Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 669: Save The Winter Court

"This is the Gallery of the Ancients, a place where monuments of our past high lords and rulers are recorded and kept for safekeeping," Alwyn announced.

He quickly added, "I would advise not to touch anything. It’s considered a high offense, and touching High Fae artifacts is punishable by death."

Islinda was stunned as she walked into the long, secured corridor lined with statues of past rulers and heroes of the Winter Court. The sight was impossible yet breathtaking. Each statue was carved with exquisite detail, capturing the likenesses and expressions of those immortalized in ice. The air was thick with the weight of history and legacy.

If it hadn’t been for Alwyn’s warning, Islinda would have been tempted to touch and feel them, wondering what material had been used to create such amazing works. Was it just mere ice or other familiar materials found in the human realm?

No material from the human realm could create statues of such likeness. It had to be their magic, their artistry. Islinda was in awe. Alwyn was right: the Winter Court might be harsh, barren, and unforgiving, but it had a splendorous beauty that cut straight to the heart.

Their group seemed to break off, which meant Islinda was free to explore the gallery without the usual surveillance especially from the annoying Kalamazoo. Islinda walked slowly, her footsteps echoing softly in the hall as she admired each and every work.

Each statue seemed to tell a story, and Islinda could feel the presence of these past figures, their legacy heavy in the air. She noticed that even the expressions on the faces of the statues were meticulously crafted, each one conveying a different emotion—pride, wisdom, sorrow, triumph.

"It’s incredible, isn’t it?" Someone whispered into her ears without warning.

"By the gods!" Islinda screamed, nearly jumping out of her skin.

She turned around to see what idiot had given her a heart attack only for her gaze to fall on a grinning Andre.

He laughed, "You are quite jumpy. It’s actually cute."

Islinda gave him a dead glare and he laughed more. "Don’t do that next time!" She snapped.

Andre lifted his hand in mock surrender, "Fine, I promise not to make you scream like a baby the next time." He joked, a hint of a smile still playing across his lips.

Islinda rolled her eyes, then walked ahead, ignoring him and pretending like she didn’t notice that he was following her. Of course, she could never be left alone. It wasn’t until Islinda stumbled upon a stern looking statue that Andre stood beside her.

"General Eryndor," Andre said, noticing the way Islinda stared at the statue with furrowed brows. "I saw him once as a youngling. He waged the biggest battle against the dark Faeries, fighting alongside my father Oberon. He died unfortunately."

Islinda felt a chill run down her spine as she looked up at the statue of Eryndor. Although a mere statue, his eyes seemed to stare straight through her, as if assessing her worthiness to stand in his presence. As if knowing she was hiding a big secret and something more sinister lurked beneath her skin. Something he had dedicated his life to hunting down.

Islinda shuddered and Andre noticed, whispering beside her at that moment, "The craftsmanship, the magic... it’s like they’re still alive, right?"

Andre didn’t get his answer because Islinda moved on. If those statue were somewhat alive as he claimed, then she didn’t want to be near that eerie General Eryndor. He gave her the chills.

As expected, Andre followed after her. He said, "Why do I feel you’re avoiding me?"

"You mean the same way you’re intent on provocating Aldric?" Islinda said, then stopped, looking around her surroundings before leaning closer and whispered urgently, "I asked you for help to uncover my heritage, not cause trouble for me."

Andre’s expression shifted, "Are you talking about the same Aldric who now seems taken with Elena and dumped you like an old doll now he’s bored?" He sneered, the disdain thick in his voice.

Islinda’s eyes widened, "You noticed it?"

"Noticed what?" He frowned, wondering if he was missing out on something, "That he’s abandoned you now that you’re no longer useful to him, yet wouldn’t let you go."

"No that’s not the case... " Islinda ran her hand through her hair, attempting to explain to him. "The thing is....." She looked around again. "I think Elena is using dark magic on Aldric."

"What?!" Andre shouted, only for Islind to quickly cover his mouth with her palm, hitting him on the chest as she chided him, "Quiet!"

