Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 835: What To Do With Aldric?

Queen Maeve’s breath came in shallow, trembling waves as she stared at the canvas before her. The room was silent except for the faint rustle of the curtains as a breeze whispered through the window.

Yesterday’s incident of her once beloved son nearly murdering her still weighed heavily on her mind. Valerie’s outburst had been unexpected and terrifying, and since then, she had not left her chambers.

She hadn’t heard so much as a whisper of an apology from Valerie either —not that she would have let him into her room without heavy security. Valerie’s behavior was becoming more erratic, more unpredictable, and she couldn’t afford to be careless.

But Maeve was a strong Fae, one who thrived on control and precision. She would not let fear win. When her mind grew clouded and her heart raced, she turned to her canvas. Painting was her solace, her strategy session. She could think, scheme, and plan her next move with every brushstroke.

She lifted her brush, dipped it in the paint, and let her hand glide across the canvas. The image began to take shape. Her lips curled into a smile as she worked, the brush moving fluidly, confidently. She painted with purpose, her strokes filled with the quiet rage of a queen scorned.

But the peace she found in her art was fleeting. Suddenly, a dark shadow fell over her window, blocking the sunlight that had been streaming in. Maeve’s hand froze mid-stroke, a frown forming on her lips. She turned sharply, ready to shout at whatever servant dared to disturb her sanctuary. But her words caught in her throat.

"What in the Fae?" she breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper.

A colossal shadow loomed outside her window, blotting out the sky. It was an enormous beast, its wings spread wide and powerful, casting a darkness that seemed to swallow everything in its path.

Maeve’s eyes widened in fear and awe. The brush slipped from her hand, leaving a thick, jagged stroke of black paint across her almost-finished masterpiece. The clatter of the brush falling to the floor snapped her back to reality. Her heart thundered in her chest, and for a moment, she was frozen, caught between shock and disbelief.

*******

In another wing of the palace, Queen Nirvana sat with her granddaughter, teaching her the finer points of chess. Each move was deliberate, each decision a lesson in strategy and patience. Chess was more than just a game to her; it was a reflection of the political landscape they navigated daily in the palace.

She watched as her granddaughter pondered her next move, eyes narrowing in concentration. While the innocent girl might not know it, Queen Nirvana was honing the girl knowing she would lead in the future — if her useless father doesn’t provide another heir.

"Think, child," Queen Nirvana said softly. "Every piece has a purpose. Every move can shift the balance of power."

The young girl’s brow furrowed, her small hand hovering over the board, hesitating. Then, just as she was about to make her move, she paused, her eyes widening. "Grandmother, look..." she whispered, pointing toward the window.

Nirvana followed her gaze, her own eyes widening as a massive shadow fell across the room, dimming the light. She stood slowly, her chair scraping against the stone floor as she rose. She approached the window with a mixture of dread and curiosity.

"What in the cursed Fae..." she muttered under her breath.

Outside, the sky was darkened by the wings of an enormous beast, its form powerful and terrible against the backdrop of the heavens. She could see it clearly now, a creature she had hoped never to see again. Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively pulled her granddaughter close, shielding her from the sight.

*******

In the kitchens, Queen Victoria and her maid servants were in the midst of a rare moment of lightheartedness, giggling as they tried to perfect their batches of cookies.

The aroma of sugar, butter, and spice filled the air, mingling with their laughter. It was a welcome break from the usual tension that filled the palace walls.

But the laughter died abruptly as a sudden shadow fell over them, plunging the room into darkness. The servants exchanged fearful glances and rushed to the window, their hearts pounding with dread. freёweɓnovel.com

"What is that?" one of the maids whispered, her voice trembling.

Queen Victoria moved to the window, her hand clutching her chest. Her eyes widened, and she felt a cold dread settle in her stomach.

"By the gods..." she gasped. There, against the sky, the monstrous form of a beast flew with terrifying grace. She had seen such creatures but that had been long ago. They apparently had gone extinct. Until now.

*******

In the training grounds, Prince Valerie was engaged in a fierce bout with Derek, his frustration evident in every swing of his sword and every blast of his fire magic.

The recent events so far had frayed his nerves, and he needed an outlet, a way to release the pent-up fury within him. Derek could barely keep up, and after a particularly intense exchange, he slipped, falling hard to the ground.

Valerie halted just short of scorching Derek with a blaze of flame. "You would be dead by now if this were real," he snapped, the adrenaline coursing through him.

But before Derek could respond, a huge shadow fell over them, blotting out the sun. Valerie’s eyes went wide, his breath catching in his throat. "What the fuck...?"

An enormous beast soared above them, its wings stretching wide, blocking out the light.

*******

In his private chamber, King Oberon studied the maps and papers before him, the remnants of what was once the Night Court’s territory.

"It’s a lot to reclaim," he said, voice heavy with the gravity of the task ahead. "And at this rate, it would be hard to recover..."

Lennox, his advisor, was about to respond when a dark shadow fell across the room.

They both turned toward the window, and Oberon’s face twisted in a mix of shock. Perched atop the enormous beast outside was a familiar figure, one he could recognize even from this distance.

"Aldric..." Oberon groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. What was he going to do with that boy?