That Prince Is A Girl The Vicious King's Captive Slave Mate by Kiss Leilani

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Chapter 17

EMERIEL

"What in the sky were you thinking, Emeriel!?" Madam Livia scelled yet again. They had returned to Ackeira's chambers.

"Shouldn't you be in the festival grounds, serving drinks? What were you doing here? Do you always wish to be whipped!? Why do you disobey direct orders?" The older woman's voice brimmed with anger.

Emeriel ignored the prickling sensation in his arm and lowered his head respectfully. "I apologize, Madam Livia. I am aware you specifically instructed me not to see Ackeira, but I could not resist. I needed to see her, to ensure she was safe."

"Do you think it was my idea? Grand Lord Vladya issued that order himself. You do not want to test that male, Emeriel. He would devour you for breakfast and cast you into a lion's den if he so wished. That is the kind of male he is." The older woman huffed. "What were you thinking?"

That was the point. Emeriel was not thinking.

The truth is, he did not regret searching for his sister. Even if Lord Vladya punished him, he still would not regret it.

Absentmindedly, Emeriel scratched his arms, saying nothing.

Madam Livia took a deep breath. "Now go and dress up in your festival uniform. We must proceed to the festival grounds. That is the only favor I can grant you. But if anyone notices you were not there on time and reports it to Lord Vladya, I will not help you evade punishment."

It was more than Emeriel could ask for. "I understand. Thank you, Madam Livia."

As he turned to leave, he scratched his arms again, trying to alleviate the itching. The room felt stiflingly hot. Perhaps he could find some fresh air-

Then, it dawned on him.

No.

The hotness, the itching. The familiar burn in his lower body.

Heat. He was about to go into heat again.

"No, no, no," Emeriel cried out in horror, eyes widening like saucers. He took two steps back, away from Madam Livia. The older woman appeared bewildered. "What is it, Emeriel?"

"No, by the lights, no. Not again." It seemed like just as he had identified the problem, the heat intensified.

hot, wet, and swollen. The prickling sensation focused on his lower belly, causing it to ache intensely. Emeriel

the first wave hit

his body relentlessly. His lower belly contracted so violently he feared something would tear inside him. Clutching his abdomen, he sobbed in agony as the spasms continued. "By the gods..." Madam

as he rode out the wave. Spasms after

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Emeriel apart. O Light, I don't know if I can bear this

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Livia's hand rubbed soothingly against his sides. The pain was simply

the wave finally passed, Emeriel felt

GRAND LORD VLADYA

his duties, it was no surprise that he was running late. As he stepped

had broken free

Gods, not tonight. The fortress was filled with festival-goers, and if the

quickened his steps, hastening from the western quarters toward the southern wings. His soldiers intercepted him halfway, clearly having heard the clamor as

beast has broken free, your

from the southern wing. They must guide them

it too?" Ottai's voice rang out

met at the intersection. Together, they set off

the festival grounds," Ottai said, relief all over his face. "We

enveloped them as they pressed on, exchanging no further words. "Do you think Zaiper was right?" Ottai asked, at

never right, but about

the beast." Ottai drew a deep breath, his tone tinged with sorrow. "We gamble with our people's lives each day, Vladya. If the three of us unite....join forces, employ the

as they veered into the corridor that led to the

it is a difficult decision to make," Ottai continued. "And Ukrae forbid we listen to Zaiper,

that night arrives, Zaiper can do as he pleases-kill the beast or whatever the hades he desires. But until then, I will take no action,"

not be surprised by my response, I have stood firm on

neither do I

past

five hundred years."

Sat, Dec 28

Chapter 17