Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 329: Royal Beggar

Chapter 329: Royal Beggar

"Hello, Maxi, I’m Islinda," She decided to go along with the flow as Eli instructed, "It’s nice to meet you too."

Islinda pulled out a seat, about to settle down beside the dark Fae horse shifter only to Eli from the corner of her eyes pull out the chair beside his.

"Here, princess."

"Oh." Islinda’s heart missed a beat at the gesture, her cheeks heating a bit as she eased herself into the seat. Eli was so sweet and gentlemanly.

With everyone settled down, the servants strolled in one after the other with the food and served them.

"The highlight of the night," Aurelia stood at the side introducing the highly anticipated meal, "Young Miss Islinda’s Akara balls."

Maxi cheered louder than the others, clapping and howling in excitement while Islinda shrank back into her seat, hiding her face. By the gods, no one told her she was going to be brought into the spotlight like this. And look at Maxi, the Fae was even more elated than she was to the point people might mistake her for the cook.

Islinda let out a strangled whimper. This was not in the plan at all. This was supposed to be a quiet meal and she would silently introduce the meal to Eli. However, looking at Eli now, there was a twinkle in his eyes and the look of a father whose child just made him proud. She was supposed to drug him quietly. Now, everything was out of control.

The Akara meal was set in front of Eli and the voracious hunger in his eyes thrilled Islinda and she looked at him with great anticipation. Yes, take it all. Devour it right away, Islinda beckoned inwardly like the enchanting of a witch.

Islinda was practically at the edge of her seat, watching keenly as Eli took one of the balls from the dish and had a bite. Her heart soared like that of an eagle while watching him munch away delightfully.

"Mmm, this is good, princess. So good, I can’t help but want more. " Eli took more, eating to his heart’s content.

Yes, he took it! She did it! Islinda wanted to pump her fist in excitement. Amid the obstacle, the plan was finally on track. Now the second phase of the plan was getting him into bed before the drug kicked in. Islinda was happy she finally had everything under control only for a voice by her side to chirp, "Me too! I want to have a taste."

Oh no. No, no, no, this was not happening.

Islinda was still panicking when Maxi already reached out and took the whole platter to Issac’s shock. Yes, someone needed to be taught table manners, he noted that down immediately.

"This smells so good," Maxi sniffed the food with her eyes closed while the Fae lined up at the wall gave each other strange looks, wondering where the dignified and eligible bachelor Issac picked such feather head Fae from. They had such high expectations - couldn’t he have chosen from amongst them? They – the servants – were classier than the country pumpkin Fae.

Maxi had a covetous glint in her eyes as she intended to devour them all, but before she could take even one Akara, Islinda had already snatched the platter from her with a frown.

"What are you doing?"

"Can I have just one? It looks so appetizing," Maxi pleaded with her, licking her lips with hunger in her intense gaze.

Had it been other days, Islinda would have given her the whole thing, even, however, the food was drugged and she wouldn’t want the dark Fae horse shifter dropping unconscious and drawing suspicion from her partner, Issac. No, she cannot let it happen. She’d rather be mean this time around than risk the whole thing.

"No, this was made for Aldric, not you," Islinda was petty on purpose.

Of course, it did not make sense to Maxi that her kind and affectionate sister Islinda would not spare even one of the Akara balls when there was enough for Aldric to have his full.

"Just one, that’s all. Is not like giving me just a bit would ruin the whole thing. There’s more than enough, isn’t that enough, Aldric?"

She directed the question at Eli who had already learned the hard way never to butt into women’s fight. He simply shrugged with no clear assertion whose side he was on, shutting his lips by sipping his wine and turning the other way.

Islinda snorted believing Eli was naturally on her side while Maxi let out a disgruntled sound in her throat, unable to believe her master had given her up.

"Don’t worry, Issac’s fiancée," Islinda referred to her with the title on purpose, "I would make you another Akara, but this only belongs to Prince Aldric."

Islinda believed she had won this fight and was about to return the platter to Eli’s side only for Maxi to drag on the plate causing her eyes to widen in both surprise and caution. Unfortunately, Maxi was a bit childish and not used to not having her way. After all, Aldric had given her everything she ever needed, nor was relating with people her strong suit. She would have that Akara today!

With her eyes narrowed and lips pursed, Islinda pulled the tray to her side but the damned horse shifter would not give up.

"Let go, Maxi." She warned, her voice strained.

Maxi pulled the platter to her side, a challenge in her eyes, "Make me."

Islinda tugged the plate to her side with a grunt, Maxi was really strong. She huffed, "Aren’t you being a little ridiculous right now? This is my food. I decide who has it or not!"

Maxi scoffed, bringing it to her side again, "You are the one being ridiculous right now. Even beggars deserve better treatment than this!"

The plate came to Islinda’s side once more, beads of sweat on her forehead as she retorted, "Beggars don’t belong in the castle but in the streets and under bridges."

"Well, this one right here is a royal beggar and belongs to this table!" Maxi stated proudly.