Queen Maeve couldn’t tell which one was way worse, the fact that the scum of a monster referred to her as his mother or the way he implied she wasn’t able to accept a little fun when that wasn’t the case. She was so furious and disgusted with him.
"Preposterous!" Queen Maeve interrupted, shooting up to her feet, unable to take it anymore, "Everyone on that table knows that was no prank, you evil scum! You made an attempt on my life!"
Aldric sighed dramatically, "With all due respect, Queen Maeve, but you disrespect ."
"What?"
"I had you at the rcy of my powers and all my shadows did was place one or two kisses on your lovely cheeks when I could have easily snuffed the life out of you, don’t you think saying I threatened you when there’s not a hair on your head hurt is a blatant defamation and disrespect of my credibility as the realm’s renowned villainous prince?"
Queen Maeve’s jaw fell to the ground, completely stupefied by Aldric’s debate while Andre burst out in laughter from his position causing most heads to turn in his direction while his mother shot him a warning glare. Islinda was tempted to laugh too but she fought it so hard tears stread down her cheeks while her nails dug into Andre’s hand trying to hold it back. Theodore and his mother on the other hand were enjoying Queen Maeve’s humiliation, they just had a better way of hiding it.
Queen Maeve turned to her husband, cheeks red with humiliation as she protested, "You cannot entertain the nonsense he’s putting out! He threatened , the Queen of Astaria."
"And would I add your majesty," Valerie butted in, " His action resulted in chaos and injuries. Many were hard in the process."
King Oberon did not respond to them, rather he faced Aldric "Now Son, what do you say to that?"
Aldric’s frown deepened at the ntion of "son" again. It seems the king was growing senile because why then would he call him "son" in a row? Well, if that was the case, then he had to hasten his plan. Once that old Fae was off the throne, it would be his own ass on that seat.
"In my defense, so may have misunderstood the intention. Chaos ensued because so fae couldn’t appreciate a good laugh," Aldric smirked.
"This is not a laughing matter, Prince Aldric!" Valerie fired at him.
"Oh, co now, Prince grumpy pants. It was a minor display of power, and the fae overreacted causing widespread panic and collateral damage that ensued. If they had more control over their emotions, none of this would have happened."
As if that was not enough, Aldric faced the audience, "Your Majesty, esteed family mbers, and ministers, please believe . What occurred was a re prank, a small jest to liven up the monotony of our lives." He placed a hand on his chest dramatically, " I deeply regret the harm caused to the Fae. It was never my intention to endanger the lives of the innocent. " He claid.
Queen Maeve whirled upon her husband, her eyes flashing with fury,
"Your majesty, don’t tell you believe such nonsense! He’s not sorry at all."
"I believe you’re mistaken here, mother, I am a Fae, and while I desire to lie, I cannot lie," Aldric said, which was kind of the truth.
While Eli, who had brought down the shadows and caused this ss, was not sorry, he, Aldric, who had to clean the ss was very, very sorry — if it would set him free. Who said he had to be truly sympathetic towards his victims?
"Your Majesty, using dark powers for pranks is unacceptable. How do you justify putting innocent lives at risk?" Valerie retorted.
At that statent, Aldric’s face darkened at once. " Ah, Prince Aldric, always the voice of reason. But let’s not pretend that the so-called "light" powers are always innocent. And using your own power is acceptable?"
Seeing Aldric suddenly assu the victim made Valerie stamr," "Y—your majesty, this is ridiculous. Dark powers have consequences, and Prince Aldric cannot simply use the centuries-old prejudice as an excuse for irresponsible actions."
"Ridiculous? Oh, Valerie, you always had a knack for dramatics." He gestures towards him, "For centuries, I’ve been prejudiced against, my power painted as dark and looked down upon, while the others’ are called light and celebrated."
Queen Maeve said defensively, "Aldric, this isn’t about discrimination. It’s about accountability."
"Accountability?" He smirked cunningly, "If I were using light powers, you’d call it a display of brilliance. But because it’s dark, suddenly, it’s a cri. Had it been my brother and your biological son Valerie unlike whom you happily adopted that played the prank, the Faeries of Astaria would have clapped and awed and worshiped his feet, but my first attempt at getting close to my people, I’m in chains and summoned to a court hearing, is that what you call accountability, my king?" He said to his father sternly.
Ignoring the rising anger at being remindedly called his mother — she cannot adopt such a monster. The Queen skeptically stared at her husband, trying to advise him, "You cannot let this boy twist and influence your decision. Think about The fae injured in the incident, they include children of noble families. What do you say to their parents who demand justice for their kin?" Aldric ought to be punished.
But King Oberon ignored her, treating it as if re air spoke, saying seriously to Aldric, "Son, I understand your anger, but I must consider the consequences of your actions. The safety of our subjects is paramount."
Valerie was able to read between the lines and the king was literally telling Aldric he would have to punish him not because he found him guilty but to appease his people. His hands bunched into fists. This was not right. The king cannot keep accommodating Aldric’s bad behavior.
But of course, Aldric always had a coback and he said to his father, the king, " Safety is subjective, Your Majesty. Sotis a little chaos reminds the fae of their vulnerability. It’s a valuable lesson, wouldn’t you agree?"
"Hmmm," King Oberon stared ahead, stroking his jaw thoughtfully, "I didn’t think of it that way. But very well then."
The king stood up from his throne and everyone held their breath in anticipation. He was about to pass judgnt on Aldric.
"Prince Aldric, your powers are a gift, not a weapon to be wielded recklessly. Great powers co with great responsibility and because you have shown sympathy I’ve looked at the matter critically and deliberated the appropriate consequence for your action."
Everyone was literally at the edge of their seat and holding their breath, so more than others. Unlike Aldric whose expression was unreadable while having the most relaxed pose.
"Listen to my decree, everyone. As punishnt for his reckless prank and disrespect to Queen Maeve, Prince Aldric would relinquish his right to Aimsir for this season and two seasons to co."
Aldric felt the weight of his father’s gaze, he could also see the ssage in those eyes. This is the least I can do for you, take it.
This was why he stared at his father a little longer than usual with confusion, why was he doing this? He had not been affectionate towards him, why now? He returned to reality only when the king bellowed, "Do you accept your punishnt, Prince Aldric."
It was in his nature to be defiant, yet he lowered his head, "Prince Aldric accepts his punishnt, Your Majesty."
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