Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 271: The Oath

Chapter 271: The Oath

Aldric knew of her plans, that was the thought that crossed Islinda’s mind when he made that statement. She almost flinched fearfully when it hit her that the dark Fae prince wouldn’t be this calm if he had an idea she planned to drug him. No, Aldric was merely suspicious of her. It seems alter ego or not, the dark Fae prince was naturally cautious.

"Why didn’t she kill you? I mean, your mother," Islinda swiftly changed the topic knowing he was getting too close to her plans for her liking, "She had your name, she could have finished you off."

To her surprise, Aldric burst into laughter, propping his head up on one elbow, and stared down at her, "Do You think it’s easy to get rid of me? I’m quite difficult to kill, you of all people should know that. You already attempted that in the human realm."

Islinda flushed with embarrassment as she recalled her pathetic attempt at killing Aldric and the way he had manhandled her back home. Even the expensive Iron arrow she had bought from that swindler Andre who pretended to be a human trader had been useless against him.

He told her, "Perhaps, it was the slightest bit of motherly affection inside of her but Queen Nova could not kill me. Instead, she cursed me to go mad. A mad king cannot rule Astaria. Not to mention, a mad dark Fae prince. I would be put down the instant the news got across to my family. Since she could not end me, she probably hoped my lovely father would finish up the work. "

Islinda’s heart stuttered out at once. She finally realized why Aldric wanted to kill her that day, he only wanted to keep his secret safe. He thought she would reveal his secret to... Valerie. And now, she has more information, giving Aldric more reasons to end her. Oh no, the blood drained from her face. What kind of trouble has his alter ego put her into?

"Don’t be afraid," Aldric sensed the fear from her, "He would not touch a hair on you while I’m here." He said with so much conviction she almost believed him.

Islinda snarled at him, "You would not be here forever. You said it yourself, you can only hold Aldric back for at least two days."

Panicking, Islinda tried to rise but Aldric pushed her back, pinning her to the bed with his body. She shot him a glare, but he ignored it only for him to suggest, "What if there is a way you can change his mind about you?"

Her brows arched, "What are you talking about?"

Aldric’s alter ego gave her a knowing smile like a hunter who just lured his prey with bait. Islinda hoped to the gods that it was worth getting her hopes high.

"What is it?"

"Swear an oath, promise him that you would never let out his secret. It’s practically impossible to break out of a Fae oath unless both parties decide so. The consequence of failing to keep up to your end of the deal is usually death."

"What?!" Islinda shouted, bolting upward this time, and even Aldric could not stop her. She narrowed her gaze at him, "Are you joking right now?"

"Trust me, princess, my joke is much scarier."

Islinda stared at him, her mouth parted from the shock. This was not happening. Strike a deal with Aldric? Why should she? As Aldric feared, his secret was more advantageous to her. But was it worth her life? He would kill her before she had a chance to tell Valerie.

"No." Islinda shook her head stubbornly. She was not entering into some strange deal with her.

"No?" Aldric sat up, surprised by her answer, "Even when that would save your life?"

Islinda’s face distorted into a frown as she reminded him, "You told me not to be afraid, that he wouldn’t touch a hair on my body while you’re here."

"And you also reminded me that I wouldn’t be around all the time," He challenged her, wrapping his arms across his chest and Islinda couldn’t help but get entranced, watching those bulging muscles.

No, she snapped out of it. This was the time to focus, not dwell on lustful thoughts.

Islinda groaned, pulling at her hair, "You are the worst."

Alter ego or not, he and Aldric were the same and proficient at tricking her into a deal. She should have been more careful.

"So what do you say then, my little princess?" He asked with a teasing smile, knowing he backed her into a corner. The damn Fae even had the guts to snatch the end of her hair and played with it. She swatted his hand.

Islinda then bit hard on her lips while thinking of what to do. To be honest, as tempting as it was, she wouldn’t have told his secret to Valerie anyway. That would only promote hostility between both brothers. Also, they would have to kill Aldric. For sure, the dark Fae prince was cruel and didn’t treat her well, but that does not mean he deserved death. Aldric has suffered enough; his life was not rosy.

Islinda sighed with resignation, her eyes closed. When she opened them, she had already made up her mind.

"Fine, let’s strike a deal."

"Good choice, princess," Aldric said with a gleam in his eyes that made Islinda question if she was doing the right thing. The look was pretty suspicious and Aldric has never been trustworthy from the start. Nonetheless, she was doing this for her safety.

"So how do we do this?" She lifted her hand awkwardly, "Do we swear with our hands raised or something?"

"No," Andric said, "I’ll slit our palms and draw blood, then mix them together while making the oath."

Islinda’s face paled. The thought of cutting her flesh made her dizzy.

"Kidding." Aldric burst into laughter as she gave him weird looks. The Fae was really scary while making jokes.

"Just say the words, they have powers and it’s binding. So you just repeat after me... " Aldric readjusted his position, sitting cross-legged as he began, "I, Islinda, promise to never reveal the Winter Prince Aldric’s secret to anyone or bear the consequences of a broken promise."

Islinda hesitated, was this really a good idea? The consequences were unknown and there could be a worse fate than death.

She summoned the courage and repeated after him, "I, Islinda, promise to never reveal the Winter Prince Aldric’s secret to anyone else or bear the consequences of a broken promise."

Islinda expected something extraordinary to happen, like a clap of thunder, or flash of lightning to indicate the significance of such an oath, yet nothing like that happened. The room was oddly silent except for that small tingle of magic that washed over her. So this was it?

"Good job, princess. Good job. " Aldric complimented, smoothing her hair and she did not swat his hand this time.

"Now," He announced, "Let’s sleep."