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

Chapter 487: The earlier ease drained from him, as he growled. "I will not lose her too. I'd rather die than let that happen."

Ottai hid his surprise well. "I never thought I'd hear you speak words like that… for her," he said genuinely.

Daemonikai managed a faint, wry smile. "Neither did I, Ottai." He settled on the bed beside her, his hand gently brushing through her hair.

"One never truly understands what they have until it's almost lost, huh?" Ottai mumbled. "No, that's more fitting for Vladya and Aekeira." Daemonikai's gaze remained on Emeriel, his eyes filled with a depth of emotion Ottai hadn't seen in years. "More like… one doesn't accept what they have until they've freed themselves from the burden of guilt, confronting the pain of their loss rather than hiding from it. One must open their heart, no matter how empty it feels, to truly experience something again."

His eyes met Ottai's. "The truth is, there's still a void in my heart," he admitted, "yet I have never felt more alive. These past few years, I was simply going through the motions of life, methodically. But these recent days, I've felt more whole than I have in so long."

Ottai was mesmerized. "Even without the bond?"

"Even without the bond," Daemonikai repeated with a slow nod.

"What does that tell you, Ottai?"

"That you genuinely care for her." Ottai was deeply touched, his emotions stirred. "I never thought I'd see this day again. I'm… truly glad for you, Your Grace."

Daemonikai looked down at her, a gentle expression on his face. "I want to learn what it means to love again. If she'll allow it, if she'll give us another chance, I hope to fill this hollow place inside me… with feelings for her."

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"Have you told her that?" Ottai asked.

Daemonikai shook his head. "I haven't had the chance. So far, I haven't been very lucky in talking to her. I'm not good with words." His gaze fell to the wound, shadowed and swollen. "But I want to relearn everything. Start from the beginning, just for her. I need her to live, Ottai. I cannot bear to lose her too."

Then, the grand king lowered his head, pressing his lips to the wound, drawing the poison into himself.

Ottai watched as a dark stain spread across Daemonikai's cheek. His face tightened with pain, the poison seeping into him. His hand gripped the sheets so tightly his knuckles turned white.

When he finally lifted his head, his face was pale, a sheen of sweat dampening his brow.

"I got it all," he rasped, his voice hoarse, eyes unfocused. "Now… now she only needs to heal from the wound itself." As he rose, his body swayed.

Ottai immediately moved to his side. "Are you alright?"

Daemonikai raised a hand, stopping him from offering support. "Just a little… unsteady. The poison… it needs time to settle within me." The door opened, and…

Vladya strode back in. As his gaze landed on Daemonikai's face, he hurried closer, his lips pressed into a thin line. "He did it, didn't he?"

"I did," Daemonikai responded softly.

Ottai straightened, pulling away reluctantly. "Faiwick and his apprentice will set out at dawn," he said, his voice resigned. "I'll send word to Mysticaria to expect our men. Just… take care of him, Vladya. Please."

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