Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 232

Chapter 232: Collect The Favour

Fire and Ice clashed, the collision sounding like a clap of thunder as the jolt of energy sent Valerie landing on his ass on the ground. He brought a hand to his ribs, rolling over as the air escaped his lungs in a startled groan of protest.

Valerie had been busy sorting through court affairs when he got the message that his father, the king, demanded his presence. The errand Fae simply omitted the fact that it wasn’t just a simple meeting, rather the king requested a duel with him.

It wasn’t uncommon for the king to battle with him. As his heir, the fights were a chance for his father to test and assess his ability - and in this situation, beat the life out of him. It was also a bonding moment for father and son. Yes, it was kind of twisted, but the royal family was not big on publicly showing affection to their offspring.

No, most high-fae children were separated from their parents from young and honed. It wasn’t that Faeries weren’t capable of showing affection to their young ones, however, the children developed faster, not just physically, but mentally, hence, too many emotions were considered "humanly" and problematic.

Although they claimed humans were irrational and emotional, Fae’s were intense creatures and their feelings were simply off the charts. It was just their nature and every Fae child eventually fits into their role and position with time.

And right now, Valerie had to lift his bruised bottom off the ground with a grunt, staggering a bit but straightening in the end, staring into his father’s fierce eyes. Valerie spat out blood, his eyes widening slightly at the sight. His father was being super aggressive today, and sneaking suspicion crept into his mind.

It couldn’t be that King Oberon caught wind of his activity and kept quiet, choosing to punish him this way. Or he was simply out of shape. Since his return from the human realm, this was the first duel with his father and his performance was nothing to write home about. Not to mention his attention was divided. He had to get his head back in the game. How could he defeat Aldric if he can’t beat his father?

So he brought his ability to the surface, a bust of flames licking across his arms as he charged at his father. The energy brought along anticipation that flowed through him, charging through his veins and making the flames burn brighter. He threw his fist burning with fire Oberon’s way but the king expertly parried the blow, and Valerie followed up a quick punch with his other palm, the first move being a distraction.

The king grabbed the fist in his palm with a grim face and resolve in his eyes as the flame burned him. However, a thick layer of ice quickly crawled up his arms and heated steam rose, shrouding and limiting their vision as his ice doused Valerie’s flames.

Valerie gritted his teeth and amplified the intensity of his flames, trying to melt off his father’s ice, until a hard stomp on his feet broke his concentration, and the next, his father uppercut him so hard he swore he saw stars.

His bone cracked and blood spurt from his lips, he found himself unceremoniously on the ground once more. And trust him, his body wasn’t the only thing that was hurting. Consider his ego as well.

"You are distracted and slackened behind in your training by a lot," King Oberon noted and he didn’t seem pleased about it.

Valerie grimaced at the assessment before leaping up to his feet with feline grace, wiping the blood off his lips with the back of his hand. His ribs hurt with each deep breath he took, and he could tell two or three bones were broken. Although he could feel his regenerative ability kicking in.

"I did singe your hair though," He announced, his nose scrunching as he smelled the distinct and unpleasant sulfuric smell.

"You could have done better," King Oberon retorted, while running his hand through his hair, "Burning your enemies’ hair would not deter them from attacking you. Valerie, you have to be stronger than this if you want to be king," He said, eyes boring into his.

Valerie felt like he was being buried six feet under all these pressures, but this was a role he was born into. He had no other choice. At once, he stood ramrod straight, saying gracefully, "Of course, Father, this is a total flunk and would not repeat itself."

"Good to hear that. Although that better be actions, not words, the next time we duel," The king said, accepting a towel from a servant and using it to wipe his sweaty body.

"I would not disappoint you, Father," Valerie repeated the same gesture of wiping his body with the provided towel.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify