Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 360: Baddest Mother-in-law

Chapter 360: Baddest Mother-in-law

It didn’t take long for them to arrive at their destination and Issac’s family lived in a simple bungalow that was surrounded by a large and well-tended garden as was common with most Fae homes. Issac took her by the hand and helped her climb the elevated stairs of the porch, coming to stand at the door.

Issac did not knock on the door, instead, he turned and grabbed Maxi on both shoulders, releasing a deep breath. He said to her, "Trust me, Maxi, there’s nothing to be nervous about."

Maxi in question blinked at him, then she slowly pulled his hands off her shoulder and held his instead, "I think those words are meant for you, not me. I’m not nervous one bit. If anything, I’m more than excited!"

"Oh." It dawned on Issac that he was indeed the nervous one here.

His heart was pounding at this point, he was about to present a female to his mother. The first female ever. Not to mention, Maxi was his fiancée in title alone; it was not real. Good thing his father was not around, not that he was glad about his death — he does miss his presence at a time like this — the strict captain would have interrogated the truth out of his mouth. Although, wait a minute.... How was it possible for Maxi to tell a lie?!

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle this." Maxi took his hand now and turned to the door. She grasped the door knocker, which was a metal ring attached to the door, and lifted it before letting it fall against the surface. The resulting rhythmic knocking sound sharply echoed through the house and Maxi felt tension in Issac’s body making her hold his hand tighter. No, she interlinked their hands together and he was able to relax.

Not long after, the door was forcibly opened without a creak, "Who is....?"

The girl trailed off and Maxi stared up at a feminine version of Issac. From her younger features, she could already predict this was the legendary sister her shy Fae often spoke about. Kayla, was it?

There was confusion on the young one’s face until her eyes fell on Issac and her eyes widened slightly in recognition.

Maxi lifted her hand at the same time and introduced herself, "Hello Kayla, nice to finally meet you. I’m Maxi, your brother’s fiancée."

At once, Kayla’s eyes left her brother’s and focused on Maxi’s, "Y—you say what?"

"I’m —"

Maxi did not have the chance to introduce herself the second time because Kayla screamed right in her face and ran back into the house, her loud piercing scream disrupting the once-quiet atmosphere.

Maxi twisted and faced Issac, pointing to the space at the door where Kayla once stood, "That was definitely not the welcome I was seeking and do I mention, quite a lot of spit as well."

She was wiping her face with her palm when it hit her, "Do you think she saw through my glamor or something? Can you see through me, Issac?" Maxi got in Issac’s front and pushed her face for him to check if her cover had slipped, "I mean, my ring is intact, unless it has a slight defect?"

Issac steadied her, "You look the same to me, Maxi."

Those words were intended to comfort Maxi but it sent dread washing over her and she let out a sharp exhale, "Now, that is disastrous. I didn’t think we’d have to say goodbye this quickly," She frowned deeply.

"No," Issac quickly explained, "I’m trying to say glamor or not, you look like Maxi to me. I’m able to see the real you," He checked her hand, "Moreover, you’re still wearing the ring and since it’s as powerful as you said, then I can guarantee you that my sister was probably being dramatic after you shocked her with that epic introduction."

"Oh." Understanding dawned on her.

Issac gave her a pitiful look, "I’m sorry I should have warned you earlier, but she’s quite a handful."

"Oh don’t worry, I love dealing with a handful Faerie," Maxi answered with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Issac?" A voice came from inside and in no time a petite yet older female stepped out in the light. It was Oma, Issac’s mother. Her gaze was on alert the instant she saw Maxi, only relaxing when they found Issac.

"Mother..." Issac stepped forward and engulfed Oma in an embrace while Maxi stepped back to give them space. She felt she was intruding on a special moment between mother and father, yet was a bit jealous at the same time. Not because Issac was hugging another female — that is silly, she’s his mother — but because she missed this kind of connection with her mother. Her mother had not done much when their people kicked her out of the herd.

They broke from the embrace and Oma caressed her son’s face before her gaze flickered to her and Maxi for the first time, felt nervous.

Oma asked Issac, "Is she the one?"

Issac nodded his head in acknowledgment as they stepped apart.

Oma moved to Maxi’s side, scrutinizing her from her head to the soles of her feet. The scrutiny was so intense as if the older female was peering deep into her soul and Maxi had to adjust her weight from feet to feet nervously.

She gave her a strained smile, "Hello Oma, I’m Maxi, Issac’s —"

The wind was knocked out of Maxi’s lungs when the female pulled her into the strongest hug she had ever experienced. Alright, this one was a real hugger, Maxi wailed inwardly having forgotten how to breathe.

"How pitiful, you must have suffered too much." Oma hugged her tighter, rocking her from side to side.

"Suffered too much...?" Maxi muttered in confusion, catching Issac from the corner of her eyes and giving him questioning looks.

Issac merely shrugged, hinting she went along with the flow. And that was what Maxi did, enduring the bone-crushing hug for the gods knows how long.

When Oma finally let go, Maxi swore she would never neglect the role of oxygen in her life again.

"Poor thing," Oma cast a pitiful look that spoke volumes without uttering a word. Her gaze held a mix of empathy and concern, silently offering understanding and support in the face of the troubles her son brought her way. As she presumed.

However, as soon as she let go of Maxi, Oma fixed Issac with an angry look, her eyes narrowing and brows furrowing, conveying a palpable sense of displeasure. The intensity of her gaze held a silent warning, leaving no room for misinterpretation as her emotions flared in that piercing stare.

"Fiancée, huh?"

Oh no, Issac’s heart lurched to his throat.

Without warning, she reached out and firmly grasped Issac’s ear, a gesture conveying a mix of sternness and urgency. The act, though physical, carried a tone of reprimand, intended to capture attention and assertively emphasize her point.

"Mama!" Issac yelped in pain as she pulled him by the ear into the house while Maxi stared at the scene, dumbfounded.

At once, Maxi grinned like a fool. She had the baddest Mother-in-law ever!