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

Chapter 388: Now, Emeriel was a ball of icy anger. A force no one could break through.

And she had become reckless. Throwing herself into dangerous pursuits without a second thought. Hunting games, fight arenas, anything that could provide a thrill or a challenge.

Emeriel had always been someone who felt everything too much, but to survive now, she had learned to feel almost nothing at all. She was stronger. Harder.

Aekeira couldn't say she regretted how things had turned out. Emeriel had to survive. It was that or let the soulbond's agony swallow her whole and spit out her carcass. But still, there were moments… quiet, heart-wrenching moments, where Aekeira missed her sister. The one who used to laugh. To care. To live.

She missed her Em, the one who didn't shield herself behind a wall of ice and anger.

This Emeriel didn't even like to be called Em anymore.

Aekeira glanced at her sister now, standing cold and distant in the moonlit garden. It wasn't the same woman she had grown up with, and Aekeira wondered if she would ever see that side of Emeriel again.

But at least she was alive. That had to be enough.

Leaves rustled behind them. Two soldiers appeared. "Your Highnesses," one intoned, "forgive my intrusion, but the King requests your presence in his study."

"Come on," Emeriel turned and followed them. Aekeira pushed her saddening thoughts away and trailed behind.

King Orestus sat alone in his study, reading glasses perched at the bridge of his nose. His desk was cluttered with scrolls while he scribbled on a parchment. At their arrival, he raised his head, his gaze settling on Emeriel first.

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"You're here," he set the quill aside. "I heard about the hunt. You caught the biggest kill again, Emeriel. Good job."

Emeriel bowed stiffly. "Your Majesty."

"Word has reached me that you were trying to join the tournaments for tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty. But the spaces were filled. I should have asked earlier."

Aekeira bit the inside of her cheek hard until she tasted the metallic tang of blood. She remembered the last tournament. Emeriel had taken second place but had returned with countless bruises and a fever so severe it took days to break.

At its peak, Emeriel had cried out for the grand king, her delirious sobs echoing through the halls. The fever had broken, leaving in its wake only bitter memories. That was a year ago.

"The scholars will be here tomorrow," King Orestus addressed Aekeira. "Is your noon free? If it's not, I can arrange for a postponement-"

"Why do you treat us so?" Emeriel's voice cut through, asking the very question that had plagued Aekeira immensely.

"Which way, dear?"

"This way," Emeriel gestured between them. "Like we are actual humans instead of some toys to be passed around to every minister with the fattest coin."

The king's eyes went cold.

"I can't count how many times you whipped me for interrupting court proceedings growing up," Emeriel stated calmly. "Or how many times you forced Aekeira to teach the scholars, even when she had no food in her belly. Even as a male, you never let me join the tournaments. 'You're too feminine,' you'd say. 'You're a laughingstock.'" She mimicked. "'You will be worth more on your back than in the fields.' Do you remember, Your Highness?"

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