Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 419: Cause Of His Death

Chapter 419: Cause Of His Death

Sleeping with her back turned to the princes turned out to be much more uncomfortable than Islinda had expected. She constantly felt on edge, not knowing what they were doing behind her, but she could sense their glaring stares on her back.

Unable to sleep due to the unsettling silence and her racing thoughts, Islinda had no choice but to face them. Her eyes first landed on Valerie, who leaned against the wall with folded arms and a grim expression. Then she looked at Aldric, who sat with crossed legs and his chin resting on his arm, observing her. It was no wonder Valerie looked unhappy. The dark Fae prince watched her like a creep.

Islinda sighed, noticing the tension between the brothers. Was this how their relationship had always been, even before she arrived? It was hard to imagine a time when they were.... normal?

"What about the dark Fae?" Islinda decided to start a conversation to ease the tension. Maybe then she would be able to sleep. "What is the result of the investigation? Did you catch an accomplice or find out the reason for the attack?"

Upon hearing this question, Aldric and Valerie exchanged a silent glance, unsure of who should answer since Islinda had not directed it to anyone in particular.

"The incident is still under investigation," Valerie responded vaguely.

"There is no accomplice. The palace’s security was simply weak. It has been years since they were last attacked by a dark Fae, so they may have become complacent in their defenses," Aldric answered arrogantly, challenging his brother with his gaze.

Valerie looked at him with disdain. "That information is classified. You shouldn’t be sharing it with her."

Aldric scoffed. "Isn’t Islinda your beloved? Or don’t you trust that she won’t betray this information?"

Although Islinda didn’t show it, she was hurt that Valerie didn’t trust her with such important matters. She wasn’t close to anyone at court, so who would she possibly leak the secret to?

Valerie’s expression changed as he realized his mistake. He began to explain, "Don’t portray me as the villain here, Aldric! The king entrusted us with this important investigation. It just doesn’t feel right that someone else heard the report before his majesty."

But Aldric interrupted him, "Sweet, obedient Valerie, always bound by the rules."

Islinda knew Aldric was taunting Valerie, who was likely to lose his temper again, so she stepped in before it escalated.

"It’s alright, I understand," she reassured Valerie. "Duty comes first."

Islinda gave Valerie an understanding smile and he returned the gesture. They held each other’s gaze for a little longer than necessary, causing Aldric to become uncomfortable.

"Eww," he gagged.

Aldric found their affectionate looks disturbing, but at the same time, he felt a pang in his chest. What would it be like for someone to look at him with such loving affection? No, he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind.

Look at his brother, Valerie, acting like a fool for a woman. He couldn’t allow himself to succumb to that. He had a goal - to claim the throne of Astaria, to right the wrongs and injustices committed against his kind. Fleeting feelings were secondary. He could find pleasure with any female, but allowing one to become the center of his universe was impossible. It was a big distraction and he can’t have a weakness. That was how great Fae were brought down. Just like how he planned to ruin Valerie with the human. It was only a matter of time now.

The awkward silence returned, although it was less intense than when Islinda had imagined both princes in her bed. There must be something wrong with her head to have thought that.

Islinda sighed loudly, catching Aldric off guard. He asked, surprisingly concerned, "What’s wrong, little human?"

"I don’t like this," Islinda said in frustration.

Feeling left out and uncomfortable with Islinda’s ease of conversation with Aldric, Valerie interjected. "What is it, love?" He purposely staked his claim in front of Aldric.

Islinda raised an eyebrow at the endearment. She was no fool and understood Valerie’s intentions. This made her sigh heavily. Again.

"Speak to me, love. I’m here," Valerie pressed.

"You—" Islinda held back her frustration and sighed. "Can’t both of you work together for once? I mean, you’re brothers, and this animosity between you is not right." Islinda confessed, her discomfort evident. "It makes me very uncomfortable."

"Just say the word, love, and I’ll gladly make him leave if his dark presence bothers you," Valerie misunderstood her discomfort, glaring at his brother.

Aldric snarled, "I’d love to see you try."

Islinda sat up immediately, frustrated, tossing the shawl aside. She didn’t care about their heated gazes because, gods help her, if either of them crossed the line, she would gouge their eyes out with her fingers.

"Exactly! Do you see that?" She pointed at both of them with annoyance. No, Islinda was close to tearing her own hair out from the stress. "Why can’t both of you stop fighting? Life is too short for this. You share the same blood, for crying out loud." She pleaded with them.

"Half of it," Aldric corrected her.

"What?"

"Half-brothers," Aldric clarified.

Islinda was dumbfounded

"Exactly," Valerie agreed, "I can’t fully associate with this beast. He’s already tainted our lineage."

When Aldric laughed, it should have calmed her, but instead, it increased her anxiety. He said, "I appreciate your attempt to reconcile us, Islinda. You are too kind for your own good, little human. But some relationships can’t be repaired, no matter what. Ours is one of them. The only way for this feud to end is with one of our deaths."

Islinda’s heart skipped a beat at his words. Her mouth fell open as she stared at Valerie and Aldric, who were locked in a determined and intense stare-down. It dawned on her that they weren’t joking. The brothers would fight each other to the death. This was a terrible situation. And she feared she would be the cause of one of their deaths.