The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 104: Dahlia

Chapter 104: Dahlia

At Helion Kingdom

Zoran opened his eyes the moment he felt a sting on his skin. Frowning, he hummed, "Impossible..."

He stared at the scar that had just formed on his skin. Its appearance only meant one thing... The protective barrier he created around Rosela had broken.

Closing his eyes, he reached out to Rosela. "Rosela."

As he appeared before her through a haze of dark smoke, the first thing he noticed was the woman currently crying on the ground. It would seem that she was at her lowest now, and that was something that he could use.

"Zoran, please help me... Something’s wrong. That cursed woman came down here and asked me questions, and your protection didn’t work for some reason," Rosela sobbed, her eyes red as her expression darkened. "I spilled everything to her and... and... Nikolai... he heard everything..."

Despite her sobs, the woman was burning in anger before him. She still had some fight in her somehow.

"I know. I felt my power over you diminish, that’s why I’m here," Zoran hummed. "But you said it yourself that the Queen is nothing but a mere cursed human."

"Yes," Rosela murmured as she tried to get back on her feet. "Could it be that Nikolai was the one that broke my barrier while he was eavesdropping?"

"No, it wasn’t Nikolai’s energy. Although, there’s also a possibility that he could break my protection around you tomorrow," Zoran remarked with a frown. "His power over spellcraft has only grown over time while he was at Mount Sorel studying under the white wizard Magnus..."

"Are you saying that bjtch has a power then?" Rosela burst out with widened eyes.

"She comes from a kingdom of mages, after all. And her mother... She’s the most powerful mage I’ve ever encountered," Zoran explained.

"She’s the one who only managed to seal all of the dragons’ souls inside the Forbidden Forest, and even I don’t think I can handle that kind of power. Although, there is something within the Queen that I can sense. The energy that broke my barrier a while ago is something new and different. I can’t exactly point out what it is yet, but I might have answers once I look more into it."

"That can’t be," Rosela frowned. "Are you saying that she’s just acting weak all this time?"

"I don’t know, Rosela. It’s also possible that she’s still not familiar with her own energy and powers at the moment," Zoran explained. "Whatever it is, it’s probably not that completely active yet."

He then shook his head as he began his preparations for another spell. "Now, our time is limited, and I won’t be able to make our conversation last for too long without the guards soon feeling my presence. I will cast another protection spell around you for tomorrow’s trial. But you must know that it will now fall to you to hold yourself against Nikolai’s compulsion..."

Without waiting for Rosela to respond, he finalized his spell, his power shimmering around her once more.

"It is done," Zoran murmured. "I’ll be leaving now, Rosela. Till we meet again."

Zoran then cut his connection to her before opening his solid black eyes. Feeling them slowly turn back to their natural forest green colors, he panted for breath as he wiped the beads of sweat that formed on his face.

"Here..." a soft and sweet voice whispered as she handed him a piece of cloth. Gently wiping his face, she had a gentle smile as she addressed him. "Hmm, let me do it... Are you over-exerting yourself again, milord?"

Zoran smiled at her. Those lovely smiles truly were all that he needed to feel at peace.

"I’m not, Dahlia. I just cast a spell of protection on someone, my dear," he replied with a smile. "And why are you addressing me formally when no one’s around?"

While it was cute, he really wished Dahlia would just call him by his name. Although, she usually only addressed him formally whenever she wanted to request something.

Her eyes twinkled as she murmured with a pout, "I want to go out. I know that this forest is nice, but lately, I’m having this dream about an extravagant and lovely palace! Maybe we can see one outside!"

His face darkened. Frowning, he asked, "Since when did you have that dream?"

Dahlia had an awkward smile as she answered, "Just last night, Zoran? Why? Is there something wrong?"

Zoran tried to calm himself as he mustered to put up a mask of reassuring smiles to hide his worries. "Oh, nothing. I’m just worried that your nightmares would come back," he insisted.

"It’s a good thing that you’re having beautiful dreams instead. However... did you skip your medicine today? You’re not supposed to have dreams to prevent those nightmares from coming back."

Lowering her head, she murmured, "Right, I was so tired a while ago that I dozed off at the table and forgot about my medicine." She sighed, "I apologize, Zoran. It won’t happen again."

Zoran got up and smiled. Lifting her chin, he said, "Come now. Take your medicine before I walk you to bed."

Dahlia nodded, giving her hand to Zoran just as she took her medicine. Now holding her hand, he walked her to her own bedroom.

"Good night, my dear," he hummed as he gave her a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"Good night to you as well," she smiled.

Zoran smiled as he left the room. Upon closing the door, he leaned on the nearest wall and closed his eyes. Dahlia had just managed to wake up five years ago from sixteen years of being in a coma. He did everything to revive her, and he succeeded. She woke up, and he even had the benefit of her not remembering everything that had happened to her.

Seeing his chance, he took the opportunity to have her drink the potion he made that would make her forget her past. He then hid her in the depths of the forest safe from the Demon King’s clutches.

Unfortunately, that didn’t mean that they were truly safe.

[Zoran...]

He gulped as the Devil King, Devon, suddenly called for him. [Yes, Master,] he answered through their bond.

[You’ve been idling around! Valcrez and their King are blocking my way!] the Devil King bellowed. [Do something about it! You know what will happen to you if you become useless, Zoran!!!]

Zoran writhed at the pain that was suddenly inflicted all over his body. Thinking quickly, he immediately walked away from Dahlia’s door. He didn’t mind feeling this kind of pain anyway. He would do everything for Dahlia, and just seeing her alive and back to being herself like a while ago was all worth it... The sacrifices he made to make sure she came back to life were all worth it...