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

Chapter 413: Silence.

Then, a sudden gust of wind stirred at her back. His warmth enveloped her from behind, his heat like a protective blanket. He's right behind me.

She didn't move, staring ahead, resisting the urge to turn. "I do not have a right to smell like her, do I?"

A pause. And then. "A-Aekeira?"

Ottai's study door burst open with a force that rattled the shelves. "You brought them back here without even thinking to consult me?" Ottai paused mid-scribble, his quill hovering above the parchment, and glanced up calmly. The male was livid.

Ottai half-expected to see smoke rising from Zaiper's ears.

"The last time I checked, I am also a grand lord," Ottai said evenly. "I don't need your permission to do anything."

"You should have told me!" Zaiper barked, his fists clenched at his sides.

Ottai folded the scroll with care and set it aside. "How many decisions have you made over the years without consulting me?"

"Those two were set free. They were sent home! They are not needed here again!"

"I disagree." Ottai was unbothered by his anger. "In fact, the people disagree as well. You should have seen the way they were welcomed. Our people are happy for the breath of hope in these miserable times."

"What do you hope to achieve with this?"

Ottai raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was obvious. Daemonikai and Vladya need their females back."

"This is no place for them," Zaiper snapped, advancing a step. "Send them back home. Now."

ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵘᵖᵈᵃᵗᵉˢ ⁱⁿ ᵍᵃˡⁿᵒᵛᵉˡˢ.ᶜᵒᵐ

Ottai snorted. It had been a long time since he'd seen Zaiper this riled up, and it was satisfying. Very satisfying.

"You told me to do what I do while you do yours. This is what I do." He picked up the scroll and returned it to its place on the shelf.

Then, he turned to face Zaiper again. "And don't even think about taking matters into your own hands, Second Ruler. Yaz and Wegai are now responsible for their protection. They will protect those two with their lives. Any move against them will be met with retaliation."

Ottai hadn't thought it possible for Zaiper to look even more enraged, but the male was full of surprises this morning.

"Maybe it's time we discussed this in court. How you really feel about the grand king and Vladya. How much you'd prefer they never recover. It would make for an interesting topic when everyone learns how much you delight in their struggles. I can already imagine the uproar."

"You have no idea what you're talking about!" Zaiper's voice thundered through the room. "Of course, I want them to recover!"

Ottai snorted again. "Could've fooled me."

Zaiper finally seemed to rein himself in, trying to suppress his anger. "Perhaps the people will have a thing or two to say about all this. How worked up you are over the return of two humans. Tell me, Zaiper," Ottai settled back into his chair, leaned back, and eyed him intently, "Why does it get to you so much? They are, after all, merely harmless humans."

"Why should they affect me?" Zaiper sneered. "Weak, powerless humans, not worth the sand on my feet!"

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