Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 406: Heart More Troubled Than Ever

Chapter 406: Heart More Troubled Than Ever

Pure devastation etched across Valerie’s face as he digested her confession, something he never fathomed Islinda would subject him to, not in a million years. Confusion and dizziness gripped him as he shook his head, unable to comprehend the words she had just uttered. When his gaze met Islinda’s, a red haze clouded his eyes, reflecting nothing but anger and the profound sting of betrayal.

Valerie’s expression radiated a lethal intent as if he harbored thoughts of retribution for her perceived betrayal. However, when he finally spoke, the words that escaped his lips were a vehement denial, challenging Islinda with, "No, you’re lying to me, Islinda. I know you, and you’re trying to push me away. Did Aldric put you up to this? Did he ask you to push you away?"

Fresh tears stung Islinda’s eyes, she did not want to hurt him this way but it was inevitable. "No," She cried, "He doesn’t know of it, it’s just me confessing what I did."

"No, no, no Islinda, you would never —"

"I slept with him, okay?! Why wouldn’t you just accept that? I’m not some Saint! A lot of things happened with the both of us apart. I am not the same Islinda you met in the village. Things changed. I changed." Islinda wished she could imprint the words in his head. No, if only she could split his brain open and make him understand the truth.

"Fine, you slept with him, okay?"Valerie conceded, his hands raised in surrender."I agree, I understand what you did. However...." He closed the distance between them, taking her face in via hands, "But we don’t have to let that get between us. We can still make something out of the wreckage. I’ll find a way to get you —"

"There is no us, Valerie."

Perhaps, it was the coldness in her eyes or the firmness in her tone but his hand slipped down her face. He told her, "You don’t know what you’re saying, Islinda. There’s still a chance for us, heck! I haven’t forgotten you for a day, Islinda! So why are you giving up on us, so easily?"

"By the gods, Valerie, wake up!" Islinda fired at him, tired of beating around the bush. She thundered, "YOUR MOTHER WANTS ME DEAD! YOU HAVE A FIANCÉE! WHAT OTHER FUTURE DO YOU WANT WITH ME?!"

"WELL, FUCK THEM! I DON’T WANT ANY OF THAT! CAN’T YOU GET IT?! IT’S ONLY YOU I WANT?!" Valerie screamed back at her, his face a tumultuous mix of frustration, desperation, and raw emotion.

Islinda was stunned, her jaw dropping open. She hadn’t seen Valerie lose control with such intensity before. He always maintained composure, staying in control of his emotions as the prince he was. Yet, at this moment, that veneer seemed stripped away. He bared himself raw for her, and it caused an aching feeling in her chest.

Islinda began to waver. Maybe she had been too hard on Valerie. Or perhaps, she was the one who was crazy enough to entertain the idea of liking Aldric. Maybe Valerie was right, and Aldric was discreetly manipulating her. After all, this was a Fae who openly admitted he would use her against Valerie, and the thought that he could get into her head lingered in her mind.

By the gods, Islinda gasped in shock as the ugly seed of suspicion was planted in her heart. What did she really know about Aldric? What other abilities was he keeping from her?

"Tatiana!" Her breath was labored, "Tell me about Tatiana!" Islinda was eager to learn more about her, as if that information held the key to whatever decision she was about to make.

Valerie swallowed, looking elsewhere, clearly uncomfortable, but Islinda stood her ground. "Tell me about her, now." She demanded.

"Fine." Valerie licked his lips nervously, and then looked at her, saying, "Tatiano was an experiment gone wrong."

"What?" Islinda’s voice was barely a whisper.

Valerie said, "Everyone believed my brother Aldric was incapable of loving. All Aldric focused on was the wars and any chance of stripping me of my title. And then I heard the story of how my father fell in love with his mother and I thought why not provide a chance at love for him? Who knows, perhaps his hardened heart might soften."

Islinda let out a startled gasp," You did not. "

Valerie’s guilty look answered it all.

"Tatiano was the only Fae brave enough to embark on the trial. At first, It was not easy. Aldric was paranoid, temperamental, harsh, cruel, and had trust issues." He snorted a laugh as he said, "But even the coldest of hearts can be smelt with sunshine."

Valerie continued, "Aldric was the happiest with her. It turned out that he had a heart after all. For a while, it seemed he had given up on the pursuit of the throne and wanted a simple life with Tatiana. He was completely in love, until he found out."

Islinda’s breath caught at that moment, already envisioning the bloody details of how that went down.

"I still have no idea how he found out. My communication with Tatiana was limited and I practically forgot about her when I saw she was living a happy life with Aldric. I suspect it was Queen Nirvana. She probably wanted Aldric to kill me, or better, the both of us perish in our hands and then her son, Theodore would then be king of Astaria. Fae are quite cunning. "

There was sorrow in Valerie’s eyes when he said," Except Tatiana was the one who perished. From what I heard, it was a brutal fight. Aldric wouldn’t listen to her explanation. He gave into the bloodlust and tore Tatiana into pieces. No one can find her body to date, but witnesses speak of the gore at the scene. Some claimed he turned into an abominable beast and ate her till there was nothing left. He was cursed by his mother, and we still haven’t deciphered the full extent of the curse."

Suspicion flashed through Islinda’s mind. Aldric turning into an abominable beast? That seemed impossible. She knew his curse was his split personality. Something wasn’t adding up here, and Islinda could feel it, especially regarding Tatiano’s body. Where was it?

She snapped back to reality at Valerie’s voice. " That is why to date, Aldric has it out for me. He claims I used him for a Guinea pig and would return the favor. And that is why...."

Islinda gasped slightly when Valerie wrapped an arm around her waist and threw her closer till their bodies were pressed together and a slight tingle shot through her. She still felt something for him.

Valerie leaned closer to whisper into her ears," You can never trust Aldric. You’re my weakness and he knows that." He looked at her now, the heat in his eyes causing the breath to leave her lungs.

He began to lean in, his breath ghosting over her lips, "You don’t have to worry about a thing, Islinda. I’ll take care of it all, both my mother and the bride she wants for me."

Their lips closed.

She gave in that moment of weakness.

Valerie kissed her tenderly and Islinda kissed him back, her heart more troubled than ever.