Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 554: All That Was Unsaid

Chapter 554: All That Was Unsaid

Gabbi did not allow Islinda back into the kitchen because of the supposed "Injury". Islinda felt a little guilty knowing the workload was too much on one person, but unless she was about to explain to Gabbi that she had supernatural healing, she had no choice but to continue on with the act.

Also that pretty much worked for Islinda because she didn’t want to work in close quarters with Derek and see his annoying face. Hence she waited it out in her room until her young unofficial bodyguard Milo came to inform her that breakfast was ready.

Islinda entered the dining area for breakfast, finally encountering Valerie face to face since their previous incident. Both of them froze, tension crackling in the air as they silently assessed each other.

Gabbi’s timely arrival interrupted the silent standoff. "What are you doing standing there, Islinda? Go and sit, the food’s ready," she instructed, bustling in with the last dish and arranging it on the table.

Islinda was the first to break eye contact, choosing a seat away from Valerie and opting to sit beside her buddy, Prince Wayne. She couldn’t help but marvel at how the Wrry cat always seemed to sense mealtime and arrive punctually. Unlike Aldric, who disliked the cat and had his meals served separately at the castle, Islinda couldn’t deny that the Wrry cat was rather spoiled. It was no surprise that all he seemed to do was eat, sleep, and play. What a charmed life he led. Islinda was envious of Prince Wayne.

"Hello, my favorite person in the world right now," Islinda greeted Prince Wayne warmly, running her hands through his fur as he purred in contentment, reveling in the massage with his eyes half-closed.

If only he weren’t in this cat form, Prince Wayne would have enjoyed this treatment even more. There was a certain spot on his body that longed for her special touch. But for now, he would make do with this. Unbeknownst to Islinda, her Wrry cat harbored rather improper thoughts.

"How are you doing this morning?" Someone’s voice broke through Islinda’s thoughts, and it wasn’t until she felt trained eyes on her that she realized she was being spoken to.

Lifting her head, Islinda met Valerie’s gaze. He was the one addressing her.

"Excuse me?" she responded, lifting a brow in his direction.

Valerie asked nervously, "How do you feel?"

"In regards to what?" Islinda’s tone was sharp as she pressed for clarity.

He gulped, his nerves evident. "Did you manage to sleep last night?"

"Was I supposed to?" Islinda retorted sharply, her eyes hardening as she locked onto his gaze.

Valerie opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat, unable to escape beneath the weight of his guilt. His apologetic gaze and downcast expression spoke volumes, but Islinda wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily.

She refused to be swayed by his remorse, not after what he had done the previous night, regardless of whether he had lost control or not. Valerie had crossed a line he shouldn’t have, and Islinda couldn’t shake the unsettling thought of what might have happened if she didn’t possess her supernatural strength. Would she have fallen victim to his assault?

Islinda couldn’t help but contrast Valerie’s actions with those of Aldric.

Despite the dark Fae prince’s own questionable behavior, even before they became "chummy" with each other, the dark Fae prince at least knew to respect her boundaries and stop when she uttered the word, "No."

Gabbi noticed the tension between them and decided to address it head-on. "Is there something that I’m missing out on? It’s kind of weird here."

"Nothing at all," Islinda answered immediately, her sweet smile masking any hint of discord. "Valerie and I just enjoy teasing each other sometimes. And I had a pleasant night, I bet you did too, didn’t you, Valerie?"

Valerie blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Islinda’s sudden change in demeanor. He barely managed a nod before Islinda took control of the conversation.

"See," she directed her words precisely at Gabbi, "We’re as good as new. No tension at all. Now, less talking and more eating. I’m so hungry I could swallow a cow right now." Islinda effectively ended the conversation, anticipating Gabbi might not be easily convinced and could have more questions.

As Islinda reached for the bread roll across the table, Valerie suddenly caught her hand, startling her so much that she couldn’t help but flashback to the events of last night, feeling the way he had seized her. With a jerk, she pulled her hand out of his grasp, her voice rising in alarm. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Islinda?" Gabbi’s surprise was evident in her tone.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you," Valerie apologized quickly, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. "I was just surprised to see that..." He pointed to her hand. "Did you injure yourself?"

It was then that Islinda realized she had overreacted, realizing that it was actually her supposed injured hand that he had grabbed.

"Actually, she did," Gabbi interjected with a touch of humor. "There was a little accident while we were making breakfast, but rest assured, there’s no blood in your meal," she joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Your bodyguard stabbed me," Islinda stated pointedly, her expression unamused.

"Stab might be a little overexaggerated," Gabbi kicked her beneath the table, subtly conveying a message.

"He did what?" Valerie sounded surprised, his gaze scanning the room for Derek.

Islinda observed his reaction closely, searching for any signs of guilt or involvement. While he appeared unaware, she remained skeptical. Valerie harbored suspicions about her identity; she was certain of it.

"He wounded me with his knife, and I’m most curious why he did so," Islinda questioned, pinning Valerie with a steady gaze.

Valerie met her stare with a furrowed brow, sensing the accusation in her tone.

Gabbi quickly grasped the gravity of the situation and decided to take it upon herself to defuse the tension. With a nervous laugh, she intervened, "It was just an accident, your highness, Valerie. And should we really be discussing this right now? Didn’t you say you were so hungry you could eat a whole cow, Islinda?" Her words were a tactical diversion.

Islinda immediately eased up, her expression lighting up like Christmas. "Of course, it was merely an accident. The hunger must have gone straight to my head, making me think nonsense," she chimed in, joining Gabbi’s attempt to lighten the mood with a boisterous laugh. But behind her laughter, her eyes conveyed all that remained unsaid.