Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 498: Dedication

Chapter 498: Dedication

"If I do fall, it will be for you, Islinda. I won’t allow Aldric to triumph over me. He won’t win this battle,"

As Valerie fervently declared his determination not to let Aldric win, Islinda stiffened in her seat, her expression a mixture of concern and unease. His insistence on sacrificing himself for her and refusing to let Aldric emerge victorious only reinforced her growing suspicion that Valerie’s feelings toward her bordered on obsession. The same with Aldric’s. Both of them were mad.

The intensity in Valerie’s eyes was undeniable, his unwavering resolve sending a chill down Islinda’s spine. She had never doubted his sincerity or loyalty, but this level of commitment felt suffocating and alarming.

"Valerie, please," Islinda implored, her voice tinged with apprehension. "I appreciate your willingness to protect me, but this... It’s too much. You’re risking too much for me, and I can’t bear the thought of being the cause of your downfall."

Valerie’s gaze softened and would have reached for her if it wasn’t for the seat between them. He assured her instead, even though it was unsettling for her. "Islinda, I would do anything for you. You are worth every risk, and every sacrifice. I cannot stand idly by while Aldric threatens you. I won’t allow him to harm you any further."

Despite his words of reassurance, Islinda couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped, of being suffocated by Valerie’s unwavering devotion. She had never asked for such fervent protection, and the weight of his dedication felt like a heavy burden pressing down on her.

With the way Valerie was so zealously dedicated to her, Islinda did not doubt that he would roll over on the ground for her if she commanded so. She was not worth it, why couldn’t he see so? Moreover, she didn’t feel that way for him anymore and that was what made her wary of Valerie considering he had strong feelings for her. What if he made good on his promises and released her from Aldric’s captivity, how would she repay him? She sure as hell wasn’t going back to him. Islinda was done with Fae princes. They brought her nothing but death and heartbreak.

Islinda felt a surge of frustration and suffocation building within her. Pushing back from her seat, she sat up straight, Prince Wayne cradled firmly in her arms, her features hardening with resolve as she met Valerie’s gaze head-on.

"Valerie," she began, her voice firm and resolute, "I appreciate your concern, I truly do. But I can’t stay here any longer. I need to leave, to enjoy whatever limited freedom I have before Aldric tracks me down."

Valerie’s expression faltered momentarily, his brow furrowing in concern. But before he could interject, Islinda reminded him, her voice unwavering.

"You promised me moments ago that I’m not trapped here, that I’m free to go whenever I choose. I intend to hold you to that promise," she asserted, her gaze steady as she spoke.

The weight of Islinda’s determination hung heavily in the air, her words a silent challenge to Valerie’s protective instincts. For a moment, silence descended upon the room as Islinda and Valerie locked eyes, the summer Fae battling with the urge to keep her locked here where she was safe from harm.

The Fae realm was not a place for a weak human like her. Unfortunately, he may have wished to keep her by his side, but Valerie knew deep down that he could not force her to stay against her will. That will make him no different from Aldric and being a monster like his brother was the last thing he intended to do.

"Very well," he finally conceded, his voice tinged with reluctant acceptance. "If that is truly what you wish, then I won’t stand in your way. But I need you to do one thing for me."

Islinda lifted a brow at him, "What is it?"

Valerie assessed her thoroughly and Islinda flushed crimson, becoming self-conscious as she realized she looked a mess.

Confident he had dropped the hint, Valerie finally said, "You should take a bath and change into a nice outfit so you don’t draw questionable looks on your way out. My people are less likely to respect you if you look like a pauper. While you do so, I’ll find you a detailed map of the city and some coins for your needs throughout your freedom. "

Good thing Islinda was filled with gratitude otherwise, she would have pointed out his sarcasm at the end. Thinking of it now, In her haste to get away from Aldric, she had not thought about shelter and expenses. If only Aldric had been accommodating, Maxi would have arranged that for her. She said so. Perhaps, it wasn’t a bad thing she ran into Valerie else she might be sleeping in the streets and might even lose her way — until Aldric finds her.

"I would love that and thank you for your help. I would surely find a way to pay you back." Islinda said to him.

"You don’t have to, Islinda. Providing for you out is a thing of joy for me." He said with such softness and adoration in his eyes that he stared at her for so long, Islinda became uncomfortable under his dothing stare.

She intentionally cleared her throat to remind him of the task at hand.

"Sorry," He apologized sheepishly, a flush on his cheeks. "Come, the washroom is this way."

Islinda was about to leave when she spotted Prince Wayne’s half-eaten chicken. She couldn’t help but sense the cat was oddly reserved around her, and neither could she take him to the bathroom with her. In the last encounter where she had undressed, the cat behaved strangely about it, so she tended to avoid any naked situation with him.

"Alright. Stay here. I’ll be back soon." Islinda dropped him on his seat, petting him a bit before straightening up, her resolve unwavering as she followed Valerie’s direction to the bathroom. Islinda was thrilled, with a sense of anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead, and couldn’t wait to get started.

Unknown to Islinda, a certain Aurelia who had aided in her escape, was in the palace to feed information about the incident to the Spring Fae Queen.