That Prince Is A Girl: The Vicious King’s Slave Mate Novel

Chapter 156: "Very well." Zaiper's concession was a grudging growl. "Take the boy. The girl stays. That's my final offer." His gaze, cold and calculating, dared Vladya to refuse.

Vladya stiffened, his eyes flickering between the siblings. Emeriel's face was etched with dread, while Aekeira's eyes brimmed with terror.

A choice had to be made. He had come to rescue Emeriel. And he had succeeded in securing the boy. Vladya typically avoided confrontations like this. Zaiper was testing him.

Exceedingly skittish, Vladya believed everyone was challenging his claim to the grand throne. However, he had no desire for the throne and no intention of directly challenging Zaiper's rule. He cared little for whatever Zaiper did. Thus, he should accept the offer and depart. Yet, the same gnawing unease that had gripped him two days ago when Zaiper spoke of Aekeira resurfaced with renewed ferocity. It was a primal instinct, protective and vengeful. No, he did not want Zaiper to have her just yet.

"What is your decision, Lord of Blackstone? You may depart with the boy, but…" Zaiper moved closer to Aekeira, positioning himself behind her, roughly cupping her breast. "But the girl stays. Or you can take the girl while the boy remains. Either way works for me."

"No. I will depart with the boy," Vladya asserted firmly.

"And the girl?"

"I will take her as well. As I said, I am not finished with her. You can have your turn later," Vladya proclaimed, his words dripping with arrogance.

Aekeira's eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and hurt, tears filling them as she locked gazes with Vladya, who met her stare for a fleeting moment.

Unfazed, his expression remained stoic, his face devoid of emotion, as he shifted his attention to Zaiper. "She is still my whore. You can have my leftovers later."

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"I've heard that before," Zaiper hissed, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "But my patience is not infinite. I look forward to sharing. The girl desires me, after all. Remember how eager she was to disrobe for me in court?"

Vladya's eyes darkened, but he offered no response. He turned on his heel and strode toward the exit. "Follow me, slaves," he commanded.

MIXED POV

Emeriel and Aekeira hurried after him, the guards bowing as they passed, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear. They proceeded in tense silence out of Greyrock, Lord Vladya's shoulders stiff, tension emanating from him in waves. Emeriel suddenly wished he could hide his vulnerable sister away, where neither Lord Vladya nor Lord Zaiper could find her.

Even though Emeriel would readily choose Lord Vladya over the monstrous Lord Zaiper, both men posed a threat to Aekeira. And while Lord Zaiper was openly cruel and sadistic, Lord Vladya possessed a darkness within him that chilled Emeriel to the bone.

Emeriel was truly beginning to grasp the gravity of the grand lord's warning about the potential danger to his life.

Upon reaching the southern wing, Lord Vladya stopped and faced them. His gaze bore into Emeriel's, fixing him with a stern look.

"I expressly forbade you to leave Blackstone."

"For-forgive me, Your Majesty," Emeriel stammered. "My sister was in danger, and I-"

"Did you truly believe you could rescue her from Zaiper, Emeriel? When will you understand the reality of your existence in this land? This is Urai, not some human kingdom. You have no power to make anything possible here. You are nothing more than a slave. The lowest rung of the hierarchy. Less than dirt beneath our feet. Lower than a sewer rat."

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