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

Chapter 530: "I haven't even crossed the mountain yet, and I already miss him so much." She turned, tracing the path they had walked. "It's been a full day since I saw him, and all I want is to be with him, to spend the rest of the day in his presence." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "How do I live without him, Lord Ottai?"

"No one can answer that question but you, dear child." He gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

"I don't want to live without him. I don't want to go back to the hell of living without him again." A choked, shaky laugh broke from her lips as she swiped at her eyes. "I thought leaving was the answer-that I wouldn't survive if he broke my heart again. But now that I've thought about it… the truth is, I cannot survive a future without him in it."

Lord Ottai's gaze softened, and he tilted his head. "Have you ever told him that?" "I'm too afraid…" Emeriel looked down at her hand in his, her voice barely above a whisper. "Terrified it'll be thrown back in my face."

"Sometimes, the best solution is to step beyond that fear. To take a single step of courage. Because what truly hurts is not trying, but giving up," Lord Ottai said.

"Riel."

Emeriel's head shot up at that deep, unmistakable voice, her breath catching painfully in her chest. Had she heard that right?

"He's behind me, isn't he?" she whispered shakily.

"Yes, he is."

"Lord Ottai…"

"This time, tell him everything. No running. No holding back. Face him and pour out your heart."

Hope unfurled in her chest. Just hearing King Daemonikai's voice had lifted some of the crushing weight off her heart. His presence alone made it easier to breathe.

I've been fighting a lost cause all this time, haven't I?

"Riel, look at me."

Her heart stuttered as she looked up at Lord Ottai.

"I'll leave you two to talk." Ottai released her hand and stepped back. With her tear-streaked face and trembling breaths, Emeriel turned to face him.

Weak-kneed, she stepped forward, her gaze meeting King Daemonikai's. "I c-can't do it," she choked out. "I can't l-leave."

He stood there, tense, his expression tight with an underlying pain. He didn't move, didn't close the distance between them.

So Emeriel took that step. Then another. Closing the space until only the faintest breath separated them.

She tilted her head up to him, tears rolling down unchecked. "I don't want to leave." Letting out a heart-wrenching sob, she shook her head vigorously. "I don't w-want to lose you. Not again."

His hard eyes softened for a fleeting moment before flickering away.

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