The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 101: Insurance Policy

Chapter 101: Insurance Policy

Nikolai felt uneasy as he paced back and forth. Since he was unable to get inside the Amaranth Palace, he was effectively blind even as this whole situation about Mineah and black magic slowly unraveled in real time. It was only a good thing Nik was there to be his eyes and ears, enabling him to see just how exactly things were being handled.

[How are things over there?] he asked Nik as he let out a grunt of worry and anxiety.

[Master is doing her best to keep the situation from slipping away from her control,] Nik reported without so much as a hint of its usual cocky attitude. [Rosela is being problematic, but Master is handling the situation.]

He let out a sigh of relief at the news. It was such a relief that his wife was capable of protecting herself. Even as Rosela was doing her best to seemingly oust her from being his queen, Mineah was skillful enough to keep playing the game of politics that was constantly being thrust onto her by people that quite literally had decades of experience over her.

"Rosela..."

And speaking of her... He was very disappointed to see that his childhood friend and sister in all but blood was acting in such a way. He knew that she loved him romantically, but he didn’t think she’d stoop this low to the point of even committing crimes just to be with him.

"Why do this..." he grumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "You’re so much better than this..."

It was horrendous. Nikolai truly trusted Rosela after all the years they’d spent together. She took her council seriously, and he practically owed her his life for her letting him feed her during his monthly cravings.

Unfortunately, it would seem that it was still wasn’t enough for her. Even after he made it perfectly clear to her that he’d give her everything she wanted so long as she let him go as a romantic interest, she would still rather risk her life and stand like this just to seat herself on the throne by his side...

And to think that she’d even stoop as low as to try dark magic like this... What was she thinking?! He knew that Mineah was telling the truth during their arguments. And yet despite that, a part of him really hoped that Rosela was merely being used by someone else. Because why else would she do something this stupid that would risk her essentially alienating herself from both him and his family?

"What do I do with you," Nikolai sighed as he turned to the nearest servant. With an authoritative below, he stated, "Make sure you keep me abreast regarding the murder in Amaranth Castle. And make word that the investigation will be the crown’s new highest priority."

"At once, Your Majesty."

Watching the servant leave, Nikolai could only hope that his fears were unfounded. He really didn’t want to effectively kick out the one woman that he owed his life to... Rosela was family. But while they owed her much, the law must still be upheld.

***

Deep inside the Valcrez Castle’s dungeons, Rosela grumbled as she was left alone with nothing but her thoughts and her wits. She didn’t expect to be ratted out like this by a loyal servant, but she also didn’t expect Queen Mother to come to that case directly.

"What a mess..." she growled. "How do I fix this..."

There was no telling what she had to do now to escape the inevitable compulsion that they’ll put her under. While she was strong, she wasn’t powerful enough to resist hypnosis from a more powerful individual such as the Queen Mother herself. No, she needed more power, and she knew just who to ask.

"You called?"

Rosela resisted the urge to hiss as Zoran’s voice echoed from beyond the bars keeping her locked up. As usual, the man felt like he had nothing to lose when he actually had a lot of things that could fall apart behind him.

"I need you to help me resist compulsion," she demanded.

"Oh? And why should I do that?" Zoran taunted.

She rolled her eyes. "Because they’ll know, Zoran. And you know exactly what I’m talking about."

The moment she was compelled to answer anything they might ask her, she knew that she’d also spill the beans regarding Dahlia’s survival. The fact that Zoran asked the Demon King to revive his supposed love would be poorly received by everyone that would hear it, and it would cause Zoran’s position to crumble just as quickly as hers would the moment her actions were proven to be correct.

"It’s as you say," he scoffed. "But if that’s the case, then I’ll simply make sure that would never happen."

"Which would only happen if you give me the power to resist compulsion," Rosela smirked. "You know it’s the only way."

As if checking his surroundings, Zoran looked around before he stretched his hand out through the bars. Rosela prepared herself as he touched her head, his power coursing through his palm as he began the spell.

"Just so you know, I’m only doing this for myself."

Rosela let out a pained sigh as she felt Zoran’s spell take effect. Blanketing her with a faint glow, she could feel her own will strengthening against compulsion the more it took hold. Also, she felt something else take hold of her neck. She didn’t know what it was, but it felt deadly enough for her to ask him.

"You put something else in me," Rosela accused.

"Call it my insurance policy," Zoran scoffed as she drew his hand back. "It’s something to further help you keep your secrets."

She could only nod. It wasn’t like she had any way to confirm his words, which meant that she had to take his word at face value.

"Thank you," she mumbled. "You can leave."

Sighing, she could only hope that what Zoran did would be enough to help her.

***

Zoran smirked as he left Rosela to her prison. Unknown to her, he also cast a spell on her that would kill her the moment she told anyone about Dahlia’s survival. He hoped it would never happen, but he couldn’t be too sure these days.

"Insurance policy, indeed," he chuckled to himself. "Let’s see you get out of this one, Rosela..."

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