Page 105 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

"Oh, Ukrae, what's going on!? We must flee!"

The grand lords exchanged glances.

Lord Ottai approached Grand Lord Vladya. "Most of our people are here tonight. It would be a massacre!" Desperation etched his face. "What should we do?"

"I don't know,” Grand Lord Vladya replied. “But we mustnotrun or attempt to escape."

Grand Lord Vladya stepped forward, addressing everyone. "King Daemonikai's beast has broken free from the forbidden chambers. We—"

Gasps filled the air, the scent of fear becoming so overpowering it was almost tangible.

"Listen to me!" Grand Lord Vladya barked, and instantly, silence fell. "The beast is already loose, and if you try to flee, it will kill anything in its path. You are Urekai; you understand how our beasts operate. You know whatnotto do. Do NOT provoke the predator."

Heads nodded quickly, eyes wide with fear.

Grand Lord Vladya continued, "Do not run. No one moves from their position, do you hear me!?" He gave a pointed look to Aekeira, who was already hurrying toward the center of the Court where Emeriel stood.

Aekeira let out a distressed cry but returned to her previous position, casting her brother a helpless glance.

Another thunderous roar filled the air, this time closer. The beast seemed to be moving with alarming speed, and its destination...

"It's coming here. And it's approaching fast," Lord Ottai stated, exchanging a look of understanding with Lord Vladya.

Lord Zaiper stood tall. "I could try to stop him. Move to the door and—"

Lord Ottai gave a dismissive snort. "This is not the time to play hero, Zaiper. Facing that beast on a night like this, under a half-moon, you would not stand a chance. All you would succeed in doing is angering him further, and you know what a furious feral does?" He paused. "It kills everything in its path. Our people are already in danger. We do NOT need to put them at further risk."

Lord Zaiper's expression twisted with anger as he glared at Ottai. "Curse you, Ottai. Are you implying I am weak?"

Ottai took a deep breath, his voice calm. "You know I'm not—"

"We all know you're practically itching to fight the beast again," Vladya fixed Zaiper with a pointed gaze. "Your pride was wounded the last time, and you want to prove yourself—we get that. But I highly advise against attempting it tonight. You would only make a fool of yourself. Even with a firearm loaded with the deadliest poison known to our kind, you couldn't kill him. Whatever makes you think you would succeed tonight?"

Shame and rage flushed Zaiper's cheeks. "You bastard."

"Let's focus on saving our people, shall we?" Vladya didn't flinch. “Your obsession with killing the beast can wait."

A loud snarl echoed. This time, muchmuchcloser.

Mistress Sinai approached them, fear etched across her face, yet trying to appear brave. "I could try to calm him down. Perhaps bloodfeeding him could—"

"That's not going to happen. Daemonikai didn't care much for you even when he was himself, remember?" Vladya snapped, his eyes blazing. "Without the bloodlust driving him, his feral beast will tear you apart, scatter your remains around this court, and drink your blood for sport."

Mistress Sinai recoiled as if she had been slapped. Her face was ghostly pale as she returned to her seat.

Then, with a force that sent a gust of wind through the court, the grand entrance burst open.

All eyes turned to the beast—from the lords to the privileged, down to the slaves. Everyone remained still, terrified. No one moved a muscle. No one screamed.

The grand lords remained standing, their expressions wary, prepared to defend their people if it came to that, even if it meant sacrificing their own lives.

The beast strode into the Grand High Court, its steps majestic. A low rumble emanated from its throat, causing the ground to tremble under its weight.

Its massive tail wagged menacingly, as if seeking to strike into someone.

Emeriel fought the urge to wet his pants, standing alone at the very center of the court, exposed like a sacrificial lamb. He quickly averted his gaze.

Why was it here?Emeriel appreciated the interruption, but wouldn't a thunderclap have been better than facing this magnificent creature so far from its cage?

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