Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 512: Valerie’s New Allies

Chapter 512: Valerie’s New Allies

"Your H-highness," Gabi stammered as she prostrated before the crown prince of Astaria. No, it felt like she was still dreaming. When the guard came to her and demanded that she met the Fae prince, she had thought that he was kidding her. But here he was, Prince Valerie in flesh and blood.

However, lying on his lap was Isla, and Gabi quickly averted her eyes as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have. The sight of the prince and Islinda together was unexpected, and Gabi couldn’t help but feel a rush of nerves and curiosity.

Gabi knew deep down that there was something off about Isla, and her instincts were proved right. It was nearly impossible to see wealthy humans in Astaria, except for those who were fortunate enough to be mistresses or had fallen in love with kind-hearted Fae. Even then, the numbers were scarce. Islinda, however, looked quite affluent. Unless she was royalty from the human realm who had come to improve the relationship between humans and Fae, it was hard for a human to thrive in Astaria without the support of a Fae, especially an influential one.

"Your name," Valerie demanded, his tone firm and authoritative, not caring if the human saw Islinda lying on his body. If he could, he wouldn’t mind showing off Islinda to the entire realm as his human.

"My name is Gabi," she introduced herself, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"You were with Islinda today, right?" Valerie interrogated her, his demeanor cold and aloof. As a noble Fae, he naturally exuded authority and arrogance, though Islinda was the only one he softened up to.

"Huh?" Gabi looked confused. Was Isla the one called Islinda? However, Gabi was smart enough to put the piece together. Isla must not have given her real name to hide her identity. Not that she knew much about the name, "Islinda".

"Y-yes, your highness," She answered, her head still bowed.

Rumors circulated frequently in Safe Havens, and she had once heard of the crown prince Valerie harboring affection for a human. Gabi had laughed it off, considering the gossip baseless and useless. Fae were selfish beings, caring only about themselves. Why would the Fae crown prince, of all people, fall in love with a human? It seemed impossible.

But witnessing the improbable scene before her eyes, Gabi realized that it was true, and that person had to be Isla. However, she had no idea about the nature of their relationship. Despite Prince Valerie’s apparent fondness for Islinda, he still had responsibilities to the crown. Did he intend to punish Isla? Gabi didn’t know what to do.

"Tell me that happened?"

"What?" Gabi was nervous, having no idea whether to say the truth as it was or tweak some part.

But Valerie must have seen through her because he said, "Tell me everything, and don’t omit a thing."

Gabi gulped nervously, "I-of course, your highness."

Thus Gabi had no choice but to recount her encounter with Islinda in the marketplace, her voice tinged with apprehension and she did not omit a thing. Valerie listened intently as she narrated the incident, his brow furrowing in thought as he pieced together the events that had led to Islinda’s arrest.

In his haste to reach Islinda, Valerie had only received half-baked information: Islinda caused a riot.

"I swear to the gods, your highness. Isla did nothing wrong. The Fae guards were being overbearing and arrogant. Islinda, being the victim, didn’t want to punish the child anymore and wanted him to be left alone. But the Fae guard wouldn’t let her go and resorted to hit her —"

"He hit her?" Valerie’s sharp teeth bared in anger, causing Gabi to recoil in fear. The gods help her! She had always avoided the Fae for good reasons, but now, she was dragged into the middle of a mess!

However, that anger was not directed at Gabi, but at Derek, who quickly bowed his head in submission. Stiffly, he admitted, "I am afraid so, your highness."

Valerie clenched his hand in Islinda’s hair, not realizing his grip had tightened until Islinda made a soft, pained noise in her throat. With an apologetic look, he released her at once and muttered comforting words to Islinda, who went back to sleeping peacefully. However, the look Valerie gave Derek was one of pure loathing. If he had done his duty right, Islinda wouldn’t be in this situation.

Gabi continued, determined to prove Islinda’s innocence, "The Fae guard hitting her must have made Islinda snap, and she returned the same treatment. But I have to admit, my prince, I have never seen a more violent fight in all my years of living. If her ears weren’t rounded, I would mistake her for a half-breed. Islinda was so brutal, and the Fae officer had no chance against her."

