Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 345: Don’t Love Aldric

Chapter 345: Don’t Love Aldric

Hypocrite.

Islinda realized that was who she was as she sat rigidly in her seat. She had always championed the good and believed in honesty. And yet, the mere thought of this Fae revealing her crime made her sick in the stomach.

She turned her pleading look Aldric’s way. Why was he doing this? If he wanted her to beg on her knees, she would do so. But why make this public? Sure, Aurelia getting injured was partially her fault, but that was on Rosalind. This matter should be solved between the both of them, not the audience.

Aldric did not fail to disappoint.

He ignored her plea, his dark eyes glittering with malicious anticipation. He too was eager to see how this would play out. Islinda bit down on her lips so hard it wouldn’t surprise her if she tasted blood. She stared at his cruel face and her heart broke into a million pieces.

To think that this was the same face she had stared into the past two days that was full of compassion and adoration. She had kissed those same lips that curled evilly. How could one person be so different and yet the same? Was there no part of him that felt for her? Or was Eli so blinded by her betrayal he erased every good thing they had together?

Islinda let out a wry smile, perhaps this was for the best. She couldn’t have lived with framing Rosalind for the crime they committed together — even though she tried to kill her. Maxi was right, her emotions were a problem.

Islinda did not try to plead with either Prince Aldric or Rosalind anymore. They can go ahead and say the truth, so she can be set free from the bondage of keeping a lie. Freedom was not just limited to physical escape from this realm, but her consciousness as well. No one can threaten her with the truth. She will not let that sick psychopath Aldric hold that power over her.

"I, Rosalind, have nothing to argue about. I plead guilty to all of the allegations leveled against me."

Islinda’s head jerked, her eyes full of surprise. What was going on here?

For a moment there, Islinda believed Aldric was in control of Rosalind and made her speak those words. However, there was no sign of Aldric’s invasion. Rosalind’s eyes were clear, nor was her expression alarmed. Usually, when Aldric was in charge, there was that fight, that fierce fight to take back the control he stole, and that was usually reflected on the victim’s face. Islinda could not see any of it.

Rosalind continued with bold confidence, confessing to the Fae, "I was once Prince Aldric’s lover until she came along...." She stared pointedly at Islinda, "She took my place. Overtook my role and I wasn’t one bit happy about that. "

Islinda flushed scarlet red as heated eyes were upon her once more and they were very judgemental. Yes, she knew that look. Rosalind had once been cast aside for rolling around in the sheets with Aldric, the dark Fae prince, and no doubt the favor would be given to her as well. If only they knew she was not really his lover and it was countable the number of times they were together. As if any of that would have mattered. Not when they already had a notion about her: the human who slept with the cursed prince.

"It took a lot of time to plot the plan but I knew I had to kick her out of the picture. So I purchased the drug, it was in the Akara meal Lady Islinda made and fed to Prince Aldric." Rosalind said, taking on the blame.

Shocked gasps echoed across the hall while the murmurs grew. While the Fae had one or two opinions regarding the matter, Islinda was dumbfounded, her butt stuck to her seat, still trying to comprehend what was going on. Why was Rosalind doing this?

There was a part of Islinda, hidden away in the deep recess of her soul that had hoped for something like this to happen. She had somehow hoped that Rosalind would be a martyr and took the secret to her grave. But wishes were childish fantasies that never came true. So then why was her wish coming true?

Rosalind said, "Aurelia caught onto my plan and I don’t regret one bit harming her. I wish her cocky ass was dead."

Fuck. Islinda’s heart began to race. Why was she doing this? Rosalind was practically asking for death with those words. The Fae were riled up enough already and she was adding more fuel to the burning flames.

As expected, growls and snarls of disapproval roused from the crowd. Islinda tried to hold Rosalind’s gaze but she wouldn’t even look at her, purposely avoiding her. If anything, her eyes connected with Aldric’s, and the smugness on his face was enough testament he considered this happening.

Why wouldn’t he? This was a sinister game he enjoyed playing? Whatever goodness Aldric possessed was far from being seen at that moment. This right now was a monster she had always known existed. To think she was delusional enough to believe she could fix him. Aldric was too broken to be fixed, It took Islinda that moment to realize it.

How foolish of her. Islinda should have left when she had the opportunity because it was gone forever. Aldric would make sure of it.

"Sadly," Rosalind exhaled with disappointment, looking at Islinda this time, "It seems that my plan failed this time. I guess Lady Islinda won in the end. Prince Aldric is all yours and I’m sure you will do a better job than I did. It was never bound to end well, I had too many sins on my hands, nor would he ever understand my feelings."

Islinda’s eyes burned with tears and it took everything in her not to break down in front of everyone. Rosalind was trying to be honorable knowing her time with Aldric was over. She was offering up her position, giving up on the competition. She acknowledged her as the winner – even though there had been no competition from the start. Not that she knew that.

Aldric never loved her.

This was so sad, Islinda could not help but feel pity for Rosalind.

Suddenly, the air in the room charged as Rosalind warned her ominously, "Don’t repeat the same mistake I made, Islinda. He...." She tipped her head in Aldric’s direction, "It’s not worthy of your affection. He will only hurt you, and break you until there’s nothing left to offer. Save yourself while it’s not too late!" She said with finality just as pandemonium broke out.