Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 495: Sit Next To Valerie

Chapter 495: Sit Next To Valerie

Valerie was setting the table for breakfast and Islinda could finally see what caused the thud she had heard earlier. A broken ceramic plate lay at the side, along with its food.

Valerie noticed her gaze because he explained, scratching the back of his head sheepishly, "Trust me, I’m usually good at this but....." He bent down and retrieved something from under the table, "He was quite a great help." He said sarcastically.

Islinda’s eyes immediately fell upon an unexpected sight that left her momentarily stunned. Prince Wayne, nestled in Valerie’s arms, held a large cooked chicken leg between his teeth, his expression possessive as he gnawed on the oversized piece of meat.

The sight was almost comical, with the chicken leg appearing large and threatening to choke the prince if he attempted to swallow it whole. Yet, there was an air of possessiveness about him as he clutched the food as if daring anyone to challenge his claim over it.

However, as Prince Wayne’s eyes flickered up to meet Islinda’s gaze, the chicken leg slipped from his mouth, forgotten in an instant. His expression shifted from possessive to startled, a hint of guilt flickering across his features as he realized he had been caught in the act.

Islinda couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at the sight, a mixture of amusement and disbelief washing over her. It was a moment of unexpected levity in what had been a tense atmosphere, and for a brief moment, she found herself momentarily distracted from the weight of the situation at hand.

"That chicken leg was yours. I made it for you. You cannot imagine the level of attention and skills I used to cook it to perfection only for..... " Valerie paused, realizing he was complaining about her cat. He let out a resigned sigh. "I don’t know what to do with him."

Islinda couldn’t hold back the smile that crossed her features as she opened out her arm for Valerie to hand the cat to her. Valerie didn’t even have to do much, Prince Wayne, practically leaped into her arm and she had to catch him with all of her might. The gods help her, the cat was heavier than any other cat she had seen out there. However, that did not stop Islinda from loving the beautiful thing.

Islinda embraced the cat tight and Prince Wayne in question licked her face so much she was bathed in his saliva. Islinda presumed he was showing affection and had no qualms about it. If only she knew the Wrry cat was scent marking. She stroked his snow-white fur, marveling at the smooth luxury under her fingertips.

If Wrry Cats had a kingdom or something, she could swear Prince Wayne would indeed be the "prince". He simply gave out that majestic aura, plus the intelligence in his eyes she had come to appreciate. He rescued her from Aldric yesterday and took on the brunt of the anger, Islinda wouldn’t mind giving him all the chicken as a reward.

"It’s weird." Valerie’s voice broke through the moment. She glanced up at him with a questioning brow. "What is weird?"

"Wrry cats serve their owners, but they aren’t this affectionate. Most Fae buy them for their value, and not to pet them."

Islinda frowned, "Maybe your kind are assholes and my own Wrry cat is affectionate towards me because I sincerely love him as my pet, not because of what it can do."

"Well, that is one angle." Valerie tilted his head, watching her, "Perhaps, it’s also because you’re human."

Islinda did not say a word to that because she had no idea if that was true. Only Andre — and unfortunately Theodore — knew that she wasn’t exactly human. She hoped it remained that way. Just like Aldric, Valerie can’t know what she was either. Islinda had a feeling deep down that her heritage was going to be a big deal and she wasn’t ready for that earth-shattering change.

Her mood changed instantly and she glared at Valerie, having recalled the gravity of the situation at hand.

"Why am I here? Did you drug me last night because I cannot remember a thing afterward?" Islinda accused him.

Good thing she was still in her clothes from last night else she would have given him hell by now. Although they had seen each other naked a couple of times in the past, they were no longer together and he had to seek her permission for that kind of thing.

"Sit down and eat. After that, I’ll answer your questions." Valerie told her politely.

Islinda narrowed her gaze at him suspiciously, but her stomach chose that moment to grumble. Fine, eat first. Then ask questions later. Her sight fell on the table and she had to admit they looked delicious.

"So we are not alone in this unfamiliar place?" Islinda asked, glancing around.

"I don’t understand. What do you mean?"

"The food," She pointed out, "It must have been made by a royal cook or something. Where is she?" Islinda lifted her neck still searching for her and did not get to see the disappointment that flashed across Valerie’s face.

He said, "I just told you moments ago that I made the chicken specially for you, why then, would you think I didn’t cook the rest of the food?"

"Because you’re the crown prince?" Islinda attempted to crack a joke but it didn’t sound funny from Valerie’s stern expression. She explained immediately, "I mean, you said you made it with a lot of attention and skills. I presumed you roasted it with your fire-wielding ability and had to be careful so it didn’t burn while your cook made the food. Most men in my village leave the cooking for the females and the ones who hunt only know how to roast chickens and birds and rabbits and you’re a prince and ..... I should probably shut up, right?" Islinda bit her lips out of embarrassment.

"Don’t worry, just eat your food. It’s not your fault, who in the world would think the crown prince of Astaria was a good cook and that he would wake quite early in the morning to make food for a human." Valerie grumbled irritably even though he claimed it was alright.

Islinda sighed, "Fine, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just assumed. Thank you for making me breakfast."

"Thank you. Now have your seat." He said, his expression lighting up.

Islinda pulled out a seat and sat down, placing Prince Wayne on the next seat which was beside Valerie’s. As much as Prince Wayne liked her, he was quite pompous and preferred his own seat, not sitting her lap, at the table. And Islinda also ruined Valerie’s plan of having her seat next to him.