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

Chapter 577: "I helped you plant the false memory in the drunk child's mind, making him believe he gave away the secret of your people to the humans, which led to the attack. I helped you bring down your own kingdom." The mage paused, his unseen eyes boring into Zaiper. "And now you request mind disintegration for Urai's First Ruler?"

"Yes," Zaiper hissed, impatient.

"The girl's life and my arm should suffice," the mage said. "My arm will be paralyzed for a month if the magic succeeds. But after this, we are even. If you desire any further spells, you must meet the requirements."

"Deal!" Zaiper crowed, practically bouncing on his feet, almost unhinged in his delight. "Alright," the mage's voice was an ominous echo. "If the magic succeeds, in a few days, His Majesty the First, the mighty and supreme sovereign ruler of Urai, His Grace, Grand King Daemonikai, will lose his mind."

Two Days Later

PRINCESS EMERIEL

She knocked once before opening the door to her sister's bedchamber, only to freeze in her tracks. They sprang apart-or rather, Aekeira did-leaping out of Grand Lord Vladya's embrace as if his touch had suddenly burned her. They had been kissing.

"Em!" Aekeira's face was bright red. She looked both thrilled and flustered.

"That's me," Emeriel replied with a gentle smile, trying to ease the awkwardness. "Forgive my intrusion. I should have waited for an invitation. I didn't know I'd be interrupting…"

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"No, no, it's quite alright!" Aekeira hurried forward, embracing her sister with a quick hug. "It's wonderful to see you. How are you?"

This was the same question Aekeira had asked upon their return to the fortress the previous day. Despite Emeriel's reassurances, her sister's worry remained.

"I'm well, truly," Emeriel insisted, then turned to the third ruler with a respectful curtsy. "Your Highness."

"Princess." Lord Vladya inclined his head in acknowledgment, his usual composure firmly in place. "Has Daemonikai returned from the training grounds?"

"Not yet." Emeriel tried to keep the longing out of her voice.

Her grand king had been absent since dawn, leaving Emeriel to fill the hours tending the gardens and overseeing the planting of new crops. She had returned to the fortress only to hear he still hadn't come back from training. She missed him terribly.

"He should return soon," Lord Vladya said. "Enjoy your sister's company in the meantime. I shall take my leave." He clasped his hands behind his back, and Emeriel's eyes widened in surprise.

"Lord Vladya, your hand…" she gasped, unable to contain her astonishment. The hand that had been trapped in its beast form was now whole and fully restored.

"Indeed." Vladya raised his restored hand, examining it with a genuine smile.

The smile was more startling than the healed hand itself. Emeriel could not recall ever seeing a smile on his face that wasn't a sneer or a smirk. It was… pleasant.

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