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

Chapter 398: "It's a matter of great importance. Is your sister on her way?"

"She will not be joining us."

Lord Ottai's face turned sad, but he didn't seem surprised. "Thank you for seeing us. I know it mustn't have been easy for you either."

Aekeira could no longer hold back the question that had plagued her for years. "How is… is he alright?" She had to ask, had to know. "No." The grand lord shook his head. "He is not."

Her breath stuttered, and she stumbled back. Blinking furiously against the sting of tears, Aekeira choked out, "Is he f-feral?"

The hush that followed was unbearable. The look of misery that passed between the two head soldiers was Aekeira's breaking point.

Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a sob.

Tears streamed down her face, blurring her sight. "Oh my heavens…" The words were a ragged cry torn from the deepest part of her soul.

"May I, Your Majesty?" Yaz asked.

"Go ahead, Yaz."

Yaz stepped forward cautiously. "My master is not feral yet. Not completely."

"What does 'not completely' mean?" Aekeira snapped desperately. "He is either feral or he's not."

"It means he's turning, Your Highness. His hand is that of the beast's. There's no changing back," Yaz explained carefully. "I staked out his cave for days and managed to catch a glimpse of him when he came out for food. I'm not sure if it's just his hand or if there are other parts."

Aekeira's legs wobbled with staggering relief. "Usually, the change occurs all at once," Yaz continued. "One takes their beast form and is unable to revert back. But there are rare cases where this happens. When one turns gradually, losing body parts at a time until the change is complete."

"So… he is still… male?" Aekeira couldn't hide the hope in her voice.

"Not exactly," Lord Ottai answered this time.

Aekeira stared at him, her heart sinking.

"When one reaches the turning point, there is nothing quite male left about him. His mind will be completely lost. He wouldn't recognize anything or anyone." The grand lord paused. "Vladya entered that cave one morning and has not emerged in half a year."

Aekeira deflated like a balloon. Cold sweat broke out on her skin.

Half a year?

This is bad. Very bad.

"And the grand king?" she managed to ask.

"May I, Your Highness?" The other head soldier spoke this time.

"Go ahead, Wegai."

Wegai stepped forward. "My master's soul is dying."

Aekeira blinked. "Come again?"

"Over the years after the eclipse moon night, many who lost their bondmates were so aggrieved they either turned feral… or their soul became so hungry, it started dying," Wegai said, his voice grave. "A bond feeds the soul, Your Highness. We had no idea how badly he was barely keeping it together until Princess Emeriel was removed from his life."

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