Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 416: Conniving Bastard

Chapter 416: Conniving Bastard

Islinda was dressed in a nightwear that left little to the imagination. It had spaghetti straps and through the use of lace, offered glimpses of the body beneath. It wasn’t just the fireplace, her room was designed in such a way to ward off the cold. She might as well sleep naked this winter and the cold wouldn’t get to her.

Yet, she did not dare to sleep naked.

Perhaps, it was the awareness that she was far away from the safety of Aldric’s castle, but it would be much easier running for her life with her clothes on, than without it. Not to mention, she did not feel safe, even with the amount of security standing outside her door. What if someone snuck into her room while naked? That would be a recipe for disaster. Nor did she dare to give an identity to "who" would dare to sneak into her bed.

"Ugh!" Islinda kept turning and tossing on her bed. She couldn’t sleep a wink. Her mind was super active and kept on digging up far-stretched imagination. Aside from that, danger still hovered around her and that increased her inability to sleep.

A knock at her door drew her attention from her thoughts and her senses sharpened at once. Islinda’s brows furrowed while her pulse leaped in both anticipation and fear. Who was it? Was it time for her to die? Except if someone wanted her dead, they wouldn’t knock?

Islinda summoned the courage to ask, albeit, cautiously, "Who is it?"

"It’s me."

There was no valid proof of identification but Islinda could identify that voice even in her dreams. Prince Valerie.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."

Islinda cursed over and over as she scrambled from the bed. Her heart was beginning to beat fast just as her cheeks warmed. Valerie was outside her doors. What was he doing here at this time of the night and why did the guards let him in? But of course, he was the crown prince of Astaria and had lots of power.

Islinda had no idea what had been going on in her mind when she quickly reached for the wardrobe and grabbed a shawl she wrapped around her upper body. Her nightwear was revealing. In the past, Islinda would have gladly flaunted her body, but now, their relationship was somewhat confusing. She was honestly not comfortable with him seeing her at this time of night as well.

"You can come in," Islinda shouted, hurriedly adjusting the shawl one last time.

Valerie came into the room with a smile on his face. When his gaze rested on her, he was surprised to see the shawl and it was not hard to guess she put that on at the last minute. Although he tried not to show it, Islinda saw the little disappointment in his eyes and it made her feel guilty. Everything was her fault and she shouldn’t have encouraged him with that little kiss in the garden tonight.

Valerie quickly composed himself but his intense gaze ran the length of her and she shivered from the look in his eyes.

"What are you doing here at this time, Valerie?" Islinda intentionally roused his attention. He can’t look at her that way. As if they were still together.

"I came to check up on you." He answered, closing the space between them.

"Well, as you can see, I’m good," Islinda answered nervously, tactically trying to get away from him.

Valerie tilted his head, watching her with his brows furrowed. He said, "You’re avoiding me."

"What?" She breathed.

"You are not comfortable with me." He realized, his gaze cutting through her. He could see through her facade.

Islinda chuckled, "What are you talking about?"

"Don’t lie, Islinda." He said and Islinda straightened at once. The fake smile she had put on her face vanished at once.

"I think there must have been a misunderstanding earlier."

"What is it this time?" Valerie sighed, looking at her with a tired expression. He must have been exhausted with the stress of the investigation he had to lead tonight. Islinda felt stupid for coming up with her drama.

He clasped her cheeks with both hands, "I thought we were over this." Valerie searched her gaze, "You are having second thoughts about us."

Islinda opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off. "No, don’t speak. You tend to overthink things. So listen this time, it’s an order."

Islinda glared at him but otherwise kept her mouth shut. She hated being ordered.

Valerie said, "I already told you, I don’t care how messed up you think you are for sleeping with Aldric....." Valerie ignored the twitching of her eyes, unable to sense her annoyance. She did not feel dirty for sleeping with Aldric. "All I want is you. The past is the past. I look forward to a future with you, Islinda. It seems hard but we’ll get over this."

Valerie pulled her into a hug before she was even able to voice her own opinion. Her chin rested on his shoulder but Islinda wore a thick frown. How was she unable to see this side of Valerie in the past? Well, everything had been black and white to her too. But weeks or was it months — time was hard to tell in Astaria — with Aldric has taught her there was more to villains. They had their own version of the story too.

He suddenly pulled back and with one solemn look, promised her, "I would release you from Aldric’s bondage, even if that’s the last thing I do. I swear it to you this day, Islinda. It’s a promise from a Fae, one that I cannot break out, even if I wanted to."

Islinda’s eyes widened, her jaw slackening from the shock.

"W—wat....why.... " Islinda just could not understand. Why would he bind himself to such an oath? Why would he do it for her? She was a nobody.

"Don’t you understand?" Valerie spoke softly, his hand caressing her features, "I love you."

A lump formed in her throat. No, a feeling of nausea suddenly came over her. This felt all wrong. Perhaps, in the past, she would have been thrilled to hear those three words from him. To hear him say it with such conviction. But not anymore. Now, those words feel like a noose around her neck.

"You don’t have to say it back. I know that I broke your trust and time in the Fae realm hasn’t been easy on you. But you loved me before, you would still love me again." He said, his breath skimming over her lips.

They were so close their lips could meet. Islinda could feel him hesitating as if waiting for her to take the lead time. She was reluctant. However, it hit her. Valerie would help her escape Aldric. And then, she kissed him. She sensed the gasp of delight from Valerie before his hand wrapped her neck, kissing her back with fervor.

This was wrong. She was manipulating Valerie. But wasn’t this all the Fae were good at? They were cunning creatures and used her since she came into this realm. So why does it make so much difference if she does the manipulation?

Aldric would keep her alive and unscathed from Queen Maeve’s anger, and Valerie would be free from the dark Fae prince. Once she’s free, she will escape this wretched realm and run without ever stopping. She was a human with a few years to live. They would forget about her in due time and probably look for another source of amusement.

Valerie’s moan echoed through Islinda as she deepened the kiss. She still felt a little something for the summer Fae prince, but it was mostly ravenous lust now. That tingling and innocent feelings were gone. If not forever. The air was thick with sexual tension and Islinda already had an idea how tonight was going to end.

They were still locked in each other’s arms when the door was suddenly kicked open and the both of them jumped apart like two individuals caught doing something bad. Except the intruder was no other than the dark Fae prince who had a crazed look in his eyes as he looked them over.

"There you are, you conniving bastard," Aldric sneered, his hands forcefully holding the door open, "To think I had been waiting for you, brother for our important report, but clearly...." His gaze looked over Islinda in a way that made her feel embarrassed, "You were occupied."

Valerie’s gaze turned cold, and he pulled Islinda protectively to his side, already anticipating a fight. His body tensed with readiness to defend her.

"What are you doing here, Aldric?" Valerie asked icily.

He grinned, mocking Valerie, "I think you should know the answer to that considering your fiancée is lying on my bed right now. Elena is a beautiful fae, and it seems she’s quite the wildcard. But I’m the one who’s supposed to be scheming, not her. What do you take me for, brother?"