Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 743: Inferiority Complex

"This is actually quite stifling," Azula complained as she was forced into a beautiful dress, the corset squeezing the life out of her lungs.

"You have to keep still, my lady, we are yet to buckle up the rest," said the maidservant serving her.

"What?" Azula was one breath away from ripping the whole thing to pieces. When they asked her to pretend to be like Islinda since she wouldn’t let her out, she had thought it would be a walk through the woods, but now it wasn’t posing to be easy.

Why would anyone want to torture themselves like this? The Fae and their love for torturing themselves in the name of fashion! Left to Azula, she would have put on a flirty outfit with enough freedom to flaunt her body.

Thankfully, Islinda’s body wasn’t so bad. Put on the right outfit and she’d be banging hot. And then, a bit of allure power in the air and no male would be able to take his eyes off her. Quite unfortunate, she wasn’t supposed to draw attention.

The maidservant continued to tighten the corset, oblivious to Azula’s mounting frustration. "My lady, breathe in. We need to ensure you look perfect for the king’s court."

Azula rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Perfect for the king’s court," she muttered. "I’d rather be perfect for causing chaos."

The maidservant gave her a reproachful look but said nothing. Azula sighed, resigning herself to the uncomfortable reality of her situation. Just a little longer, and she would be free. The deal had been sealed magically, hence Aldric could not get out of it even if he wanted to.

She could endure this, Azula reminded herself. As long as they didn’t tell her to breathe in further, because the next breath she would be taking would be none! It seems they were planning to send her back to hell without trying hard. Or perhaps, this was Aldric’s plan.

Almost as if she had conjured him out of thin air, Aldric appeared at that moment, a brooding look on his face. He had been like that since the king’s men came for Islinda. It was quite cute actually, and Azula had to applaud his loyalty to the human.

She couldn’t help but wonder why Aldric had been shitty to Islinda in the past only to suddenly be devoted to her. Perhaps now that she was gone, he finally realized her worth in his life. After all, most people don’t know what they have until they lose it.

To be honest, Azula was so touched she had been tempted to let Islinda out, if only for a moment. However, her past experience with the Fae had taught her not to trust. They would always go back on their word and she would suffer the consequences.

"Is everything ready?" Aldric asked, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.

"Yes, everything is so fantastic!" Azula said sarcastically, trying to ignore the tightness of the corset.

Aldric lifted a brow at her attitude, his gaze lingering on her and taking in her appearance. If he remembered clearly, Islinda had not been a fan of corsets either.

Her reaction was so akin to Islinda, he couldn’t help but watch. Azula held onto the walls, her hands clenched so tightly as if she were about to fight a hard battle when it was simply putting on a corset. Her lips were pressed together in a mean moue, and the scene was so cute that the ghost of a smile appeared on Aldric’s lips until he caught himself at the last minute.

"Having fun?" Azula muttered, catching the brief flicker of amusement in his eyes.

Aldric cleared his throat, his expression returning to its usual sternness. "Just behave when you get there. If you slip up, it could mean Islinda’s life." He reminded her, coldly. "And yours."

"I know," Azula replied, rolling her eyes. "You don’t need to remind me every five minutes. I’ll play the perfect little human." It didn’t help that Aldric was annoying at a moment like this, especially as the maidservant tightened the corset even more causing her to wince.

"Though I still don’t see why anyone would willingly wear this torture device to see the king." Azula said, breathing hard.

"Incase it comforts you, Islinda hated it too. But of you are similar in quite a way." Aldric’s lips twitched, wondering why he was even telling her this.

"I am nothing like Islinda." Azula seemed offended at the comparison, her eyes flashing with indignation.

A scowl appeared on Aldric’s face. "Nobody said that."

"I am better than her," she retorted, her tone sharp and defensive.

"You talk like someone with an inferiority complex. Don’t tell me you are jealous of Islinda?" Aldric challenged, his gaze steady and probing.

"What?!" Azula was shell-shocked by Aldric’s accusation. For the first time since he had known her, her gaze darkened like a storm as she said, "I own this body, I am better than—"

Her expression changed at that minute, and Aldric watched with narrowed brows. She almost looked sick, her defiance giving way to something more vulnerable.

"Azula?" Aldric stepped closer, his tone softer but still wary. "What’s wrong?"

Azula clutched her chest, her breath coming in short gasps. "I... can’t breathe," she wheezed, her face paling.

Aldric’s eyes widened, realizing the severity of the situation. Without a second thought, his claws extended, and he swiftly slashed the corset strings where they were knotted. The fabric tore apart, and Azula let out a relieved breath, her body relaxing instantly.

The move startled the handmaiden, who cried out in dismay, "You’ve ruined the dress, your highness! That corset was made —"

"Enough!" Aldric’s glare silenced her immediately. "Get something more appropriate, and without a corset," he commanded, his voice cold and authoritative. "Islinda can only visit the king if she’s alive."

The handmaiden hesitated, her eyes darting between Aldric and the remnants of the dress. But she quickly nodded, rushing out of the room to find something suitable.

Azula slumped against the wall, still catching her breath. "Thank you dark Fae scum," she complimented him playfully.

Azula slumped against the wall, still catching her breath. "Thank you, dark Fae scum," she complimented him playfully, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Aldric frowned, not appreciating the nickname, but his annoyance was short-lived. He suddenly realized that cutting the corset had left the dress hanging loosely, exposing Azula’s shoulders and more. Not to mention, it was just the two of them alone in the room, the maid having left to fetch a new outfit.