Valerie paced about the room, biting down on his fingers nervously. He was forbidden from stepping out of his chambers and aside from Derek in the room with him, there were other Fae guards stationed outside to implent the rules.
King Oberon had not talked to him after the incident and it bothered him greatly. Valerie knew his father was disappointed in him and he could not bla him, after all, his actions tonight did not reflect the highest standard of royalty and leadership. He let his emotions take control of him. Prince Valerie of Astaria shew weakness and it wasn’t an admirable trait amongst the Fae’s.
Hence, when the door to his chamber was opened and a figure stepped in, hope grew inside of him and he opened his mouth to apologize to the king, only that it wasn’t his father but his mother instead. The regal, gracious, and stern queen Maeve. Valerie swallowed knowing that he was in deep trouble.
"Mother...." He curtseyed, acknowledging her presence with a bow as she stalked towards him.
Unlike her eyes that once held admiration for her son, there was cold anger in Queen Maeve’s amber, and her lips were pressed into a thin line. It was obvious that she had not gotten over the incident in the ballroom and was deeply embarrassed by her son’s actions.
Valerie decided to et her halfway and explain to her, "Mother, I can explain..."
However, his ears rang when she slapped him and his face whipped to the side from the impact. His mother drew blood and Valerie swiped at the corner of his lips with his thumb, wiping off the blood and turning to his mother with a hardened expression.
"People were watching!" Queen Maeve said with a clipped tone and a fierce gaze, "Half of the kingdom was there and yet you lost control. How would the Fae in the future trust a prince who is easily influenced by his emotions? You know very much control is essential in running this nation!" She shouted at him, drawing a long, slow breath in the end.
Valerie did not dare to utter a word nor look her in the eyes knowing she was venting out her anger on him, unlike his father giving him the silent treatnt.
The queen continued, "This is a dog-eat-dog world and there are only a few moons till your father steps down. Your brothers are roaming around like sharks, desperate to sink your teeth into you."
"They won’t win, Theodore and Andre know that much. They have no choice but to support if they want their courts to be prosperous during my reign." Valerie said with confidence.
"And Aldric?" The queen gave him a pointed look, her voice full of disdain.
Valerie sighed, "He’s not a problem -"
"Is he not?" The queen cut him off, "Look what he did tonight."
When Valerie breathed, smoke escaped from his nostril, evidence of his rousing anger.
He said, "He’s rely provoking . None of his antics would get him near the throne of Astaria. I’m the strongest -"
"Are you?" The queen asked, a silent challenge in her eyes. She had seen the fight tonight and knew when to recognize a formidable opponent. Aldric was one and it worried her greatly.
"He’s nothing without his dark powers and once I’m king, I would have him banished to the Tamry forest where monsters of his kind belong," Valerie said viciously, his hands forming into fists at his sides.
And while his eyes held promises of his plans, the queen shook her head, saying, "That confidence is what bothers , Valerie. Your plans are not proactive, they’re dependent on when you beco king. What happens if you don’t beco king?" The Fae queen asked, her eyes boring into his.
Valerie swallowed nervously at that question, cold fear spiraling through him. Being the future king of the kingdom of Astaria was all he had ever known and if that didn’t happen, Valerie had no idea what he was going to do. The fear made his hands tremble but he stood strong. Aldric would never be king.
He told his mother, "No one understands the politics in the Fae courts more than . Aldric is dependent on his brute strength and powers, why else would father have him at the front lines?"
But his mother had a different opinion.
"I tell you Valerie, anyone in the position of minister of war has more power than you realize. A peaceful nation is prosperous."
"My half-brother has no official title nor position, he is just a tool to aid in the war, mother. Father is rely using him, in the sa way he raised on strategy, moves, and countermoves. I can see through his moves, or don’t you trust my ability anymore Mother? "
Queen Maeve suddenly smiled, reaching out to pat her son on the cheek, "Of course, I trust you, my precious son. But I’m rely concerned about you, because after tonight’s incident, I’m concerned you’re not the only fae good at ambushes."
Valerie’s eyes widened at the ntion of "ambushes".
"You -"
His mother silenced him with a completely sweet and innocent smile, caressing his face. If she knew about his plans for Aldric, she didn’t show it - as if she silently showed approval.
"Perhaps I’m overly concerned and you, my son, would make a great leader one day." She retreated, "I would go et with your father, he would not be mad at you forever."
His mother barely took two steps when he asked her, "Aren’t you going to ask about her?"
And by "her", he was referring to Islinda, not that the queen didn’t know.
The queen glanced over her shoulder and said, "Why should I? I trust that my son would make the right choice and I wouldn’t need to interfere."
Valerie recognized the subtle threat in her words and it made him uncomfortable. He didn’t say anything, not reveal contradictory emotions as the queen finally left his quarters.
As soon as the queen left, Valerie plopped down on the seat, his head buried in his hands. And while he deliberated his situation, it suddenly dawned on him.
"Fuck!"
Islinda was with Aldric.
What has he done? Valerie recognized with horror that it was too late to rescue her.
It can’t be he killed her this ti.
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