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

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Chapter 24

"Where is he?" Lord Vladya asked, quickening his pace as he descended the stairs.

"He is at the sixth square, Your Highness," replied Yaz, his head soldier, keeping stride. "The people have gathered there. It is quite a crowd."

Lord Vladya clenched his teeth, striding forward with purpose. Servants and maids scrambled out of his way as soon as they saw him.

Turning a corner, his sharp eyes caught sight of Lord Ottai approaching from the opposite direction with his own group of soldiers. The grim expression on Ottai's face mirrored Vladya's Zaiper has gathered the people at the square," Ottai announced as they drew closer, his tone edged with frustration. "He is informing them about the beast's escape last night."

"So I have heard," Vladya stated, his voice clipped. "This must be stopped."

"What is wrong with Zaiper? This is a matter for the court, not the public." Ottai's brow furrowed. "Why would he do such a thing?"

"It is clear he is trying to gain more support."

The two walked together toward the square. Lord Vladya shook his head. "Lately, he has grown desperate for the throne."

When they reached the sixth square, a large crowd had already formed. Their heightened senses allowed them to hear Zaiper's voice as they approached.

"We cannot keep living in fear. The beast will continue to break free, and more innocent people will be harmed," Zaiper's voice boomed, holding the crowd's attention. "We all loved the grand king. For thousands of years, he was our greatest ruler -the finest the Urekai have ever had."

"Yes! Long live the grand king!" someone in the crowd shouted.

A chorus of voices echoed, "Long live the grand king!" three times

Zaiper's jaw tensed, his eyes darkening with anger, but he masked it well, flashing his practiced smile.

he said smoothly. "We all cared for our grand king, without question. That is why this tragedy is so painful. None of us would wish the fate of going feral on anyone, even our enemies. The grand king's mind has been lost for five centuries, replaced by the instincts of a predator. One

But we cannot always succeed, for the beast is stronger than most of our defenses," Zaiper continued, his voice carrying through the square. "As you all know, lives are lost every time the beast escapes. Can we allow this

crowd murmured softly, their fear clear, but

king who had ruled with kindness and brought peace to their lands. The same Urekai who despised and hunted all ferals

for centuries, they stood united in

have to face the

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Chapter 24

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Lord Zeper, Lord Otial Interjected, drawing all eyes as he stepped onto the podium. The people have the

inurmurs

correct, Grand Lord Ottai. But how can they decide when they are kept in the dark? Most of them do not know that, ust last night during the festival, the beast escaped again." Gasps spread

have happened if we had been too late-or made a

horror, and the murmurs turned to

"May Ukrae protect us."

"By the gods...!"

festival. I could have been

for the court. As Lord Zaiper mentioned, the beast was contained, and no harm came to anyone. He directed

right to know when their lives are at risk," Zaiper countered, his eyes shining

died that night if not for him. We are alive because of

"Yes!" the crowd shouted.

us!" the woman added

"Yes!" they chorused.

ready

crowd broke into uproarious cheers of agreement, clapping their

of it, Lord Vladya

spinning his web of influence

They weren't ready yet.