Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 80: An Important Guest

Chapter 80: An Important Guest

Aldric stared at the petite human slumped in his arms with conflicting emotions. He should not feel anything for her but the pleading look she gave him earlier "nearly" touched him. Nearly, being the word.

To be honest, he liked her. She was the first person to treat him like a person. Like he mattered and was capable of being loved - until she found out what he was. If only she hadn’t fallen in love with his brother Valerie and doomed her fate, then he would have let go.

Killing her annoying family was his gift to her. Humans believed in the law of karma, but Aldric believed it was a pathetic excuse to not take the law into their hands. He was not built that way and whatever anyone did to him, he was sure to return the treatment tenfold.

Her family treated him like shit, he returned the favor. Islinda took good care of him, he spared her life instead, but did not fulfill her overstretched wish - letting her go. Nothing would stand in his way of reclaiming his throne, not even her.

Aldric adjusted her weight and carried her properly in his arms before summoning a portal back to his place. Good thing she was asleep and would not battle the side effects, still not used to the swift travel.

The medallion saved him hours of travel back to the kingdom and there was no way he was returning the device to his father the king. It was an important asset and the fae owned him many favors. It was time to call them in.

Aldric stepped into the portal, reappearing almost immediately at the entrance of his house. Unlike the palace, there was not a single guard at the entry, after all, who would dare come close to his place?

Everyone feared him. Mothers told his tale to scare insubordinate Fae children to submission. The fear of him was the beginning of obedience. Hence, Aldric never bothered about the security of his place.

He strode into his house confidently and wasn’t surprised to see Maximus in the courtyard. Aldric had sent them away the instant Valerie returned to the Fae realm. Issac had fulfilled his mission in the human realm - keeping an eye on his brother - and it was left for him to finish everything on his end.

Aldric did not want any distraction from any of them, not to mention that he didn’t fully trust Issac, not after the stunt he pulled in the human realm. It was not surprising Issac was not in support of his values, he didn’t understand the prejudice he suffers for just being a dark Fae, however, Aldric underestimated his dedication to the throne - to the point of dying for the kingdom.

Issac’s strong sense of loyalty had attracted him the first time they met. The others purposely ignored and looked down at him when he arrived at the palace, but he was the only person who treated him differently. Perhaps because he was an outcast, Adric liked to collect unique people and Issac was one of them.

The Fae’s righteous dedication was both his strong suit and weakness. Well, he left it to Maxi to take care of him. If there was anyone up to the job, it was her. Should she fail, he would come in then and Aldric could not guarantee it wouldn’t be messy.

"Welcome home, Master,"

Aldric heard the horse shifter’s voice in his head, and acknowledged her presence with a tilt of his head. Islinda occupied his arms else he would have given her a rub or two. He missed her company already.

Maxi didn’t push for attention and Aldric made it to the door where he ran into Issac. The fae flinched slightly, the memory of their last encounter raw in his mind but he quickly composed himself and bowed low,

"You’re back, my prince."

"Hmmm,’’ that was all Aldric said and walked past him. Issac needed time to assimilate into his new environment and he would give him that. One day, the fae was going to be his best soldier, he could feel it. That is if he doesn’t betray him first.

There was a flurry of activities when Aldric came in, followed by the numerous echo of, "You’re welcome back, my prince."

While Aldric preferred peace and alone time, he, unfortunately, could not manage the estate by himself. The closest thing he had as a help was a horse shifter who couldn’t be seen shifting in public and Maxi was not exactly domestic. The staff from the winter court - no other court would come close to him - managed his home and they were employed by the king after he exiled him here.

Aldric was the only prince who lived outside the palace and he was not bothered by it. He was no longer under the constant scrutiny of the hypocrites at the palace, nor would his glory and efforts be overshadowed by his golden brother, Valerie. Not to mention, he had the freedom to plot his claim to the throne.

He could see the questions and fear on the faces of the staff when they saw the human in his arms. Aldric bet they believed he was going to use her for nefarious activities. He was not exactly known for kindness.

Aldric turned to the head staff, "Is there a clean room?"

She raised her head, "Yes, a guest room is ready."

Of course, Maxi’s hand work, she read his plan.

The head of staff led the way and Aldric followed after her.

"Here..." She opened the door and gestured inside, "We received instructions that the guest is important to you and we picked the room closest to yours, my prince."

Aldric ignored the older Fae and went into the room and laid her down on her bed. Islinda muttered a little nonsense, but other than that, she slept peacefully.

He then stepped back and stared at the room, showing approval with a nod. It was better than the dog house she slept in the village and who knows, she might thank him this time.

"Do you need anything else, my prince?"

"The guest would be waking up soon, prepare a lavish meal for tonight," He said, eyes glinting with anticipation.