Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 528: A Slave Serving A Slave

Chapter 528: A Slave Serving A Slave

Islinda’s eyes widened in shock as she exclaimed, "Y-You!" Her mouth hung open as she stared at the half-breed who had stolen from her yesterday. When Valerie mentioned wanting her to meet someone, the boy hadn’t even crossed her mind. Where did he even come from?

But that was not all. Standing beside the boy was Gabi, the human friend she had made just the day before. As Islinda took in the scene before her, a mix of confusion and disbelief washed over her. She had woken up that morning imagining Gabi would be worried about her, considering the events of yesterday. Islinda had even been contemplating going to visit her later in the day. Yet, here Gabi was, standing alongside the half-breed at Valerie’s place, the scene rendered her dumbfounded.

At a loss for words, Islinda’s gaze darted up to Valerie, silently requesting for an explanation. There was no doubt in her mind that he must have something to do with this unexpected gathering. After all, this was a hidden location, where outsiders couldn’t just stumble upon. Gabi and the half-breed couldn’t have simply found their way here on their own; it had to be orchestrated by Valerie.

Before Valerie could offer an explanation, the young half-breed took a bold step forward, crossing the room to approach Islinda. With a surprising display of humility, he gracefully knelt before her, catching Islinda off guard.

She watched in astonishment as he introduced himself, his words breaking the tense silence that hung in the air.

"Milo at your service, young miss!" he declared, his voice filled with sincerity and a hint of nervousness. Islinda’s initial shock gave way to a mixture of curiosity and wariness as she exchanged a bewildered glance with Valerie, uncertain of what to make of this unexpected gesture from the enigmatic half-breed named Milo. Unfortunately, Valerie was of no help because he was amused at her flustered state.

Realizing that Valerie wasn’t going to provide any immediate answers, Islinda’s frustration mounted. With a quick surge of determination, she reached out and grasped Milo’s arm, intending to pull him up from his kneeling position.

"What nonsense are you blabbering right now, please stand up," she demanded, her tone a mix of exasperation and urgency.

Despite Islinda’s efforts, Milo remained resolute, refusing to budge from his kneeling position. Islinda’s frustration deepened as she struggled to move him, only to be met with the surprising strength of the half-breed. It dawned on her in that moment the true extent of their capabilities, a realization that left her momentarily stunned. With a groan of exertion, Islinda reluctantly conceded defeat, releasing her grip on Milo’s arm and stepping back, her resolve faltering in the face of his unwavering determination.

"Is this a joke or what? Why are you doing this?"

As Islinda stood there, growing more impatient by the moment, Milo finally lifted his eyes to meet hers, though he didn’t hold her gaze for long.

With a polite demeanor, he responded, "Young miss saved Milo’s life when he didn’t deserve it, not after stealing from you. It’s customary that I return the favor by serving you with my life."

His words carried a sincerity that softened Islinda’s demeanor, momentarily easing her annoyance. However, that didn’t mean that this was okay.

"Fine," Islinda replied, her tone firm yet understanding. "I admire your resilience, loyalty, and courage. However, you don’t need to pay me back. I only defended you because the Fae guards were being bullies, and it was right someone put them in their place. I did it for everyone. So there you have it, you don’t have to pay me back, Milo." Islinda’s words were filled with conviction, assured that her explanation would sway Milo’s determination and alleviate any lingering sense of obligation.

But to her utmost shock, Milo remained steadfast in his resolve. "No! My life belongs to you and you alone, mistress Islinda!" he insisted, his words carrying a solemnity that left Islinda speechless.

"M-mistress Islinda?" Islinda muttered incredulously, feeling a headache start to form. The unexpected title only added to her bewilderment, leaving her at a loss for words.

Her gaze then shifted to Gabi, who stood nearby, and Islinda couldn’t help but groan inwardly. "Please don’t tell me you’re here to serve me too," she pleaded, hoping against hope that Gabi’s presence wasn’t tied to another declaration of servitude.

Gabi shrugged nonchalantly, her tone carrying a hint of concern. "Someone obviously needs to look out for Milo, and from my findings, you seem to be a magnet for danger, Islinda," She remarked, emphasizing Islinda’s name pointedly.

Islinda couldn’t help but notice the emphasis Gabi placed on her name, suggesting that she knew more about her than she had initially let on during their first meeting. It left Islinda feeling exposed and vulnerable, realizing that her secrets might not be as hidden as she had hoped. Not that there was any more need for it considering they were here now. But then, that secret should have been hers to tell, not Valerie’s.

Tense silence enveloped the room for a fleeting moment before Islinda swiftly seized Valerie’s arm. "Excuse us for a minute," she uttered, her smile strained and devoid of warmth, barely reaching her eyes. With determination etched on her features, Islinda ushered Valerie away from the group, her movements brisk and purposeful as she sought a moment of privacy away from prying ears.

Although they were out of earshot from the others, Islinda still spoke in a whisper, mindful of Milo’s heightened senses as a half-breed. "What is the meaning of this?! How can you make such decisions without my consent?" Islinda’s voice crackled with fury, her anger palpable as she confronted Valerie. Her frustration at being kept in the dark and having decisions made on her behalf without her input boiled over, fueling her fiery demeanor.

Valerie remained composed as he explained, his voice calm and steady. "The half-breed approached me when I went to release you from the cell you were held in. You were unconscious when he pledged his loyalty. He intends to serve you."

"Serve me, my ass!" Islinda spat out, her frustration boiling over. She didn’t intend to be harsh on Valerie, but the disappointment in him was evident in her tone. He had allowed this situation to unfold without consulting her, leaving her feeling betrayed and powerless.

"Do I need to remind you that I’m still Aldric’s slave, or have you forgotten that?" she questioned, her voice edged with frustration and bitterness. "How can a slave serve another slave?"

"Technically, you belong to Aldric, which means they would belong to Aldric as well, up to the moment when you no longer serve him." He said, highlighting the intricacies of Fae law.

"No," Islinda stated firmly, her voice tinged with resolve as a chill washed over her.

"Islinda—" Valerie began, but she interrupted him.

"I will not let that happen," she declared, her voice resolute and unyielding. She would not stand by and allow anyone else to be subjected to the whims of this oppressive realm.

"It’s their choice, Islinda, and you cannot take it from them, especially Milo. He is smart and already knew what he was getting himself into when he decided to serve," Valerie attempted to reason with her.

"No, they don’t know what they’re getting into," Islinda retorted, her anger flashing in her eyes. "Aldric let me live because I’m useful to him. He cannot harm me because he needs me alive if he’s going to use me against you," she confessed, her voice tinged with frustration and fear.

Valerie blinked in reaction to Islinda’s revelation, his expression betraying no surprise as he absorbed the gravity of her words.Though he had already been aware of his brother, Aldric’s sinister plans, hearing Islinda speak the truth aloud only served to reinforce the gravity of their situation.

Islinda continued, "But those two...," she began, pointing in the direction of Milo and Gabi. "He has no use for them. If anything, you have just tethered me to Aldric because he would have me do anything knowing he has their lives in his hands, and I would not have their blood spilled for nothing."

Her voice trembled with a mixture of anger and desperation as she said, "Not to mention, Aldric would never welcome them into his home. Your brother’s paranoid enough. What do they do then, live outside or wait patiently until the day I’m freed, which might not even happen? How could you keep people in bondage like this?"