Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 794: Regret Was Too Late

Astaria was drenched in sorrow. The air, once filled with anticipation and excitement for the royal match between the princes, now carried the weight of despair.

The arena that had been a grand spectacle was now a battlefield littered with the aftermath of violence. For the first time since the war with the Night Courts, several Fae courts had clashed so violently, and no one had foreseen the tragedy that would unfold.

Fae children cried inconsolably, some of them separated from their parents in the chaos. Their small, trembling voices called out in fear, their bright eyes searching for familiar faces amidst the wreckage. Parents, equally frantic, searched for their lost little ones, their hearts pounding with dread. Shouts of names filled the air, desperate and filled with anxiety, as families tried to reunite in the midst of the destruction.

Healers rushed through the crowds, their hands glowing with magic as they tried to mend the wounded. Some were beyond saving, their injuries too grievous, their bodies already cold and lifeless.

Others clung to life, their loved ones by their side, whispering frantic prayers for their survival. Cries of anguish echoed across the arena as those who had lost someone finally realized their fate. Grief spread like wildfire, consuming the kingdom.

Faeries stood in clusters, their faces etched with disbelief and anger. Many of them cursed the day they had chosen to come to the arena, bitterly regretting their decision to witness what was supposed to be a friendly contest. Instead of a celebration of skill and strength, they had watched their world crumble before their eyes.

"This wasn’t supposed to happen," a Summer Court Fae muttered, his voice shaking as he gazed at the bodies strewn across the arena floor. "We were here for our prince, to cheer him on. How did it turn into this?"

The mood in the kingdom was bleak. The sun, once shining brightly, now seemed muted, casting long, shadowy tendrils over the land. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, a reflection of the sorrow that clung to Astaria like a shroud. The very air felt heavy, as though the kingdom itself mourned with its people.

Some of the Faeries began to quietly leave the arena, their steps slow and somber. What had started as a day of celebration had turned into one of the darkest days in Astaria’s history. There was no joy left to be found here, no triumph or pride in what had taken place. Only tears, regret, and the painful sting of loss. ƒreewebɳovel.com

The royal entourage arrived back at the palace without incident, their faces pale with the weight of what had transpired in the arena. The tension was thick, and King Oberon’s eyes were dark with fury. As soon as they were safely inside, the king turned to Lennox, his most trusted advisor and guard.

"Lennox," Oberon said, his voice cold and measured, "call for a meeting immediately. All the cabinet members. I want them in the throne room within the hour."

Lennox bowed and left swiftly to carry out the command, leaving behind an air of urgency.

Queen Maeve, her face tight with worry, stepped forward, intending to speak. "Oberon, I—"

But the look he gave her, sharp and unyielding, cut her off mid-sentence. His eyes held a warning that was impossible to miss. Maeve’s lips pressed into a thin line, her face flushing with anger, but she knew better than to push him at this moment. Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her anger simmering just below the surface.

Meanwhile, in another wing of the palace, Queen Victoria was a storm of emotions—guilt gnawing at her insides while anger boiled beneath the surface. Unable to hold herself back any longer, she stormed towards Queen Nirvana’s chambers, her footsteps echoing through the quiet corridors.

As she reached Nirvana’s door, the handmaiden on duty immediately moved to block her path. "Your Highness, Queen Nirvana is—"

"Move!" Queen Victoria snapped, her voice laced with fury. The handmaiden flinched but dared not disobey. Victoria shoved past her and burst into the room, her eyes blazing.

Inside, the maids were attending to Queen Nirvana, helping her out of her formal attire. She stood half-dressed, clad only in a thin, delicate slip that clung to her figure. Despite her state of undress, Queen Nirvana did not seem the least bit perturbed by Queen Victoria’s sudden intrusion. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the maids, who scurried out of the room, casting anxious glances over their shoulders.

Queen Nirvana approached Victoria with a calm, regal grace, as if she had been expecting her. "What is the meaning of this?" Queen Victoria’s voice trembled with barely contained fury. "We were only supposed to take out Islinda, not cause such damage on a grand scale!"

Nirvana’s lips curled into a smirk, her eyes gleaming with cold calculation. "Don’t be foolish, Victoria," she replied smoothly. "This was the best way to ensure our plan’s success. If only Islinda had been attacked, King Oberon would have known it was our doing. But by orchestrating a clash between the Summer and Winter Courts, we’ve obscured our true intentions. No one will be able to trace this back to us."

Queen Victoria stood there, her mouth dry, words failing her. She had agreed to the plan, but she had not anticipated this level of destruction. She could see the logic in Queen Nirvana’s explanation, but it did little to soothe her conscience. The image of the mourning Fae, the cries of children separated from their parents, haunted her thoughts.

Finally, Queen Victoria turned away, unable to meet Queen Nirvana’s gaze any longer. She had no rebuttal, no righteous indignation to muster. She had been complicit in this disaster, and she knew it. As she left the room, her heart heavy with regret, she realized that the consequences of their actions were far beyond anything she had anticipated.

She should have never agreed to this.