"Tell, my king, what are you so curious about that you have no choice but to summon me in front of all this audience?" Aldric said, his words dripping with honey.
The king asked, "The cabinet is worried, when are you returning to the battlefield?"
Just as he expected, Aldric was amused. These old geezers couldn’t even give him a breather.
"With all due respect, your majesty, I wonder if the cabinet is simply interested in my unexpected stay in the capital or are they worried about my absence in the battleground?" Aldric asked, his knowing gaze raking across the so-called members of the cabinet who couldn’t look him in the eyes, guilty as charged.
"Souls are perishing with every attack from our enemies and your skills are far suited to the battlefield, I’m sure they are wondering why you are still wasting time here," The queen stated like a concerned leader of the nation. As if.
"And your son Valerie’s skills isn’t?" Aldric retorted, "You make it sound like our honorable crown prince isn’t capable."
"Aldric!" King Oberon thundered, his heated gaze holding his in a silent challenge, daring him to let out another snarky remark.
"No, it’s alright," The queen touched the King’s arm, giving him an endearing look, "I don’t mind his rudeness, he’s a dark Fae after all. We shouldn’t expect such refined attributes from a kind who are nothing but barbarians. Since he wants to talk, I wouldn’t mind engaging him in conversation."
"Apologies, your majesty, I believe you are mistaken." Aldric told her bluntly, a wave of anger washing over him.
"What?"
"I am simply half-dark Fae," Aldric reminded her, unable to hide the anger in his voice. Usually, he wore the title of Dark Fae proudly since there was no changing what they thought of him, but not today, especially not after the stunt the bitch queen played.
"You stereotyping me as one is quite offensive and shows low class. After all, a barbarian wouldn’t be holding a civilized conversation with the queen of the Fae. A barbarian without refined attributes wouldn’t save the crown prince Valerie from harm, nor would he be the prince of Astaria. In that case, aren’t you indirectly insulting the nation that accepted a half-dark fae as a prince?" He expressed his indignation without holding back.
The queen was dumbfounded by the time Aldric was done. She stared at her subjects who shared similar expressions and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at being called out by a dark Fae bastard. Even the king seemed embarrassed for her sake.
The silence this time was tense and every Fae in the room waited with apprehension for the Queen’s response. The dark Fae prince practically lectured the Fae Queen in front of her subjects, there was no way she would take it.
"My apologies if my words had been misleading and insensitive. Nor would I ever insult my own people who I lead." While the queen sounded remorseful, her smoldering eyes were the evidence of her anger directed at Aldric.
She said, "I was merely pointing out your disrespectful attitude, which shouldn’t surprise me, you spent most of your time on the battlefield and didn’t get the refinement of the royals."
The queen continued, unwilling to give Aldric the chance to counter her words, "Also to your question, Prince Valerie is a very capable and strong warrior. The reason he is not on the battleground is that he has responsibility to his people and we both know that."
"Too bad, I’m taking a break." Aldric dropped the shocking news and there was instant commotion in the room.
"No..." Valerie breathed in his position, panic growing inside of him. Aldric can’t stay here. Not at Islinda’s side.
"Prince Aldric, what are you saying?" The king asked, a hint of apprehension in his eyes. How do you say you needed someone without saying you needed him, that was the situation the king was in.
"Father," Aldric decided to appeal to him this time, "Your precious son has fought for so long that he’s gotten tired, warrior Aldric wants to rest."
"But -"
"You’re much needed at the battlefield!" Queen Maeve snapped, unintentionally interrupting the king who glared at her into submission. As much as the Fae king indulged her, he was still the ruler of all Fae and that included her.
Aldric chortled mirthlessly, "It didn’t cross my mind that I’ve become a slave, not a prince, or have my freedom been clipped as well because I am dark Fae?" His gaze shot up at the king who let out a weary sigh.
Left with no choice, King Oberon announced, "Hear my command, Prince Aldric has been a hardworking warrior and instrumental in bringing down our enemies. I grant him the rest he desires."
Aldric’s lips quirked up at the royal decree, watching with glee at the way the Queen’s face fell and Valerie’s disappointed look. As if he was stupid not to know their plans, he rejoiced inwardly.
Had he been sent away to the war front, there would not be enough time to finish up his plans. Not to mention Valerie would brainwash Islinda by the time he was back. But that was not happening anymore. Everything was being set in motion and the winds of change were coming.
"Your majesty," Queen Maeve wanted the king to change his mind but she was silenced instead with a look and she remained tight-lipped on her throne, anger burning inside of her.
Aldric stood watching the interaction and it took everything inside of him not to burst into laughter. The trickster inside of him wanted to rub her situation on her face.
Instead, he said, "Another thing, your majesty."
King Oberon shot Aldric a wary look, finally realizing the mistake he had made by inviting him to this assembly.
"What is it?"
"I realize since I will be around, it’s time I claim what has been stolen from me for a long time."
The faeries gasped with shock thinking that Aldric was about to challenge Valerie for the throne.
To their surprise, the dark prince said,
"I invoke my right to Aimsir."
At once, lightning flashed and there was a loud clap of thunder.