Breakfast continued as if nothing had happened, yet an underlying tension lingered in the air. Islinda couldn’t shake the feeling of Gabbi’s scrutinizing gaze, and it wasn’t surprising; after their tense exchange earlier, the human likely suspected sothing was amiss.
The al was delicious and Derek was the only person who did not join them at the table. Islinda found herself harboring a newfound disdain for him. She didn’t consider herself one to hold grudges, but lately, she couldn’t seem to let certain things slide. That damned bodyguard had managed to worm his way onto her blacklist, and she vowed to exact her revenge in due ti.
Prince Wayne was the first to finish his al, a routine occurrence, and he sauntered off to his usual mysterious whereabouts. Islinda wasn’t bothered by his comings and goings, as he always seed to find his way back to her eventually.
He was probably off doing typical cat activities like burying his excrent in the sand or sothing—she had never actually witnessed the feline relieving himself, not even once. It was kind of weird, but then, Prince Wayne was probably far more capable than she gave him credit for.
As breakfast neared its end, Islinda felt it was appropriate to address the thoughts weighing on her mind.
"I’ll be heading to the market once I’m finished here," she inford Valerie.
Valerie paused, lifting his gaze to et hers. "You’re going to the market? Why?" he inquired.
"I didn’t realize I was a prisoner here," Islinda retorted, her tone edged with defiance.
Valerie sighed, setting down his utensils. "You know that’s not what I an, Islinda. I’m just concerned for your safety. Aldric could be out searching for you," he explained.
"No, he won’t find until tomorrow," Islinda stated matter-of-factly.
Valerie froze this ti, his expression serious as he asked, "What do you an by that?" His hands unconsciously balled into fists, betraying his concern.
"I received a ssage from Issac when he visited, and I have just tomorrow to spend outside the walls of Aldric’s castle. My ti here is almost up, and I would like to make the most of it today," Islinda explained, using the impending deadline as a guise for her desire to visit the market.
Valerie was at a loss for words. He couldn’t refuse her request, not without inciting a confrontation. After a mont of intense deliberation, he reluctantly suggested, "You should go with Derek; he would keep you safe."
The subtle change in Islinda’s expression after his suggestion was enough to make Valerie realize he had made a grave mistake.
"Or I could go with her," Gabbi interjected, now keenly aware of the tension between Islinda and Derek.
"And ," Milo added, his hand shooting up in the air imdiately. "I’ll keep her safe," he declared confidently.
Though he had been silent until now, Milo couldn’t pass up the opportunity to protect his new mistress and impress the crown prince, Valerie, whom he idolized.
Islinda rolled her eyes, retorting, "You are the reason I got into trouble the last ti."
"I am a changed soul," Milo claid confidently. "Also, if another scenario like that cos up, I’ll be the one to lay down my life."
"There will be no laying down lives. Also, you are just a kid, Milo," Gabbi argued, attempting to reason with him.
"Fine, you all can co with ," Islinda conceded out of exasperation.
Milo pumped his fist in the air victoriously, while Gabbi reluctantly accepted the outco.
"Except Derek. I would kill that Fae if he cos near ," Islinda made her point clear to Valerie.
Valerie frowned, remarking, "I didn’t realize you were now keen on killing. It seems Aldric’s bad behavior is beginning to rub off on you."
"Only those with nefarious intentions around . And don’t judge Aldric while you’re on your moral high horse when your hands aren’t clean either," Islinda shot back without hesitation.
The room fell silent, and it wasn’t until Valerie flinched and the sumr prince looked wounded that Islinda realized the weight of her words.
"Fuck," she breathed, suddenly wishing she could vanish from the embarrassnt she had caused. All eyes were on her, and she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. Why did she have to defend that son of a sin, Aldric? She felt utterly dood.
"It’s ti I prepared for my departure to the market," Islinda announced, pushing herself to her feet and hastily making her exit, feeling the weight of three pairs of eyes following her every move.
anwhile, back at the palace, Queen Maeve’s displeasure grew upon receiving reports of a certain human’s actions causing a riot at Safe Haven. Just as she had feared, this human was becoming a malignant presence in the realm, and it wouldn’t surprise her if she were to incite a rebellion. Islinda needed to be eliminated swiftly.
"Where is my son, Valerie?" Queen Maeve inquired, her back turned to her handmaiden.
With no imdiate response, Queen Maeve turned to see the answer reflected clearly on the fae’s face.
"I see," she remarked, a wry smile twisting her lips.
Despite all she had done for her son, this was how he chose to repay her, squandering her efforts with his actions. Her efforts!
The handmaiden nearly jumped out of her skin when the queen released an anguished scream, venting her frustration in a sudden outburst. It was an unladylike display for Queen Maeve, but who dared to point that out?
Her eyes ablaze with fury and vengeance, Queen Maeve issued her command with chilling determination. "I don’t care how you do it, but order a hit on Islinda. I want that human dead tonight, by any ans necessary. Use my treasury—I want Islinda’s head brought to !"
anwhile, in another part of the palace, Queen Nirvana’s voice echoed with frustration and impatience as she berated a hooded figure in her chamber.
"What do you an you can’t find Ralphie?!" she yelled.
"He has not been seen since you sent him out on that mission," He replied nervously.
Queen Nirvana scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. "Are you trying to tell that he was unable to kill one harmless human?"
"I have no idea, my queen but it seems so since the human is alive. We just can’t find him or the body," The hooded figure answered, embarrassed.
"In that case, you should go find out, right?" Her grin turned sinister as she plotted her next move. "Kill the human Islinda, do it while Aldric is still held hostage. This is my only opportunity to fra Maeve, so do it today. Kill Islinda by any ans possible."
The hooded figure bowed obediently. "Yes, my queen."
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