Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 823

Chapter 823: Walk A Treacherous Path

Silence settled like a heavy blanket, suffocating any whispers that dared to rise. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, King Oberon broke the stillness.

"General," he called out, his voice echoing through the chamber.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he answered, trying to maintain a semblance of calm.

The king’s gaze bore into him, unyielding. "Do you have a mate?" Oberon asked, his tone deceptively casual.

The question caught the general off guard. For the first time, he was genuinely befuddled, and he stuttered as he replied, "Of course, Your Majesty. I have a lovely wife—"

"I mean," King Oberon cut him off sharply, his voice like a whip, "a soulmate. Not a regular wife anyone can marry. Do you have a mate bond?"

The emphasis and the tone of the question were intended to humiliate, and it landed its mark. The general’s jaw clenched, his cheeks coloring with shame. While it was not dishonorable to have a regular spouse, having a true soulmate—a bond blessed by the gods—was a rare honor. And here he was, standing before the king, proposing to sever someone else’s sacred bond.

King Oberon continued, his words sharp and filled with a cold, cutting anger. "Do you know what it’s like to have two souls joined as one? Do you know the joy of being able to feel another’s heartbeat in your chest? To be happy when they are happy, to feel sorrow when they are sad, and to bear their pain as your own? Do you possess such a privilege?"

The general swallowed hard, the weight of the king’s words pressing down on him. "No, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice strained. freeweɓnøvel~com

The king’s lips curled into a bittersweet smile. "Well, let me answer that for you. I had."

The declaration was like a thunderclap in the hall. Although a handful had whispered suspicions that Oberon and his late queen, Nora, had been soulmates, this was the first time the king had publicly confirmed it. The revelation sent shockwaves through the room, causing gasps and wide-eyed stares.

King Oberon’s voice grew sharper, his eyes fierce as he continued, "You intend to break a bond that you had no hand in placing. A bond whose complexities you do not understand. A great defiance against the gods themselves! What calamity do you intend to bring upon us this time?"

"But, Your Majesty, you —" the general tried to interject, his voice shaking slightly.

"Enough!" The king’s voice boomed over his, quelling him with a force that was palpable. "Even with the bond broken, do you believe that will be the end of it? There will always be a void within Aldric—a constant ache. He would always know something was missing and would search the ends of the earth just to find Islinda. Moreover, do you expect Aldric to give up his bond willingly? Are you seriously kidding be right now?"

The general’s expression was taut, his teeth gritting as he tried once more. "Your Majesty—"

"I said enough!" King Oberon roared, his eyes blazing.

Power surged from him, and icicles began to form, creeping from the dais where he sat toward where the ministers stood, forcing them to stagger back in alarm. The ice spread with a menacing hiss, sharp shards sprouting like deadly thorns and stopping just short of stabbing the general, the sharp edge resting precariously under his chin.

For a moment, everyone held their breath, afraid to even move. The general stood frozen, knowing one wrong move would mean his end. The icicles hung there for what seemed an eternity, then shattered on the king’s will, spraying harmlessly onto the floor. A collective sigh of relief swept through the hall, though the tension still lingered.

As if the situation couldn’t become more intense, King Oberon stood from his throne, descending the steps with purpose. He walked to the center of the room, his eyes scanning each and every one of the council members. Most of the ministers and high lords looked away, unwilling to meet his gaze. They knew better than to provoke him now; if the king was this close to killing his revered war general, who among them could consider themselves safe?

When King Oberon finally spoke, his voice was a low growl of authority. "Since none of you are capable of providing me with a viable solution to this issue, we will proceed my way. And here is how we shall do it."

The entire hall held its breath, every ear straining to hear what the king would decree. The tension was unbearable.

"Prince Aldric and Islinda are free from any trial or punishment," the king declared.

It was as if a bomb had gone off. The words were met with an explosion of protests and outraged murmurs from the ministers. The air was filled with cries of dissent.

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