Page 130 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

Vladya liked to believe he didn’t care about what the outcome of today might be, but that would be a lie. The truth was, he... admired Emeriel.

The girl's survival instincts were top-notch, remarkable even. Everything she had done, every lie she'd told, was in the name of survival. Vladya could relate to that.

And she looked like she had been dragged through hell and back. How desperate must she have been to forsake everything and call out to her beloved for help?

"There will be no trial for this case, for a judgment has been passed," Zaiper's voice rang out, silencing the crowd. "By the power vested in me, I pronounce you guilty of Identity Deception, High Fraud, Monarchial Betrayal, and a multitude of other serious crimes we might have uncovered in a trial."

Vladya almost snorted. For someone so nonchalant about kingdom affairs, Zaiper's knowledge of the law was surprisingly extensive.

"You will be executed for your crimes," Zaiper continued, his tone merciless and final. "You will be locked up in the dungeons while the rulers deliberate on your method of execution. No food. No water."

"Choose the most brutal execution method!" someone shouted from the crowd, others echoing the sentiment.

"Humans are the scum of the earth!"

"Kill her now! Kill her now!"

"Silence, everyone!" Zaiper's gaze swept over the crowd. "Make no mistake, we shall punish the human accordingly. Soldiers, take her away!"

Emeriel's shoulders slumped in resignation as they marched forward, their heavy boots echoing on the cobblestones.

Vladya had seen enough. He opened his mouth to speak, but another voice beat him to it.

"Soldiers, you will do no such thing."

Daemonikai's words, low and authoritative, cut through the chaos.

Gasps rose from the crowd as he finally moved, stepping forward to stand in front of Emeriel.

"Get out, all of you," he ordered the soldiers. They bowed and retreated without hesitation.

"What is going on,KingDaemonikai?" Zapier spoke with mocking disdain.

Daemonikai crossed his arms. "What does it look like, Lord Zaiper?"

"It looks like you are attempting to interfere with the punishment of a criminal. Surely, that cannot be, can it, Your Grace?"

Shock rippled through the crowd and murmurs of betrayal rose.

"I wonder if there is still a punishment, when there were no crimes to begin with, Zaiper," Daemonikai said smoothly, yet his voice carried an undercurrent of steel.

Zaiper's brows furrowed. "I do not understand."

"The grand rulers were aware of her identity," Daemonikai announced, finally meeting Vladya's gaze. "The third ruler, were you not?"

"I was aware," Vladya spoke aloud, stepping forward.

The crowd made noises, but he paid them no heed, standing beside Daemonikai. "I was aware. Even the fourth ruler was aware. Grand Lord Ottai, am I wrong?"

"Huh?" Ottai was completely befuddled, staring at both of them. “I was?”

"Of course you were. We authorized this together, did we not?" Vladya pressed.

Ottai regained his composure. "Y-yes. Yes, we did." Nose in the air, he came forward stopping beside Vladya."I was aware too. I have always known Emeriel was a girl."

"That is preposterous!" Zaiper roared, his face flushed with anger. "None of you could have been aware, could haveauthorizedthis! None of you!"

"I do not know, Zaiper. Are you calling us liars?" Daemonikai's voice was dangerously calm, his gaze pinning Zaiper in place. "Are you implying something, Grand Lord Zaiper?"

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