Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 49: See Valerie Before She Dies

Madam Alice would not open the door no matter how hard she knocked and Islinda had to stop when her drama began to attract the neighbors. She didn’t want to go back and live with that devil, rather she was worried about Eli until she couldn’t anymore.

Her stepmother had chased her out empty-handed and must want her dead because there was nothing on her or she must be testing her survival ability in the cold, Islinda dared to joke.

She was barefooted and in nothing but her nightgown from yesterday which could barely ward off the cold. Where was she going to go from this moment on and wait it out till Madam Alice’s anger calmed?

Islinda does not have any friends nor does she want to bother anybody. The last time Madam Alice chased her out of her home when she was younger and thankfully not in the winter season, a kind villager had taken her in and provided her needs for the night. But Madam Alice heard of it, she came to fight her the next day and the case had to be settled in the chief’s place.

Madam Alice claimed it was her right to discipline her unruly stepdaughter and no one had the right to interfere. She turned out making the poor woman regret sheltering her. It took up to three similar situations for the villagers to learn their lesson and stopped helping her. They felt pity for her but none of them could stand against her troublesome stepmother.

This was why Islinda decided she would run away from the village entirely to a place where her aunt’s influence wouldn’t extend and she would never see her. There, she would set up a new identity and live her life without interference from her cruel family. They would be left to sort out their problems, and for once, clean up their mess themselves.

Not to mention Islinda grew up independently and was stubborn, her pride wouldn’t allow her to ask for help from the villagers knowing it might put them in trouble. Also, it was morning, and dressed in this manner would only draw leering looks from men. A bitter tear left her eyes and she laughed without mirth, her stepmother was really unkind. freewebnøvel.com

What does she hope to accomplish by doing this? Does Alice think she would be intimidated and run to Ryder because of this and fulfilling her plans? No, Islinda ground her teeth hard. She would show them all that they could not sway her decision. There was only one place that she was welcome and Islinda thought it a blessing that she would be together with Valerie at least - if she doesn’t die first.

She passed some villagers by and while most seemed to be shocked by her appearance, especially the older women, none of them dared to stop and question her, choosing to mind their business. As expected of men, some took that opportunity to ogle her knowing it was a rare sight since Islinda hardly comes out in public like that. They did not notice the fact she was barefooted and chose to ignore it, fulfilling their debased desire instead.

Rumors would be sure to spread about her, not that she minded. Islinda was not broken, she just couldn’t feel anything inside. Perhaps, that was why she was suicidal enough to think of going to the woods without shoes. But Islinda was determined to achieve the impossible.

There was so much anger and hatred in her heart that it fueled her crazy decision, so she couldn’t feel any pain. She clenched her fists and continued marching forward, not even stopping when shrubs and thorns scratched and stabbed her feet and blood flowed from it.

No, she did not stop.

Not when frostbite took hold of her and compared to other areas of her body, she couldn’t feel her legs anymore; It was numb. Islinda did not stop. Not even when she was trembling like a leaf and looked like she would break down anytime soon. No, she didn’t.

But she prevailed in the end because she found the cottage and a fulfilled smile crossed her features. She did it. Now, she could die in peace. Islinda was barely walking at this point, moving as slowly as a tortoise. Islinda was going to die, she could feel it in her bones - her frozen bones.

The cold got into her lungs and every breath she took felt painful. One would think she was drenched with the way her hair was wet and matted to her skull like a second skin, her lips so blue she looked like death. Perhaps, it was cruel of her to appear before Valerie in her dying moment, but she wanted to see him one last time before she left.

It took her today to realize it but she loves Valerie and though their moment together was short, she would treasure the memories. Islinda stood at the door and barely lifted her hand to knock when it snapped open and she was staring into the face of her handsome lover.

"Hi," She stared at him with the brightest smile.

However, Valerie was horrified by the sight instead and it was portrayed on his face with the way his jaw dropped to the ground and he couldn’t form a word.

"I-Islinda -"

"I love you," Islinda whispered to him, right before her legs gave out and she was falling only for him to catch her, his arms wrapping securely around her waist.

"What is going on?!" Valerie panicked and shook her for a response but Islinda held on to her smile and did not give her the response he wanted.

She reached out a trembling hand and cupped his face, "It was selfish of me to do this but forgive me, I just wanted to see you one more time before I go."

"You are not going anyway," Valerie growled out, already carrying her inside the cottage. "Do not sleep!" He warned her when her eyelid began to droop.

Islinda smiled tiredly, she never thought someone she loves would ever worry for her like this. To be honest, she wanted to hold on a little longer but

exhaustion took over and her eyes closed.