Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 897: High Horse

While the rest of Astaria clung to hope by a thread, a very different game was being played inside the palace walls. The kingdom was still reeling in the aftermath of King Oberon’s attack, yet the political wheels kept turning.

Prince Valerie, seeing an opportunity in the chaos, had practically seized control. Though his claim to power wasn’t official, it was clear to anyone paying attention that Valerie was making his move. His authority was cemented when he called a meeting with the surviving ministers in the grand room, where he now sat on his father’s throne, a symbolic gesture that sent ripples through the court.

Minister Ormani, one of the few who had survived the assault, stepped forward, holding a scroll. "Your Highness," he said, his voice bold despite the simmering tension, "this is the situation in the Fae realm."

A guard approached to take the report and handed it to Valerie, who reclined with a calmness that unnerved those watching.

The gesture of sitting on King Oberon’s throne was not lost on the ministers, especially those who still supported Queen Nirvana.

Their scowls were thinly veiled, their displeasure hanging heavy in the room. At this point, they could only pray that King Oberon would soon awaken and reclaim his rule.

But Valerie wasn’t without his own support. His mother, Queen Maeve, sat beside him on her throne, pride gleaming in her eyes.

This was the moment she had longed for—her son stepping into the role of ruler, fulfilling the destiny she believed was his. To be truthful, she almost hoped Oberon would never wake again. The kingdom, in her eyes, was finally where it belonged: under her son’s control.

Valerie took the report, scanning its contents with an expression of calm calculation. As he read, Minister Ormani explained.

"The monsters have focused their full strength on Astaria. The other courts, while under attack, have not suffered as severely. However, the Spring Court, due to its proximity to Astaria, has been hit the hardest, and Queen Nirvana is... displeased." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Valerie snarled in response, his irritation barely restrained. "No one is pleased with war, Minister. We are all suffering."

Another minister, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, his tone more measured. "Perhaps we could send aid to them? Reinforce their borders?"

Before Valerie could respond, Queen Maeve intervened, her voice cold and decisive.

"War is upon us, Minister Morpheus and our resources are stretched to their limits as it is, already. Do you think we can afford to spare more troops? The other courts are defending their borders. Why can’t the Spring Court do the same? Or are they weaker than they claim?"

Her words were sharp, clearly meant to cut. Minister Elric, a Fae of the Spring Court, bristled visibly.

He stepped forward, his expression one of barely restrained fury. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, forty percent of the faeries in Astaria are from the Spring Court. They are currently healing our troops, tending to the wounded, and providing essential support. Perhaps we should call them back to defend their borders if no help will be sent." His voice was firm, and though he remained respectful, the challenge was clear.

Queen Maeve’s eyes flashed with anger at the suggestion, her fists clenching on the arms of her throne. "Are you threatening me, Minister Elric?" she spat, her voice laced with venom.

Elric smiled thinly, his expression unreadable. "Of course not, Your Majesty. I merely wish to remind you that the Spring Court is not powerless, given how many of its people are currently holding Astaria together."

It was a thinly veiled insult, and Maeve knew it but she held herself in check. The last thing Astaria needed was more internal strife. She shared a glance with Valerie, and with a subtle nod from his mother, Valerie addressed the room.

"We will send troops to aid the Spring Court. But that will be all. No more, no less." He said with authority.

Minister Elric nodded, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Thank you, Prince Valerie. You are most gracious."

Minster Elric’s voice was thick with meaning, and everyone knew what lay beneath his words.

Queen Maeve bristled at the insinuation. Even though her son now occupied the throne, it was clear that some still viewed him as a temporary figure, a stand-in for King Oberon. The slight was palpable, and Maeve’s fingers twitched with the desire to lash out, but she kept her composure.

Just as the tension threatened to boil over, the heavy doors to the grand room swung open, and two formidable figures strode in: Queen Nirvana of the Spring Court and Queen Victoria. Both wore expressions of fury, their eyes blazing with barely contained wrath.

The room fell silent at their arrival, the political maneuvering momentarily forgotten. Even Maeve’s smug confidence seemed to falter as the queens approached.

Queen Maeve rose, her face hard as she met the glares of the two queens who had stormed into the room. "Queen Nirvana, Queen Victoria," she said icily, "to what do we owe this unexpected visit?"

Nirvana’s eyes blazed with fury, her gaze locked on Maeve. "Unexpected, is it?" she sneered. "Perhaps it seems so, given the effort you’ve put into keeping us away from this meeting."

Gasps rippled through the ministers, and murmurs followed as they exchanged shocked glances. Sensing the tension rising, Maeve quickly seized control before it spiraled.

"This is a critical meeting," she said firmly. "We wanted to avoid the political strife that always follows when the two of you are present. So, we thought it best to leave you out."

Queen Victoria’s eyes narrowed as she stepped forward. "We?" she echoed, her tone biting. "By chance, are you referring to you and your son? You seem to be forgetting something, Maeve, so let me be the one to remind you. You, Maeve, are no longer the Fae Queen. You’re just an ordinary queen like the rest of us. So I suggest you climb down from that high horse of yours."