Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 312: Run While You Still Can

Chapter 312: Run While You Still Can

"You look stunning, my lady," The Faeries in the room gushed over her appearance, making her a bit shy.

Islinda knew she had gone a little over the top dressing up for a mere breakfast. But she was on a mission and she had to convince Eli to let her cook him dinner tonight.

Not to mention, he was in charge of her wardrobe and must have known the effect of this dress when he sent it.

Yes, Islinda was a hundred percent sure he chose the clothes himself. It was so like him. She would just have to take advantage of it this time.

She wore a beautiful little black dress with a high slit on its side. It was sleeveless and flattered her curves. The thigh-high slit drew attention to her legs and Islinda blushed furiously upon imagining what Eli would think of it.

She let the servant Faeries apply kohl around her eyes, powdered her face, and did her hair. The servant from earlier who had taken care of that sandy mess in her room was nowhere to be seen and Islinda made a mental note to seek her out later.

By the time they were done, Islinda looked classic and chic with a hint of playfulness and she was unable to recognize herself in the mirror. The dress wrapped around her like a second skin and fitted her beautifully.

Unlike in the human realm where she was unable to take care of herself, Islinda realized her skin had a healthier shine to it and she had added a bit of flesh – her cheeks were fuller.

Her hair grew longer, stumbling past her shoulders, and wasn’t brittle anymore. She smiled nicely like she had been dipped in a pool of jasmine. Islinda lived better in the Fae realm, although she was akin to a bird in a golden cage.

The door to her room opened and the Faeries who had once been gigging and chit-chatting with her stiffened at once.

"Rosalind," They acknowledged her presence and kept mute afterward, an awkward silence descending in the room.

Islinda was surprised at the sudden change in their demeanor, wondering what brought it. They usually weren’t this nervous around Rosalind.

"Give us some space," Rosalind commanded and all three Fae found their way out through the door, closing it behind them.

"I’m sure you know what today is."

"Crystal" Islinda answered firmly, "You don’t need to remind me."

"Oh, I do need to remind you," Rosalind stepped closer, a head taller than her, "I need to remind you that if this fails it’s me and you here forever and while Prince Aldric might be obsessed with you for the moment, it wouldn’t last forever... oops, you wouldn’t even live that long. Fifty at the top. But then, you would be so weak and wrinkly, and not even the oldest Fae in our land would desire your old bones. " She berated her.

Islinda reined in her rising anger, her hands already forming into a fist. Sometimes, she hated this Fae with every fiber of her being. Islinda had to remember that she was bigger than this and would not rise to her provocation.

she gave Rosalind a long look, "Why are you telling me this? Are you so insecure and jealous that you feel like reminding the human who spent the night with your lover that her life would end fifty years in the future? In that case, that would be so satisfying knowing I’ll be taking fifty years off your immortal life and filling it with my memories. I’ll haunt you while even in the grave."

Rosalind was left dumbfounded, but Islinda obviously wasn’t through. She smirked mischievously, "Also, what gave you the assurance that you’d still be here by then?" She reached out and took a strand of Rosalind’s hair, curling it around her finger with an air of haughtiness, "Aldric listens to me now, I could just have him send you back to wherever you crawled out from?"

Rosalind’s eyes flashed with anger while her nostrils flared, her lips pressing into a thin line.

She gritted her teeth, "I’m just reminding you that there is no room for failure, and should you fail because of your stupidity and hormones, please, by all means, your ladyship, do not implicate me," Her tone was laced with sarcasm, "Unlike prisoners like you with a good life, I need this place to survive and provide for my family. Also, once I’ve played my part, I’m washing my hands off you, ungrateful human."

Islinda clenched her jaw, that damn Fae. Take a good look at the kettle calling the pot black. Who gave her the idea of sleeping with Aldric in the first place and lowering her defenses? It was all here. Now, she’s done it, she’s behaving like a jealous lover.

"Don’t worry, I will succeed," Islinda promised her.

"Good. I expect nothing else."

Both women stared each down for a while until Rosalind blinked and Islinda cheered inwardly. She won.

"I’ve got breakfast to attend to. I will convince Aldric to let me make his dinner, you must ensure the stuff is ready. And I hope to the gods the mistake doesn’t come from your end."

"Play your part perfectly and I’ll take care of my end," Rosalind told her.

"Good."

"Good."

They stayed in silence for a while until Rosalind remembered she had better things to do. She was about to reach for the door when Islinda called to her.

"Rosalind?"

She turned around wearily, "What is it now, my lady?"

Islinda licked her lower lips nervously knowing what she was about to say was not going to sit right with the Fae.

"We are honestly not rivals, and all for all is worth, you seem like a good Fae with a tough exterior and while you’re ambitious, it’s for your survival and that of your family as you said earlier –"

"Get to the point, Islinda."

"Give up on Aldric!" She blurted out.

Rosalind raised a brow and she quickly explained, "Aldric does not love you at all and I’m not saying this because I want you out of the picture or anything. No, it’s just based on what I’ve seen so far while being with him. He –"

"Thanks for the advice," She cut her off rudely again, "Now, here’s mine. Don’t let your fragile human heart be fooled by appearance. Run now while you can."

Rosalind left Islinda behind with a chuck of information to digest.