Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 624: The Secret Party - 2

Chapter 624: The Secret Party - 2

The room was thick with tension after Zaya left, leaving Ginger and Ailee to face Islinda’s scrutiny. Islinda, arms folded across her chest, tapped her feet impatiently against the ground. The two maidservants stood nervously, exchanging uneasy glances, each waiting for the other to break the silence first.

"So who’s going first? You or her?" Islinda pointed between the both of them with an unsmiling face. It hurt her to think that they hid something as important as Aldric’s welcome party from her. What were they both thinking?

"My lady, it’s not what you think..." Ginger attempted to explain, but Islinda cut her off.

"I don’t need excuses, but answers. Did you intentionally hide the news of the party from me, yes or no?"

Ginger opened her mouth to speak, but Ailee spoke up instead. "We were only obeying his highness, Prince Aldric’s instructions."

"What?" Islinda’s confusion only deepened.

Seeing her confusion, Ginger seized the opportunity to confess and redeem herself. She told Islinda, "Prince Aldric did not want you at the party."

Islinda went speechless, her ears beginning to ring. What did she just hear? Aldric himself had intentionally kept the party from her. But why? Islinda couldn’t understand. He was always the one who took every chance to flaunt his captive human at court. Why then was he suddenly stopping her from attending social events? Was it because it was his court? Was he ashamed of her?

Islinda felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, but she held back the emotions. Aldric was right. This was the Fae realm, not the human realm. She couldn’t keep displaying her weaknesses for all to see. If he was suddenly ashamed to show her to court, perhaps it was because he wanted to gain the favor of his people. But if that was the case, it was his issue to deal with, not hers. She had believed he was different, but now she saw him in a different light. He and Valerie were one and the same—they only needed her to achieve their ulterior motives. She would be a fool to trust either of the Fae princes again.

Ginger and Ailee noticed Islinda retreating into herself, and they each asked with concern in their voices, "My lady, are you okay?"

"I’m fine," Islinda responded, suddenly feeling fatigued. All she wanted was to lay down on the bed and sleep through this despair. It was just one party after all. She wouldn’t die from not being invited to it—even though it made a statement about her role in Aldric’s life. They were not together, after all. Why should it matter if Aldric invited her to his party, even one as important as a welcome party? Islinda had a lot of conflicting thoughts.

However, her maidservants were unimpressed by her answer, and Ailee said, "I understand that you must be frustrated with his decision, my lady, but you should know it’s for your own good. It’s best if no humans attend these events."

"Sure... wait, what?" Islinda was about to retreat to her bed when she suddenly halted, her brows arching up. "What are you talking about? Why is it for my good?"

It suddenly felt like she was missing out on something. Islinda confirmed with the knowing glances Ginger and Ailee exchanged again. So far, they seemed to be speaking in codes, puzzling her further, and Islinda was getting impatient for the truth. Perhaps she had rushed to a conclusion with Aldric’s decision and missed out on a minor detail. Islinda could feel her hope growing, eager to uncover the truth behind their cryptic conversation.

"So, let’s go over from the beginning..." Islinda thought, taking a deep breath and hoping not to make a mistake again. "Now, tell me, why aren’t humans expected at the party?" Islinda asked.

"Because—" both maidservants started at the same time, only to give each other looks.

"Fine, you go first," Ailee said.

"No, you go first," Ginger countered.

"No, I can go later..."

"No, you spoke first..."

"The gods help me..." Islinda groaned, rubbing her forehead where she could feel a headache growing from the constant argument between the two Fae. Sometimes she could swear these creatures behaved like children.

"Enough!" Islinda’s voice boomed, and their argument stopped at once.

With a deeply serious look, Islinda pointed at Ailee. "Now, you go ahead and tell me why humans aren’t invited to the party!" she commanded her.

"Sure," Ailee answered Islinda sweetly, only to make a face at Ginger when she thought Islinda wasn’t looking. Islinda could only shake her head. She found it hard to believe that Aldric called her a child when the two maidservants in charge were way worse.

"It’s because of the orgy, my lady," Ailee revealed, without warning.

"W-what?" Islinda nearly choked on her saliva. Her heart began to race while her face grew hot as she stammered, "W-what orgy are we talking about?"

"Having a High Lord is a big deal, and the return of Prince Aldric to his court demands a big celebration in which most Fae revert to their vile nature. During the welcome party for the high lord, the Fae would surrender to their most primal instincts, indulging in their basest desires. The air would be thick with raw energy as everyone danced, laughed, and engaged in uninhibited revelry. Our senses would be heightened, and instincts at an all-time high, driving us to act on impulses we usually kept in check. Due to the potentially dangerous nature of the festivities, all humans are strongly advised to stay indoors and avoid venturing out into the night."

For over a minute, Islinda was at a loss for words, completely immobilized as she tried to make sense of what Ailee had just shared with her.

"So Aldric would be having an orgy?" Islinda muttered under her breath, frozen with shock.

"Not really... if he wants to ... but it’s expected that —"

Ginger was still saying when Islinda shot up to her feet, suddenly, scaring them.

"That bastard will be having the time of his life while I’ll be stuck in here all night doing nothing?!" Islinda exclaimed, her hands forming into fists.

"My lady, I don’t think you understand —"

"I’ll be going to that party," Islinda declared with unwavering determination.

"What?!" Ginger and Ailee shrieked, dread evident on their faces. "No, my lady!" They both pleaded.

Prince Aldric would have their heads if anything were to happen to the human under their care.

"My lady, please reconsider!" Ginger practically begged, tears welling up in her eyes. While her tears tugged at Islinda’s heartstrings, she had already made up her mind.

"I’ll take total responsibility for whatever happens. Not that anything could happen," Islinda insisted firmly. She can’t die. She won’t die.

Hence, for over an hour, Islinda had to endure the relentless pleas of her two maidservants, who were adamant about advising her not to attend the party. However, Islinda’s resolve matched their persistence, and they eventually gave up when it became clear that nothing they said would dissuade her. In the end, they resigned themselves to finding ways to ensure her "safety" if she insisted on going. At this juncture, their only hope was that Aldric had issued further instructions, perhaps prohibiting Islinda from accessing the entrance.

Islinda wondered how Aldric intended to hide the party from her seeing that by evening, everywhere was simply chaos. Everyone was preparing for the party and bustling with activities. She would have heard the news sooner than later. Islinda was more furious with Aldric that he thought to keep the news from her than telling her the truth.

Perhaps it slipped his mind? A part of Islinda tried to reason, but she wasn’t buying it. Aldric had seen her earlier in the day after the choking incident; he should have explained the nature of the party to her then. Maybe if he had, she could have understood. But the idea of him participating in an orgy was simply impossible for her to comprehend. Yet, Ginger’s words hinted that it might not be necessary for him to engage in such activities. Islinda grew more agitated by the minute as she grappled with these conflicting thoughts, her mind in turmoil as she struggled to make sense of it all.

As night fell, Islinda received a letter from Aldric, explaining the nature of the party and advising her not to attend. He expressed concerns about the volatile nature of the winter court and the potential risks she could face if she were to attend.

"Well, guess who doesn’t need a babysitter," Islinda muttered under her breath with a determined glint in her eyes as she retrieved the box her maidservants had prepared according to her instructions.

Knowing Aldric’s cautious nature, Islinda anticipated that he would not trust her to heed his advice. Similarly, she didn’t trust him to easily grant her access to the party. So she devised a plan with Ginger and Ailee: they would sneak into the party with a group of dancers scheduled to perform later. Their identities would be concealed, and Aldric wouldn’t suspect a thing until it was too late.

An evil grin crept across Islinda’s lips.