Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 284: A Date

Chapter 284: A Date

There was nowhere else for her to go, not with Issac and Maxi occupying the library and doing what a lady should not mention. Returning to her room was not an option either, so Islinda chose the garden instead. It was refreshing and she could get lots of fresh air than being cooped up inside.

Islinda descended the stairs and walked into the lush garden, disappointed to see that another person had taken the bench she had hoped to occupy and go through the book she had in hand. However, she was more startled to see that it was no one else but Aldric.

She swallowed at once, suddenly feeling uncomfortable as the last encounter ran through her mind. Islinda was embarrassed thinking about how she begged him to let her go and then he told her it would have been much better if they had met in better circumstances. In one word, things were really awkward between the both of them right now.

Scratching the back of her head, Islinda wondered what to do. She couldn’t turn back now, she knew Eli probably heard her approach and remained mute, wanting her to make the choice. Islinda did not want to make things any more weird between them – not when her escape was near and she needed to lower his defenses – so she walked over to him.

"Hello?" Islinda waved shyly at him.

"Hello princess," Eli answered smoothly with just two words that made her heart skip a beat.

By the gods, it was just an endearment yet her traitorous heart went overboard. Don’t read too much meaning into it, Islinda chanted inwardly, strengthening her resolve.

She pointed to the space on the bench, asking politely, "Can I sit beside you?"

Eli’s blue eyes collided with her and she forgot how to breathe. It was simply beautiful and she was lost in it.

"You know you can sit anywhere you want, Princess. You’re not a prisoner here."

Islinda barely grasped his words because she was absorbed in his stare yet she nodded her head, "Sure."

She sat down with her spine straight and her knees rubbing each other, unlike Aldric who looked relaxed and casual with one leg over the other as he stared into the distance.

An awkward silence fell upon them and Islinda gnawed on her bottom lip, wondering how to start a conversation with him. It hit her at that moment that Aldric usually was the one initiating contact between them and now that he was oddly quiet, it made her feel guilty. Like it was her fault he was being this way.

Islinda fiddled with her hands on her lap, awkwardly clearing her throat which was her own way of drawing his attention. It succeeded because Eli turned to her before his eyes fell on the book on her lap.

"You came from the library?" He finally asked.

"Yes," Islinda answered, meeting his eyes, although she dropped her stare in the end.

There was just something heated about looking Eli straight in the eye. Weird enough, in the past, she loved doing so because it spurred her enough to challenge him, but now? It did funny things to her stomach instead.

"You didn’t seem to stay long from the look of it," His gaze roved over her body and her breath stuttered out. It seemed like he was touching her with his eyes alone. This was getting weird.

"Aye," Islinda replied lightly, choosing not to dwell on whatever was building between them.

"Why? What happened?" Aldric wanted details.

"Well...." Islinda tilted her head unsure, "How did I put this? Fine." She breathed, "I think Issac and Maxi are dating. I could not concentrate with them around." She restrained a bit of the details.

"Took them long enough," Aldric said causally to her surprise.

"You knew."

"You could sense the sexual tension between them from a mile away but Issac is too supercilious to think there’s something between them. Why would he like a half-dark Fae? I’m sure he must have resented the idea a couple of times. But he caved in eventually, didn’t he?" He said with a glint of superior intelligence in his eyes.

"Wow, this is interesting."

"It is interesting in what way?" He asked, staring at her.

"How you could sense other people’s relationships and their compatibility, yet you can’t tell Rosalind has feelings for you," Islinda, of course, kept that thought to herself. That was Rosalind’s confession to make, not hers.

"Nothing," Islinda said instead and looked away, knowing he wasn’t satisfied with her answer.

Eli knew that she was lying but thankfully didn’t pursue the matter and they kept to themselves again. However this time around, the tension was gone and Islinda was able to relax a bit. She closed her eyes and relished the sweet refreshing smell of nature, a smile crossing her features at the soothing effect it had on her. She had made the right choice by coming here. If only her life was less chaotic and complicated and Aldric didn’t have ulterior motives towards her, she wouldn’t mind staying here.

Her eyes opened when she heard the flapping of wings and saw a raven perched on Aldric’s outstretched arm while it ate out of his open palm. Islinda was intrigued at the scene, Aldric making weird sounds to it, and the way the bird responded to him with a low, gurgling croak.

She said in disbelief, "Don’t tell me it really understands you?"

Eli looked at her and then back at the bird, answering smugly, "When you have too much time on your hands, even the impossible becomes possible."

"Wow." Islinda was awed. She leaned closer, curious, "Tell me then, what are the both of you talking about? Don’t say it’s about me." She joked

"Yes, it’s about you, princess,"

"What?" Islinda’s laughter ended abruptly upon seeing his serious face.

Aldric told her, "You gave him, no, them, a scare when you attempted to take your life. I’m in the middle of negotiating for him not to bite you."

However, Islinda was not listening to that part, asking instead, "You saw me trying to take my life."

"Aldric saw you trying to take your life," He corrected her sternly, "Why do you think I’m punishing him for doing nothing?"

Islinda’s throat went dry, what was she to say to that?

"Thank you, I guess?"

"Do not thank me because you’ll be in a much sorry state if you attempt to pull off that stunt again, princess." He drew closer without warning such that she held her breath and gulped, "Trust me when I say I’ll punish you myself and it wouldn’t be pretty."

Islinda shivered in both fear and thrill when he threaded his hand through her hair and pulled slightly with a hint of a threat before beginning to massage her scalp. Islinda did not even realize when she closed her eyes, ignoring the bird now on his shoulder and relishing the wonderful feeling. It felt so good and she wished he wouldn’t stop.

"Also, tell me, princess, would you like to have dinner with me outside the castle?"

Islinda’s eyes snapped open and she looked at Aldric with wide eyes. She said under her breath, "Are you kidding me right now?"

"No, princess. It’s not a joke."

Her eyes gleamed with excitement and she screamed, "Of course, yes! I would have dinner with you!"

Islinda threw herself on Eli, chasing the disgruntled raven away as she hugged him tight with a smile on her face.

Eli was startled in a good way. He never thought Islinda would love the idea this much. Perhaps, they would go out often from now on. He would just have to fight it out with Aldric to spend more time with her.