Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 474: Ruthless Islinda

Chapter 474: Ruthless Islinda

Islinda didn’t stay hidden in her room the whole day; she simply made sure to steer clear of Aldric. But most importantly, she didn’t forget that she had been a servant before the short visit to the palace that nearly turned into a nightmare.

Once she had rested and bonded with Prince Wayne, she went in search of Marimar to report for duty. She could have waited until tomorrow to officially begin her work, but Sura had it out for her, and she didn’t want to give the jealous and wicked fae more reason to torment her.

Islinda knew they would be bitter over the fact she had been invited to the matchmaking ball unlike some of them who had never even seen the four walls of the palace. Not that it was her fault. But would they view it that way? No. All that would run through their head was an easy human they could pass their frustration on and bully.

Aldric’s castle was as quiet as ever, and Islinda had to admit that she missed the tranquility. The only time there was hush in the King’s palace was whenever Aldric was passing through. She sincerely missed this place.

Not finding Marimar, she decided to go to the servants’ quarters. There wasn’t much work to be done, and she guessed they were resting. Upon getting there, Islinda knocked on the door, but there was no response, so she opened the door and went in.

Every chatter died as soon as Islinda came in, and all heads turned in her direction. It wasn’t easy being the only human in the house.

Islinda didn’t need to be told she wasn’t welcome here. She might be a servant like them now, but there was still that privilege she enjoyed that they did not. She had a lavish room to herself, even though she was a servant. No wonder Sura resented her.

Islinda stood for several long minutes before a Fae came into sight. It was Sura. She looked Islinda all over, having not seen her for a few days, and there was still that disdain in her eyes. That seemed to wake Islinda from her slumber, and she cleared her throat.

Standing with her head tall, she announced to Sura, "I came to report for duties. Where can I find Marimar?"

Sura scoffed, "Well, look who finally dragged her ass back."

"Excuse me?"

"Oops, sorry." Sura appeared to be apologetic when she wasn’t, apparently taunting her. "You said you are here to report for duties. Is that so? I wonder if there is any work lying around here? No, there isn’t. Why? Because the servants have taken care of them all while you were at the palace bootlicking the royals. Unfortunately, you’re back and returned to being one of us now." She said mockingly, and half the room burst into laughter.

Islinda felt heat and ire rise to her cheeks, and her hands balled into a fist. She knew the Fae was intentionally getting on her nerves, and it was working. Islinda had never been great at managing her temper, and the Fae was testing her self-control.

This was not the first time Islinda experienced bullying, but not on this level. The girls back at the village had ostracized and treated her like a freak because she had been interested in an occupation that had been termed a man’s work instead of gossiping and going to parties with them. They only gossiped whenever she passed through, but they didn’t try to make her life difficult, unlike this nuisance of a Fae called Sura.

By a stroke of luck, Islinda was able to reign in her anger. She took a deep breath and said, "I guess Marimar isn’t here, then." She added with sass, "I’ll go back to my room and return when there’s work."

Islinda began to walk away when Sura said from behind, "Sure, return to the prince, you whore!"

And that did it.

Islinda halted, going deadly still. Her eyes twitched and white-hot anger coursed through her veins. She turned with excruciating slowness and faced the proud Fae. The sound of her blood pounding in her head was so loud, it nearly faded out the presence of others in the room and focused on Sura only.

"What did you just say?" Islinda asked icily, her hand shaking from the great anger rushing through her.

Sura raised a brow, "Am I wrong?"

Islinda wasn’t even sure she was breathing anymore and stared at Sura with reddened eyes. As if that was enough, Sura walked over to her and stood right in front of her, challenging her outright.

Sura poked Islinda on the chest, not once, but twice, saying, "Don’t think we haven’t seen you kissing and being affectionate with Prince Aldric. Hasn’t anyone told you that you shouldn’t be with him? On the bright side, Rosalind had only slept with him, but you, you have the audacity to fool around with our crown prince Valerie and Prince Aldric at the same time? How dare you?"

Islinda did not even realize when her hand moved and she slapped Sura across the face. The sound echoed across the room, leaving the Fae spectators momentarily stunned. They gasped aloud, staring at Islinda in shock, and then back at Sura with anticipation, expecting retaliation.

"Did you just slap me?" Sura asked, unable to believe that Islinda had just hit her. She had been conceited enough to think she could provoke Islinda without consequence. Or perhaps she believed that Islinda wasn’t bold enough to hit a Fae unless she was willing to risk her life. Apparently, Islinda was ready to take that risk.

Before Sura could respond, Islinda slapped her hard across the face for the second time, causing her head to whip to the side.

"Try me, bitch," Islinda spat out.

And thus, pandemonium broke out as a fight ensued. That was how Islinda found herself in Zaya’s infirmary minutes later.

"You certainly know how to make an epic return, Islinda," Zaya, the healer, taunted her.

Zaya stood before Islinda, who was seated on the bed, and examined her injuries. Islinda now sported an ugly black eye on the left side of her face, a bruised lip, and possibly a couple of broken ribs. Sura had not held back.

Islinda hadn’t held back either, but the Fae had used her abilities to assist in the fight, unlike Islinda who had relied on brute strength and dirty tactics. Additionally, Fae had the ability to heal themselves, which explained why Islinda appeared to have worse injuries. There was no way Islinda was going to admit that she had been beaten badly.

No wonder Islinda was furious with herself. Where were her supposed Fae powers when she needed them to defend herself? She had expected a supernatural burst of strength, but nothing had happened. Apparently, her ability was only useful in keeping her alive so she could endure beatings. What a useless power. She was so mad!

"You didn’t miss me?" Islinda attempted to joke to keep herself from crying out in pain. Her body ached all over.

"Of course, I missed you, Islinda. But getting yourself injured like this is just plain stupid. What were you even thinking, getting into a fight with a Fae? You are human and if it weren’t for the others, I’m a hundred percent sure Sura could have killed you. We Fae can make grave mistakes when we are consumed by anger."

"Wait a minute," Islinda replied, annoyed. "Just because my injuries are visible, doesn’t mean I didn’t fight well. I gave her quite a blow too." Islinda opened her palm, revealing a large chunk of hair with a sinister grin.

"Oh no, you didn’t!" Zaya exclaimed, lifting the bloodied lock of hair that looked like Islinda had violently ripped it from Sura’s scalp. If Zaya looked closely, she could probably see traces of Sura’s tissue.

Islinda said wickedly, "I heard that while Fae can heal quickly, their hair grows slower. I bet Sura wouldn’t appreciate that gap in her perfect appearance."

Zaya looked at Islinda, dumbfounded. "Who knew you had this ruthlessness in you? I know I shouldn’t encourage this behavior, but good job, Islinda." She affectionately ruffled Islinda’s disheveled hair.

"I’ll keep it as a trophy, or perhaps tie it to my hair and rub it in her face every day," Islinda grinned evilly, only to wince in pain. "Ouch, could you work your magic, please?"

"Come here, you reckless human," Zaya said, placing her glowing hands on Islinda’s face to restore her damaged features. Then she proceeded to heal the rest of Islinda’s body, and soon, Islinda was pain-free.

"You truly are a lifesaver. I can’t imagine what I would have done without you," Islinda acknowledged, examining her features in the mirror.

"Oh, don’t thank me, thank Prince Aldric. He had the foresight to know that you’re accident-prone and hired me. Speaking of the prince..." Zaya trailed off.

Curious, Islinda turned around, only for her face to fall when she saw Aldric storming towards her.

She was in trouble.