Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - Make A Wrong Decision

They sold part of the meat, Islinda did not know how to feel about that as she stared at the sumptuous meal set before her. Not that she had not seen it coming, but she had desperately hoped that they would be considerate this time. But all she had learned was that her family couldn't change as much as you couldn't remove the stripes off a zebra.

She almost lost her limbs to frostbite - although Valerie was part of the reason, not that they needed to know that - Islinda had hoped they would ration their limited resources as much as they could. But no, the first thing they had done was to sell off half of the meat and buy foodstuffs.

Islinda was not against them buying food items that they would use to cook but they prepared a feast - when there wasn't a cause for celebration - instead of making something simple for breakfast. They couldn't afford such a lascivious lifestyle, especially in this season, Now, the meat that was supposed to last them about two weeks had it been controlled, she would have to thank the gods if it lasted them a week.

Even with the sweet aroma wafting into her nose and teasing her appetite, Islinda's fists were clenched on her thighs beneath the table. She was so angry that she wanted to lash out at them. Islinda wanted to remind their selfish asses that she had put her life on the line to put food on this table and yet they lavish it like this. They mock her effort; assume that it was easy to hunt when none of them couldn't. She nearly died out there.

But even with the strong emotion burning in her chest, she couldn't let it out. If she disrespected Madam Alice, the woman might be so cruel as to throw her out of the house - which wasn't the first time. Islinda was not stupid, she could not survive this winter, nor did she have friends she could stay with.

She was too roughened up for the girls in her village who wanted someone gentle and more "feminine". Someone that they could gossip with about boys, not go hunting within the forest and risk their lives.

The few ones who attempted to come close to her stayed away in the end because of Madam Alice. It was not a secret that her family was shameless and went to the extent of asking favors from her friends without her - Islinda's - knowledge. And just as it is said, one bad egg spoils it all. Everyone avoided them.

"Are you not eating, Islinda? If you want to, I could help you with it." The eldest Remy suggested, grinning at her shamelessly, and revealing brown teeth that were stained with age. And sweets.

There was nothing but disgust and anger on Islinda's face as she swatted her hand away when the stupid sister reached for her plate at the same time. While her heart bled at the resources wasted just to prepare a meal, she was still hungry.

"It's tasty, right? I was the one that cooked it." Lillian declared boldly as if waiting for some sort of praise from her.

As if, Islinda snorted inwardly.  They didn't even acknowledge the fact that she put a meal on their table.

"It is tasty." Islinda gave her a curt response.  Why wouldn't it be tasteful when she could smell the excessive seasonings she had added to the rice before even tasting it? At this rate, Islinda prayed to the gods she wouldn't end up with diarrhea.

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