Page 55 of The Princess In A 'Prince' Disguise

He stumbled up the stairs, but a feminine arm wrapped around him.

"What happened to you, Prince Emeriel? Who whipped you?" Amie's figure appeared before him.

"Amie..." he sobbed, his lips parched.

"Say nothing. You do not need to explain. I'll take you to Madam Livia!" she said, supporting him with her arms. Relieved he did not have to find his own way, he allowed Amie to escort him.

An hour later, the pain had somewhat subsided, thanks to whatever Madam Livia had given him. he lay on the bed, topless, while Amie hovered nearby and as Madam Livia mixed some leaves in a bowl.

"You should do your best to avoid Mistress Sinai, Emeriel,” Madam Livia advised. “Do everything you can to avoid becoming her target.".

"I had no idea she had arrived, Madam, I swear. I greeted her as soon as I realized, but according to her, it was already too late." Emeriel recalled the searing pain of the whip slicing into his back as Madam Livia applied herbs to his wounds and wrapped them in cloth. "It may sound absurd, but It felt asthough she specifically targeted me. I have not done anything to incur her grudge or wrath."

Madam Livia remained silent, clearly focused at her work.

"Here, drink this," the woman eventually said, handing Emeriel a cup filled with a bitter concoction.

His face scrunched up, and he promptly returned the empty wooden cup.

"Get some rest. I know you must be tired. I will inform your slavemaster that you have been relieved of your duties for the rest of the day."

Emeriel's eyes widened with surprise. "Are you allowed to do that?" he asked in disbelief. Slaves being whipped was normal. He had never expected to receive any respite from his duties.

"Do not worry about it. Simply get some rest," Madam Livia offered no further explanation.

Grateful for her kindness, Emeriel thanked her. And with a sigh of relief, he allowed his head to rest on the pillow and closed his eyes.

A thought suddenly struck him, causing his eyes to snap open. "I have been meaning to ask you for something," he hesitated, feeling his cheeks grow warm.

"Okay, what is it?"

"I need some of those pills that can prevent pregnancy.” Emeriel's words rushed out in a flurry. “The beast…um…You remember what happened t-that night. I need to make sure I do not...um… conceive from it or anything."

His request was met with shocked silence. The bedchamber filled with uncomfortable stillness.

Then, Madam Livia's astonishment transformed into laughter. Genuine and full-blown.

It was the first time Emeriel had ever heard the head maid laugh, and the crinkles around her eyes made her appear more beautiful and youthful.

"What's so funny?" Emeriel asked, perplexed.

"Oh, Emeriel. I apologize for the laughter," Madam Livia finally spoke, trying to compose herself. "First of all, their beast form cannot impregnate a female. You need to take a knot in order to conceive, and they can only knot in their male or hybrid forms.”

“Moreover, Urekairarelygive birth.” The older woman wiped the tears in her eyes. “It is rather legendary how their species has fertility issues. Couples often take an average of twenty to hundred years or more to have children. Many of them try for children for hundreds of years."

Oh.Emeriel found the revelation…rather sad. It explained a lot.

Most of these men had lived for two thousand years, and yet they either had no children or only a few.

"So, my dear, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Plus, you were not even in full heat, and he ejaculated outside your womb. There is zero chance of you conceiving.” She paused, still amused. “However, if it makes you feel better, I will give you the pills after your first full heat sex. Is that okay?"

At this point, there was truly no need for the pills, but Emeriel nodded, nonetheless. "Thank you, Madam Livia."

A few minutes later, Emeriel was alone. And sleepy.

The conversation about that night had triggered memories that stirred within him.

The sensation of the beast's rough edges pinning him down, the cruel thrusts of his organ plundering in and out of his trembling channel as if the creature had every right to claim him. Take him. Own him.

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