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

Chapter 223

That Prince Is A Girl: The Vicious King's Captive Slave Mate Chapter 223

PRINCESS EMERIEL "You're awake," Emeriel breathed, unable to believe her eyes.

King Daemonikai gave a slow, weak nod. "I am." Emeriel shoved down the giddy happiness that rose. "How do you feel?"

"Tired." King Daemonikai rasped. "Dearest."8

Dearest.

He had called her dearest.

"It's me, Emeriel, not..." Not Evielyn. She almost said it, but didn't.

The barest hint of a smile touched his lips. "I know."

O...kay. That was strange.

She had expected to see confusion, maybe even disappointment at being forced to return to a reality he despise. Instead, he looked serene. Almost...happy?

He was awake, alive, and aware. That's all that matters.

Emeriel pulled away, hating how she immediately missed the feel of his body as she rose from the bed. "I'm so glad you're awake. Your people will be overjoyed when they hear the news." Gathering her scattered clothes, she quickly dressed, avoiding his gaze. Her hands trembled slightly as she fastened her garments.

Then, she moved toward the window, tugging open the heavy curtains. Cool air rushed in, along with the soft light of dawn.

The crowd was still there. Humans and Urekai.

"They held a vigil for you," Emeriel said softly, her eyes scanning the kneeling figures. "They were here all night, praying for your safe return." "Good people," he murmured, hoarsely.

"They are. They genuinely love their king."

"Genuine love," the grand king echoed. "I guess that is what every bond is about."

Emeriel glanced over her shoulder to find his intense gaze on her. Her stomach did a series of flips, and butterflies took flight in there.

Okay, time to go.

you every step in the way. This will make him so happy." "And you...are you happy?" King Daemonikai asked in a

Emeriel faltered. She was.

happiness she had experienced in a long time,

He's alive! He's back...!

said to me," the king

surprised. "All

of encouragement." His eyes gazed at her with a rare soft light in them. "You are one of a kind, Emeriel." She

beside him. She had no choice but to move closer to retrieve them. Sliding the cool metal bands over her wrists, Emeriel tried to ignore his closeness, the quiet clink of

took a step away- His hand shot out,

to pull away, but instead, she stood on frozen feets. His hand was gently holding hers, yet firm, as if he too expected her to resist. "Thank you for

you not angry that I did?" Emeriel stared at their joined hands.

again. As if seeing her for the

in his eyes grew brighter. Then, quietly, "I didn't...

much she knew. "Did you hear about the attempt on your

he released her hand, his face hardening. "Ottai

hand. "If you'll excuse me,

"Emeriel?"

of her stomach fluttered again. She paused at

for

ago. It's

later," he said in a low plea.

couldn't have walked

did not return the rest of

Nor the day after.

Grand King Daemonikai's body slowly mended itself, his strength gradually returned. As the

soul was still wounded, but further symptoms of progression had mercifully ceased. No sign of full recovery yet, but they all hoped it

Daemonikai hated most about illnesses was the confinement. Ottai

not to rise until the last of his herbs and

plants, cuts of rare meat. A famine ravaged the land, yet they

Daemonikai had stepped up as the ultimate ruler he was, and

guilt away. Better

had

Their insistence on his complete rest meant he was bound to the bed like a prisoner until he finished the

he was, as the days dragged by, his world revolving