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

Chapter 162: Zaiper glared at him.

Vladya met his gaze, unfazed.

"No one here claims his mind is unimpaired, Your Highness," Lord Daryl clarified. "We merely suggest that something is… different. Perhaps we should not rush to eliminate the beast. After all, we have already waited five hundred years. A little more patience would not hurt."

After Lord Daryl resumed his seat, the overseer of financial management stood to address the court. "I concur with Lord Daryl's sentiments, and I also believe that the boy… the human boy taken by the beast should be brought to court for questioning. Why was he chosen? What is the meaning behind it all? Perhaps he holds the answers we seek." Before Zaiper could retort, Vladya's voice sliced through the air, cool and collected. "The boy holds no answers. I have questioned him thoroughly. He is just as baffled as the rest of us."

"The mystery remains, then," the overseer pressed, his resolve growing. "We must tread carefully-"

"What has gotten into you all?" Zaiper's voice boomed through the hall, his fury barely contained. "What happened during the harvest was sheer luck. We narrowly escaped with our lives! Do you truly wish to gamble with your very existence? With the lives of your loved ones, should that beast break free once more?"

"As Lord Daryl mentioned," Zaiper's voice continued impatiently. "We have waited five hundred years. We have gambled with our lives and the lives of our people for far too long. The forbidden chambers may be fortified, but they cannot hold King Daemonikai's beast. It could escape and wreak havoc at any moment! Any moment!" His gaze raked across the assembled lords, piercing their composure. "And what if next time, luck isn't on our side?"

An anxious murmur rippled through the court as the high lords exchanged furtive glances, weariness etched into their faces.

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GRAND LORD VLADYA

Vladya observed in silence, as he always did. Despite his blood boiling and the multitude of thoughts swirling within him, his demeanor betrayed no emotion.

For five centuries, this debate had raged on. Every lord in this court was well aware of his stance regarding the feral creature. Yet, Zaiper always managed to twist the narrative, suggesting Vladya was indifferent to the people's welfare, motivated solely by selfish reasons to keep the beast alive. He was accused of valuing the memory of his deceased best friend over the very lives of his people.

Following Zaiper's accusation two years prior, Vladya ceased defending the issue in court. Not because he cared about Zaiper and the high lords' opinions of him, but because there was a sliver of doubt deep down. Perhaps, just perhaps, there was a kernel of truth to Zaiper's words. Perhaps, in his heart, Vladya did prioritize saving Daemonikai over the lives of his own people. And that thought was unsettling, for despite his outward detachment, Vladya genuinely cared for his people.

"The time has come to do what is necessary," Zaiper declared, his voice carrying an air of finality. "We must kill the beast."

Lord Ottai looked at Vladya with a mixture of pity and sorrow. Vladya ignored him.

A heavy silence fell upon the court.

It was broken by the weary voice of Lord Henry, the overseer of domestic affairs and Merilyn's bondmate. "Even if we were to agree to this… drastic course of action, how do we accomplish it? Your previous attempts to kill the beast proved fruitless. Slaying an alpha zenith's beast is nearly impossible without careful planning and execution."

"Then, we plan, and we execute," Zaiper drawled. "We begin with the Chalice. On the night of the eclipse moon, we perform the ritual to draw the beast out. We will all be weakened, yes, but so will the beast."

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