Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 662: Plan Valerie’s Demise

"What is it, Karle?" Questioned Prince Aldric, or rather Eli who had taken control of his body. frёeωebɳovel.com

Karle’s mouth twitched in annoyance. He was still not used to the fact that he had been stripped of his position and now, he had to his younger niece. He could only grit his teeth and bear it. In no time, Aldric would have to return to Astaria and he would take over. After all, he was the only capable relative.

Initially, Karle had been scared that prince Aldric was going to kill him, but when nothing happened, he relaxed. He became confident that Aldric was keeping him around because he needed him.

He cleared his throat, "I just received news from our scouts that your brother....." Karle was still speaking when the door to the meeting room opened and behold, it was prince Andre. Just whom he was about to inform his nephew of his arrival.

"Hello, little brother." Andre said, walking into the room as two guards rushed after him. From their roughed up appearances, it was obvious that they had tried to stop him and failed miserably.

Andre did not react this time as the guards grabbed him from both sides and attempted to pull him away. But Aldric gestured to them and they released him. Andre smirked at the guard, especially one of them whose nose flared in response.

"What is the meaning of this?" Aldric asked coldly, turning to face his brother after silently dismissing the ministers. The meeting has been adjusted.

"What do you think? I missed my baby brother —"

"Stop calling me that!" Aldric hissed in warning.

"Why? Isn’t that what you are, or am I mistaken?" Andre continued to teased him, grinning.

His attention was momentarily diverted when he noticed a figure he hadn’t seen at first, prompting a surprised blink before he quickly composed himself. "Hello there, Elena. Fancy seeing you here." he greeted, acknowledging her presence with a polite nod.

"Hello, Prince Andre." Elena greeted curtly.

"I have to admit, this comes as a huge surprise to me that you chose the winter court as your hideout after escaping the confines of the palace. Although I would have to ask, does my brother, Valerie, know that you are with Aldric?" Andre asked pointedly, the weight of his question hanging heavily in the air.

Elena lifted her chin defiantly and replied, "The last time I checked, Valerie didn’t decide my whereabouts. I make my own decisions."

"The last time I checked, you are his betrothed," Andre reminded her.

Elena protested, "There is nothing like that!"

"Both of your families decided as such, in case you had forgotten. And what are you doing lingering around Aldric when you clearly know Valerie’s relationship with him?" Although Andre didn’t voice the accusation directly, his implication was palpable in his tone, cutting through the tension-filled atmosphere.

Elena glared at him, frustrated. "What are you trying to imply, Andre? Just because Valerie and Aldric aren’t on good terms, doesn’t mean I can’t befriend Aldric and take advantage of his position as High Fae to spend some time in the winter court, escaping the palace dramas!" she retorted.

Andre chuckled knowingly. "I sincerely hope that you are only interested in befriending him and nothing more, because trust me, someone else has taken that position, and you’ll be signing up for a miserable life," he finished, his words carrying a weighty warning.

Elena’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment and her hands balled into balls having understood the point Andre had passed across. Someone else had stolen Aldric’s heart. Islinda.

"Since the both of you are interested in squabbling like kids, why don’t you both take that away from my office." Aldric said to them.

"Tsk, tsk," Andre clicked his tongue, "You are a cold bastard as usual. You don’t even know how long I traveled and even brought Islinda’s gifts —"

"Islinda’s gift?" Eli’s brows lifted at once

"Yes, about that —" Andre trailed off, scratching the back of his head only for his gaze to land on where Elena stood and he narrowed his gaze at her, "I have important things to discuss with my brother and it will please me if you gave me some privacy."

At once, Elena looked at Aldric as if silently communicating for him to let her stay and Andre watched everything their interaction with a frown on his face.

"Elena can stay." Aldric announced.

Andre scowled at him. "I want privacy."

"You pointed out minutes ago that I’m Valerie’s betrothed, doesn’t that already make me family? Come on, say whatever you is on your mind, Aldric already trusts me to keep my mouth shut."

Andre was dumbfounded by the response and looked at Aldric, then Elena, and then back at Aldric again before asking, "Did both of you Fuck?"

"What?" Elena’s face turned crimson.

"What nonsense are you talking about now?" Aldric replied coolly.

"I’m asking because you’re not acting like the Aldric I know," Andre persisted. "And if I’m correct, you were having a confidential meeting with your ministers before I arrived. So, what was she..." He pointed at Elena, "...doing there? She’s not a member of your cabinet, nor is she a Winter Fae. In fact, she’s your biggest competitor. Which means..." Andre hesitated, suspicion growing in his eyes as he looked at them both.

"What are you two planning? Is this related to the death duel? I always suspected you were up to no good," Andre turned to Elena. "I know you don’t like Valerie, but seriously, plotting his demise instead of ending up with him?"

"I think you are mistaken —"

"Don’t tell me what I clearly see!" Andre snapped at her.

"That’s enough!" Aldric commanded with intensity, the sound echoing through the room.

Silence fell on them and then Aldric commanded, "You should leave now, Elena."

"What?" Elena could not believe it, "But —? "

"Leave. Now."

The flash of danger in Aldric’s eyes gave no room for protest and Elena huffed before storming out of the room.

But as soon as Elena left, someone grabbed her without warning and pulled her in the other direction.