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

us rulers work tirelessly to protect you from the beast. But we cannot always succeed, for the beast is stronger than most of our defenses," Zaiper continued, his voice

murmured softly, their fear clear, but their affection for

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

they stood united in this

day, they would have to face the

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Chapter 24

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all eyes as he stepped onto the podium. The people have the right to decide for themselves how they wish to handle the

nodded in agreement, inurmurs rippling through

in the dark? Most of them do not know that, ust

contain the beast, of course. But imagine what might have happened if we had been too late-or made a mistake-and the beast had

in horror, and the murmurs turned to frightened hatter. Amidst

"May Ukrae protect us."

"By the gods...!"

the festival. I

"This is a matter for the court. As Lord Zaiper mentioned, the beast was contained, and no harm came to anyone. He directed a pointed gaze at Zaiper.

to know when their lives are

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

"Yes!" the crowd shouted.

us!" the woman

"Yes!" they chorused.

are not ready

into uproarious cheers of agreement, clapping

of it, Lord Vladya

web of influence among the people, who held firmly

They weren't ready yet.