Page 150 of The Slave in A Princess Disguise

Was it the feral madness yet again? Or had he decided a mere human wasn’t worth it?

Aekeira wished she could say it hadn’t bothered her, but the truth was, she had been downrightobsessingover the reasons. Trying to justify his silence, his avoidance.

Maybe their paths simply had not crossed?

So why hasn’t he spared me a glance here? Not even once?

“We are gathered here today to make a decree." The grand king’s voice rang out over the court. "For too long, these two souls have been bound in chains, denied their freedom and dignity. Today, we acknowledge their dedication and service to Urai. By the power vested in me by this court and in the presence of these witnesses, I hereby declare that the bonds of their enslavement are broken.”

Aekeira heard the words, but their meaning didn’t sink in.Bonds of enslavements are broken. Bonds of enslavement… broken?

A quick glance at Emeriel confirmed her sister was just as confused.

“From this moment forth, you are free women, no longer subject to the will of another,” the grand king continued. “May you walk with your heads held high, knowing you are equal in the eyes of this land and its people. Go forth, live your livesas you choose, and may you find peace and happiness in your newfound freedom.”

We are free…?

Her throat clogged, tears stinging her eyes. Aekeira blinked franticly, struggling to process what she had just heard.Had she heard it right? Could it be real?

The room, the faces, the grand king—there was no way this was a dream. Emeriel pressed closer, squeezing Aekeira's hand.

We. Are. Free.

"Let this act serve as a reminder that good deeds can be rewarded, and this court stands in support of new beginnings. Once done from here, a troop awaits to safely take them back home.” The grand king finally stared at them. “The future is yours to shape. Be free, be strong, and may you find joy in the days ahead."

Happiness surged through Aekeira, so powerful it held no bounds.

She could feel it radiating from Emeriel as well. Her sister’s face broke into a wide smile, and before she knew it, Emeriel was in her arms, and they were hugging passionately.

"We’re free, Keira!" Emeriel mumbled into her shoulder.

"Yes, we are, Em." Unreal. Ten months of slavery.Was it really over?

No more back-breaking chores, slavemasters with their spiked whips, barely edible food, nights of starvation, mistresses attacking them, being naked before lords on the roundtable.Was it truly over?

"I never thought this day would come," Emeriel choked out, pulling back to glance around the room. "How is this day even possible?"

Aekeira shook her head. "I don’t know."

As the grand king scribbled on a scroll, passing it around to the high lords for their signatures, Aekeira watched their freedom become more tangible with each mark.

With every stroke of the quill, their chains unraveled.

Then, the words the grand king said, came back to her.A troop awaits to safely take you back home.

Aekeira stilled. Her breath, her heart, everything inside her froze.

They were going back home. Back to Navia.

Emeriel tensed too. In her eyes, Aekeira saw the realization as clear as water.

Aekeira looked at the podium where Lord Vladya and King Daemonikai were scrutinizing the scrolls, focused solely on the formalities. Same ironclad control, same poker face and eyes that revealed nothing. Both males, so different yet so alike in many ways. She wished desperately that she could see what was going through Lord Vladya’s mind.

Why hadn’t he looked at her? Not even a glance.

But she knew why.They were being sent away.

These two impossibly stubborn males were getting rid of them the only way they knew how. Millions of miles across the universe, far enough they would never return.

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