constant vigilance.

Only one faerie lived there or rather close to it, and that was who Valerie intended to see.

"I intend to visit my grandfather. I want to learn the blue flame," Valerie declared.

"What? Are you out of your mind?!" Jagon exclaimed, shocked. "Does your mother even know about this?"

But that was precisely the point. With his mother in captivity, Valerie saw an opportunity she couldn’t stop him from seizing.

"It’s dangerous, even for a powerful prince like you. Your mother doesn’t even visit him anymore. She considers him dead. Perhaps you should follow in her footsteps," Jagon advised.

Valerie remained stubborn, his lips pressed together in determination. "I have made up my mind."

"Valerie —" Jagon tried to persuade him but Valerie lifted his hand, instantly silencing him.

"That is all. Thank you for the hospitality." Valerie said sternly.

Jagon let out a heavy sigh, realizing nothing he said could change the prince’s mind. "If you say then, your room has been prepared and I’ll ensure things are arranged for your journey." He grumbled, the displease in his tone evident.

"Thank you for the efforts, but the less Faeries, the better for me. I wouldn’t risk any of them getting injured for my sake, or even any one of them drawing me back. I don’t exactly have enough time on my hands." Valerie said.

"Your highness, if I may ask, does this have to do with the death duel between you and your brother, the dark Fae prince, Aldric?"Jagon asked carefully, his brows creased with worry.

Valerie’s mouth twitched, a darkness falling upon his face. So the news had already reached the summer court, unlike his mother’s intentions to stop the match. Valerie’s hands clenched into fist. More than ever, he was determined to win the duel. Aldric had to die else he was losing everything.

Perhaps Jagon saw his darkened expression and realized this was a sore conversation for him. So he quickly covered up the awkward tension that had fallen over them by saying, "You should start out soon to get the best visibility before the sun goes down."

As much as Fae had better visibility compared to humans, the mountain was a tough plain to explore and needed extreme carefulness.

"Thank you," Valerie subtly nodded his head in acknowledgment before gesturing to Derek, his second-in-command, who had been a silent observer all this while. Together, they left, following a servant who seamlessly stepped into her role, directing the prince to his room.

As soon as they stepped into the privacy of his room, Derek said to Valerie, "I still believe that this is a bad idea."

"Bad idea or not, I have come too far to stop. You can stay if you like. I know it’s reckless and would not be selfish enough to embark on this journey that might not even yield fruition."

But Derek glared at him, "You think that I am a coward."

"That is not —"

Derek snapped at him. "My duty is to serve you, even if it Is to journey into the realm of death. So don’t even tell me to cower in the face of danger like some coward!"