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

Chapter 374: "Sounds like brainwashing and bondage to me," Zaiper deadpanned, raising his goblet to his lips. "I love my freedom, gentlemen. I enjoy it."

Jakal sighed, a long and wistful sound. "I wish I had what you two have. Do you know what my greatest fear is?"

"Get me another flagon!" Gaff shouted, glaring at his empty goblet before glancing at Jakal. "Dying before you get a chance to meet your woman."

"No, that's not it." Jakal hiccupped. "Becoming like Grand Lord Vladya." He grimaced. "No offense, Highness Zaiper."

For the first time that night, Zaiper's face broke into real amusement. "None taken. No one wants to be Vladya. That's the greatest curse a witch could ever put on anyone."

"You mean his string of failed bondings, right?" Belzebob shook his head, sympathy seeping into his tone. "I not only reject that fate for you, Jakal, but it's impossible to surpass his record. The average failed bonding is what, five? The third ruler has tripled that."

"Or quadrupled it," Zaiper added, chuckling. "It's hard to keep track with Vladya."

The others glanced at him, shifting uncomfortably. Clearly, they didn't find it as amusing as he did. Stuck-up fools.

Belzebob sighed. "It's hard to think the Skywakto bloodline will die with him. They are the strongest, right after the grand king's, ugh-" He flinched as Gaff kicked him under the table. Belzebob's eyes widened in alarm. "And… an-and His Highness Zaiper's, of course!" he added quickly, followed by an awkward laugh.

Zaiper's smile had disappeared. He straightened in his seat. "Are you suggesting the Skywakto bloodline is stronger than Dragaxlov?"

"Ignore him. He's drunk," Gaff chuckled nervously.

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"Yeah, ignore me," Belzebob said, clearly flustered. "I'm drunk."

"Everyone knows how strong your bloodline is, Your Highness," Jakal stated. "That's why you are the most feared ruler."

"And the most loved," Gaff added smoothly. "Our people whisper your name with reverence, Your Highness. Unlike Vladya, whom everyone pities. You are undoubtedly the best ruler we could ever ask for."

Zaiper's sharp gaze lingered on each of them, searching for any hint of deceit. But they seemed genuine.

Maybe they were right. Maybe he was the most loved. After all, what's not to love?

His anger faded, replaced by a smug grin. "Come on, let's not spoil the mood with such topics."

The tension around the table dissolved, and the others exhaled in relief, bursting into laughter. Jakal raised his glass high. "A toast-to the peace and continuous prosperity of our land. To Urai!"

"To Urai!" they chorused, clinking their glasses together.

The high lords continued conversing and laughing uproariously, but Zaiper remained quieter, nursing his drink. The joviality did little to ease him.

To think I've lost more of my men this year than in decades… all because of a tiny little human.

It was a good thing the others were too caught up in the drama to investigate who had tried to burn Emeriel. Zaiper might not have given the order himself, but Razarr did. If fingers pointed at Razarr, they pointed at him.

Daemonikai had made sure there would be no investigation by tearing them apart limb by limb and crushing their skulls, making them unidentifiable.

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