Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 467: What Has Come Over Aldric

Chapter 467: What Has Come Over Aldric

What now? That was the question on Islinda’s mind. There was no room for regret because she knew she wanted that kiss, and it seemed Aldric did too, based on the way things turned out.

"Are you ready to go home?" he asked, his eyes focused on her, awaiting her answer.

At first, Islinda didn’t acknowledge it, but she realized she would choose Aldric’s castle over the scheming and murderous Queens in this palace. Even the once welcoming human realm she had been anxious to escape to was no longer hospitable, considering what she had discovered about herself and the possibility that she might not be able to return. So, whether she liked it or not, Aldric’s castle was the closest thing she had to a "home" at the moment.

"Sure," she answered and headed out with him.

Fortunately, they encountered no servants on their way out who would gossip about them emerging from such a tight space. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of Aldric, but since they technically weren’t together, Islinda wasn’t sure she could handle the drama that rumors could bring, especially with Valerie involved. She needed to make things right with that summer prince, not that he was listening to her at all.

"Islinda!"

She heard her name being called and turned around to see Andre heading towards her. He looked slightly out of breath, making her realize he must have been looking for her. She had abruptly left the courtroom without warning, so it was understandable that he would be worried. Plus, they still had unresolved matters that needed to be kept away from Aldric.

"Oh, hey, I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to—" Islinda didn’t have a chance to finish her statement because Andre pulled her into a hug that lasted only a second before he was abruptly pulled away.

"What the Fae, Aldric?!" Andre growled as his younger brother shoved him against the wall, his elbows digging into his neck.

Aldric snarled at him, "I called in a favor for you to take care of her, not make a move on her."

"That’s exactly what I did! But we’re just friends, nothing more," Andre defended, feeling his brother’s elbow digging deeper into his neck. He added, especially when he sensed Aldric’s murderous intent, "And trust me, you don’t want to harm me, especially after coming from a court hearing. If anyone were to see this right now, Aldric, they wouldn’t see it as playful banter between brothers but as an assault on me. You got out easily, but you might not be so lucky next time."

Islinda panicked when she heard Andre’s words, realizing they were true. If Aldric were thrown into prison again because of her, she wouldn’t know what to do.

She approached them and touched Aldric’s arm, saying, "Aldric, let go of him right now."

He retorted, "I don’t care if I go to prison a second time."

This time, Islinda felt anger rise within her. Placing her hands on her waist, she ordered, "Well, I do care. Now take your hands off him, this instant!"

Aldric shot her a defiant look, and for a moment she thought he would stubbornly continue, but he suddenly let go as Andre began coughing.

Andre arrogantly lifted his hands and said sarcastically, "See? I do know how to take instructions, princess."

Islinda glared at him, pressing her lips together. That stubborn knucklehead was really getting on her nerves.

"Are you okay?" Islinda asked Andre with concern. Aldric had bruised his windpipe, and his neck looked glaringly red. Although it was beginning to heal, she knew it must have hurt.

Andre nodded, clearing his throat enough to say, "We need to talk. Alone."

Aldric let out a string of profanities and growled at him. "That’s not happening. I’m leaving with Islinda right now."

He tried to take her hand to prove his point, but Islinda stepped away from him, causing a furrow to appear on his face.

"What is this?" he asked.

Islinda said, "You heard your brother, Aldric. Please give us a bit of privacy."

"That’s not happening."

"Aldric."

"No." He looked accusingly at Andre. "What are you both up to?"

Islinda sighed and said through gritted teeth, "Andre already told you. We’re friends now. We just need to say goodbye, and that’s it."

"Well, say goodbye, and we’ll leave."

Islinda let out an exasperated sigh. "Why do you have to make simple things so hard? I just need a moment with Andre, and you can wait for me outside."

However, Aldric ignored her and faced his brother, locking eyes with him. "Did something happen while I was away?"

Andre looked at Islinda with hesitation and opened his mouth to answer, but Islinda beat him to it.

"There’s nothing, Aldric," she said through gritted teeth. "We just need privacy to speak. Even friends have secrets, just like you do." Islinda decided to provide more detail to make things less suspicious. She had forgotten that Aldric was sharp and observant.

"I see," Aldric hummed, his eyes gleaming with an emotion she couldn’t understand.

Islinda shivered, knowing she had to be careful. Aldric must not discover her secret just because they kissed. She had a feeling he planned to dispose of her once he achieved his revenge against Valerie. She couldn’t let him know that she was unkillable now. He might alter his plan and use her in unexpected ways. She didn’t even want to imagine it.

"Fine, I’ll wait for you outside," he finally conceded, much to Islinda’s relief. But before he left, he warned Andre, "Touch even a hair on her body, and I’ll kill you."

"I don’t intend to harm her," Andre responded with a snarky tone. He had kept her safe against all odds, and this was how he repaid him?

Aldric’s lips curled into a sinister smile. "Oh, you know what I mean."

The dark Fae prince implied that if he smelled any trace of Andre on Islinda, he would come after him.

To Islinda, Aldric said, "Don’t take too long, my love." He blew her a kiss and finally left them alone.

Islinda turned to Andre with confusion, the both of them had the same question in their eyes. What in the Fae has come over Aldric?