Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 593: Poverty In The Winter Court

Chapter 593: Poverty In The Winter Court

Riding behind Aldric, Islinda’s attention was keenly focused on him, observing his every movement. When he abruptly pulled on a cloak, obscuring his face from view with the hood, a ripple of curiosity coursed through Islinda, leaving her wondering about his intentions.

In the next moment, a sense of urgency permeated the air as Aldric swiftly issued instructions, prompting a flurry of activity among the entourage. Islinda watched with growing intrigue as Aldric led them down a different path, veering away from the familiar route that would have taken them directly to the Winter court palace.

Islinda felt a surge of frustration as she watched Elena swoop in to intercept her intended conversation with Aldric, her irritation evident in the low growl that escaped her throat. The constant presence of the Fae princess at Aldric’s side grated on Islinda’s nerves, leaving her feeling sidelined and ignored.

Throughout the journey, Elena seemed to cling to Aldric like a shadow, monopolizing his attention and leaving little room for anyone else to engage with him. If it hadn’t been for Aldric’s gesture of offering her the coat, Islinda doubted she would have had any opportunity to interact with him at all.

Resigned to her position at the rear of the group, Islinda followed along the new route with the other servants, her gaze fixed on Aldric and Elena ahead of her. The intensity of her glare could have been deadly if she possessed any kind of psychic powers, her frustration simmering beneath the surface as she seethed in silence.

As Aldric led them down the alternate path, Islinda’s expectations of the Winter court were abruptly shattered. The once pristine landscape and opulent surroundings gave way to a grim and downtrodden area of the Winter court, where poverty and despair hung heavy in the air.

Islinda’s eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight before her. The Winter Fae, whom she had assumed lived in luxury and abundance, were instead living in squalor and destitution.

Ramshackle dwellings lined the narrow streets, their walls worn and weather-beaten, barely offering protection from the biting cold. Winter Fae, their faces gaunt and hollow with hunger, clustered together in small groups, their tattered clothing barely enough to shield them from the elements. Some held out trembling hands, begging for scraps of food or any small measure of charity, while others lay sprawled on the ground, their frail bodies wracked with sickness and suffering.

The contrast between the thriving appearance of the Winter court and the harsh reality of life for its inhabitants was jarring. Islinda’s mind struggled to reconcile the disparity, unable to comprehend how such poverty could exist in a realm that seemed to be flourishing.

Islinda’s heart ached at the sight of their suffering, and she felt a deep sense of empathy welling up within her. It was at that moment that she seem to realize Aldric’s reason for coming here and for the first time, she saw him in new light.

It was easy to be captivated by the grandeur of the Winter court, with its lavish displays of wealth and power, while overlooking the harsh reality of hardship and suffering that lurked beneath the surface. Outsiders often only saw the facade of beauty and luxury, unaware of the struggles faced by those on the fringes of Fae society.

However, Aldric was no stranger to suffering. He understood that such disparities existed within the Winter court, and he deliberately concealed his identity with the hood to avoid intimidating the residents. For once, he sought to bridge the gap between himself and his people, setting aside the fearsome reputation that often preceded him.

As the dark Fae prince ventured into the neglected neighborhood, he witnessed firsthand the dire state of his people. The contrast between the opulence of the Winter court and the poverty of this overlooked community was stark and unsettling. Instead of the proud and haughty demeanor expected of Faeries, Aldric encountered individuals who were defeated and impoverished, their spirits worn down by hardship.

As they passed through the impoverished district, Islinda couldn’t shake the feeling of despair that clung to the air like a suffocating blanket, affecting eveyone. It was depressive. Suddenly, a child darted out into the path of Aldric’s horse, narrowly avoiding a collision. Islinda’s heart skipped a beat as she watched with concern for the child.

Startled by the near miss, the child stumbled backward and fell onto his backside, his frail form unable to withstand the shock. His thin and malnourished frame lay sprawled on the cold, unforgiving ground, his body barely able to withstand the harsh winter chill.

The child’s clothing hung loosely, the fabric worn and tattered from years of use. His pale skin was stretched tight over protruding bones, a stark indication of the malnourishment and deprivation he had endured. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and his cheeks were sunken and hollow, evidence of the hunger that gnawed at his stomach.

Islinda felt anger rise inside of her at the sight of the child’s suffering. What was going on here? Couldn’t the winter Fae feed its own people? The level of hardship and suffering back in Haven’s Reach was nothing compared to the ones she has seen here in the winter court and that was saying a lot, considering this was Faeries and not humans, nor half-breeds.

Aldric was the first to dismount from his horse, followed closely by Elena. Before Aldric could utter a word, Elena loomed over the child, her voice sharp with anger. "Are you blind or what?! Why would you get in the way like that?!"

Islinda felt a surge of fury course through her at Elena’s callous words. How dare she speak to a child in such a manner, especially one who was likely shaken from the near collision.

However, before she could intervene, Islinda watched with astonishment as the child summoned a snowball in his fist and hurled it right at Elena’s face, hitting her square in the eyes.

Elena froze in place, her expression morphing from one of irritation to shock as the cold snow stung her eyes. She let out a shrill scream, her hands instinctively flying to her face to wipe away the icy remnants.

"How dare you?!" Elena’s voice rang out, her tone filled with indignation and disbelief at the unexpected retaliation from the child.

Islinda couldn’t contain her laughter as she watched the unexpected turn of events unfold before her. It was both unexpected and thoroughly amusing. That momentary satisfaction of seeing Elena get her comeuppance was enough to bring a grin to Islinda’s face.

However, a sobering thought crossed Islinda’s mind as she realized that human children and Fae children were not one and the same. Attempting to console the Fae child would likely have been futile, and she would have only embarrassed herself in the process.

"I’ll deal with you today!" Elena declared, her anger boiling over.

But the child simply blew a raspberry in her face before darting off, evading Elena’s grasp effortlessly.

"Pick out all the food and goodies we have, and distribute them to the residents," Aldric announced, swiftly redirecting the situation before Elena could make a fool of herself by chasing after the child.