Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 603: Cornered Animal

Chapter 603: Cornered Animal

As the carriage rolled smoothly through the icy terrain, Islinda sat in silence, her gaze fixed upon the breathtaking landscape outside her window. The frozen landscape stretched out over uncountable acres of land, adorned with delicate icicles hanging from barren branches and blankets of pristine snow covering the ground.

After the confrontation with his uncle Karle, the overthrown High lord had made a carriage available for Aldric to transport him to the palace and out of all the many people the dark Fae prince could have chosen to ride with him, he had chosen her. Not Elena or even his uncle, but her. Islinda.

The significance of Aldric’s choice did not escape her notice. It was a subtle yet powerful gesture, one that left her feeling both exhilarated and apprehensive. She could sense the confusion and disapproval radiating from Karle, who attempted to protest against Aldric’s decision, but a single glance from the dark Fae prince silenced any further objections.

But despite the breathtaking scenery passing by, a palpable tension hung in the air between Islinda and Aldric, unspoken words weighing heavily upon them both.

Beside her, Aldric sat with an air of quiet contemplation, observing Islinda’s demeanor with a keen eye. Finally, breaking the silence, he remarked, "You’re mad at me, aren’t you?"

Islinda turned to him, her lips tightened into a thin line. "Why would I be mad?" she retorted, though the tension in her voice betrayed her true feelings.

Aldric’s brow lifted in mild surprise as he glanced at her, but he chose to remain silent. He was well aware of Islinda’s occasional moments of quiet contemplation, knowing from experience that she would eventually come around in her own time.

And just as he expected, there was a long pause before Islinda spoke again, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and curiosity. "Why did you spare Karle?" she asked bluntly. "Was it because he’s your relative? You’ve never hesitated to eliminate others before. And besides, he deserved whatever punishment came his way."

"Oh," Aldric blinked, caught off guard by Islinda’s revelation. "So that’s the problem? Females are indeed quite perplexing creatures." He chuckled, the tension of the moment dissipating as he realized the source of her frustration. "Here I was, racking my brain over countless scenarios, trying to decipher what I might have done wrong this time. Who knew it was something so simple?"

Islinda regarded Aldric with exasperation. How could he not have grasped the reason for her anger? It seemed glaringly obvious to her, written all over her face. Yet, she supposed, males could never fully comprehend the complexities of female emotions.

"Moreover..." With a cunning smile playing on his lips, Aldric leaned closer, though Islinda remained seated across from him. Still, he managed to capture her full attention. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he deliberately addressed her by her full name, "Islinda Grace Remington, did I just hear you suggest that I take someone’s life?"

Islinda’s cheeks flushed crimson in response to the use of her full name, a clear indication of her discomfort under Aldric’s playful yet piercing gaze. She shifted uneasily in her seat, torn between embarrassment and the gravity of her suggestion. She had always been the voice of reason, advocating for peaceful solutions and urging Aldric to avoid violence whenever possible. Yet now, she found herself advocating for something she had once vehemently condemned.

Aldric continued, still surprised.

"You’ve been the one to discourage me from taking lives, to frown upon my darker impulses," he remarked, his tone laced with a mix of incredulity and curiosity. "And yet, here you are, advocating for such drastic measures in the name of the greater good."

Despite her embarrassment, Islinda met Aldric’s gaze with a steely resolve, her blush slowly fading as she squared her shoulders. "Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good," she replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering of her heart. "Even if it means crossing lines we never thought we would."

Aldric regarded her with newfound respect, a glimmer of admiration shining in his eyes. "You’ve certainly changed, Islinda Grace Remington," he remarked, a note of approval evident in his voice. "Perhaps it’s time for me to reconsider my own stance on matters of morality. This realm is not black and white after all. So to say, I took your advice after all."

"What?" Islinda was confused.

"Karle may be my uncle, but that wasn’t the reason," Aldric explained, his tone serious. "You once said there are other ways to bring about justice than through bloodshed and I listened. Shouldn’t you be happy?"

Of course, Islinda would have been happy in other circumstances that he had spared Karle, his own uncle, but then, the Fae deserved to pay for what he did to the Winter Faeries. Or has Aldric influenced her to the point she has lost her compassion for her enemies?

Also, there was a depth to Aldric’s eyes that she couldn’t quite decipher, a complexity that both intrigued and unsettled Islinda. Had she truly influenced Aldric with her beliefs, or was there something more at play? She knew Aldric and he was always a step ahead of everyone’s plans. It couldn’t be a coincidence that he veered off course and stumbled a village of destitute Fae and fed them and now has their respect. Aldric was more calculating than she gave him credit for.

"Besides, Karle has more use for me alive than dead. I have bigger plans for him," Aldric stated, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with Islinda. "A cornered animal is quite easy to manipulate. Desperate for survival, it will do whatever it takes to stay alive, even if it means groveling before its predator."

"Karle was once a good Fae before he became this ... . er useless version of himself," Aldric continued, his tone thoughtful. "I don’t intend to remain in the Winter Court forever. This place is too small for my vision, and I refuse to limit myself when there’s a larger and stronger realm like Astaria to conquer. While ending Karle and replacing him might seem like the better alternative, the devil I know is better than the angel I haven’t seen."

Aldric concluded, "I know Karle well enough to predict his actions. He isn’t smart enough to orchestrate my demise, unlike whoever I might put in his place. With him as my puppet, I can control the affairs of the Winter Court and pave the way for my ultimate ambitions."