TFOTA FANFIC --CARDAN + JUDE --*ONE-SHOTS*

CRUEL PRINCE CARDAN'S POV

-CRUEL PRINCE-CHAPTER 11

The dreary day couldn't get drearier and stretched endlessly ahead. I longed to engulf myself in the sweet aroma of wine and leisure, the rows of old and rare wines waiting to be finished in the cellar of my despicable brother's household.  

I glanced at Jude, clad in a black dress with golden cuffs and green lacing, she seemed to camouflage into the darkness of the evening. Just as she should. Mortals are not supposed to be visible. Their lives are pitifully small and insignificant. Why should this morsel of mud of a mortal be treated equal to to the fey... or better than some? The familiar monster of jealousy sparked again. I tried not to stare at her lain figure for too long, but failed miserably. Utterly relaxed, on her blanket, engrossed in whatever task the Fir Darrig  had given, she stared at the evening sky . 

I had not payed attention to whats-his-name instructor with the bushy eyebrows  ever since he uttered the word meteor. Celestial events and falling stars and all the blasphemy they foretell, have already caused me enough trouble and pain in my life. I don't need them to bore me to death now.  

"Remember," whats-his-name says, "unusual celestial events often presage important political changes, so with a new king on the horizon, it's important for us to observe the signs carefully."

"Do the signs tell about the prince of Elfhame  lighting up his vile beard, while he continues with his wretched lecture," I murmur lightly enough for only Nicasia beside me to hear. A giggle erupts from her mouth, attracting whats-his-name's attention.

"Nicasia," whats-his-name's says. "Is there some difficulty?" 

"None at all" she drawls, her voice heavy with jeer. 

"Now, what can you tell me about falling stars? What would be the meaning of a shower of them in the last hour of a night?" 

"A dozen births," Nicasia answers, without any shame.

"Deaths," a familiar voice hissed. I look at her, shocked and surprised at her audacity. She seemed to be surprised, when bushy eyebrows compliments her for answering rightly. 

"Now, who would like to tell me when those deaths are most likely to occur?"

She seemed to hesitate to respond,however a resolve passes in her eyes and she answers the question with some senseless garbage about constellations and direction. Apparently she answers right, much to whats-his-name's delight and Nicasia's fury. 

Echoing Nicasia sentiments regarding a mortal who managed to best them, Valerian haughtily starts "This is dull, "Prophecy is for hags and small folk.We should be learning things of a more noble mien. If I am going to pass a night on my back, then I'd wish to be lessoned in love." Peals of laughter follow Valerian's proud comment. A contradicting comment for Valeriian, who finds pleasure in pain not love making. However, it reminded me of my dream last night. The dream where Jude was on her knees, begging him do whatever he wanted with her...

Deep, hot shame clouded my mind, followed by piercing self-hatred. Why might he consistently imagine about that morsel of mud is beyond his comprehension and above his self control.

Bushybrows seems to take Valerian outrageous comment as a challenge and says "Very well, Tell me what event might portend success in love?" 

"A girl taking off her dress," he says incredulously, to more laughter. I wish he wouldn't talk about girls and clothes. 

"Elga?" bushybrows calls on a girl with silver hair and boring bed charms "Can you answer for him? Perhaps he's had such little success in love that he truly doesn't know."

I wanted to laugh at the jeering honesty of his speculation. 

"Shall I ask Jude again?" Noggle asks tartly. "Or perhaps Cardan. Why don'tyou tell us?"

Success in love? What would I know of that. No one has ever loved me. Not even the ones who I believed ought to. My mother, father, brother, Nicasia: they are all traitorous and treacherous. Who I believed I loved left me for another. My mother abandoned me to the care of a cat. My father practically disowned me, my brothers frame and abuse me and as a cherry on top, I am irresistibly  attracted to a mortal, who also happens to despise me. I am the benevolent owner of my wonderful life !  Why should I be responsible to answer this ridiculous question.

"No" I say with the finality and arrogance of the spoiled prince everyone believes me to be. 

My dismissal seemed to surprise bushybrows, "What was that?" he asks.

"It is as Valerian says. This lesson is boring. You will light the lamps and begin another, more worthy one." I say with practised voice of a rule, wanting to divert from the topic of love.

"Yes, my prince," he says reluctantly, scared to contradict the prince and busies himself looking for a lesson. 

Nicasia stands up and strides towards the front.

" Things were just getting interesting, but the prince had to put an end to all, like the decision-maker he is" drawls Valerian sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Just like I can a put an end to your life, how is that for decision making?" I say sweetly, my voice heavy with malice.

"Holy hags, you get riled up so fas-" He is cut off by Nicasia.

She is holding a notebook in her hand, covered with messy sprawls and ink stains. She jeers Jude about her mortal limitation, but this time Taryn was not present to reign Jude and her anger.

"Sorry if you can't read my handwriting," Jude says, grabbing the notebook, "But that's not exactly my disadvantage." 

A crack like a whip is heard, and Jude stumbles to her knees. The insolent fool slapped Madoc's daughter in front of everyone, beautiful consequences of future await her. 

"You can't do that," Jude blurts, outraged that Nicasia broke some rules which we were never stated in the first place but were a silent understanding between us.