Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 487: His Intentions

Chapter 487: His Intentions

"But don’t worry, I attempted to kill you and you attempted to kill me. I suppose we are even now. So go back inside, Islinda. You shouldn’t be out here at this time," he commanded, his tone filled with menace and authority.

Islinda shivered, momentarily tempted to obey his command, but the defiant fire inside her burned brighter. She shook her head firmly. "No."

Aldric raised an eyebrow, surprised. "What did you just say?"

Islinda’s voice grew stronger as she spoke, her tone unwavering. "No," she repeated, a little louder this time, growing braver by the second. She defiantly stared him in the eyes. "You tried to kill me, and that’s something I cannot easily forgive. I can’t even stand the sight of your face right now. How can you be so calm about attempting to take my life? So no, I don’t want to be under your protection anymore. I want out of here. I don’t want to see you."

How dare he think he could control her after trying to kill her? Unlike Aldric, who believed she had deceived the Fae servant, Islinda knew she had died. If she weren’t momentarily indestructible, she would have died in his hands. So, yes, Islinda had every reason to stand up to him. She was fed up with his domineering nature. Most importantly, she didn’t want to look at his face in that moment.

"Islinda..." Aldric’s voice was strained as he pinched the space between his brows. "It’s very late, and I am not in the best mood."

To prove his point, Aldric gripped the hilt of his dagger and slowly withdrew it, causing Islinda to wince. She could feel the pain he must be experiencing, even though he appeared unbothered.

Islinda sensed the threat in his words, but she had long stopped caring. She was officially done with Aldric and his egotistical ways. Who knows what he would do to her next? It was only a matter of time before he discovered her secret, assuming he didn’t kill her right now and find out regardless.

"Islinda..." Aldric called again, a tick appearing in his jaw as his patience wore thin. "Go inside," he gruffly commanded.

"No." Islinda stood her ground, her hands clenched into fists.

"Very well, then." Aldric concluded coldly, the steely look in his darkened blue eyes making her shiver.

Islinda’s breath caught at his ominous words and she knew he was about to make a move against her. She braced herself for the attack, expecting him to knock her unconscious as he had done to Aurelia. It would make it easier for him to move her. However, instead of a physical blow, Aldric’s shadows suddenly wrapped around her wrist, binding her hands.

"Shit!" Islinda cursed as she was pulled towards the castle. No, no, no. Not now. Not like this. He was manhandling her like some child and this was a mere tantrum. How could she express to this dumb prince that she was dead serious on leaving him?

"Aldric!" Islinda shouted his name at the top of her lungs. "Release me immediately!"

But Aldric stood idly by, not even sparing a glance over his shoulder as she was dragged past him by his shadowy apparition.

Islinda gritted her teeth and fought against the restraints, exerting all her strength. This turned into a tug of war, with Islinda suffering the most pain as her wrist bore the brunt of the struggle.

Aldric sensed her resistance and turned, warning her, "Just because I won’t harm you doesn’t mean I won’t take measures to discipline you."

"If anyone needs discipline, it’s you, bastard! Who attempts to kill someone and expects them to stay silent about it?" Islinda snarled at him.

Aldric’s gaze hardened. "Trust me, it’s for your own good."

He took several steps towards her until they were face to face. His nostrils flared, but Islinda refused to be intimidated, glaring at him with anger. He reached for her, but Islinda tensed up and his hand hesitated before dropping back down.

"Sometimes death is a small mercy," Aldric said, sounding frustrated.

Islinda scrutinized him, her brow furrowing. "You’re hiding something from me."

"What?" He seemed to pale, stepping back.

Islinda studied him intently. "You’re scared of me."

"Haha!" Aldric let out a mocking laugh. "Do you even hear yourself? That I’m scared of you," he scoffed.

Islinda frowned, carefully considering her words. "Your plans are usually meticulous, but this time, your work was sloppy," she said, meeting his gaze. "And you, Aldric, rarely make mistakes."

Aldric swallowed, but his expression remained unreadable. He stood motionless, his eyes devoid of emotion.

Islinda continued, her curiosity brimming in her eyes. "When I woke up earlier, you seemed relieved, as if you didn’t truly want me dead. Why is that? You said I deceived the servant, as if you hoped I would. And when the servant served the tea, the way you deliberately made her mention that you prepared it...it was a clue. A clue that you wanted me dead." She looked up at him, her eyes full of curiosity. "Why would you do that? What are you hiding from me, Aldric? What is your true plan?"

Perhaps it was wishful thinking on her part, hoping Aldric would finally open up to her. But in that moment, his eyes turned icy once again. Aldric returned to being the cold, cruel, and emotionless person he had always been.

"I don’t mind you entertaining fantasies in your head as long as you return to your room right now. Move!"

The shadows instantly vanished, and Aldric grabbed her hand, dragging her along.

"No, let me go!" Islinda shouted.

Just because she was curious about his motives didn’t mean she had forgiven him. She wasn’t going back with that mad Fae.

Suddenly, Aldric cursed as a cat leaped out of nowhere and scratched him directly in the eye. The dark Fae prince had no choice but to involuntarily release Islinda, clutching his bloody eye and howling in pain.