Page 135 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

Just the thought made her world spin, making her lightheaded. It hurt.

Seated at the small table in the corner of the room, Emeriel stared blankly at the plate of food before her. The meal hadbeen untouched since it arrived, as had the ones before it. Her appetite had long since abandoned her.

Even the humans who brought her food wouldn’t look at her, let alone speak.

The door creaked open.

She looked up, and there stood Grand Lord Vladya, staring at her. Her breath caught in her throat as she scrambled to her feet.

"Your Highness," her voice small. Drained.

The door clicked shut behind him, as he walked into quiet room. His eyes swept over her, his expression grim.

"You have lost weight," he stated flatly.

Emeriel blinked, unsure of how to respond. She fumbled for words. "I—I’m sorry."

Lord Vladya waved off her apology. "Sit down. Eat."

She hesitated, but seeing the hard look, made her sink back into her chair.

"I’m not hungry—"

"I didn’t ask if you were hungry." Lord Vladya’s tone was sharp as he took a seat across her. "I gave you an order. Now,eat."

Emeriel couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. She stared at her hands as though they held all the answers to making the violent windstorm around her calm again. Picking up the spoon, she forced herself to take a small bite of food.

The moment the warm food hit her tongue, her stomach growled hungrily, reminding her just how long it had been since she last ate. So eat, she did. Slowly at first, but then hunger took over.

Emeriel devoured the meal as if it was her last. She barely noticed Lord Vladya watching her until the last crumb was gone. Then, reality came crashing back in.

"Are you here to punish me too?" she asked, defeated.

Lord Vladya’s look remained steady. "Why?"

She shrugged, her hands dropping to her lap as she looked away. "You gave me instructions to avoid him, to never be found out."

"I also told you that fate was afucking bitchwho knows how to mess with people just to get a good laugh. You were never going to win against that bond.” Lord Vladya tilted his head slightly. “Frankly, I’m surprised you managed to keep the secret for this long."

"It matters not, anymore." Emeriel glanced at her trembling hands, struggling to hold back tears. "Can I ask... is Aekeira alright? I have not seen her in days."

"She’s fine." Lord Vladya’s tone softened.

Silence settled between them, thick and heavy.

"Are you not going to ask how things are out there?" Lord Vladya said, his eyes narrowing. "Do you not have questions?"

"I do. I have a lot, but..." She cast a fleeting glance at him. "I wasn’t sure you would answer them."

Lord Vladya leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. "Ask."

"How is... everything out there?"

He remained quiet for so long, Emeriel began to wonder if he would answer at all.

"It could have been worse,” he said at last. “For someone so small, you caused quite the stir.”

Emeriel looked away.

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