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

Chapter 553: Dale snorted, shaking his head. "If you say so." Leaning back on the bed, he propped his head on his hands. "But tell me, why are you smiling? Don't think I missed that."

Herod chuckled. "I am grateful, that's all. Things are finally starting to look up for my friend."

"Friend?" Dale frowned for a moment before realization dawned on his face. "Oh, you mean the Grand King's Soulbond? The human princess?"

"Uh-huh, that's the one," Herod's smile deepened. Dale knew everything about his father's friendship with Emeriel… Herod had told him the full story years ago.

"Today, the Grand King made an official statement, and my friend even got to address the court," he informed his son, trying to keep his emotions in check, though warmth swelled in his chest. "I still remember vividly how impossible this day seemed two years ago."

"You live dangerously, Father." Dale's voice carried a note of incredulity, a tone Herod had grown used to over the years. "Heavens, of all the females to be friends with, you chose The Ultimate's woman? I'm still amazed by it all."

Imagine the fear I felt when I read your letter detailing everything that happened."

"I told you, it was not like that-"

"Look, I know you're lonely, Father. I get it. But please, refrain from making reckless decisions and taking deadly risks just for companionship."

Herod resisted the urge to roll his eyes, keeping his smile steady.

"Yes, sir," he said lightly, humor dancing in his voice.

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No matter how often he assured Dale that his relationship with Emeriel had been purely platonic, his son remained unconvinced.

Some days, Dale seemed to believe him. On others, he spoke as if expecting the main gates to burst open, the grand king storming in to deliver swift vengeance for daring to befriend his Soulbond.

Herod understood where his son's worries stemmed from, however misplaced they might be.

Dale claimed his return home was purely for business in the city, but Herod did not buy it. Certain his son had come back to keep him company, his arrival had happened only three months after receiving Herod's heartfelt letter.

Glancing at his boy, now reclining with his eyes closed, a deep sense of pride filled Herod.

At three hundred and fifty years old, Dale was every inch the mature, refined gentleman he and Rivera had raised him to be.

Regardless of Dale's reasons for returning, Herod was simply grateful to have him home. As much as he denied it, the loneliness had crept into his life in recent years.

His son's presence made it easier to bear. Just as Emeriel's companionship had once done.

He missed it, he missed her. Missed the ease with which she had once filled the silences.

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