Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 432: Aldric Is In Love With You

Chapter 432: Aldric Is In Love With You

"Put your head down!" Andre’s harsh command jolted her into action, erasing any hesitation as they made their way towards his room.

Andre was typically gentle and kind towards her, but the tight clench of his jaw, the watchfulness in his eyes, and the way he kept her close to his side were clear indications of the tension running through him.

Islinda could sense it, the heightened tension within the palace, and it made her start to doubt Eli’s actions. He must have known that this would be the consequence of his stunt. Islinda couldn’t fathom that he would intentionally disrupt their plans of matching her with Andre. At the time, it had seemed serious, but now she wondered if they were merely teasing and joking with her. Surely Andre would have never agreed. Or would he?

As they navigated through one winding corridor after another, Islinda realized that she wouldn’t be able to retrace her steps if asked. However, the further they went, the less tense the atmosphere became, as if the chaos hadn’t reached this part of the palace.

Finally, they arrived at a specific wing of the palace, and the confirmation of their arrival came when Andre stopped and ordered, "Do not let anyone in after me."

"Understood, my prince."

Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Islinda lifted her head and noticed they were standing in front of a grand entrance. The two Fae guards at the door pushed it open, revealing a small anteroom before the entire living area unfolded before her.

It was spacious and opulent, fitting for a prince. Prince Andre’s living quarters were a captivating fusion of natural tones and vibrant autumn shades. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of falling leaves, harvest festivals, and woodland creatures. The furniture, made from lustrous mahogany and adorned with intricate leaf motifs, harmonized with the seasonal theme.

The Fae people had a profound affinity for nature, evident in the large windows that allowed the cool air and soft light to filter into the room. However, Andre had closed them for her comfort when she shivered, rubbing her hands along her arms.

"Here, allow me to give you a tour of the place," Andre offered, and Islinda followed him sheepishly. There was little else for her to do except worry endlessly about Eli’s safety.

"This is the bedroom," Andre pushed the door open, correcting himself, "Well, my bedroom."

Intrigued, Islinda entered before him. It was as spacious as expected, and Andre’s bed, adorned with plush blankets in rich amber and russet hues, was positioned to capture the gentle glow of the setting sun. However, with the forceful winter outside, sunlight was scarce, and Islinda couldn’t help but think of the worsening conditions Eli was now facing.

Islinda tore her gaze away from the window and turned her attention to the floor, which was covered in a luxurious carpet that mimicked the colors of fallen leaves. Bookshelves lined one wall, filled with ancient tomes and volumes. A fireplace, surrounded by stones in warm tones, crackled with a comforting fire. The mantle displayed acorns, pinecones, and small arrangements of dried flowers.

In one corner, a writing desk sat near the window, offering a view of the snowy landscape. Quills and parchment were neatly arranged, ready for Andre to jot down his thoughts or correspondences. Already, there were written notes on the desk, and Andre quickly folded them and placed them in his pocket.

Islinda didn’t dwell on his actions; after all, she was essentially invading his privacy by being here. Hanging plants with trailing vines added touches of nature to the room, and she noticed a closed door that presumably led to a balcony. What floor were they on, she wondered.

"You will be staying in this room tonight," Andre stated.

"Tonight?" Islinda turned around abruptly, her eyes widening. "I don’t understand; I didn’t know I would be staying this long. I thought you planned to smuggle me out of the palace or something." She nervously wet her lips and finally asked the question that had been weighing on her mind. "What about Aldric? What will happen to him?" Islinda swallowed, her voice trembling, "Will they kill him?"

To think that the old Islinda would have been ecstatic to hear about Aldric’s impending demise. But now, it only sparked panic within her. The old Islinda hadn’t spent enough time with Aldric to discover his rarely displayed compassion. The old Islinda couldn’t have known about the sweet, tender, and unpredictable side of Aldric that she had come to know as Eli. The old Islinda should have known better than to sleep with Eli and develop feelings for him.

"You need to calm down, Islinda," Andre advised.

"Answer my question, Andre!" Islinda snapped, unintentionally finding herself past the point of caring. She demanded, "Will they kill him?"

"Rest assured, Aldric is a prince and a valuable asset to this kingdom, even if they won’t admit it. He is still our father’s son, and despite his actions towards the Queen, he didn’t harm her. However, that is an insult to the crown, and I know the Fae Queen won’t let him off easily."

He let out an exhausted sigh. "To be honest, I’m confused as well."

"Confused about what?" Islinda peered up at him, her curiosity piqued.

Andre met her gaze and said, "Aldric is usually extremely cautious. But whatever happened was reckless and out of control. I just can’t understand why. Not only did he invite trouble upon himself, but he cashed in on his favor."

"Favor?"

"The only reason Aldric didn’t expose the incident of the soul swap and ruin Valerie’s life was because we made a trade, and I owed him a favor. As you probably know by now, Fae people are skilled negotiators, and we honor our agreements. When I owed Aldric, I thought he would put me in a difficult position where I would have to betray Valerie or the kingdom. It kept me up at night, causing endless worry. But as it turns out, he called in the favor to keep you safe. It was easier than I expected, and now..." Andre’s eyes gleamed with an indescribable emotion that unnerved Islinda, causing her to take a step back.

Andre’s unnaturally yellow eyes bore into her with such intensity that it felt like he was peering into her very soul. Amidst the heated scrutiny, he uttered, "He treated you like a priority, as if nothing else mattered except..." He abruptly stopped, inhaling sharply, and looked at her as if she were an alien.

"By the gods," Andre exclaimed, "Aldric is in love with you."