Page 75 of The Princess and Her Grand King

I’m pathetic, and I know it.

The grand king had been busy, occupied with matters of state. Especially after the long-awaited rain yesterday. The first in two years.

The entire city was in a festive uproar, alive with celebration. Laughter echoed in the streets, chants and songs filling the air. Urekai of all ages danced and played, their joy infectious.

Standing atop the highest tower, Emeriel looked down at them. The sight almost surreal.

Since her return and their king’s recovery, she had seen a new side of the Urekai. In the past, there had only been hatred and anger. But today, there was warmth, playfulness, even kindness.

Is this how they were before that disastrous night?Before the massacre that had swept away their loved ones and plunged them into years of suffering?

The thought was sad. Almost painful to contemplate.

According to history, the Urekai had always kept to themselves. Peaceful and kind, granting passage to travelers, aiding any species that didn’t make enemies of them.

Despite being the strongest species, they didn’t wage wars to dominate others, seize lands, or conquer kingdoms. No, that was the way of the vampires. The Urekai focused solely on protecting their own and neutralizing threats.

So why, in all that is both gracious and evil, would King Memphis think it was a good idea to betray and attack the Urekai?

Emeriel found that highly suspicious.

Yes, King Memphis had been a tyrant, but like King Orestus and every other ruler with a modicum of sense, he had been wary of the Urekai.

How could he have orchestrated such a bold and devastating attack on a species that even he feared?

And more importantly, how had he carried it out with startling success?

Emeriel had been to the great mountains. She had seen why they were considered a legendary boundary that could never be crossed.

The labyrinthine passages, ever-shifting rocks. The magical stones that appeared and disappeared at random, dry ground that could suddenly transform into crocodile-infested rivers. Paths that stretched endlessly. She had gotten lost and nearly died there.

Even if Prince Roland had learned the secrets of the great mountains and their passage rites from the grand king's youngest, how had they navigated with such accuracy and speed, arriving in Urai just in time for the massacre?

The journey from the human land to Urai took three days, while the Urekai’s night of weakness under the eclipse moon lasted only twelve hours. How had they achieved such impeccable timing without setbacks or assistance?

And what of the stolen magical relic that could have protected the Urekai, granting them strength to fight back?

Too many questions needed—

"Princess, His Majesty summons you," a guard’s voice announced behind her.

Emeriel swiveled her head, a slight frown on her face. "Which of them?"

"His Majesty the First, the mighty and supreme sovereign ruler of Urai, His Grace, Grand King Daemonikai."

"A simple 'the first ruler' would have sufficed," Emeriel huffed, even as her stomach flipped over, her heartbeat quickening.

Suddenly, she went from brooding to feeling very much alive.

Deities, I have it bad. Like, really bad.

She did a mental check for their bond.Nope, still dormant.These feelings wereall her.

Emeriel was led to the grand king’s study, where her presence was formally announced.

"Come in," came the deep voice from inside.

Emeriel entered, closing the door behind her with a quiet click. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she braced herself before finally turning, her eyes settling on him.

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