Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 144: A Perfect Paradise

Chapter 144: A Perfect Paradise

Islinda could not stay angry at Issac forever because as soon as she tugged the large double doors of the library open, the breath was knocked out of her lungs. She must have stepped into heaven.

The library was captivating and shocking as an ethereal glow of soft, shimmering sunlight streamed in through the numerous windows. It was vast and the shelf that was made with crystals lined across the hall and stretched on, almost reaching the rooftop.

Islinda had to crane her neck to study the length of the shelf, swallowing. How did they expect her to get the book she needed from that length, she was not exactly a monkey. However, Islinda realized that this library was built for a Fae, not a human and she bet they had a special way of getting the book they needed.

To her relief, she caught sight of a ladder taller than the normal ones that she was used to. Islinda was not afraid of heights considering she had to climb tall trees to catch her prey sometimes. But climbing all the way up for a book and getting hurt, she wasn’t sure it was worth it.

For a place housing thousands of books, she guessed were centuries old, there was no stale smell, instead, the air carried the scent of aged parchment and delicate flowers, creating a soothing and inviting atmosphere.

The Fae library was not just an archive of knowledge but also a sphere of learning and discovery. The shelves were lined with volumes of every size, shape, and color she could think of. Elaborately decorated leather-bound tomes and delicate scrolls of vellum were not the end of the wonderful discoveries because beyond that section of the library were enchanting exhibits showcasing rare artifacts and mystical objects.

"Don’t touch it," Issac warned her with a frown just as she was about to touch a piece of beautiful jewelry that sparkled in her eyes and drew her attention.

"Treasures deemed too precious to be left among the books are displayed in glass cases, protected by potent spells to safeguard their magic." He added, "Not to mention some of the items are cursed and you wouldn’t want to be turned into a toad, would you?"

Although Islinda did not know if Issac was being serious or pulling her legs, she still shivered at the thought of becoming a toad. It was not exactly a pretty sight.

She frowned, "If it’s that dangerous, why don’t Aldric keep it in a place where it is safer and wouldn’t be accessed easily?" Islinda just couldn’t understand why it was left in the open. No, every treasure in this palace seems to be a death trap. It was truly a wonder she was alive to date.

"Because you’re the only one that would touch things without permission. Wasn’t it taught in the human realm, once you enter the Fae realm, you do not touch anything because nothing is as it is?" Issac said, looming over her and behaving threateningly as if to scare her, not that Islinda fell for it.

"I only know not to eat your food and drink the wine else we end up enslaved without our knowledge," Islinda answered truthfully.

"Well, you just learned another secret. Let’s hope you don’t forget that easily," Isaac said, having little faith that she would keep her hands to herself like a certain horse shifter haunting his thoughts.

Islinda ignored his sass and explored the rest of the library, impressed to notice that there was a cozy reading alcove at a corner with plush cushions that beckoned her and she accepted the invitation, sinking into the depth of the seat and closed her eyes with a satisfied sigh.

The atmosphere was just serene and seemed to be infused with a warm, soothing aura. She could spend days, no, years here and she wouldn’t even notice the passage of time. This means she would hide away from Aldric from now on. There were so many corners she could hide and no one would find her.

She would order snacks and then spend the day reading books considering she had nothing to do. Islinda bet there were those romantic books that made the heart stir and she would fawn at the characters, she squealed inwardly. This was it! A perfect paradise.

"Your expression says you are plotting something, why do I not want to know?" Issac plopped down on the cushion next to her, just as she took in the sight of the ornate stairs that led to the upper floor of the library. Good. She didn’t have wings to fly up that length.

"Maybe if you stop being nosy, you would realize that there is nothing of such nature," Islinda said, getting up to her feet. If she was going to relax in her seat, she had to start with a book.

"Nosy?" Issac’s face twisted in embarrassment which was quite comical.

Islinda ignored him, feeling the crystal shelves as she walked by, admiring the beauty of the stunning collections until she suddenly stopped and turned to Issac who had been following her like a faithful disciple.

"Did Aldric build this library himself?" She asked out of curiosity, eagerly waiting for an answer.

"If you’re asking if the dark prince did the construction himself then you must be looking down on the royal family. Aldric spent most of his time on the battlefield, where would he find the time to do such a menial job, dummy?"

Islinda glared at Isaac, "Must you always be so sarcastic?" She asked, hands on her waist.

Issac countered, "And must you want to know everything?"

At once, the both of them engaged in a fierce stare-down. However, Issac underestimated Islinda’s burning desire to win because even when her eyes burned and tears slid down her cheeks, she did not back down until Issac could not take it anymore. He looked away first.

"Yes, I win!" Islinda bumped her fist into the air, starting a celebratory dance while he groaned in disappointment.

However, her dance was so hilarious that Issac burst into hearty laughter. When she saw this, Islinda could not help but laugh along with him and they both bent over, laughing out their lungs.

"Tell me the both of us laughing is as a result of a strange enchantment in the air?" Islinda asked, hoping so.

"Probably not," Isaac answered.

As if they caught themselves, the laughter gurgled to a halt and the both of them straightened up. Issac cleared his throat while Islinda whistled out of tune, both refusing to acknowledge what happened.

That was awkward.