Page 47 of The Princess and Her Grand King

"Heavens! Look! A beautiful lake!" she squealed, the sound definitely unladylike.

And there it was—the blush of shame creeping up her neck.

Vladya felt a rare urge to laugh.

A genuine, heartfelt laughter came on so strong, he had to force it back down, trapping it in his throat.

"Sorry about that, Lord Vladya." Aekeira cleared her throat, trying to contain her happiness. "It’s quite a beautiful lake."

Aekeira was a lady through and through. Even as a slave, she had carried herself with the grace and dignity of her noble birth. he had noticed it long ago.

But now, every aspect of her, from her attire to her impeccable manners, spoke volumes about her status and character.

Vladya wished he could tell her he didn’t care how unladylike her laughter or excited squeals were. In fact, he'd like to hear more of them. But he enjoyed watching her little discomforts too much to say it.

"It is quite," he replied, simply.

The flush deepened. She was utterly adorable.

She watched the swans gliding gracefully across the lake, creating soft ripples in their wake. She even waved at them.

Vladya watchedher, as always. Absorbing her excitement, her every reaction, as though they were his own.

When he had sent her away, it had been out of fear. Fear of nurturing expectations, only for them to crumble into futility. Fear of hoping again.

Yet, despite it all, hope had taken root, hadn’t it?

Was it when his beast rejected every female and craved only for her? Or when losing her had caused him more pain than losing his soul—had hurt worse than actually losing a part of himself? Or was it when his sexlust went dormant, waiting for her return?

Vladya wasn’t sure. It could have been any of those moments,or all of them. But hope had begun inside him.

A glimmer at first, sparking to life with every passing day until it had grown into something real… something alive within him.

I hope Aekeira is my compatible bondmate. I hope her soul aligns with mine.

Then, as always, the mocking laughter followed.What soul?He had no soul to connect with hers.

But unlike before, that smirk didn't shut him down. It didn't make him slam the door on those thoughts as he had always done in the past.

This girl was making him into someone else entirely. Someone, even he, could hardly recognize.

Someone who dared tohopeagain.

And… he liked it.

***

Emeriel emerged from the garden, carrying a small basket packed with delicate magnolia blooms, borage leaves, and a handful of ripe fruits.

As she neared the fortress, someone tugged at her garment from behind.

She turned, only to find… no one.

Confused, her eyes lowered. And there, barely reaching her knees, stood… a youngling.

An actual Urekai child.

Emeriel had glimpsed them before—rare as they were. The Urekai kept their children close, guarding them like treasures, never letting them stray far.

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