Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 361: Sticker For Protocol

Chapter 361: Sticker For Protocol

While Oma dragged away Issac by the ear, Maxi slowly followed after them, taking her time to look around the house. Oma’s home was everything she had expected and more. Natural light was abundant and streamed in through large, floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the room with a warm and inviting glow.

The walls are adorned with delicate, hand-painted murals of mystical forests and ethereal creatures creating an immersive forest-like atmosphere. The flooring is made of smooth, polished wood that adds to the rustic charm of the bungalow. Soft, almost realistic moss-green carpets are scattered throughout, creating a plush and comfortable surface for bare feet.

The living area is cozy, the furniture crafted from intertwined vines and the polished wood adorned with intricately embroidered cushions in vibrant hues, mirroring the colors found in the enchanted forest.

In one corner, a mesmerizing Faeryfire dances within a crystal-encrusted fireplace, providing both warmth and a captivating display of flickering, multicolored flames. Faeish tapestries, woven with shimmering threads, depict scenes of Fae celebrations and mystical landscapes. It was captivating.

Hanging planters dangle from the ceiling, showcasing vibrant flowers and cascading vines that sway with the breeze that carries the scent of wildflowers. Maxi took all of this in with an eye of wonder. While Aldric’s castle was much more luxurious than this, it had that haunting, empty feeling. But this place felt homely, welcoming, and peaceful — and she wanted to belong in it.

"Mother!" Issac managed to break out of the reprimanding hold and Maxi was all too aware of the sidelong looks both mother and son gave her, communicating with their gazes and unaware she read all of their gestures. Her shy Fae must be so embarrassed right now.

Oma approached her with a nervous laugh, "Please make yourself comfortable, I’ll be back before she knows it."

"Sure." Maxi gave the Fae the sweetest smile she could showcase.

"The gods help me, you are so cute," Oma was in awe, cupping and pinching her cheek, unable to help it.

Maxi’s smile almost receded at the thought of Oma calling her cute when she might slightly be older than her. Or maybe close to her age. She hadn’t asked Issac about that. Hopefully, Issac never mentions that or this ship might sink before it even sails.

Hence Maxi was left alone as Oma dragged Issac up the stairs to probably interrogate him about her. She couldn’t blame Oma though, the whole fiancée thing must have been a huge surprise for her. Now that Maxi thought about it, how did it even get to this point? Issac had only invited her to visit his mother after they reconciled.

Oh right, being his fiancée was the only cover for eating dinner with the on-and-off couple, Islinda and the spoiled brat Aldric — she was still mad at him. Lucky her, the title stuck. Now she could roam around the Fae realm with the glamor of Isaac’s fiancée and no one would bother her.

Maxi was still thinking about where to go and what to do with her new freedom when she caught a glimpse of a figure from the corner of her eyes.

Without even looking in that direction, Maxi announced, "You did not hit me as the type who runs away from the unknown, Kayla."

If Maxi had intended to challenge the young Fae, it worked because she came out of her hiding place, stalked over to Maxi, and stopped with a few spaces between them.

There was nothing but tense silence as the both of them checked each other out like two rivals seeking to cohabitate. Maxi relaxed into her seat, crossing her leg over the other as she studied the young kid who had a bit of fire in her while Kayla in return watched her with suspicion in her eyes, her arms crossed.

"Are you really my brother’s fiancée? Issac has never brought a female home, not to mention introducing a potential mate." She asked defensively, her eyes still narrowed on Maxi.

Maxi answered with a lilt in her voice, "Are you here to seek what there is an answer to already, or validate it? Or...." She tilted her head, brows arched, "Are you here for the juicy details of how all of it happened?"

Kayla was taken aback by the answer, however, she was quick to mask her expression but her defensive posture slackened a little.

"You are a weird Fae." She stated.

Maxi smirked, looking her in the eye, "Is that a good thing or a bad one?"

There was eager anticipation in the air when Kayla didn’t answer immediately, only for the girl to answer with an excited squeal, "Of course, it’s a good thing!"

"Oof!"

The breath was knocked out of Maxi’s lungs for the second time in a day when Kayla threw herself on her, embracing her. The gods help her, this was a family of huggers.

While Maxi was a huge fan of touch, this was too much and her kidney must have been displaced with the intensity of the hugs so far.

With her arms still wrapped around Maxi’s neck, Kayla eased back enough to yak, "Do you know how excited I am that you are not as rigid as my brother who is a stickler for protocol? I mean I love Issac but he is a Fae of unyielding rigidity, a staunch enforcer of rules who navigates life with a strict adherence to laws and regulations. His demeanor is marked by a visible sternness, and he seldom deviates from established protocols, viewing the world through the lens of order and conformity —"

"That stickler for protocols is right here..." Issac’s voice was carried into the living room and from the doubled low footsteps, Oma was with him.

He added, "Also, could you please get off my fiancée, that is not proper behavior for a host."

At that moment, Maxi’s heart skipped a beat hearing Issac acknowledge her as his fiancée in front of his loved ones even though it was a farce. She wished he could say it again.

Kayla rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh, "Do you see what I mean? His rigidity can be sometimes annoying. How do you even put up with that?"

Maxi shrugged.

Kayla continued, "Thank the gods I’m a good judge of character and so far, you are nothing like him. I like a good rebel. Hopefully, with a few days with us, we’ll have enough fun. I can’t wait to get to know you, Maxi. You will be like the sister I wished to have instead of a brother, " She eyed Issac while saying that.

"Okay... " Maxi said, only to fully comprehend her words at the last minute, "Wait —what?"