Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 686: Scapegoat

"It’s a lie! She’s lying to you right now!" Islinda shouted, desperation pushing her to defend herself. "I would never harm Aldric! It’s all Elena’s doing, and she’s trying to frame me for it! Do not listen to her!"

Islinda was still screaming at the top of her lungs when the high Fae walked over to her. Before she could get the next words out, a slap cracked through the air, her head whipping from the impact.

"Shut up this instant, human!" the high lord ordered her.

The force of the slap echoed in the room, stunning everyone present. Islinda saw stars and her ears rang like a bell. She had been hit a number of times since she came to the Fae realm but none hurt like this.

Great anger seized her, and she stood rigid for one long moment, the blood throbbing in her temples, and all the hatred and adrenaline rushed through her so sharply she could feel it concentrating in her heart. It was almost as if something inside of her was about to snap. To erupt. To surface and destroy.

Islinda felt it struggling to be out and a wave of fear gripped her. Although she had no idea what it was, Islinda knew she couldn’t let it out. Not here. Not now. She couldn’t let them know. They can’t see her.

It wasn’t until the last minute that Islinda realized that her claws were out and she balled her hands into a fist, trying to brace herself. Her breathing was fast and deep, sweat coating her forehead from the amount of control she was exerting over self.

"I am talking to you human! Answer me!" The high lord barked at her, rousing her to reality.

Islinda was confused. She had no idea what he said; she had been distracted. But seeing his eye blazing with fury, Islinda had no choice but to lower her eyes and said, "Yes, my lord." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

"Good." He seemed satisfied by her answer and did not hit her again, instead muttering under his breath, "I knew you were trouble the time I saw you. Foolish, pathetic human."

Islinda glanced around the room, hoping for a glimmer of support, but found none. There was no sign of a helper, instead the faces that met hers were cold and full of disdain. Elena, especially, wore a triumphant smirk, her eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction.

Aldric, the one who should have been her support, stared at her with cold detachment. There was no affection nor recognition in those eyes. Nothing but distrust, hatred and anger.

It was almost as if she was staring at a different Aldric. One who let her get thrown to the wolves. One who watched as they devoured her. As they tear her to pieces until there was nothing left of her, just bones and a bleeding heart. A heart that bled out for trusting him.

Islinda’s vision blurred with tears of pain and humiliation but she endured it all. She wouldn’t allow herself to fall apart in front of them. She wouldn’t let her last shred of dignity shatter to pieces, not in front of Elena.

"Your accusations are baseless, nor would you address our high lord in such disrespectful manner again. How dare you, a mere useless human, call him by his name. One more word and I’ll have the guards rip out your tongue before even the proper punishment is meted out. Do you understand?," The high lord threatened, his voice a low, dangerous growl.

Islinda, visibly trembling, nodded slowly. She knew the high lord was not kidding about cutting off her tongue. The Fae has always had a morbid fascination for seeing the humans in a distressing position. It entertained them.

As much as she was innocent, Islinda knew it was an impossible task proving her innocence. She had no evidence to expose Elena’s deceit, not to mention she had lost credibility with the Fae. The only thing she could only hope now was they arrested her and put her in a prison, instead of straight to the execution ground.

"You can go on to speak, lady Elena, before the human insults our intelligence with such blatant lies."

"Of course," Elena said smugly, lifting her head high and announcing, "We have as well found evidence of her being responsible for Karle’s death."

"By the gods!" Islinda let out a sharp intake of breath while another round of murmurs broke out among the Faeries again.

Almost immediately, a door opened and a guard came in, carrying a tray. Even from afar, Islinda could recognize the rings, she had seen them so many times on Karle’s fingers. Mia has gone mad. She was framing Karle’s murder on her.

Once the guard carrying the tray approached, Elena reached out and picked one of the rings, lifting it in the air. "Tell me, high Faeries, does this ring not belong to Lord Karle?" she asked.

Elena subtly gestured to the guard, who took the remaining ring to the commanding high lord from earlier. He took it first, lifting it in the air and examining it closely. By the time he was done, he closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, there was a pained look in his eyes. Lord Karle was gone.

The next minister took the ring and repeated the process. Each high Fae in turn confirmed the ring’s ownership. As it went on and on, a palpable heaviness and sorrow filled the hall. The realization of Lord Karle’s demise settled over them like a dark cloud.

Whispers of disbelief and sadness spread among the gathered faeries. Faces that were moments ago stern and composed now bore expressions of loss and despair. Even the most stoic among the Fae couldn’t hide the sorrow etched into their features.

As the final high Fae handed back the ring with a somber nod, the first high lord spoke, his voice heavy with sorrow. "It is true. This ring belongs to Lord Karle. He is no longer with us."

A hush fell over the room. The gravity of the situation was unmistakable. The loss of a lord was not just a personal tragedy but a blow to the entire realm.

Islinda, standing off to the side, watched the scene unfold with a sinking heart. She could already tell what was going to happen next. The Fae would turn their frustration on her. She was about to made an example of — a scapegoat to the others that might attempt such action in the future.

"This is outrageous!" She screamed, unable to hold back anymore, amid the high Fae’s warning. "How are you people so dumb? How does Elena know so much? How can a mere human like me murder your high Fae?! Think about it! You are being fooled right now."