Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 427: The Uncomfortable Breakfast

Chapter 427: The Uncomfortable Breakfast

Islinda must have a knack for arriving late because everyone was seated by the time she arrived — including the king. This meant that when she reached the entrance, hundreds of eyes pinned her to the spot. The once excited chatter fell to a hush with her arrival and Islinda could not move because she felt like a small fish in the midst of sharks. They would consume her whole and leave no bones.

So Islinda took a deep breath and began to walk with her head lifted high. Her maidservant was not allowed to pass through, which meant another Fae was leading the way. Islinda could see the seating arrangement properly now.

Although they shared the spacious hall with the other Fae, the royal family was seated differently, sharing one long lavish table, the air around them regal and powerful. Islinda could feel the gaze of every Faerie in the hall boring into her and sensed her appearance was the cause of it. She already knew her pointed ear would be quite a sensation and it was working. Their expression was awed and surprised. She had given them more than they had bargained.

Now approaching the royal family, Islinda held her breath. She intentionally avoided looking in the King’s direction else their eyes collided. However, she tactically took note of every Faerie on the table and it was a big relief to see Aldric there. But the look on Aldric’s face nearly made her trip on her feet.

Aldric’s expression darkened with heat and looked as if he was one heartbeat away from placing her on the table and having his wicked way with her. Right in front of everyone. Islinda swallowed and snatched her eyes away only to meet with Valerie’s and the gods help her, it was no different from Aldric’s. Islinda swallowed, the princes on this table were horny.

"Your majesty," Islinda bowed her head to King Oberon, "It is a huge privilege to be invited to dine with you and Islinda honors it." She paid her respect.

"Rise, Islinda." King Oberon said her name for the first time, surprising her. Islinda stared at the king this time around and it was hard to understand what he was thinking. However, he exuded warmth and she took that as a good sign.

King Oberon said, "I have to admit, it was quite shocking when my lovely wife and Queen Maeve suggested that I invited you and...." He looked another way, "And my honored guest, Lady Elena, joined us for breakfast."

For the first time, Islinda sensed a hint of sarcasm from the king and she turned to glance at Lady Elena, acknowledging her presence with a slight tilt of her head and a polite smile. Elena reciprocated the gesture but Islinda could sense a bit of haughtiness from her, not that it concerned her. She was not interested in being friends with her.

If anything, Islinda was more disturbed by the fact that Queen Maeve was the one who invited her to join the royal table. Thus, her gaze shifted to the Queen who was seated beside the king as it was expected of her position.

"Greetings Fae Queen Maeve! I greatly appreciate the invitation to breakfast. I will never forget your favor!" Islinda showed respect to the Fae Queen too. Except this was no favor, but a death trap.

It would have been understandable had it been King Oberon, at least he was curious about her, but Queen Maeve? No. It can’t be anything good. What was the ambitious queen planning this time?

"Rise, human." Queen Maeve said with a smile that should have comforted Islinda, instead it felt like she was standing on pins.

She said, "You don’t need to think much about this. However, you are my husband’s special guest whom he even assigned to a room reserved for a queen..."

Islinda winced at the reminder. This was enough proof that the Queen had not forgotten what happened last night and would hold it against her.

"So I assumed the king would love to see his special guest at breakfast. Moreover, Aldric would want his toy close to him, isn’t it true my dear?" She pinned those cunning yet intelligent eyes at Aldric.

Thanks to that, everyone turned to Aldric, waiting for his answer with anticipation.

Aldric glanced at the Queen with obvious detest, but when his gaze rested on Islinda, his lips curled up mischievously. "Islinda is no toy, she’s her own person and has her own opinion. But above all, she’s mine." He declared with ferocious possessiveness, turning to look at Valerie with a challenge in his eyes.

Everyone was dumbfounded by Aldric’s words. After all, he just staked his claim on Islinda right in front of everyone, causing them to think the worst. Islinda’s hands dug into her dress, she hated this scrutiny.

Queen Maeve chuckled, "Prince Aldric, I believe that Islinda belongs to your court or is there an extra relationship between the both of you?"

Of course, leave it to this evil queen to corner Aldric. Islinda was so nervous now that sweat coated her forehead. She was not ashamed of being involved with Eli, but they didn’t know that and assumed it was the big bad Aldric. Not to mention Queen Maeve just painted the question as if it was abominable to date Aldric. Hence, Islinda was not ready to come out to the public about her relationship. It was her private life.

Just as Aldric was about to open his mouth, Queen Victoria beat him to it. "I think the food is getting cold and I’m quite hungry as it is." The Autumn Queen complained with a pout.

The flash of anger in Queen Maeve’s eyes was enough proof that she was not delighted with Queen Victoria interrupting this moment. She glared at the Fae furiously and the Autumn queen flushed with embarrassment. But that was until the king came in.

"Indeed, I’m famished already. Do sit, Islinda. We’ve waited long enough." He diffused the situation.

Islinda was so relieved that she practically ran to her seat, expelling a long breath. That was one disaster avoided. Who knows what other trap Queen Maeve has set for her? One thing was sure, she would suffer indigestion throughout this breakfast.