Captive slave 372
Posted on July 04, 2025 ยท 1 mins read
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Chapter 372

Behind her, the sound of swords being drawn filled the room as her three bodyguards closed in.

The slavemaster blinked, his beast receding, the yellow draining from his eyes.

โ€œNo, go on. Summon your beast,โ€ she said angrily. โ€œOh, mighty predator who likes to prey on powerless girls.โ€ Then she turned to Amie, who stood trembling, tears streaking her face. โ€œWhy didnโ€™t you tell me this was happening?โ€ She was not just angry, but hurt.

โ€œIโ€™m sorry, Princess,โ€ Amie sobbed. โ€œHe warned me. Said if I spoke, heโ€™d punish me worse-โ€

โ€œSeize him,โ€ Emeriel snapped to her guards. โ€œTake him to the dungeons.โ€

She turned to the slavemaster. โ€œGood luck writing enough petitions to earn the courtโ€™s interest. Maybe in a few months, theyโ€™ll even read one. Until then, youโ€™ll rot in there.โ€

The slavemasterโ€™s eyes widened in disbelief as the two Urekai males stood motionless at the door, stunned, but wisely kept their heads down.

โ€œBut Iโ€™ve done nothing wrong!โ€ Kenta bellowed, guards dragging him toward the door. โ€œI havenโ€™t even mounted her yet!โ€

That earned him another backhanded blow from one of the soldiers before they marched him out, leaving Emeriel with her remaining guard and Amie.

Emeriel crossed the room, gathering the discarded clothes from the bed. With a softer voice, she handed them to her. โ€œPut these on. Letโ€™s get out of here.โ€

โ€ฆ

Back at Frostfall, Madam Livia tended to the bruises on Amieโ€™s wrists and cheeks. Thankfully, the slavemaster hadnโ€™t taken things any further. For that, at least, Emeriel was grateful.

Amie wouldnโ€™t stop thanking her. Over and over, she repeated her gratitude like a rhyme on replay, and when it came time to rest, she refused.

โ€œNo, I really want to go shopping with you, Princess.โ€ Amie smiled brightly, wincing from the ache in her cheeks. โ€œIโ€™ve been looking forward to it. I donโ€™t want to rest. Iโ€™m fine. Truly. Please, donโ€™t make me stay behind.โ€

Emeriel didnโ€™t know what made her feel worse โ€“ how easily Amie had brushed aside what had just happened, or the realization that this wasnโ€™t the worst sheโ€™d endured.

In the end, Emeriel relented with a defeated sigh. โ€œFine. Letโ€™s go.โ€

The shopping took longer than expected, and the sky had already begun to warm with the golden tones of evening by the time they returned. It wouldnโ€™t be long before Lord Herod arrived โ€“ if he wasnโ€™t already within the fortress walls.

โ€œHas the former Lord of Agriculture arrived?โ€ she asked one of the stationed guards.

โ€œYes, Princess. He passed through not long ago, on his way to the Court of Duty.โ€

Emeriel quickened her steps, Amie right behind her, hoping she might catch him before he entered the grand chamber. She hurried through the west corridor toward the great hall. As they rounded the final bend, she caught sight of him, cloaked in formal attire, walking toward the court doors.

โ€œLord Herod!โ€ she called.

He turned at the sound of her voice and smiled, lifting a hand in greeting. โ€œMy young friend!โ€

She smiled in return, took a step forward โ€“ then stopped.

The strange colors were back. Only this timeโ€ฆ they floated beside him.

A sharp intake of breath sounded behind her. Emeriel turned.

Amie stood rigid, her eyes wide, locked on Lord Herod.

The same impossible swirl of unnamable shades sparkled around her, too โ€“ five distinct colors, twisting and merging in the air. The exact same blend surrounded both of them.

Emeriel blinked. She looked between them, then back again. Something heavy and charged was going on here. Lord Herod was staring at Amie, curious and transfixed. And Amie, too, couldnโ€™t seem to look away.

Emerielโ€™s voice was quiet. โ€œAmieโ€ฆ are you alright?โ€

The girl startled, catching herself, her cheeks flushed. โ€œYโ€“yes, Princess.โ€

Lord Herod closed the distance, finally tearing his eyes away from Amie to look at Emeriel. His warm smile returned as he embraced her. โ€œThereโ€™s my dear friend. How are you doing today?โ€

โ€œIโ€™m well,โ€ Emeriel returned the hug before pulling back. โ€œIโ€™m glad to see you in the Citadel. You made the right choice.โ€

Lord Herod nodded. โ€œThank you, Princess.โ€ His gaze shifted down to her belly. โ€œAnd how is the little one faring?โ€

โ€œFineโ€ฆโ€ she said distractedly. Because now, the colors were changing. The two sets had floated closer โ€“ interwoven into a single, larger hue. As one.

Compatible.

The thought startled her. Where had that come from?

โ€œAre you alright, young Princess?โ€ Lord Herod asked, brow creased with concern.

โ€œYes. Donโ€™t mind me,โ€ Emeriel said softly, blinking a few times to clear the haze โ€“ yet the colors remained. She kept her smile warm. โ€œI still canโ€™t believe youโ€™re a Dragaxlov.โ€

โ€œYeahโ€ฆ no one does.โ€ He chuckled self-consciously, scratching the back of his head. โ€œIโ€™m sorry I never told you. Itโ€™s justโ€ฆ a part of my life I never thought would see the light of day again.โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s nothing to apologize for,โ€ she said. โ€œI understand completely. And more than anything, Iโ€™m so glad you chose to step into your legacy. To take on the throne.โ€

He smiled back at her. โ€œI never thought I would. Butโ€ฆ your male helped me see a lot more clearly. Now, Iโ€™m actually looking forward to this new phase. I want to give it my best shot.โ€

โ€œI know you will,โ€ Emeriel stated matter-of-factly. โ€œYouโ€™re incredibly determined. I have no doubt youโ€™ll pass every test they put in front of you. Youโ€™ll finish your training, earn your coronation โ€“ and youโ€™ll rule with wisdom.โ€ She reached out and touched his arm. โ€œI have faith in you, my dear friend.โ€

His eyes took on a soft light. โ€œThank you, Emeriel. That means more than I can say.โ€

She smiled, waving him off, motioning toward Amie. โ€œHave you met my servant?โ€

Lord Herodโ€™s attention returned to Amie.

โ€œAmie.โ€ Emeriel stepped aside to give him a clear view. โ€œYou havenโ€™t seen her before, have you?โ€

โ€œNo.โ€ His soft eyes remained locked on the girl. โ€œI would have remembered.โ€

Amie dipped low into a bow, trying to hide her face, cheeks already a deep scarlet. โ€œMy Lord.โ€

โ€œIt is a pleasure to meet you, Amie.โ€ He stepped forward and offered his hand. โ€œYou are a beautiful flower.โ€

The girl hesitated, staring at his hand. Then, carefully, she placed hers in his. โ€œThank you for the generous compliment, my Lord.โ€

Huh.

Emeriel still was not sure she understood all that was happening โ€“ but she was beginning to get the idea.


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