Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 837: Destroy The Ka’er

"Your Majesty, Fae Queen... Ahh, my mistake, Queen Maeve," Aldric said, bowing with a mock seriousness that almost concealed his true intent. Almost.

His lips curled into the faintest of smirks as he lowered his head. Anyone watching would think it was a slip of the tongue

except Queen Maeve. She knew better, and her fury simmered just beneath her regal facade.

Her emerald eyes narrowed, the fire in them burning brighter. She clenched her jaw but restrained herself, knowing the eyes of the court were on her. This was not the time for an outburst. Not yet.

"Your Majesty," Islinda’s voice was soft as she dipped her head respectfully, standing by her mate.

Unlike Aldric, she had no intention of goading the Queen. But even Islinda’s careful decorum couldn’t mask the storm brewing inside of Queen Maeve.

The tension crackled in the air like static. Queen Maeve’s gaze shifted past Islinda, locking onto the monstrous figure lounging comfortably behind Aldric. The creature lay sprawled, its enormous body coiled in a lazy posture, though its yellow eyes glimmered with a predatory intelligence. Maeve’s anger flared, but she forced herself to maintain her poise.

"What do you think you’re doing right now?" Maeve’s voice was controlled, but the venom was unmistakable.

Aldric blinked, a look of exaggerated confusion crossing his face. "What do you mean, Your Majesty, Queen Maeve?" His tone was almost innocent, and yet, laced with that unmistakable insolence that made Maeve’s blood boil.

"Don’t play games with me, boy," Maeve snapped, her composure slipping for just a second as her voice rose. "You dare bring a Ka’er into the palace? Is this your idea of loyalty? Are you plotting treason against the crown?"

Aldric tilted his head, as though processing her words. "Oh," he said, as if realizing something for the first time. "You mean Straggler?" He gestured to the Ka’er casually, as though it were nothing more than a stray cat he’d picked up.

Aldric stepped toward the creature, kneeling beside it and affectionately rubbing its scaled hide. "I’m glad you’re here, Your Majesty," he said with a disarming grin. "Allow me to introduce the newest member of the family. Meet Straggler."

Queen Maeve’s face flushed an even deeper shade of red, fury tightening her features. Her knuckles were white as she balled them into a fist.

How dare he! She was the Queen, and here was Aldric, treating her authority as if it were a joke. The Ka’er, a creature that had been outlawed, was resting within the very walls of her palace, and he had the audacity to present it to her as though it were a pet. He even dare to call it a member of the family. He was disrespecting the royal family.

"You—!" Maeve’s voice cracked like a whip, her finger pointed toward Aldric. "Soldiers!" she roared, turning toward the soldiers standing nearby. "Destroy that thing."

A ripple of hesitation passed through the guards. Destroy a Ka’er? The creature, though illegal, was a beast of immense power. And Aldric—the soon-to-be Dark Fae King—stood next to it, clearly protecting it.

Aldric’s demeanor darkened immediately, his smile fading as his eyes sharpened, but he said nothing, waiting. His silence was more dangerous than his words ever could be.

"Didn’t you hear me?!" Maeve screeched, her fury at its peak. "Destroy it! Now!"

A sudden movement from her side caught her attention. Queen Nirvana, who had been quietly watching from the sides stepped forward. Leaning in close, she whispered, "Maeve, I don’t think this is the right decision."

Maeve’s eyes blazed with anger, her voice low and dripping with venom. "Did I ask for your opinion?"

Nirvana flinched at the coldness in Maeve’s tone, but the moment passed quickly. She straightened, giving Maeve a long, assessing look before scoffing. "Suit yourself, bitch," she muttered, spinning on her heel and left without looking back.

It didn’t concern Nirvana that Aldric might have brought the beast to wreck an attack on the palace. No, that couldn’t happen, not when Aldric was smarter than that. The dark Fae prince could not destroy what he wanted, the throne. Maeve was the stupid one for falling into his plan over and over again. And to think she thought she was smart. Nirvana scoffed. Aldric was playing her like a fiddle. Idiot.

When Queen Nirvana left, it was left for Queen Victoria who gave Maeve one long look, shook her head and left. There was an unsettling murmur on the crowd with the departure of the two queens. The people gathered began to give Maeve a doubting look, as if she was not making a wise decision here.

Maeve, noticing the shift, clenched her fists. She would not be undermined in her own court.

"What are you waiting for?!" she yelled at the soldiers. "Destroy the beast! Oberon ordered their extinction, this Ka’er should not be breathing in our palace! If anyone stands in the way, destroy them as well!"

Her gaze snapped toward Aldric and Islinda, both standing protectively in front of the creature.

The soldiers exchanged glances. Maeve’s words held weight as Oberon had decreed the annihilation of the Ka’er long ago. But Aldric’s presence was a complication they couldn’t ignore. To harm him or Islinda would be to risk war with the Dark Fae. The soldiers’ hesitation only increased Maeve’s frustration.

Islinda’s heart raced. She had bonded with Straggler in the short time they’d spent, and despite the creature’s dangerous reputation, she couldn’t stand the thought of it being destroyed. But more than that, she had to think of her unborn child. She couldn’t risk her life, not now.

"Aldric, what’s the plan?" Islinda whispered, her eyes scanning the soldiers who began to form an attack formation. Even Straggler, sensing the impending danger, stirred uneasily, its large head rising from its resting position.

"Don’t worry," Aldric said, his voice cool and confident. "The plan has arrived."

Islinda’s brow furrowed in confusion, but before she could question him further, a commanding voice echoed through the space

"What’s the meaning of this?"

Everyone turned as one, their gazes falling upon the imposing figure of King Oberon as he arrived. He was flanked by his three sons and his elite guards.