Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 851

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Chapter 851: Not Another Death Duel

"I saw everything, you know." Aldric’s voice cracked, the anger mixing with a deep, unmistakable pain. Islinda, standing just away from him, felt her heart break for him.

Aldric’s whole body trembled, shadows swirling violently around him as though his rage had taken on a life of its own.

"You found out that she was the one who arranged the attack," Aldric continued, his voice rising with barely controlled fury. "And you did nothing! You kept quiet because you didn’t want the chaos it would bring to Astaria. You didn’t want it to topple down the kingdom you’ve spent centuries building!" His voice was almost a roar now, filled with betrayal and sorrow.

"Yes, I know!" King Oberon snapped, his face twisting with guilt and frustration. "And I’m paying for it every single day!"

Despite the danger swirling around Aldric, King Oberon stepped forward, his own resolve clear in his eyes. Shadows snapped and cracked like a thunderstorm, filling the air with dark, oppressive energy yet he moved towards his son.

"Do you think I don’t feel the weight of what I’ve done?" the king continued, his voice tight. "Do you think I don’t live with the guilt every single day? The guilt of letting your mother’s killer live, of watching her thrive while Nova lies cold in her grave?"

His eyes flickered with pain as he spoke. "But I had no choice! I made the decision to protect the kingdom! I swore to suffer the consequences myself. When I see Nova again, I will take whatever punishment she has for me." He tried to reach for Aldric, hoping he would understand.

"Don’t step any closer!" Aldric raged, his shadows whipping out like lightning and striking the ground just inches from where Oberon’s foot was poised to land. The impact sent cracks through the stone, forcing the king to halt.

The king’s army reacted instantly, their weapons drawn and ready, but Oberon raised his hand, signaling them to stand down.

His eyes never left Aldric’s. This was what he had feared for years, what he had known might come one day. He had seen the rage building in his son, the grief and anger that had festered ever since Queen Nova’s death. And now, finally, it was all coming to a head.

Behind them, Prince Andre and Prince Theodore stood frozen, their faces ashen. They had just learned the truth—that Queen Maeve had been behind the attack that cost his mother’s life—and neither of them knew how to process it. Horror was etched into their features, disbelief and betrayal lingering in their wide eyes.

"Fine," Oberon said, "I am guilty. Maeve is guilty. So what then, Aldric? What do you plan to do? Kill her?" He gestured toward Queen Maeve, who lay trembling on the floor. "You know what will happen if you do. I’ve been trying to save you from this. Don’t throw everything away now. Karma will find her, Aldric, you don’t need to ruin yourself for her." His eyes softened as he spoke, "Think of your pregnant mate."

At those words, Aldric faltered. His eyes turned toward Islinda, and for a brief moment, something human, something familiar, returned to his gaze. Islinda felt a surge of relief, hoping that maybe, just maybe, her Aldric was still in there somewhere. But as quickly as it came, that glimmer vanished, replaced by the cold, unrelenting darkness that had taken over him.