Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 404

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Chapter 404: Told Her Everything

Islinda and Valerie occupied the stone bench, an undeniable thickness of tension hanging in the air. A noticeable space was between them on the bench, and Islinda kept her gaze straight ahead, avoiding eye contact as if fearing her determination would waver. Despite her aversion towards him, a lingering part of her still held a desire, and she was determined to extinguish that flame. The realization was clear – she and Valerie could not be together.

"I’m waiting. Start explaining," Islinda said gruffly, her anger veiled for the moment.

Valerie let out a deep sigh, his breath visible in the cold air. He turned to face her and replied, "I will answer any questions you have, Islinda. Where do you want me to begin?"

"Did you ever truly love me? Was our connection in the human realm real, or was I just a means for you to enjoy your burden? Did I ever really matter to you?" Islinda wanted to ask him. However, when she looked into his eyes, all she could say was, "You told the Faeries that I was merely the human who nursed you back to health, that there was nothing between us. Why did you say that when we both know the truth?" Her eyes searched his desperately, hoping for an answer that held the key to everything.

"I had no choice," Valerie answered, holding her gaze.

Islinda leaned back, disappointed by his response.

Noticing her rejection, Valerie continued, "I never expected to see you that night, Islinda. I thought you were dead."

"Dead?" Islinda frowned, taken aback.

He laughed bitterly, "Did you think I would go back on my words? I promised to come back for you after leaving the human realm, and I did. But then I overheard villagers talking, saying your entire family had perished. So, I assumed..." Valerie trailed off.

"That I was dead," Islinda finished, a note of horror in her voice. "Oh gods, Aldric..." She finally realized that Aldric, the dark Fae prince, had orchestrated the demise of her family, leading to Valerie’s misunderstanding. If only Aldric had not intervened, Valerie would have taken her away that night, and perhaps she would not be in this situation now.

Valerie could see the change in her expression and continued explaining, "So, you can imagine how shocked I was when I saw you with Aldric. I had been planning our future together, and suddenly I was mourning you. I was caught off guard and had to deny our relationship to keep you safe from my mother, as well as protect my crown from Aldric. I was careless, and I forgot that my sadistic brother would stop at nothing to ruin my happiness. He knew what you meant to me and wanted to destroy it. I couldn’t put you in danger, so I denied our connection."

Islinda didn’t know what to say. She had believed all this time that Valerie was ashamed of their relationship because she was human. But now she understood that he was trying to protect her. Conflicting feelings stirred inside her, and her heart ached.