Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 280: Met In Better Circumstances

Chapter 280: Met In Better Circumstances

"Now, princess, open that mouth for me."

Islinda felt herself flush, every part of her suddenly too hot. She stared at Aldric with her lips parted, not because he instructed her to but partially due to her state of shock. How could he make the most innocent of words sound so dirty?

She suddenly became shy, and dropped her eyes, mumbling, "I really can eat by myself."

"Shh, say no more," Eli pressed a finger against her lips, saying delightfully, "Let your prince take care of you."

All Islinda was rendered speechless. To think she preferred Eli, the lesser evil over Aldric, only to find out that he was way much worse. He was going to kill her with kindness – the role she should be playing right now.

Fine, this was good for her. Eli was beginning to trust her and would be much easier to be taken advantage of. She cannot be deceived by Aldric’s alter ego. This was a facade that would end once Aldric surfaces. She was fighting for her future as well, you know.

Islinda having made up her mind, became docile. She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked up at Eli with these innocent eyes as she parted her lips wider.

Eli smiled, smoothing her hair, "Good girl."

Her heart was in her mouth the whole time but Islinda shouldn’t have been worried because Eli did not attempt any foul play. Just as he surprised her by not having any ulterior motive while she fed him, Aldric did the same with her. No, he was so cautious, the Fae prince did not let her clothes get soiled even though she had yet to change out of it, and attended to her with meticulous care.

With each bite Eli fed her, he would ask if she needed water or what side dish she was interested in next. It made Islinda feel a little ashamed since she had fed him everything without care and yet, he did not complain. His attentiveness began to make her heart swell with an unknown emotion and her eyes got wet with tears.

Islinda looked away at once, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand and blinking away the tears. Aldric, who lifted a spoon to her mouth, had to stop halfway with his brows creased with worry, "What’s wrong, princess?"

"It’s nothing." She lied, "Also, I’m suddenly full," Islinda scrambled to get off him, not that Eli would have let her go easily.

"You are lying,"

"And so?" Islinda retorted, "I lie to get away from uncomfortable situations, what so bad about it? Can’t I have my moments or are you jealous because you can’t enjoy the same privilege? I bet you must be dying to know how it feels to lie, but sadly, you can’t, can you?" She unintentionally transferred her aggression to him.

Eli stared at her with an expressionless face and Islinda believed he would let her be now. But when she did move, he flipped her onto her back on the bed, giving no care that the tray with the dishes fell to the ground in the process, the sound rattling through the room.

Islinda was stunned at first at the sudden turn of events before her eyes hardened with anger, "Get off me." She ordered him.

He did the opposite of what she wanted. Eli grabbed both hands she used to push at him and pinned them above her head as she let out a groan of frustration at being defeated early. He gripped her chin with his other hand, tilting her head so he could look at her with those deep eyes of his that seemed like he could see right through her soul. She squirmed beneath him uncomfortably.

He queried, "What’s going on with you? Everything was going well."

And that was exactly the problem, It was going too well. Islinda was used to taking care of everyone but herself. Back in the human realm, it was providing for her ungrateful family and always putting herself last. But here comes this strange Fae, the dark Fae prince rumored to be a monster, yet who was taking care of her with such care, that it made her heart skip a beat.

Islinda hated these new feelings she was developing for him. This empathy. This kindness. This vulnerability. It was not supposed to be complicated. was supposed to be either black or white. Either she hated Aldric or liked him. But here he was confusing her with two warring and different personalities. Which one was she supposed to believe? Which should she trust when she wasn’t supposed to?

Islinda squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back the tears, "Why are you doing this to me? Who asked you to take care of me? Is this the plan? To make me fall for you and then make me miserable in front of Valerie, because the lord help me..." She sniffed, "I am too tired for this. Just let me go, please."

She begged with pleading eyes, hoping to get through to him. But Aldric was hard to read, not when his eyes had switched to that eerily black. It was honestly frightening staring at such demonic eyes, but she was comforted by the fact he wouldn’t hurt her and remained still.

It was obvious a battle was going on inside of Aldric, she could tell with his tense body making Islinda gnaw on her lips, hoping she hadn’t helped Aldric resurface. That would be a huge drawback to her plan happening tomorrow night. Today was all about getting his trust and pulling down his defenses.

Her sudden outburst was not part of the plan either and seems to have ruined her instead of helping her especially if Aldric returned. So she waited with great anticipation as the Fae prince above her became frighteningly, his blackish eyes enchanting as it was frightening at the same time.

Suddenly the darkness cleared from his eyes and the orbs flickered back to blue as Islinda held her breath, wondering who had returned.

"I’m sorry but I can’t let you go. Not now, princess." He said with sadness in his eyes, "I wish we had met in better circumstances."

Islinda let go of the breath that she had been holding in. Thank God, the plan was back on track. She wished they had met in better circumstances as well. Perhaps, he wouldn’t turn out this way. But this was reality. She had given him one more chance to change his mind –even as Eli - yet he did not. She should not be blamed for betraying his trust.