Valerie’s brows furrowed with thought, his expression grave. It didn’t make sense for Islinda to beat up a Fae guard. While the Fae guards were not as skilled as the palace or personal guard, they were still formidable opponents. Unless outnumbered or armed with iron, a human could never defeat a Fae. Yet, Islinda had managed to ruin the Fae’s face.

When Valerie’s gaze met Derek’s, they held a silent understanding. Something was amiss. Either the Fae guard had let his guard down — but even then, he should have recovered quickly. They were overlooking something crucial. Valerie pulled his gaze away and scrutinized the sleeping Islinda, wondering if there was something he had missed about her.

Gabi, unaware of Valerie’s internal thoughts, blabbered on, "To be honest, Islinda could have won that fight, but the other Fae had to intervene and cheat by using his abilities..." She punched the air angrily, momentarily forgetting her manners. "That damned bastard! He could have fought fair and square, but he used his powers on Islinda. If only Islinda had powers of her own, then he would have gotten his ass handed to...!" Gabi trailed off, a flush rushing to her cheeks when she recalled she was in the presence of the crown prince.

Cringing inwardly, Gabi timidly explained, "When the Fae guard used his powers on Islinda, the scene was just so terrifying. We thought Isla was going to die, and it was no wonder the people started a riot to avenge her." She quickly added, "My prince, please don’t punish Islinda for what happened. She was only doing the right thing."

Valerie lifted a brow in surprise. Who said anything about punishing Islinda? But then, he understood Gabi’s fears. Most Fae in these situations wouldn’t be fair to humans. No wonder she thought he would punish the woman he loved.

He was about to speak when he sensed movement from his peripheral view. Derek moved at the same time and had already shifted to a fighting stance, only to recognize that it was a small half-breed kid—the same half-breed kid that had caused the whole thing.

"Is that the half-breed who stole from her?" Valerie inquired.

"Yes, your highness," Derek responded, wary of the boy as he made his way towards Prince Valerie. Derek intervened before the boy could reach him.

"Let him be," Valerie declared, his gaze fixed on the boy, pondering his intentions.

As the boy approached the open carriage, he promptly knelt and bowed his head. When he lifted his head, he spoke with determination to Valerie, "Your highness, please allow me to serve young miss Islinda!"

Gabi and Derek appeared visibly startled, contrasting Valerie’s unwavering gaze as he observed the boy.

He continued, "Young miss Islinda risked her life for me; it is only right that I do the same for her."

A moment of silence passed as Valerie and the boy locked eyes. Finally, Valerie broke the silence, "What is your name?"

"Milo."

"Milo," Valerie repeated before narrowing his eyes, "Milo, do you swear to serve and protect Islinda?"

The young boy raised his head with a determined look, "I do. My life no longer belongs to me but to miss Islinda."

"Good. From now on, you will serve Islinda."

"But your highness—" Derek attempted to intervene, only to be silenced by Valerie’s glare.

Valerie then turned to Gabi, "What about you?"

"Huh?" Gabi blinked in confusion, unsure of the unfolding situation.

"You seem to genuinely care about Islinda. How about staying by her side? I will reward you generously. Your family will never suffer again. Just be a good friend to Islinda and ensure her safety."

Gabi swallowed nervously. While Prince Valerie did not say it out loud, it was basically to keep an eye on Islinda. To serve Islinda and spy for him. She was hesitant but Gabi had to think about her family.

Valerie said, "You don’t have to decide immediately. I am not compelling you to serve." His gaze shifted to Milo, "Return with the boy once you’ve made your decision."

With that, Valerie bid farewell to Gabi and Milo, his newfound allies in his mission to protect Islinda. Valerie was cautious; he knew Aldric might come for Islinda again, but this time, he would be prepared for ensuring her safety.

With Islinda and the Wrry cat secure by his side, the carriage departed. Unnoticed by them, a Raven perched on a nearby tree took off at the same time.