Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 594

Chapter 594: Ulterior Motives

As everyone busied themselves with providing aid to the impoverished residents of the Winter court, Aurelia and her staff worked tirelessly to set up a makeshift kitchen and cook an abundance of delicious food to serve the hungry crowd. The aroma of hearty meals filled the air, providing warmth and comfort to those who looked weary and worn from their hardships. The residents, grateful for the gesture of goodwill, called out to others, drawing quite a crowd.

Despite her focus on serving food to the gnarled and shaggy-looking winter Faeries, Islinda couldn’t help but steal glances at Aldric from time to time. She noticed that she wasn’t the only one whose gaze wandered to the dark Fae prince; Elena’s eyes followed him as well.

Elena, skilled at maintaining appearances, attempted to redeem herself after her earlier outburst by assisting the Faeries with a kind demeanor, serving them with sweet smiles and offering soothing words.

Islinda could swear that Elena was like a chameleon, capable of seamlessly transitioning between different personas. One moment, she exuded elegance and refinement befitting her aristocratic status, and the next, she behaved impulsively and uncouthly, such as when she impulsively chased after the child.

However, it was Elena’s intention that Islinda could not figure out. As Valerie’s fiancée, she should have no reason to desire Aldric — a realization that didn’t sit right with Islinda. She caught Elena more than once staring at Aldric, love stuck, while they worked. What does she even see in Aldric? Islinda snorted under her breath.

"Is he your beloved?" the elderly Fae inquired, catching Islinda off guard as she served food.

Islinda blushed, taken aback by the unexpected question. "No," she replied hastily. "He’s not my beloved, or whatever significance that title holds in your kind."

The Fae furrowed her brows, casting a glance at Aldric before returning her gaze to Islinda, who nervously bit her lip. A hint of cunningness flashed in the Fae’s eyes as she tilted her head towards another direction. "Then what about her, is she his beloved?"

Following the Fae’s gesture, Islinda’s eyes landed on Elena. Frustration simmered within her as she sharply retorted, "Of course not! That one has a fiancé!"

The Fae’s lips curved with amusement as she remarked, "So the one with the fiancé is going after your beloved?"

"I already told you he’s not my—!" Islinda’s protest halted as she noticed the Fae’s smile, realizing she had been unnecessarily agitated by a simple question. She sighed, rubbing her temples. "It’s kind of complicated."

"We can uncomplicate it," the Fae offered, tapping the seat beside her, suggesting a conversation. Islinda hesitated, eyeing the Fae with suspicion. However, she reasoned that the Fae likely knew nothing about her, and confiding in a stranger who would forget her after their conversation wouldn’t hurt.

What’s the worst that can happen anyway? Islinda shrugged mentally, then went and sat beside the Fae. She felt a twinge of guilt for letting others do the work while she leisurely sat, but with almost sixty percent of the winter Fae served, she reasoned that the remaining staff could easily finish up.

As Islinda settled in, she pulled the coat closer, relishing its warmth as she removed the gloves Aurelia had given her earlier. Slipping her cold hands into the coat’s pocket, she felt a wave of comfort wash over her.

"That is his coat, isn’t it?" the Fae pointed out, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"Y—yeah," Islinda answered, wondering how the Fae knew. After all, Aldric hadn’t left his name stitched on it, even though the coat seemed far too luxurious for someone like her, a mere human.

As if the Fae could sense her question, she answered while digging into her food, "You smell like him."

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify