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

Chapter 412: "You have not changed, mistress. You are still the same loud, annoying woman who sticks herself where she has no right to be," Emeriel said.

Sinai's nostrils flared. What did she just say to me? "What did you just say to me!?"

"I don't answer to you. Not now, not ever," Emeriel continued in a steady, completely unbothered tone. "And I would appreciate it if you kept your hands off me."

"Have you LOST YOUR MIND!?" Sinai screamed. "Always the noisemaker," Emeriel merely said. "You stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours. Keep your hands off me, mistress. I'm not here for drama."

Sinai was too dumbfounded to speak.

Emeriel squared her shoulders, staring Sinai down. "I hope we do not run into each other in the future, Mistress." Then, she whirled around and walked away.

PRINCESS AEKEIRA

She stood in front of the cave, dawn breaking around her. She stared into the yawning black. "Are you sure he's in there?"

Yaz gave a solemn nod. "He's been here for months. It's unlikely he left during my absence."

"You said you have never been inside? Not even once?"

"Yes. He forbade it. Threatened to rip apart anyone who dared," a muscle ticked in his jaw. "Lord Vladya doesn't want to be seen like this. He came here to die, your highness."

Aekeira flushed. "Why do you call me that?"

"That's what you are, is it not?"

"It is." She glanced back at the cave entrance. "But you always called me 'Slave.' Hearing you address me differently now feels… strange. Please, call me Aekeira."

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Yaz seemed to consider this as she ventured into the cave. Jagged rocks jutted from the ground and walls; the deeper she went, the narrower the path became.

Aekeira glanced down at her extravagant attire, wishing she had worn something simpler for this. The few clothes she possessed were all equally elaborate.

She lifted the heavy hem of her dress as she climbed over the rocks, her mind already picturing how awkward this was going to get. Perhaps Lord Ottai would supply simpler clothes once she and Emeriel settled in.

The cave stretched on, vast and empty.

The echoes of her footsteps were the only sound accompanying her.

Maybe he really did leave.

Then, she heard it. A low growl from the far side of the cave.

Aekeira hastily erected a mental barrier against the spike of fear that shot through her. You didn't come here to cower.

Squaring her shoulders, she followed the sound. "You should not be here, whoever you are." His voice…

She stilled, swallowing the sob that rose in her throat. Whipping her head around, she searched for the source, but the echoing walls made it impossible to pinpoint its location.

She squinted into the darkness but saw no one.

"Go explore another cave… Wait." Sniff, sniff. Pause. A much louder sniff. "Wretched youngling. How dare you smell like… smell like…"

"A certain human who should be halfway across the world right now?" Aekeira offered, still scanning the shadows.

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