Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 386: You Would Not Die Tonight

Chapter 386: You Would Not Die Tonight

"No..." Islinda was taken aback by the word slipping out of her mouth, her senses overwhelmed in that moment. As her eyes met Aldric’s through the mirror, her heart skipped a beat, her body stumbling in surprise.

Aldric narrowed his eyes as if he could see straight through her, and he spoke with authority, "Leave us alone."

In an instant, the Fae hurriedly scurried out of the room, perhaps relieved to be free from their duties and Aldric’s presence.

Islinda took a deep breath, attempting to steel herself for whatever was about to transpire. She turned around to face him, her gaze meeting his stoic expression. Blinking once, or perhaps twice, she tried to clear the mortifying thought that she found him attractive.

She gestured between the two of them, her confusion evident. "What is the meaning of this? Why are we dressed in similar outfits?"

Aldric’s mouth twitched, feigning hurt. "That wasn’t the compliment I was fishing for. I thought you were about to praise my fashion insight." He placed a hand on his chest, his tone dripping with mock disappointment. "Ingratitude seems to be your thing, Islinda, and it hurts."

"Don’t play games with me, Aldric. What are you up to now? What’s with the matching outfits?"

Confusion flickered across Aldric’s "What do you mean what’s with the outfit?"

Islinda frowned, she was the one supposed to be confused with his motives.

Slightly frustrated, she shook her head. "I’m the one who’s supposed to be confused, Aldric."

"They are similar,"

"What’s the problem then?"

"They’re —" She took a deep breath to steady her temper, "Too similar." She hissed.

Ignoring her, he lifted an eyebrow. "So?

Haven’t the both of us worn similar outfits before? We almost do that every day before you decided to abandon your position as my guest and took on the tasteless life of a servant. That brown on you looks so miserable, although I have to admit you somehow seem to make every clothe lovely and it’s not so bad." He grinned playfully.

Islinda shook her head dismissively. "No, don’t try to distract me, Aldric. Yes, it’s true that we sometimes wear similar uniforms, but not at a ball in your father’s palace. The last time we were there, it was different. But this—" She pointed at the luminescent petals adorning his lapels, resembling stars scattered across the night sky. "It’s almost as if I can sense it, recognize your intent." She thought hard, the wheels in her head working, "You dressed us as a couple to provoke Valerie, didn’t you?"

Their eyes locked, and Islinda sneered. "You never change, do you?"

Aldric’s lips curved into a sinister smile, the look in his eyes becoming more menacing. "Nor do you, smart-ass."

Islinda’s body tensed, fury coursing through her veins. It was apparent that Aldric had orchestrated this plan to use her against Valerie. He was the villain, after all, and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Furthermore, Aldric continued, taunting her further. "Aren’t we a couple, after all?"

"W-what?" Islinda gasped.

"You and Eli. Aren’t you two something special? A couple?" Aldric’s voice dripped with sadistic amusement.

The breath hitched in Islinda’s throat, terror clawing through her as she could sense where this was going.

Aldric’s voice took on a cruel tone. "I’m sure Valerie would love to know that. After all, Eli and I are practically one."

Anger surged within Islinda, consuming her and she didn’t even realize closing the space between the both of them and snarled, "You would not say a word to Valerie. It is not your place to do so! It is not your secret to tell!"

Without realizing it, Islinda hands were in the air, her hands twitching as if to strangle him. The frustration made her run her hand through the hair the Fae had carefully styled for her. She had ruffled and ruined the style.

But her anger and frustration only seemed to amuse Aldric, whose eyes gleamed with madness. He smirked, taunting her further. "You wouldn’t dare, little human. What would you do if I told him?"

Aldric stepped closer now so their chest were touching, slightly startling Islinda and she lost her composure.

Islinda’s heart pounded in her chest as she tried to ease away from him, knowing that their proximity was dangerous. His touch was tempting, enticing her to succumb to this madness.

Aldric’s grip tightened, and he whispered in her ear, shivers coursing down her spine. He was trying to seduce her again, and it was working. Why was she so vulnerable to his charms when he wasn’t?

"What would you do if I told him that I’ve tasted your skin? That I’ve kissed those lips of yours?"

Islinda forgot how to breathe. What was happening? Her mind was overwhelmed, unable to process the onslaught of emotions. He was confusing her.

"What would you do to me, Islinda?" His gaze locked with hers, a fiery intensity blazing in his eyes while her heart fluttered like wild wings.

Unable to find the right words, Islinda struggled to speak. "I... I... I..."

What could she threaten him with?

Her brain failed her, leaving her mouth opening and closing without sound. Aldric grinned at her defeated expression, knowing she had nothing against him.

However, a shift occurred, and Islinda scoffed, her expression transforming. "Don’t worry, that won’t be necessary. The queen will be killing me tonight, after all."

As Aldric pressed against her, she sensed the tremor that ran through his body. Clearly, the news of her impending demise still affected him.

But what happened next left Islinda stunned. Aldric burst into laughter, his body convulsing with the force of it, as if Islinda was missing out on some inside joke.

"Oh, don’t worry, love," Aldric finally managed to say between laughter. "You won’t be dying tonight."

"What?" Islinda’s disbelief was evident.

He pulled out a necklace from his pocket.

"What is that?"

"A protection necklace."

"What?!" Islinda repeated, unable to comprehend.

Aldric grinned mischievously. "You seriously didn’t think I would let you die that easily?"