Chapter 223 Chapter 223 PRINCESS EMERIEL Youre awake , Emeriel breathed , unable to believe her eyes .
King Daemonikai gave a slow , weak nod .
I am .
Emeriel shoved down the giddy happiness that rose .
How do you feel ? Tired .
King Daemonikai rasped .
Dearest .
Dearest .
He had called her dearest .
Its me , Emeriel , not … Not Evielyn .
She almost said it , but didn The barest hint of a smile touched his lips .
I know .
O … kay .
That was strange .
She had expected to see confusion , maybe even disappointment at being forced to return to a reality he despise .
Instead , he looked serene .
Almost … happy ? He was awake , alive , and aware .
Thats all that matters .
Emeriel pulled away , hating how she immediately missed the feel of his body as she rose from the bed .
Im so glad youre awake .
Your people will be overjoyed when they hear the news .
Gathering her scattered clothes , she quickly dressed , avoiding his gaze .
Her hands trembled slightly as she fastened her garments .
Then , she moved toward the window , tugging open the heavy curtains .
Cool air rushed in , along with the soft light of dawn .
The crowd was still there .
Humans and Urekai .
They held a vigil for you , Emeriel said softly , her eyes scanning the kneeling figures .
They were here all night , praying for your safe return .
Good people , he murmured , hoarsely .
They are .
They genuinely love their king .
Genuine love , the grand king echoed .
I guess that is what every bond is about .
Emeriel glanced over her shoulder to find his intense gaze on her .
Her stomach did a series of flips , and butterflies took flight in there .
Okay , time to go .
Ill inform Lord Qttai youre awake , she kept her voice firmer than she felt .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

Hes been with you every step in the way .
This will make him so happy .
13:26 Sun , Feb 2 Chapter 223 And you … are you happy ? King Daemonikai asked in a low tone Emeriel faltered .
She was .
The first genuine happiness she had experienced in a long time , and she was trying all she could not to show it .
Hes alive ! Hes back … ! I heard every word you said to me , the king confessed .
Emeriel reared back , surprised .
All of it ? All of it .
The stories , the prayers , the words of encouragement .
His eyes gazed at her with a rare soft light in them .
You are one of a kind , Emeriel .
.
She shifted , uncomfortable under such look .
Im just … me .
As she replied , her eyes darted to the door with longing .
But , her bracelets lay on the table beside him .
She had no choice but to move closer to retrieve them .
Sliding the cool metal bands over her wrists , Emeriel tried to ignore his closeness , the quiet clink of the bracelets filling in the silence .
Turning to leave , she took a step away- His hand shot out , catching hers .
Emeriel gasped .
Her first instinct was to pull away , but instead , she stood on frozen feets .
His hand was gently holding hers , yet firm , as if he too expected her to resist .
Thank you for coming back , the grand king said , huskily .
Are you … are you not angry that I did ? Emeriel stared at their joined hands .
I know you sent me away because you didnt want me here .
He was looking at her like that again .
As if seeing her for the first time .
The sparkle in his eyes grew brighter .
Then , quietly , I didnt … at that time .
Emeriel nodded .
That much she knew .
Did you hear about the attempt on your life ? she asked , changing the subject .
That too , he released her hand , his face hardening .
Ottai has already begun the investigation .
Yes .
If the assassin was indeed acting under orders , we all hope the culprit is found .
Emeriel tugged at her hand .
If youll excuse me , Your Highness .
He took his time releasing her .
But when he did , Emeriel made her escape .
Emeriel ? Those butterflies at the pit of her stomach fluttered again .
She paused at the door , but didnt turn .
Thank you for saving my life … again .
13:26 Sun , Feb 28 Chapter 223 You saved mine too , two years ago .
Its only right I return the favor .
Come back later , he said in a low plea .
Please .
Emeriel couldnt have walked away fast enough .
GRAND KING DAEMONİKAI She did not return the rest of the day .
Nor the day after .
As Grand King Daemonikais body slowly mended itself , his strength gradually returned .
As the days passed , he began to feel like his old self again .
His soul was still wounded , but further symptoms of progression had mercifully ceased .
No sign of full recovery yet , but they all hoped it would come .
Eventually .
What Daemonikai hated most about illnesses was the confinement .
Ottai and his people were adamant he remain bedridden .
He was not to rise until the last of his herbs and potions had worked their magic ..
Until his strength fully returned Every day , his people sent him gifts .
Bunches of medicinal fragrance plants , cuts of rare meat .
A famine ravaged the land , yet they still gave what little they had to their king .
A famine that would not be here if Daemonikai had stepped up as the ultimate ruler he was , and stopped wallowing in his pain .
He pushed the guilt away .
Better late than never .
They hadnt given up on him , even when Daemonikai had long given up on himself .
He was beyond grateful .
But now , their concern bordered on overbearing .
Their insistence on his complete rest meant he was bound to the bed like a prisoner until he finished the last of the strengthening herbs and soul soothing potions .
So , here he was , as the days dragged by , his world revolving around his bedchambers .
And with them came the torture of waiting .
Every passing hour , he stared at the door , waiting for Emeriel to return .
She didnt come , and he didnt summon her .
He simply … waited .
Hoping that she would walk through the door all on her own .
Three more days crawled by .
The good news was : he felt like his old self again .
Perhaps even stronger .
More focused .
His strength was fully restored , and tonight , the last of his herb treatment would be delivered .
Tonight marked the end of his confinement .
Despite being bedridden , two days ago , he had resumed his royal duties .
There were so much to do , and Daemonikai was already going crazy from all the inactivity .
E 13:26 Sun , Feb 2 Chapter 223 1878 % So he conducted meetings in his chambers , devising strategies to combat the famine while waiting for the rain .
He had summoned the rainmakers the day before , and the ritual to beseech the skies to open … to draw down the long needed rain ….
was already underway .
So far , all news was positive .
Except for one glaring absence .
Emeriel .
No sight of her .
Not a sign of her … for six long days .
As night fell , Daemonikai lay in bed , awaiting his final dose , while catching up on the news sheets detailing events hed missed during his absence .
Or at least , he tried to .
What he was actually doing was grinding his teeth together in frustration while staring at pamphlets .
She hadnt come .
And Daemonikai ached to see her again .
He wanted no , needed to see her again .
.
Once Im free from this godforsaken bed , I would hunt her down , he grunted aloud .
Your medicine is here , Your Grace , his steward announced .
Send them in .
Her scent hit him first .
Every cell in his body , every fiber of his being awakened to it .
His racing mind , his empty heart , and even his dying soul .
Slowly , Daemonikai lifted his eyes from the news sheets … and there she was .