Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 756: Her Execution

It was clear to Valerie that everyone in the palace was against him; how else could no one have told him that Islinda was in the palace? Thinking of the hours he could have spent with her if only he hadn’t been sleeping left him in anguish.

Derek had claimed he had no choice, that he — Valerie — needed the rest. However, Valerie couldn’t care less for any sleep even though his body demanded it after nearly burning himself out. If he had known Islinda was around, perhaps she would have kept him company. He couldn’t help but relish the thought of placing his head on her thigh and drifting off to sleep.

It brought back the memories of when they were still together. Being with Islinda was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He had been the happiest then. But now, his life was nothing but misery.

"Islinda, open up. It’s me," he knocked on her door and waited patiently for her to answer.

However, when minutes went by and there was still no movement from the other side, he knocked again. "Islinda, I know that you are in there."

He had heard about the meeting with his father, and it hadn’t been long since she returned. There was no possible way she could be asleep already.

"Just open up," he added, "Please. I just want to see you."

Valerie knew he was a miserable bastard, but he’d rather be a fool for her. Tomorrow was the death duel, and for all he knew, he might not even survive it. If he was going to die tomorrow, he at least needed to see her face one last time. Valerie needed to register the memory in his head. He needed the strength only Islinda could give him.

"Islinda, please... just open up," he moaned, placing his head against the door.

She couldn’t do this to him. She couldn’t turn her back on him when he needed her the most. No, this was all his fault. He had let Aldric poison her mind and turn her against him. This was all on him. If only he had been brave enough to hold onto her hand, perhaps everything wouldn’t have turned out this way.

Valerie was still wallowing in self-pity when the door opened and he nearly fell in, barely managing to catch himself at the last minute. He straightened up, his heart pounding, and met Islinda’s gaze. Huh? His brows furrowed in confusion instantly.

Islinda stood before him, her face partially hidden behind a delicate veil that left only her eyes visible. The rest of her face and neck were covered, the dark fabric contrasting starkly against her skin.

Valerie blinked, trying to make sense of her appearance. There was no occasion in the palace that required such attire, and the sight left him in confusion.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"What? No." Islinda shook her head. "I am not going anywhere."

"Then why are you...?" He couldn’t speak anymore, gesturing over her strange appearance instead.

Islinda quickly formulated a lie to keep her transformation a secret. "I... I caught a cold, Valerie," she said, her voice slightly muffled by the veil. "That’s why I’m covering up. I don’t want to infect anyone."

Valerie’s eyes widened in alarm. "A cold? Have you seen the healer?" he asked, stepping closer to her. "You need to be checked."

Islinda’s heart pounded as she realized the risk of him lifting the veil. If he discovered the truth, it could complicate everything. Hence as reach out to touch her forehead, Islinda instinctively leaned back, avoiding his hand. The movement startled him, and a look of hurt crossed his face.

"I just want to make sure you’re okay," he said, his disappointment palpable as he dropped his hand. "You do know I hate seeing you like this."

"I appreciate your concern but It’s really not that bad, Valerie. Just a little cold. The healer simply said I should rest and stay warm." Islinda said politely, even though her words were all lies.

It honestly surprised her the way she flawlessly lied. The Fae were incapable of lying. But then, she figured out it might have to do with the fact that she was half human. And for that, Islinda was honestly grateful, else she would have been doomed in this situation.

Valerie nodded reluctantly, his eyes still filled with worry. "Alright, but promise me you’ll see the healer if it gets worse."

"I promise," she said, hoping to ease his mind and he hopefully leaves her alone. Except that was not the case.

Valerie’s shoulders relaxed slightly, but that was it, he made no move to leave. The both of them stood there, neither of them speaking, the tension in the air palpable.

Islinda was the first to break the silence. "What are you doing here, Valerie?"

Valerie was about to answer when he saw her beautiful brown eyes become a shade lighter and paused. However, he ignored it, presuming it was a trick of the light or something.

"What happened to your hair?" He asked instead, noticing her lustrous, white hair, "I liked your brown hair better, but you don’t look so bad in this. No...." He swallowed, "You look quite dashing, even with the veil and all." He gestured to his face.

"Well, thank you. Now answer me, Your Highness, Valerie, what are you doing here at this time of the night?" Islinda’s voice was cool, formal, a stark contrast to the warmth she used to show him.

Valerie swallowed hard, his throat dry. He hated when Islinda was being formal with him. He wanted them closer, not distant. But it didn’t seem to be going so well.

"I... I just needed to see you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Tomorrow is the death duel, and I don’t know if I’ll make it. I just... I needed to see you, to remember you, in case..." His voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

"Oh." Islinda said, the fight leaving her. She didn’t know how to deal with this situation. Neither could she keep being harsh to him. Not in this condition.

"Can I hug you?"

"What?" Islinda was taken aback by the request. She shook her head, unsure. "Valerie, you do know that I can’t—"

"It’s just a hug, Islinda. Please." He begged with a vulnerability and desperation in his voice that tugged at Islinda’s heart. Islinda just couldn’t overlook it.

"It’s just a hug, right?" Islinda asked, just to be sure.

"Yes," Valerie affirmed, his eyes pleading. "Just a hug."

Taking a deep breath, Islinda stepped closer to him. "Alright. Just a hug."

Valerie moved towards her slowly, wrapping his arms around her with a gentleness that spoke volumes. Islinda stiffened at first, then gradually relaxed, allowing herself to be held. She could feel the warmth of his body through the layers of clothing and veil, his heartbeat steady against her own racing one.

For a few moments, they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms. Valerie closed his eyes, taking in the scent of her hair, the familiar presence he had missed so much. He wished he could hold onto her forever, but Valerie knew he couldn’t. Not with Aldric out there, and constantly manipulating her.

Islinda’s own heart ached, but that was it. Her time with Valerie was over. If she felt bad about anything, it was the fact that both brothers would try to kill each other tomorrow. And it was all her fault. If she hadn’t appeared, both brothers wouldn’t be fighting over her to the point of death.

While Valerie smoothed his hand down her hair, he leaned in to whisper into her ear, "I’ll set you free from Aldric even if it kills me."

Islinda’s heart sank.

"Valerie, listen to—"

But Valerie abruptly pulled back at that moment, intentionally cutting her off. With his hands lingering on her shoulders, he said to her with thick emotion, "Thank you. That’s all I needed."

He was about to leave when Islinda grabbed his arm. "No, listen to me, if you would agree to give up on the match, I could get Aldric to give up as well. There is still time for the both of you to end this madness."

"Islinda," Valerie whispered, giving her a small, sad smile, "Sweet, naive Islinda." He reached out to touch her cheek and Islinda flinched, thinking he was about to take off her veil, but he placed his big palm on her face instead.

"I’m sorry," he said, "But between Aldric and I, one of us has to die for the other to live." Valerie had already made up his mind.

He let go, turned, and left the room, leaving Islinda standing there, her heart heavy. She watched him go, a silent prayer on her lips, pleading for a miracle from the gods. She wished for Valerie’s safety, as well as Aldric’s.

"Is he gone?" Maxi peered out, glad to see the summer prince was gone.

"What are you waiting for? Come on in and let’s find a way of preserving your life. At this rate, there might be your execution instead of the prince’s death duel tomorrow!"