Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 381: Weak As A Human, Cunning As A Fae

Chapter 381: Weak As A Human, Cunning As A Fae

"Wow," Islinda watched in amazement as the spicules lodged in her skin slipped out and the wounds healed under Zaya’s administration. Her mouth remained open in wonder as she examined her hands and saw that they were as good as new.

She then looked up at Zaya, the healer, with deep respect in her eyes and said, "I don’t know how to thank you."

The healer scoffed, "What do you mean by thanking me? If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be working in Prince Aldric’s castle right now. You could say that I’m your doctor. So yes, I’m only effective when you’re injured."

Islinda gasped in disbelief, "Are you mocking me right now?"

Zaya smiled, "Don’t take my words to heart. It’s just that there isn’t much to do out here, and it gets boring quickly. But I’m not ungrateful, it gives me time to study my skills and improve my abilities. I wouldn’t get such advantages elsewhere."

A comfortable silence fell between them, and Islinda took the opportunity to study her hands, unable to believe that they no longer hurt. When the pain had become unbearable, she had sought

She was in the middle of flexing her hand when Zaya interrupted, "You know, you should just talk to him and resolve your differences."

"Talk to who?" Islinda snorted, pretending to be oblivious to whom she was referring.

Zaya shook her head, "The both of you are too stubborn for your own good."

Islinda made a sound in her throat, and it was clear she was scoffing at the dark Fae prince.

"We, Fae, have a lot of ego, and Prince Aldric felt disrespected by your ingratitude—" Zaya was interrupted as Islinda shot her a sharp glare, and she innocently raised her hand.

"I’m just saying, the both of you are close..." She hinted at their relationship, "and perhaps, if you stroke his ego just a little, Prince Aldric might be able to restore your previous position. Once you’re back as Lady Islinda, Sura and the others would no longer lord over you, and they would pay for their impertinence." She suggested.

"Unfortunately, that’s the problem. I’m not interested in his charity," Islinda said, turning the other way.

"But—"

"He brought me here as a prisoner, he better treat me as one and stop covering up his guilt by bribing me with luxuries. I bet it helps him sleep better at night."

Zaya frowned, "You think the prince treated you as a guest to cover up his guilty conscience?"

Islinda was now looking at her, a slight frown on her face, "Am I wrong?"

"You ignorant child," Zaya shook her head in pity, "You think the Dark Fae prince even feels the emotion of guilt or that the stories of his cruelty are exaggerated?"

A slight fear slithered up Islinda’s spine, and she unconsciously inched closer to hear what the healer had to say.

"I don’t understand Prince Aldric’s obsession with you, but you should be grateful for it. One would think that months in our realm would have taught you that our kind doesn’t experience emotions like your kind, but clearly, you are ignorant. Prince Aldric has shielded you enough from the cruelty of the Fae realm, and I suggest you don’t provoke him enough to be kicked out of these walls."

The ominous warning from Zaya only left Islinda more confused. With so many thoughts running through her head, she watched as the healer stood and rummaged through the racks of medicines.

Islinda stood as well.

"He took me from my home!" She snapped, "Are you saying I should kiss his royal ass for treating me well after committing such a grievous offense?"

Zaya turned slowly, wrapping her arm across her chest. She raised a brow, "From what I understand, you did not have much of a home left, especially after what you did."

Oh no.

A lump seemed to be stuck in Islinda’s throat, and she stumbled back in shock. The Fae knew she had murdered her stepsister. But how? Unless... Her eyes widened with rage at the thought of Aldric revealing her deep secret to his loyal healer.

"Oh, don’t worry, Prince Aldric did not mention a thing," Zaya clarified, seeing the accusation on her face, "News travels quickly here, and you would come to learn that the human stolen by the Dark Fae prince is a popular tale in Astaria. There are even worse tales out there, and you’re a popular controversial figure in our realm. Just so you know."

By the gods, Islinda brought a hand to her face and rubbed her temple. She did not ask for any of this. Why was it that when things seemed to be getting better, they instead became worse?

Zaya continued, "You wouldn’t have survived in the human realm anyway. Your kind would have pursued and killed you for your crime. Even if you did survive, you would be on the run for the rest of your life, always nervous and paranoid."

"So that justifies his right to capture me, right? Because I’m a murderer when in reality, it was entirely his manipulation, and I was only defending myself?" Islinda chuckled bitterly. The Fae was spouting nonsense.

"Do you even know what your prince has planned for me?" Islinda spat, locking eyes with Zaya, "The only reason he finds me useful is because he has this grand plan where he can use me against Prince Valerie. If you were in my shoes, would you sit and watch yourself be used like some puppet?"

"And what has fighting back done for you so far?"

"What?"

"Fae are strong, and humans are fragile, yet, why haven’t we wiped out the entire human race then?" Zaya stepped closer and tapped the side of her head, "That’s because humans are tenacious, unpredictable creatures. You cannot defeat Aldric head-on, Islinda. Take advantage of everything that the prince has given you and finally apply some wisdom. It’s time to be as weak as a human and as cunning as a Fae."