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

Chapter 460: At first, he was suspicious-surprised, even. But after seeing how some of them interacted with her-the way the younglings flocked to her, their mothers watching with trusting smiles-he began to believe in her place among them.

He was awed by how effortlessly she handled the children. Emeriel would make a wonderful mother.

A pang of longing rose in him, but he quickly squashed it.

Since their encounter two days ago, he had watched her from a distance, quietly following her whenever he had the chance. Now, she tended to the flowers, assisting the slave workers. The contentment on her face as she moved among the blossoms was… mesmerizing. Daemonikai could watch her all day. "Perhaps you should actually talk to her instead of stalking her, Your Grace," Ottai remarked dryly.

Daemonikai shot him a reprimanding look. "That's an undignified thing to say. I do not stalk."

Ottai raised an eyebrow. "Let's see: you followed her from the sick female's house to the woods where she gathered herbs with Livia, then to the training field where she practiced swordplay, and now, to the gardens."

Well, now that Ottai laid it out like that, it did sound a bit like stalking. Not that Daemonikai would ever admit it.

"I merely follow discreetly," he corrected firmly. "I do not stalk."

The fourth ruler smirked. "If you say so."

"Quit it," Daemonikai growled.

"Have you tried apologizing?"

"I have," Daemonikai sighed. Her heartbreak ran deep. He could still vividly recall the raw pain he'd seen in her eyes-the misery, the resolve.

gαℓησν????????s․com brings your imagination alive

"She wants nothing to do with me anymore," he said, his voice thick with bitterness. "It's a wonder she even agreed to return in the first place."

"Oh, that took quite a bit of convincing," Ottai remarked, then shrugged. "She's harder now."

"And stronger," Daemonikai remembered her impressive archery skills and swordplay. Pride swelled within him. His Soulbond was a woman of many talents.

"Pain has a way of changing people," Ottai said quietly. "It starts from the roots, twisting everything until one becomes numb to all that matters."

A sentiment they both understood all too well.

"Only I caused this pain," Daemonikai's jaw tightened. "It was all my fault."

"You did what you thought was best," Ottai offered. "But maybe the separation was necessary. It forced you and Vladya to truly understand what these women mean to your lives. Sometimes, one doesn't realize the value of what they have until it's gone."

"I only hope I haven't lost mine forever."

It was fascinating what coming to terms with oneself could achieve. Now, Daemonikai had made peace with his conflicting emotions. Understanding that pursuing Emeriel didn't betray Evie's memory, he felt most at ease.

Reaching for this new star that was Emeriel was not a transgression. It was a chance at life, at healing.

And for the first time in a long while, the will to live stirred within him. He still had nightmares about that night when he lost it all, and he still thought of them, but instead of wanting to die with them, Daemonikai wished to heal.

.

.

. Message from Noah: Nice Sunday dear readers. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best (ɔO‿=)ɔ ♥

.