Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 196: The Plan Failed

Chapter 196: The Plan Failed

"What happened?" Rosalind asked, coming to her side before looking back at the door through which Aldric just left.

"I have no idea," Islinda breathed, straightening her rumpled tunic and intentionally not looking Rosalind in the eye as she composed herself.

She felt guilty and dirty, mentally chiding herself for having improper thoughts about someone else’s lover. As much as Islinda tried to deny it, she was sexually attracted to Aldric. She means, who in the world wouldn’t want to shag Aldric? No wonder Rosalind was hung up on him. Yes, his attitude sucked but his face and perfect body were carved by the gods himself.

But then, the thought was dangerous itself and inappropriate. Islinda knew firsthand the dark prince was evil and knew better than to cross that line. She still hadn’t healed over the hurt from Valerie and couldn’t complicate matters. What would people say if she got involved with the dark prince? Her captor.

Aside from that, she aimed to bring Rosalind and Aldric together - which seemed even harder than making a camel go through a needle eye - and snatching him from right under her eyes was a huge betrayal. The thoughts hardened Islinda’s heart and she made up her mind to escape by all means. Aldric was corrupting her soul and had to leave before she lost her morals at the same time.

"He looked furious," Rosalind pointed out, a hint of concern on her face.

"He’s fine!" Islinda snapped at her unintentionally. She was irritated that the Fae was rubbing her feelings for Aldric all over her face - even if that wasn’t the case.

Sensing Rosalind was displeased with her harsh tone of response, she said softly this time, "Aldric is just being Aldric. We got into a bit of an argument, that’s all."

Yeah, a bit of argument that required him shredding his tunic, with her tracing her hands on his chest, and Aldric pushing her onto the table and licking her lower lips. Yep, her lies just kept on piling up. Real smooth, Islinda. Keep up the good work, she sassed inwardly.

"My lady," Someone said and Islinda finally noticed the healer. She remembered her, the Fae who had fixed her injured hand that night

"Zaya at your service, my lady," She bowed low at the waist.

Islinda scratched the back of her head nervously, "Zaya, it is. I am Islinda and you don’t need to do that." She was nothing but a lowly human whose fate was in the hands of a cruel twisted dark prince. She didn’t even own her life anymore.

"It is what is required of me, my lady. Prince Aldric has demanded that I be in your service. He claims that you hurt easily and that I tend to your every wound."

Islinda grimaced at that statement. What has that damned prince been saying with her name? Moreover, who said she hurt easily?! She was not fragile.

Islinda laughed to cover up the awkwardness," I hate to say you’re wrong but I don’t hurt easily. All of my injuries are caused by the prince directly or indirectly. Trust me, he brought you here to keep me alive, nothing else." She was sure of it. Aldric doesn’t care about her welfare, but rather her worth to him.

"No matter the reason, my lady, I must do my duty. Now, let me see." Zara reached for her face and Islinda let her, leaning against the table and grabbing its edge for support.

"Thankfully, it’s a small wound and my magic can handle it," Zara said with relief, examining her busted lips.

She went on to explain, "I’m sorry for my shortcomings, my healing powers are not as proficient as others who can even grow back a detached limb. On the bright side, Prince Aldric has promised to help me improve and I believe by then, I would be able to even connect your head if it gets severed by mistake. Hopefully, we don’t come down to that because it’s an extremely complicated and risky procedure. "

At this point, Islinda did not know what to say because she was dumbfounded. The question she had wanted to ask about Aldric helping her with her magic got stuck on her lips. Were these Faeries looking down on her or what? And she wasn’t stupid enough to get her head severed. Maybe?

"It is done," Zaya announced happily and gave her space.

Islinda felt her lips, it was as good as new and even the tongue she bit on didn’t hurt anymore. It was a nice feeling but Islinda made up her mind not to get hurt anymore else the Fae’s view her as weak and a damsel in distress. She was a strong hunter - who didn’t need to chase down animals in the forest anymore because food was abundant in her new home - and has been reduced to a prisoner.

"We should leave," Rosalind said and Islinda nodded in agreement. She needed to speak anyway, their plan was not moving at all.

Islinda was tempted to leave with a book but after what transpired between her and Aldric, she wasn’t so keen on discovering secrets about the Fae realm anymore. Perhaps, she would ask for Aldric’s recommendation during dinner, that way, she knew what she was getting into.

As soon as they were out of the library, Zaya took a bow and left the both of them alone - a moment Islinda had been looking forward to.

"I think I need to see that ballroom once again! There’s just something magical about that hall and I can’t help but imagine hosting a Ball there someday. Don’t you think so, Rosalind?" Islinda said a little too loud which was strange considering only the both of them were in the hallway and the Fae could hear her properly.

However, Rosalind saw the subtle signs she gave her with her eyes and understood what this was all about. The human has learned that Aldric has many eyes and ears, so they needed to go to their secret meeting place and replan. This wasn’t working out.

"You’re right, my lady," Rosalind answered, acting natural, "It would be a blessing if a ball was ever organized and this dead castle revived at last. Come, my lady, I can give you a tour of the place before the bell rings for dinner." Rosalind gingerly took the lead and Islinda went after her.

The both of them walked ahead and didn’t get to see the raven perched on the small hole in the wall, their figures reflected in the intelligent creature’s oval-shaped and dilated eyes.