Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 220: Return With Islinda’s Corpse

Chapter 220: Return With Islinda’s Corpse

"Ugh, this is getting boring," Aldric rolled his eyes upwards when he saw the way Islinda stared at Andre, enraptured with his kindliness. She doesn’t even look at him that way. Always reserving that affectionate look for other males. Damn her! And no, he wasn’t jealous, just pointing out her annoying trait.

"Let’s get this over with. Didn’t you say you have an important reason for coming here, brother? " He intentionally disrupted the moment between them.

Islinda leaned away from Andre, taking a deep breath and reigning in her turbulent emotions. When she looked at Andre again, it was with intrigue; Islinda was curious to know why he was here too.

Surely, it wasn’t a coincidence that he was here early morning right after that incident with Valerie yesterday. No, Islinda shook her head mentally. It can’t be because of that, after all, he wasn’t present at the scene and didn’t see what happened.

There was a swift change in Andre’s demeanor and he lifted serious eyes to Aldric and announced, "I’m here because of Valerie."

Islinda tensed in her seat, unlike Aldric who didn’t even blink in surprise, as if he had seen this coming. If anything, he lifted his wine glass, and the Fae waiting upon him, refilled his glass.

"Interesting, "Aldric sipped his wine slowly, "What did my dearest brother do this time?" He pretended to be oblivious to what he was talking about.

Andre sighed, rubbing the spot between his brows," I did not come here to play your games, Aldric. Just don’t do what you’re thinking." There was a silent plea in his voice.

This time Aldric lowered the wine glass and when the Fae came to serve him, he gestured for him to leave. All of them.

Islinda still had not gotten over the shock of the revelation from Andre, her scalp prickling when the Fae staff began to leave one after the other, the move only heralding the tension about to come.

Soon it was just the three of them all alone and an ominous silence engulfed the room. Islinda found that the air was suddenly thin and she found it difficult to breathe, wishing she had left with the servants. But then, she wouldn’t know the truth if she left too.

Aldric broke the silence by saying, "It occurs to me brother that you have something to say to me, Go ahead. I’m all ears." He relaxed into his seat giving him his attention.

"You can’t tell our father about the incident, Aldric, I know that’s your plan. What Valerie did was a mistake and wouldn’t happen again." He went straight to the point.

Aldric scoffed, "So it’s our father now."

"He is always our father,"

"Perhaps to you, but not to me brother. He’s either King Oberon or dearest father when I’m in the mood, note the sarcasm," Aldric declared without hiding his feelings.

Andre shook his head, pity in his eyes, "You have always believed everyone, no, that the entire Fae realm is against you,"

"Aren’t they?" Aldric asked, pinning him with a look.

Their gazes held for a while but Andre looked away, saying, "Your one-sided perception only ended up building resentment inside of you and you hold everyone accountable for what goes wrong in your life. " Andre tactically avoided his question.

Aldric gave him a long look before throwing his head back and laughing boisterously, "Really brother? When you said you came here for something important, I never thought you wanted to lecture me. But I suggest you do it now, time’s flying. "

"You can’t tell our father about the incident, Aldric. Trust me, while it would get Valerie in trouble, it still won’t guarantee the crown would come to you."

"What do you mean it would get Valerie in trouble?" Islinda asked this time, her pulse accelerating having sensed the issue was serious. She faced Andre, "What are you talking about?"

"Valerie regrets what he did to you," He licked his lower lips, "I know you might think it’s cowardly of him not to apologize to you face to face but he could have done it if he could." His eyes flickered to Aldric, hinting the dark Fae wouldn’t let him in.

He explained to her, "But soul swapping is a serious crime, not to mention witches are forbidden in Astaria. The only witches permitted are the ones who work for the royal family. However, since the magic is outlawed, Valerie had to secretly source for a witch unaffiliated with the royal family and the rest is history, which you know already since you were a victim and a witness."

Islinda lifted a trembling hand to her mouth, shocked to the core. Valerie was in trouble and it was all because of her. She gulped, "Would his punishment be that serious?"

Andre looked her in the eyes, "Yes, it is that serious of a crime. Valerie could lose his crown prince position, Islinda. But of course, Aldric knows that which is why he gains the most by taking the information to the king."

Islinda turned to Aldric, eyes wide in horror, "You can’t tell the king, Aldric!"

However, that was one wrong move.

A storm brewed in Aldric’s dark eyes while his jaw was set hard. Islinda shuddered when she saw the wisps of darkness that escaped his control and she instinctively leaned closer to Andre for protection.

"Really Islinda?" His tone was taunting and full of malice, "I saved you from that asshole and you thank me by standing up for him?"

"No, it’s not like -!" Islinda wanted to say but Aldric’s sharp hiss cut her off.

"Enough!"

"Do not intimidate the girl, Aldric, she merely said what was on her mind." Andre came to her defense, "She has a conscience and is simply standing up for the one she loves."

"Really? The one she loves?" Aldric scoffed, finding the words laughable.

"Don’t mock what you don’t understand brother, not when you ruined your chance with Tatiana."

Islinda missed the way Aldric’s eyes flashed at the mention of that name and was careless enough to ask, "Who Is Tatiana?"

Andre opened his mouth to speak when Aldric threatened him,

"Say a word and I promise you brother, you will return to Valerie with her corpse."