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

Chapter 225: "Are you… displeased? That I kept this from you?"

"Displeased?" He shook his head. "No, little one. I understand your reasons. But this is no small secret you carry. You are brave."

Silence settled between them.

"A Soulbond is a precious gift, so rare… a true blessing," he mused. "But…" "But fate has played a cruel trick," Emeriel finished, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "Matching a human to the one male who would rather die than claim one as his mate. Yes, I am aware of the irony."

Lord Herod remained silent for a moment, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

Then, he straightened. "You've had your heats, have you not?" he asked, his gaze sharp. "How have you managed them?"

Emeriel's cheeks flushed crimson. "The beast. He came to me several times. And a few other times, I sought him out in my delirium."

"You took a Urekai in his beast form? A feral one, no less?" Lord Herod winced, his eyes filled with pity. "You were fortunate to be in heat throughout those. It could have been far worse, even for a Siren."

"Yes," she agreed. Emeriel recalled how her poor sister had barely survived her first and only night with the beast, her body bruised and battered. "I was lucky. I was always in heat during those times."

"During all of them? How many heats have you endured?"

"Four," Emeriel admitted, her ears turning red.

"You have already experienced your first full heat, and the grand lords did not notice?" Lord Herod asked incredulously. "How is that possible?"

"No, not a full heat," Emeriel clarified. "Mini-heats."

Read all updates at gⱯlnσvℯls․com

"Four mini-heats!? Four!?" Lord Herod exclaimed.

Emeriel shifted uncomfortably. "From your reaction, I gather that's not normal?"

"It's not abnormal, per se, but it's usually two, at most three, before a full one. Vera never experienced more than two before hers."

"This means your full heat is forthcoming, Emeriel. Trust me, you do not want to be at the fortress when it hits, especially with the grand rulers unaware of your true gender."

She sighed. "Madam Livia, the head maid, said the same thing."

"There's the Lantern Festival tomorrow. Come back the day after, and I'll have my healer examine you. She might be able to predict when your next heat will occur. She's very skilled in these matters. We can discuss how to proceed from there."

"There's no beast anymore, and King Daemonikai is… impossible," Emeriel began hesitantly, her gaze downcast. "So, I was hoping you might… t-take my next heat. Whether it's a mini or a full one."

The high lord shook his head without hesitation. "No, Emeriel, that is not going to happen."

"You are the only lord I trust in this kingdom. I would rather you take it than anyone else. Or multiple others," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I have heard that during a full heat, the female doesn't care how many males mount her, as long as she is knotted repeatedly." Her face burned with embarrassment, but she pressed on. "Better you than some random soldiers in the woods."

"I would never let it come to that, Emeriel, you have my word. Never," Lord Herod declared firmly. "After my healer examines you, we will make arrangements to ensure you are in a safe and secure location for your heat. Even if I do not take it, you will be protected and allowed to choose another male to be with you."

.

.

.