She spoke in a hurry, "I cannot exactly tell you the details but the plan is to get evidence of Elena using dark magic. No one believes me at the moment except Ginger and Ailee. Hence it would do you well if you don’t go accusing Elena without evidence. If she knows you suspect her too. She would likely cover up her tracks and make digging up the evidence hard. "

Andre was stunned for a moment before his expression relaxed and he said,"How do you know its not Aldric using dark magic on her instead, using her? In case you haven’t noticed, your lover has the ....." He twirled his finger around his head, "mind control ability."

"No, I’m sure this time. Please, you have to trust me, Andre." Islinda pleaded desperately.

"Fine," He said reluctantly, "Aldric is already dangerous alone when left to his devices, but being controlled by Elena, depending on her ambition, that is a diaster waiting to happen. Not to mention, I have nothing to do here anyway except babysit you. It wouldn’t be so bad having a mystery to solve." Andre said, an excited look on how face.

"Thank you." Islinda said, full of gratitude.

Although she shouldn’t trust any of the Fae princes, Andre had proven to be of help and seemed trustworthy a bit unlike the others. However, it was one more hands on deck to rescue Aldric because Islinda couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant was about to happen, especially with her ominous birthday about to happen.

"We would have to find a way to talk in in privacy." She said.

"It would be a lot harder to arrange with this being the winter court, but it’s not nearly impossible. The only problem being time is..." Andre trailed off when Kalamazoo came into view.

Islinda saw him coming too and composed herself, starting a casual conversation with Andre immediately. Kalamazoo gave the both of them suspicious looks but said nothing.

They continued walking only for Islinda to stop before the massive statue of a regal female Fae that stole her breath away.

"Wait, this...." Islinda brows were drawn into a furrow because the statue seemed familiar.

"Queen Nora," Andre answered, sensing the question she was about to ask.

Islinda’s jaw nearly dropped to the ground, her face full of shock. "Aldric’s mother?!" She could not believe it.

"Yes." Andre nodded, "She was the beloved Queen of the winter court, known known for her wisdom and kindness, and her reign was a time of peace and prosperity for the winter people, until she birthed Aldric...."

Islinda was dumbfounded, unable to tear her eyes away from the statue. Although it was a mere statue, but Islinda could tell the queen had been quite a beauty during her time. It was nor clear to Islinda where Aldric had gotten his good looks. While Aldric was a split copy of king Oberon, it was obvious his mother’s good genes had contributed.

Islinda felt a sense of reverence gazing up at the Queen Nora’s statue. The queen’s face was serene, her eyes kind and compassionate. It was clear why she had been so beloved.

"Does Aldric come here often?" Islinda asked out of mere curiosity.

She turned to see Andre stare at Kalamazoo, awaiting an answer since he wasn’t part of the winter court and just arrived.

"I have no idea." Kalamazoo grumbled, gesturing at his features, saying sarcastically, "I don’t look like a winter Fae, do I?"

"He hadn’t." Alwyn answered from behind, causing eveyone to turn towards him.

The Fae stepped forward, his hand tucked behind his back as he said, "Not since he arrived at the winter court."

"Oh. Is that the case." Islinda answered, feeling disappointed.

Why wouldn’t Aldric visit his mother’s statue? If she had a beautifully crafted statue of her father in some secured room, Islinda bet her ass she would visit with every little opportunity she had.

Alwyn stepped forward, reverence in his eyes as he stared at the statue of Queen Nova , saying to them, "Queen Nova’s statue was specifically made under orders from King Oberon." He then turned to Islinda and said, "Maybe you can convince our beloved prince to make a visit?"

"Me?" Islinda was stunned.

"Can’t you?" He lifted a brow.

"I—I’ll try." Islinda stammered, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

Alwyn smiled warmly, "Thank you, Miss Islinda. I’m sure Queen Nova would be proud of you." He looked at the statue with awe, unaware of the turmoil brewing inside Islinda.

Yes, Queen Nova would be more proud of her once she released her son from Elena’s control. Islinda felt the weight of the sudden responsibility on her shoulders. She had to succeed, not just for herself, but for the legacy and future of the Winter Court.