The Princess Slave
Chapter 82

Violette POV

It’s been a month since I found out about Viktor being my mate.. and well, everything else.. my nausea has gone away, and my belly has grown into a round bump. It’s not the biggest.. but you can definitely tell there’s a pup in there.

Viktor has been so kind and gentle.. taking care of my every need and want without asking any questions or putting up any fight. And today.. today he will be announcing my release.

I’m mainly concerned of my Father.. It would also seem my Father has married.. so getting to him would be far more difficult than we originally thought. Unless he plans to attack. And in case, we have a plan to hide me until my Father has fallen.

Viktor believes that with the announcement of our mating, and the pup.. that my people at home will turn against my Father, making it easier for us to get to him.

Cedric and Lillian have gone to my previous home to keep a close eye on my father’s Kingdom.. holding secret gatherings for any of my father’s subjects who believe in me as their ruler, instead of my Father.. and they send messengers daily to keep us informed.

“Are you nervous?” I asked. He held my hand tightly as we walked through the hall.

“No. Are you?” He asked. I sucked in a breath as I rested my hand on my belly.

“A little bit..” I said.

“You will be standing by my side and you don’t even have to speak. I will take care of it all.” He said. He walked me to the main hall where many people of the court were gathered. As we walked up to the stage, I grew more and more nervous.. soon they would know everything.. including that I am with child.

I felt very self-conscious of my belly, even though Viktor swore every day I was the most beautiful woman alive.. today, we would be showing everyone.. which is why I have to wear this ridiculously uncomfortable dress skirt over my belly.

Under the skirt was a fitted gown, it showed off my bump like you wouldn’t believe.. even if I’m only halfway into my pregnancy, my bump is quite swollen.

“People of the court, I thank you for being here today. I called to you.. to all of you, my friends, my family, my subjects.. because I have a big announcement.” He said. He gripped my hand tightly as the people stared between us two.. my heart racing a million miles per second as I felt their judging eyes lingering on me. They will surely hate me..

“As most of you have already heard the rumors, my slave.. Princess Violette has survived not one, but two deadly attacks by her Father. She is alive and well.” He said. People began whispering to each other as they stared at me.. I’ve always hated being the center of attention.

“And because of her survival, we’ve had over a year being Master and Slave. A year to grow, to learn from each other.. to become friends, to become more than friends. It is why I stand here before you all today.. because of the love I share with her.. I am here to publicly release her from being my slave.” He said. Many of the people gasped, some even growled.. but he would tolerate none of it.

“Princess Violette is nothing like her demon of a Father. She is gentle.. she is kind. She is loving, and forgiving. She is everything a Princess should be and more.. As you all know, I stormed her kingdom in hopes to end her father’s life.. but instead, I found her. She saved two of her maids, some of which you have grown to care for and work with daily. Miss Lillian and Miss Sylvia. And in return for her heroism.. She was attacked.. by savage men of mine who thought they deserved to spoil her..” he said. I could feel the anger pour off of him as he thought about it.

“At first.. I did not treat her with the kindness she very much deserved. As I was being tortured by her father.. she too was being abused.. And it has come to light that I would not have made it out alive.. if it wasn’t for her..” he said.

“Lies! She is the b***d of a beast!” Someone yelled. I held onto his hand tightly as he pulled me behind him.

“You will not speak of her that way, or you will face death. I will not tolerate any violence or ill words toward her. You are not just talking about the daughter of King Arthur of the werewolves. You are talking about my mate.” He growled. Many people gasped as they looked at each other..

“I did not know if this.. but even when I believed she was not my mate, I grew to love her. It was brought to me, by her maid, her friend.. Sylvia, that Violette could possibly be my mate.. So, I marked her. She is mine. Any disrespect you give her, you give me. Your King.” He said.

“What about your curse?” Someone asked.

“I too had my doubts.. but as you all know, the curse only hides a true mate. And if she was not my mate, her mark would have gone. It has been weeks since I’ve marked her.. and her mark remains.” He said. He pulled me to his side and moved my hair to show the court my mark.

“I can’t believe it. The king has found his mate..” another person said.

“Where is your mark?” Someone else asked.

“She has yet to mark me.. but believe me when I say it. She will.” He said as he looked at me with a smile.

“She is kind. She is loving. She is just.. and she will be your soon be your Queen.” He said lastly. For a moment no one made a sound.. and I was afraid people would riot.. I expected it, but what I didn’t expect.. was for them to bow.

Many men, women, and children began dropping themselves to their knees and lowering their heads in respect. I looked at Viktor with wide eyes but he only smiled. He pulled me against him and I cupped his face. I pulled his lips to mine and melted against him.

“Long live Princess Violette. Our future Queen.” The crowd said in unison.

“Long may you reign.” They said.

“Thank you all for joining us today. There will be a ball held tonight in honor of our news.. but first, we have a surprise for everyone..” he said softly. They all looked at each other curiously as he untied my top skirt that sat above and hid my bump.

“A pup!” Someone said excitedly. The crowd began cheering with excitement and happiness.

“Yes, a pup. A royal pup.” He said. His hand ran across my belly as he stared at me with so much love.

“Now, you may all go to the ballroom. There is food, drinks, music, dancing.. I have arranged for no one to work today to celebrate our pup. You will all be compensated for this, so do not worry about your pay.” He said. The room grew loud as everyone talked to each other with excitement.. this had gone nothing as I’d anticipated.

“Well? How do you feel?” He asked.

“Free,” I said softly.