Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 433: Failed To Protect You

Chapter 433: Failed To Protect You

"Aldric is in love with you," those words echoed in Islinda’s mind, causing her to become momentarily lost in her thoughts. The echo seemed to go on forever until suddenly, snap! She jolted back to reality with a gasp, finally comprehending what Andre had just said.

"No," Islinda rasped, shaking her head. Andre didn’t know what he was talking about. Aldric could never love her. The only reason she was still alive was because he needed her for his plot to steal the throne from Valerie.

"That’s impossible." Her words caught Andre’s attention, and he was determined to prove her wrong.

"He asked me to protect you."

Islinda started to respond but then closed her mouth, realizing she couldn’t reveal Aldric’s split personality to Andre. Eli was the only part of Aldric that truly cared for her, maybe even loved her a little. However, that was a small part that Aldric could easily suppress once he awakened. Aldric felt nothing for her.

"Can we please drop this conversation?" Islinda said irritably, her lips tightly pressed together.

Andre noticed the firmness in her face and raised his hand, saying, "Fine, if that’s what you want. But my opinion stands. Thank the gods I didn’t let my family members force me into an engagement with you. I can only imagine what Aldric would have done to me."

Islinda stepped towards him, warningly. "A little piece of advice, Andre: don’t go spouting this nonsense to Aldric. You might not live to tell the tale."

The grin that appeared on Andre’s face hinted that he wasn’t taking her seriously. At least she had warned him, and she wouldn’t feel guilty if anything happened to him.

Then, she looked around and noticed the flaw in their present situation.

"There’s only one bed," she pointed out.

"I can sleep in the living room. Don’t worry, I won’t climb into your bed unless..." He gave her a suggestive look.

"It’s not happening," Islinda interrupted before he could finish. However, the smile that played across his lips afterwards let her know he had been teasing her.

Good.

Islinda cherished her friendship with Andre and hoped it would remain that way. The love triangle between Valerie, Eli, and Aldric was already giving her a headache. Adding Andre to the mix and turning it into a love square would surely drive her insane.

So no, she didn’t want any other relationships.

"Come," Andre offered his hand. "Let me show you the other parts of the house, and then you can settle down."

Islinda placed her hand in Andre’s, and he pulled her along, showing her the bathroom and dining area. To her surprise, Andre even had his own kitchen. She never imagined that princes cooked their own meals and weren’t served.

"I work as a spy in the human realm, so there’s not much opportunity to be served. Besides, it was easy to pick up cooking skills as I mingled with your kind," he explained with a cheeky grin.

Islinda thoroughly enjoyed Andre’s company, but reality hit her when they returned to the living room and Andre announced, "You have to stay here while I go out to see what’s happening."

She grabbed his hand as soon as he tried to leave, causing his eyebrows to raise.

"You’re leaving me here all alone?" she asked.

Andre sighed, "There are guards at the entrance, Islinda. I’ll make sure they understand not to let anyone, and I mean anyone, in besides me. You’re safe here."

"It’s not that," Islinda said, "I’m not afraid of anyone coming after me. After all, I have my protection..." She trailed off as she realized something.

"Oh no," Islinda hurriedly reached for the necklace, panicking when she realized it wasn’t the necklace Aldric had given her. She cursed, recalling everything that had happened.

Andre furrowed his brow at her reaction and tried to calm her. He reached for her and asked, "What’s wrong, Islinda?"

Islinda lifted her teary eyes to him, feeling foolish for the first time. The weight of everything happening so quickly was overwhelming her, making her feel helpless. Why was she so weak? She usually wasn’t like this, but this realm was much bigger and more challenging than what she was used to. All her skills seemed useless here.

"Hey," Andre said, hooking a finger under her chin to lift her face and locking their gazes. "Talk to me, Islinda."

Islinda blinked away the tears burning in her eyes, sniffing. "It’s the amulet Aldric made for me. I shouldn’t have taken it off for this useless ornament!" She angrily ripped the necklace, ignoring the burning abrasion around her neck. She was too angry to care about the pain.

She glared at the necklace in her palm, as if it was to blame for her situation. At least the Fae hadn’t lied about the side effects; her ears had become rounded, and everything felt right.

Andre, who had been silently watching, asked carefully, "So, where’s the amulet?"

Islinda swallowed, "It’s in my room. I hid the gemstone in my pillowcase in case anyone tried to steal it in my absence. They wouldn’t find it easily."

There was silence, and Islinda could tell that Andre was processing everything in his mind. He gave her a sympathetic look. "Islinda, this is risky. However, you’re safe here. No one—"

"No!" Islinda interrupted. "Anything could happen, and I don’t know the extent of the amulet’s powers, but I don’t want to feel so weak anymore. Even if it means I die, I won’t go down without a fight."

She pleaded with Andre, her eyes filled with desperation. "I don’t know how, but please help me get into the room, and I’ll retrieve the amulet quickly. It’s risky, but we can come up with a plan." Islinda stared down at the ornamental necklace in her palm. "You can help me create a charmed necklace that alters my appearance, so no one will recognize me. I just need the necklace, please."

Islinda knew she had great persuasive skills, and with the addition of her puppy-dog eyes, who could resist her?

"Fine," Andre finally said, and she let out a huge sigh of relief. But then he added, "However, I’ll get it myself. You’re not leaving this room, Islinda. I can’t risk Aldric coming after me for failing to protect you."