Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 511: Islinda Would Love Him Again

Chapter 511: Islinda Would Love Him Again

As Valerie stood before Islinda’s cell, his focus solely on the woman confined within, a shadow fell over him. Sensing a presence behind him, he turned, his gaze locking onto the figure of a Fae officer standing just a few paces away. The officer’s expression morphed from curiosity to suspicion as he observed Valerie’s proximity to the cell.

"You! What are you doing, standing right there?" the officer demanded, his tone edged with authority.

Valerie’s jaw clenched, a flicker of irritation dancing in his eyes at the interruption. But as he met the officer’s gaze, something shifted. Perhaps it was the lethal intensity burning in Valerie’s eyes, or perhaps it was the dawning recognition of his royal lineage that caused the officer to falter, a gasp escaping his lips.

"Your Highness!" The officer gasped, bowing his head and drawing the attention of his acquaintances who were yet to understand what was happening although there was suspicion in their eyes.

At that moment, the air crackled with tension as Valerie squared his shoulders, his voice low and commanding as he issued his demand.

"Release her," he ordered, his words ringing with unwavering determination.

"What?"

The officer hesitated, caught off guard by the prince’s unexpected presence and the authority with which he spoke. Yet, beneath Valerie’s steely gaze, there was no room for negotiation. Without hesitation, the officer motioned to his comrades who now understood what was going on with Derek working his influence in the background. The crown prince of Astaria was here.

As the Fae officer unlocked the cell door with practiced efficiency, his movements swift and precise, a sense of urgency hung in the air. Islinda lay unconscious on the floor of the cell, her form limp and vulnerable, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Instinctively, the officer moved forward, intent on carrying Islinda out of her confinement and into safety.

But before he could take another step, Valerie’s hand shot out, halting the officer in his tracks. A flash of steel entered the prince’s eyes as he surveyed the scene before him, his jaw clenched with determination. He couldn’t bear the thought of those Fae officers laying their hands on Islinda, their touch tainted with the very oppression she had fought against.

"No," Valerie’s voice was firm, cutting through the chaos of the station with unwavering authority. "I’ll take care of her."

The officer hesitated, taken aback by the prince’s sudden assertion of control. With a reluctant nod, the officer stepped back, allowing Valerie to approach Islinda’s prone form.

Gently, Valerie knelt beside Islinda, his movements careful and deliberate as he cradled her unconscious body in his arms. Though she was but a fragile weight against him, Valerie felt a surge of protectiveness swell within him, a fierce determination to shield her from harm at any cost.

Ignoring the curious glances and murmurs of the onlookers, Valerie rose to his feet, Islinda nestled securely in his embrace. With a final, defiant glare directed towards the Fae officers, Valerie lifted Islinda’s unconscious form from the grimy cell, cradling her gently in his arms. As he began to make his way out of the confines of the station, the officer trailed after him, a note of urgency in his voice.

"We invited a healer to attend to her before she succumbed to her injuries," the officer explained, trying to make an impression on the crown prince.

Valerie’s piercing glare silenced the officer. No wonder he had not spotted an injury on her even though her clothes were dirtied and the thought alone filled him with rage. The officer swallowed nervously, understanding the implicit threat behind the crown prince’s gaze. With a silent nod, he acquiesced, allowing Valerie to continue on his way without further interruption.

As Valerie prepared to leave the station, his steps faltered as his gaze fell upon a woman staring right at him in the crowded cell, a pleading look in her eyes and a Wrry cat curled at her side. Recognition sparked within him as he realized the creature undoubtedly belonged to Islinda.

"Release the prisoners," Valerie commanded, his voice cutting through the din of the station with unwavering authority.

The Fae officer hesitated, his brows furrowing in disbelief at Valerie’s directive. "But these are the offenders from the riot," he protested, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

Valerie’s jaw clenched, his resolve unyielding as he met the officer’s gaze with steely determination. "I’ve made up my mind and I’ll take responsibility for the incident if anyone comes to ask," he declared firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

Reports would surely go to the king about this incident and he would deal with that once the time comes. With a reluctant nod, the officer acquiesced, having seen through his plan. After the King and Queen of Astaria, the crown prince was next in authority. He signaled to his comrades to unlock the cell doors.

Turning to Derek, Valerie issued his instructions with clarity and purpose. "Have the human with the Wrry cat brought to me," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.

With a brisk nod, Derek moved to carry out his orders, while Valerie turned on his heel, his strides purposeful as he carried Islinda out of the station. Valerie carefully carried Islinda’s unconscious form to his waiting carriage, the weight of her body a comforting presence in his arms. Gently, he settled her onto the plush couch, her head cradled in his lap as he sat beside her.

Islinda looked so peaceful, so beautiful in her slumber, and the thought that his own people had harmed her filled him with blinding rage. He should go back and deal with those officers, but that wouldn’t look good on his reputation as the realm’s beloved crown prince. Nor would it help Islinda either.

His people just didn’t see what he saw in her. They didn’t feel the strong emotion he felt for her. If only Islinda was not human and he was the king, then things wouldn’t be so complicated. He would take her as his wife regardless of what his people had to say. His people reverenced mates, but this was something more. Islinda was not his mate, she was his everything. The woman he loved and would ever love throughout his lifetime.

Unable to resist the pull of his emotions, Valerie leaned down and pressed a soft, tender kiss to her lips, a silent vow echoing in the depths of his heart. He would get her to love him once more. Valerie was confident. He made her fall in love with him in the past, he would do it again. He just had to be patient. Islinda would fall in love with him again.

As he savored the moment, Derek’s arrival shattered the tranquility of the carriage, the sound of footsteps heralding his entrance. With a resigned sigh, Valerie reluctantly pulled away from Islinda, his attention shifting to his second in command and the woman accompanying him.