Mated To The Cruel Prince
Chapter 96: The Color Of Jealousy

Chapter 96: The Color Of Jealousy

Soul mates.

That intense connection where both two people feel deeply drawn together as if they were somehow destined to be.

Islinda was not a believer in fate, not after her father had died. She had prayed so much to the gods to keep him alive. Her father was a good person, he didn’t deserve to go and yet he died. Why did he have to die? Why did her life have to be so miserable?

Islinda hated fate. She hated her destiny. She was no believer.... until Valerie. They had met in the weirdest of circumstances and grew an impossible love. A love that transcends borders. If it wasn’t fate, Islinda couldn’t tell what else sent Valerie her way.

And now, her soul seemed to recognize him even before her eyes fell on the breathtaking Fae standing at the top of the stairway that spiraled into the grand ballroom, the breath knocked out of her lungs. Islinda’s feet carried her forward even before she realized what she was doing, only stopping when she couldn’t go further with the crowd of Faeries blocking her path.

Unlike Aldric who was dressed in black like an angel of death, Valerie was a huge contrast and he basked in the glory. Valerie’s long jacket was golden yellow, the color of flame and magic must have been used in the design because the edge was alight, but the fire didn’t grow further nor stutter. Aldric was right, Valerie does love the attention.

Islinda couldn’t help but stare at the prince she had positively been in a relationship with before he left. The Valerie she knew in the human realm and the Valerie she saw right now were opposites. He must have been holding back before because his aura now exuded a combination of power and sophistication, captivating those around him. He looked majestic, regal, confident, and haughty.

Yet that didn’t erase her affection for her and when his eyes roved the room, her pulse raced and she waited with great anticipation for him to notice her. Each second felt like an eternity and Islinda would have lifted a sign over her head to get his attention if she had one.

However, just as their eyes were about to make contact, Islinda saw someone touch his shoulder from the corner of her eyes and Valerie turned at once, smiling at the Fae when he recognized t

her and her heart stuttered.

Jealousy reared its head like an angry beast inside of Islinda as she stared at the female Fae staring at Valerie, her Valerie, with so much adoration.

Who was she?

Wait a minute, was this why Valerie did not take her to the Fae realm with him? He had another woman all this while?

Perhaps, it was because Islinda was standing on tiptoes to catch a view of the annoyingly beautiful female Fae

- because the Fae’s were too damn tall - but Aldric appeared, leaning over her shoulder,

"I thought you would be running into the arms of the love of your life but you didn’t. What’s holding you back....?" He trailed off, following the line of her sight.

"Oh," Aldric said, drawing Islinda’s attention because she felt the word carried so much information.

She turned to him.

Aldric stared back at her.

Islinda realized how close they were and there was that devilish glint in his eyes.

"Who is she?" She demanded information.

Aldric’s lips curled, "Jealousy is a fine color on you. Color green." He laughed.

Islinda glared at him with blazing intensity, the bastard was mocking her. How she wished she could wrap her hands around his neck and strangle him to death. Islinda was sure the Fae realm would thank her for the sacrifice.

When the intensity of her glare became too much to bear, Aldric cleared his throat and straightened up.

"She’s the Fae Queen."

"Fae Queen ?"

"Queen Maeve is the current queen of the kingdom of Astaria and precisely, Valerie’s mother."

"W-what?!" Islinda shouted, drawing the attention of the few Faeries around who gave her disdainful looks, thankfully they went back to ogling their radiant prince Valerie. It wasn’t until now that Islinda realized she had so much competition - and she wasn’t confident of winning.

"T-that woman, no, Fae, is... Valerie’s mother... how? She’s no younger... " Islinda spluttered, turning back to catch a view of the Fae now descending the stairs hand in hand with Valerie while the Faeries cheered on.

Islinda must not have been thinking straight earlier because now she looked at their interaction, it was innocent. Not to mention the similarities between the both of them, Valerie took after his mother. But Queen Maeve might as well look like a sister than a mother to Valerie. The stunning Fae was her mother-in-law.

No, Islinda couldn’t think too far yet. She means, how could she walk up to the Fae and introduce herself as her brother’s, a-hem, excuse her, no, her son’s human lover? Islinda lost her confidence. Perhaps Valerie was right in leaving her in the human realm, she was not cut out for this. Prince Valerie was out of her league.

Disappointment lined her face as her head dropped, "I cannot do this." She told Aldric.

But he chuckled in a way that made the hairs on her arms stand on edge.

"I’m sorry, Islinda, but you don’t make the choice here, nor are you ruining my plans tonight." He said with a chill in his voice.

"Y-you..." Islinda swallowed, "Why are you so desperate and intent on me meeting Valerie tonight? What are you planning?"

He tilted his head, "Don’t worry, you’d find out soon."

Without warning, Aldric turned her to face the crowd and with a wave of his hand, delivered a blast of black magic that pushed people to the sides so there was an instant path created for her. At the same time, as quick as lightning, he pushed her forward and Islinda stumbled forward with no chance of breaking her fall.

Considering the distance between her and Valerie, Islinda should have fallen already but she kept going as if she was slipping on a wet surface. But she knew deep down that Aldric must have used his wretched magic on her because it landed her directly in Valerie’s arms.

She ran into him and Valerie caught her. He wrapped his arms around her waist to steady her as they stared into each other’s eyes and the world seemed to fade around them.

They were falling in love all over again.