Page 95 of The Princess and Her Grand King

"Don't 'Daemon' me. I will do this," he stated, "And after this, I will confront Zaiper. And afterthat, I will go back to the scene of the crime to investigate myself. No one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, rests tonight until I've found the culprit behind this."

Does he mean his usual confrontation? Cause that would bad. Ottai winced.Now, I pity Zaiper.

But Ottai was utterly lost. Flowing in the sea of confusion, kind of lost.

"Uhmm, hello guys? I'm still here." He waved a hand to get their attention.

They turned in unison, eyes snapping to him. They’d forgotten he was even there, hadn't they?

"You two could at least clue me in on this 'solution' you're discussing," Ottai said dryly, curious.

“No,” Daemonikai said at the exact moment Vladya added, “He plans to suck the poison out of her and take it into his own body.”

“What!?” Ottai blanched, aghast.

But now that he thought about it, it made sense. It explained Daemonikai's sudden shift of mood. He had a solution, no matter how unconventional.

Ottai couldn’t believe this. "Your woman and I did NOT go through the fires of hell and that damned Cold Sea to save you, just to watch you throw your life away like this!"

"Tell him, Ottai," Vladya encouraged, casting an approving glance.

“It’s human and mage toxin, not Urekai. I can bear it until the antidote is found,” Daemonikai said firmly, folding his arms with that familiar haughty stance of a king. “Besides, everyone seems to forget, I have a strong resistance to many poisons.”

“Perhapsonceyou did,” Vladya countered, sharply. “A fully recovered Grand King Daemonikai, yes. Not the sick, weakened king, barely recovered from walking the very doors of death. Letmedo this.”

"Says the Grand Lord with one foot in madness land," Daemonikai shot back.

Vladya and Ottai gasped, Vladya’s jaw hanging open in shock.

“A low blow, ancient one.” But despite his words, a faint smile tugged at Vladya's lips.

Daemonikai was unapologetic. “And I can strike lower.”

“Oh, you—” Vladya moved to grab him, clearly ready to brawl.

Ottai was struck by nostalgia, for a heartbeat. The sight of them like this brought back memories of simpler times.

Seeing glimpses of their old selves. The carefree camaraderie they had shared before tragedy struck Urai. It was like a brief return to their carefree past.

“Um… gentlemen,” Aekeira’s soft voice cut through.

They all paused, turning to see her standing before them. She had left her sister’s side and approached them, her face determined.

“Someone teach me,” she said in a steady voice. “I would like to suck the poison out myself.”

Vladya’s body went rigid. “Absolutely not.”

“She’s my sister—”

“You will go NOWHERE near that poison,” Vladya thundered, his voice ringing with the authority of a grand lord.

Aekeira’s eyes widened as she took a step back.

Ottai couldn't help his chuckle. She likely hadn’t heard that tone since her return.

“I don’t know, Vladya. She does seem rather determined.” The king's eyes gleamed with mischief. “Perhaps she would—”

"Perhaps she would do nothing. I am removing her from here.” Stepping forward, Vladya took Aekeira by the arm. “Do nothing reckless in my absence, old friend.”

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