Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 915: The General’s Welcome

The air in the camp was so heavy with tension and dread that one could hardly breathe. Soldiers moved about in a hurry, the look in their eyes showing the fear they tried to hide.

The news they received had shaken them to the core. The Crown Prince Valerie and Queen Maeve had been imprisoned, and the dark Fae prince Aldric now ruled as Regent King. And now,

whispers of the dark prince’s wrath spread like wildfire, creating an unease that unsettled the people in the camp.

Mother Therassa walked alongside the general, her face lined with concern. "I told you taking away the memories of his mate was a bad idea," she said with reproach.

The general’s frown deepened as they moved through the camp. His sharp commands cut through the noise, and his soldiers snapped to attention, their movements brisk. He didn’t bother responding to Therassa’s pointed comment, his focus instead on the preparations for what was to come.

But Therassa wasn’t about to let him off so easily. Just as he was about to leave her side, she reached out and grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop and face her. Her grip was firm, her eyes searching his face for any sign of emotion.

"What are you going to do?" she demanded. "Prince Aldric doesn’t strike me as the kind of Fae who forgives easily, especially not after what you’ve done to him." She licked her lips nervously, her voice softening. "I think... I think you should ask for mercy."

The general’s head snapped toward her, his eyes blazing with indignation. "Mercy?" he spat, his lips curling back in disdain. "I would rather die than bow to that abomination."

Therassa recoiled slightly at his vehemence, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You don’t mean that. You can’t be serious. You’re not talking about throwing your life away, are you?"

The general straightened, his imposing figure towering over her as his voice grew colder. "Prince Aldric is a vile creature, Therassa. He has no right to live, much less to rule Astaria. I will not stand by and watch my ancestors’ kingdom be desecrated by his darkness. Others may have compromised, but not me. There are still those loyal to the crown and our ways, and together we will fight."

The intensity in his gaze made her heart pound, and she stepped back instinctively. "You’re talking about war. Do you really think you can win when we are in the middle of one already? You can’t fight too many wars, general."

The general’s jaw tightened, and his expression hardened further. "If we fail, so be it. At least we’ll die knowing we fought for what we believed in. If we succeed, the gods will have proven they have not abandoned us."

He stepped closer, his towering form casting a shadow over her. "Your role is clear, Therassa. Your duty is to ensure that those monsters remain behind the barrier. No matter what happens, promise me you will see that through."

Therassa hesitated, her throat dry as she searched his eyes. Finally, she nodded. "I promise you," she said softly.

"Good," the general replied, his tone curt.

He turned on his heel, his cape billowing behind him as he barked orders to his soldiers, rallying them for the battle ahead. They moved with purpose, their faces grim as they prepared for the inevitable clash against the incoming dark Fae prince and his army, no doubt.

At the same time...

Aldric and his small army approached the camp, the sound of hooves thudding against the ground filling the air.

Aldric was the one who led the charge, his posture straight, and his expression unreadable. The tension was thick, and the soldiers following him could feel it. No one spoke as there was already an understanding that they were walking into potential hostility.

Aldric wasn’t foolish enough to return to the camp alone. He knew the general too well, his disdain for him was no secret. From the very first day they had met, the general had made it clear how much he despised the dark Fae prince.

Aldric could have ignored his antics as Regent King, but war demanded practicality and he needed to be on that battlefield. For the sake of Astaria, he needed this war to end swiftly. Only then could his people begin the arduous task of rebuilding their kingdom from the ashes. Unfortunately, the general would not let that happen.

Theodore broke the silence, nudging his horse forward until he was beside Aldric. "Why didn’t you allow me to handle the lords and ministers? Andre would have been far more useful here than me."

Aldric didn’t glance at him immediately, his gaze fixed ahead. After a pause, he replied, "Andre might be cunning and diplomatic, but he’s a politician, not a soldier. You are." His tone was calm but left no room for debate. "Andre can handle the lords and ministers in my absence. He understands their games better than you."

Theodore frowned, clearly unsatisfied. "So you trust him? You’re not worried he’ll try to usurp your position while you’re gone?"

Aldric finally turned to Theodore, his gaze intent, almost amused. The look alone made Theodore realize his question was, perhaps, not his brightest.

"Who said anything about trusting him?" Aldric smirked, his voice carrying a quiet confidence. "Why do you think I left Maxi behind?"

Theodore blinked, stunned into silence, as Aldric spurred his horse ahead, leaving him to process the implication of bus words. Maxi was no ordinary ally, and her loyalty to Aldric was unquestionable. The message was clear to everyone, any attempt at betrayal from even Andre would be dealt with swiftly.

The camp came into view moments later, but instead of a welcome, Aldric’s eyes narrowed as he took in the sight before him. A barrier of rubble and debris had been erected, blocking their entrance.

Behind it, the general’s men stood in rigid formation, weapons drawn and aimed, ready to attack at the first signal. The air crackled with tension, and Aldric’s soldiers instinctively gripped their reins tighter, their gazes darting to their leader for instructions.

Aldric pulled his horse to a halt, his expression hardening. His eyes scanned the scene, taking in every detail, the positioning of the soldiers, the gleaming silver weapons poised for battle, their hands brimming with magic and the unspoken challenge hanging in the air.

"Typical," Aldric muttered under his breath, his smirk returning. He leaned slightly forward on his horse, saying with a sharp edge as he addressed his men. "It seems our dear general wants a warm welcome of his own."

The soldiers exchanged wary glances but stayed silent, awaiting Aldric’s next move. Aldric’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he straightened.

"Let’s not disappoint him."