Chapter 7: Save The Crown Prince

A gold circlet rested on King Oberon's head, his long silver hair clung to his face and hung over his ears while his blue piercing eyes were a reflection of his unbridled rage as he stared down at his son.

His question echoed across the throne room and was filled with so much power that the others present with him shuddered from the intensity and lowered their head, afraid to meet the fuming King's attention. 

Only the strongest would rule the kingdom of Astaria and the prince's dark side was attracted to the power emanating from his father, the king. While King Oberon was the powerful in the land, like every other Fae who has lived for long, he's waning with age and Adric does not doubt that he would win if they were to spar now. Not that it would be an easy victory. 

Prince Aldric forced his body into a mock bow saying, "I am sorry for my untidy appearance, your majesty, the King. However, as soon as I received your summon, Father, your royal dog headed your call as soon as possible." 

At this point the King's temper was boiling over, having sensed the prince's sarcasm beneath those words, especially when he used, "Royal Dog".  How dare he try to be cheeky with him? 

However, before he had the chance to explode, Prince Aldric tactically added, "However, I pray thee, my father, my king, do not mind my appearance because these are the blood of your enemies, the Orcs, that threaten our kingdom and of which I have destroyed. Do not let your anger be kindled against me and look upon me with favor." 

At this point, the King had no choice but to let go of his anger because his hands were tied. The boy was more sly than he thought and he couldn't punish him, not while he did a great favor to the kingdom - of which he was reminded, vividly. King Oberon opened his clenched fist and flexed his fingers, sitting tall on his intricately carved golden throne with his head raised high. 

At least the boy recognized his position and power and there was no need to mete out unnecessary punishment to him in the presence of his court. If anything, the king wanted this meeting to be over already so he can leave. While he schooled his expression, King Oberon could feel it, the boy's power was growing stronger. 

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The kingdom of Astaria was beautiful and cutthroat. The Fae were not like the humans weakened by their trivial emotions, they thrived on strength and power. The strongest of his children would inherit the throne, not the eldest and Aldric fitted the role already. While the thought of Aldric taking the throne would have haunted the king in the past, he needed not worry anymore since there was a curse to keep that from happening. 

"You sent for me, Father." Prince Aldric tried to be as respectful as ever, but in reality, his hungry gaze took in the King's luxurious and ancient throne designed with Fae elements. The throne should belong to him as the strongest heir, but he was cursed instead. 

Prince Adric did not let anyone sense the emotions raging inside of him, looking relaxed and casual. It should belong to him! He fought his wars inwardly instead. And yet that dream was not going to happen because of what he was. 

"You are right, Prince Aldric. I called you here for a reason," The king said, his vigilant gaze studying him as if to pick up some sort of reaction from him, but there was nothing. If there was anyone good at masking his emotions, it was Aldric and no one knew If that had to do with his Dark Fae origin or a skill he cultivated over the years. 

"What is the problem, Father? Your humble servant is at your service." Those words left a bitter taste in his mouth. He was nothing but a hound carrying out his master's orders. It was what they turned him into. 

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"Your brother, Valerie …." 

As soon as that name was called, Aldric visibly flinched and that was the only crack in his otherwise perfect mask. Everyone in the kingdom knew that there was no love lost between the brothers because Valeria took what was most precious to him. 

His brother was the crown prince and heir to the throne of Astaria and that of course did not sit well with Aldric who felt cheated of his birthright. Thanks to that, the both of them did not see eye to eye and hated each other. 

Having both princes in the same area was equal to setting that place on fire. It was no wonder the king banned Prince Aldric from the palace ground unless on official duty. And their living quarters were too far away for the both of them to run into each other and cause trouble. 

If the King noticed that swift change in Aldric, he did not point it out because he continued, "Your brother seems to be missing." 

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"What a surprise," He muttered under his breath. A pleasant one. 

Aside from a slight furrow of his brow, the King said, "He went on a diplomatic visit to the summer court and did not make it back. The soldiers with him were attacked by wraiths." 

"Wraiths?" There was surprise etched on Aldric's face this time, "That's impossible." 

Those creatures were supposed to be confined to the Tamry forest where all the monsters he fought came from. Unlike the Orcs, wraiths were much more dangerous because they were impervious to Fae magic. 

The creatures would feed on it instead alongside their life force until the Fae was, you know, gone. If the prince was indeed attacked by one of those, then he was probably dead and this was a reason to celebrate. Aldric was secretly delighted. 

The king grunted, his patience already running out, "Impossible or not, the evidence is there and your brother is missing." 

"Half-brother," Aldric did not dare to correct the king and said it in his mind instead. 

All four of his brothers were born from different mothers in his father's bid to strengthen and unite the kingdom of Astaria. King Oberon had taken wives from the strongest and seasonal Fae courts: Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter. In reality, Aldric was the youngest of the princes and yet the most dangerous of them all. 

"Sorry to dash your hope, your majesty, but how do I know he's not yet…." Prince Aldric trod carefully, letting him fill in the line instead. His precious brother Valerie was the apple of his father's eyes and he did not want to provoke him. 

"Dead?" The king sneered and next, he was on his feet, striding towards him. 

There were low murmurs in the room because they could sense the anger oozing off the king and knew Prince Adric has dug his grave this time. How dare he insinuate that the crown prince was gone? 

While the tension was thick in the room, Aldric remained unfazed, the expression on his face apathetic, and stood his ground as the king came to stand in front of him. The resemblance was there and while the king was taller by mere inches, Aldric was muscular and boosted with vigorous youthful blood, hence, loomed over him instead. 

The king must have realized that as well because he took a step back so there was space between them and he stretched his hand out only for the image of a tree to appear in his hand. Aldric glanced down at his place and saw the immortal tree. 

The tree seemed as if it was floating in his palm and instead of fruits in its branches, it had several light bulbs instead. The tree was a physical representation of the royal life forces tied to it and the more he stared at it, Aldric could tell that the flickering light bulb belonged to Prince Valerie. 

"Where ever your brother is, he's dying and needs help. You are the best tracker we have…" The King's voice was low this time, almost pleading, but then it was beyond his pride to beg him. His father was a king. Kings don't beg. They take whatever they want. 

"What do I get in return?" Aldric asked, his gaze intently watching the immortal tree. He wondered which of the light bulb was his and if it shone the brightest?  

Before he could get his answer, the image of the immortal tree vanished from his father's palm and he put his hand behind him. But the way the king stared at him told Aldric that he knew what he was thinking. 

However, Aldric was unabashed that he was caught in his power-hungry thought by the king, instead, he stood tall. He was the rightful successor to the throne and they knew it all. 

"You can ask for anything," King Oberon added immediately having realized he had a trickster for a son, "Anything reasonable." 

A smirk tugged his lips, Adric said, "I  secured a village attacked by Orcs and I haven't been compensated for that. The favor you owe me keeps pilling up, King Oberon." His voice had a teasing tone to it and as well a light reminder that favors could be added up to gain something worth its value. In the future.

Someone scoffed and Aldric turned to realize that it was his other half-brother, Theodore, prince of the spring court and the least of his problems. He could defeat that one with a flick of his finger. Okay, maybe he was exaggerating. But Theodore was not a problem at all, just a waste of Fae air. 

"I think I want something right now as payment for the Orcs…." There was a glint in Aldric's eyes, excitement thrumming in his veins. 

King Oberon narrowed his gaze at him knowing nothing good could ever come from this son of his being excited. He asked, "What is it?"

"There is a soldier in your regimen and he goes by the name of Isaac," Aldric said with a wicked smile,