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

Chapter 302

When the final robe was secured, Vladya stepped back and gave a small nod.

Daemonikai inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, Grand Lord Vladya."

Under normal circumstances, Vladya would have taken the title as the jest it usually was, but today there was no humor in his voice.

He gave a simple, respectful nod in return. "You're welcome, Your Grace."

The rest of the day passed in much the same way. Daemonikai carried an air of aloof formality that set the tone for the entire ceremony.

Everyone in attendance noticed the shift, though no one dared address it openly. Vladya himself kept a cautious distance.

By evening, as the people feasted and danced to the vibrant music, he finally stepped away from the event square, seeking a moment of quiet. The slaves' performance was energetic, but he found little enjoyment in it as usual.

He hadn't made it far before he heard footsteps behind him.

"What is wrong with His Majesty?" Ottai asked, falling into step beside Vladya. Vladya did not break stride. "I have no idea."

"For days now, he's been giving off this unapproachable air," Ottai continued, concerned. Lowering his tone further, almost a whisper, he added. "Do you think... it has something to do with the return of his madness?"

Vladya stopped abruptly, turning to look at his worried companion. Then his eyes shifted back toward the square, where Daemonikai sat at his grand chair, scribbling something on a scroll.

The grand king's posture was rigid, his focus intense.

"I'm not sure," Vladya admitted finally.

"I worry there may be a rift between him and Emeriel," Ottai voiced out. "I'm worried that what happened in court may just be a front for the people, and that Emeriel never truly forgave him for that night."

"That is a possibility," Vladya conceded.

Ottai sighed. “And you? How is your plan with Princess Aekeira coming along?"

Vladya shook his head as he resumed walking. “I spent all day yesterday in the Royal Library. Going through every document, combing through anything I could find on Soul Returns and Resurrection."

that's good." Ottai was nodding. "So,

"Nothing."

could respond, the ground beneath them began to tremble. Subtle at first. A faint vibration

quickly grew in intensity...rumbling carrying through

wind. Nervous murmurs rippled through the

sharply.

of the square, their eyes lifting to

red star had appeared. Brighter than any

freezing. "Is

help it, his lips curved into a smile. A

is waking," Vladya

tremors grew, and the whispers turned to shouts as people pointed skyward, their

waking," Vladya repeated, his heart thudding. "Finally. Thank the sky and

soldiers were already

people, the festival

grounds as families gathered their belongings while the guards directed

sky, his

what it looks like?" Ottai

is." He looked at Vladya. "She may have an answer for you. An answer on how you

felt. Suddenly, his future looked even brighter than it had when

firm hand on his shoulder. "It's okay

return home safely and quickly." Daemonikai cut in. "Then we will be

glowing red star. "Knowing the Old Lady, the fortress will be her

nodded, and they got to

....

and untamed, lay a strange, secluded cave no one dared to venture

winds howled with an

violently, creating a swirling vortex that tore through the trees, tearing leaves from their branches. Lifting grasses from the

the cave,

surface,

eerie,

cryptic symbols that glowed faintly