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."

ground beneath them began to tremble. Subtle at

in intensity...rumbling carrying through

Nervous murmurs rippled through the

sharply. "What's going

out of the square, their eyes

had appeared. Brighter than any other, its light pulsing faintly like a living

freezing. "Is

not help it, his lips curved into a smile. A broad smile of disbelief

is waking," Vladya

turned to shouts as people pointed skyward, their voices filled with wonder and

repeated, his heart thudding. "Finally.

were

the festival ending

had expected. Voices carried across the grounds as families gathered their belongings while the guards

sky, his face softening. Vladya approached him, Ottai following closely behind, both

looks

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

it had when he woke

This is good," Ottai clapped a firm hand on

people return home safely and quickly." Daemonikai cut in. "Then

"Knowing the Old Lady, the fortress will be her first

they got

....

wild and untamed,

taken flight. The winds howled

vortex that tore through the trees, tearing leaves from their branches. Lifting grasses from

the cave,

every surface, undisturbed

vast and eerie, lined with

with cryptic symbols that glowed faintly in