The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 131: [Bonus - ] Something Is Off

Chapter 131: [Bonus Chapter] Something Is Off

It wasn’t something new. Although, Mineah was sure that Xenia wouldn’t be suspicious of her actions since she was naturally like this. No one could ever disturb her whenever she was in front of a feast like this. She had her own world in front of delicious food and meals, and it was particularly hard for anyone to get her out of it.

"I simply hate it whenever my love looks at any other men except for me. I get jealous quite easily," Darius shamelessly admitted.

"I didn’t mean to sneak glances at you like that. It’s just that it fascinates me to see you eat these types of meals heartily," Xenia admitted. "I’m sorry for my ignorance. I’m not too familiar with the royal family of Valcrez unlike my sister Mineah. I skipped classes more than I should have."

"Well, I don’t just sip blood to fill my stomach, milady. Like most humans, I also enjoy your meals," Nikolai commented with a soft smile on his face. "Although, I must admit that blood is preferable to my taste, and it gives me more energy than simply eating normal food..."

Xenia simply nodded. She then turned to look at Darius and murmured, "There are no other men more handsome than you in my eyes, my king, so stop with your sulking."

"Aren’t you just jealous of these two adorable lovebirds, Mine?" Nikolai suddenly asked, looking at her who was casually slicing a portion of meat onto her plate. "What do you think? These two are shamelessly showing their affection to us in public, and I’m feeling envious of their love."

Mineah gracefully put down her knife and fork before turning her head to Nikolai. Showing her sweetest smile with her perfect white teeth to her husband, she sweetly said, "Would you like me to feed you then, Lai? A meal you wouldn’t forget?"

She was feeling annoyed with her husband at the moment. But as opposed to outright glaring at him right then and there, she masked her emotions with her beautiful smile instead. She didn’t like the fact that Nikolai was planning to do something bad to Vulcan even though her brother could possibly be involved!

Narrowing her eyes, Mineah grabbed the knife and cut off a large portion of the meat which she then practically shoved right into Nikolai’s face.

"Ahhh. Open your big mouth, Lai, and receive this heaping amount of affection coming from me," Mineah sweetly stated.

Blinking, Nikolai obeyed and took to her feeding. Mineah, however, didn’t stop at just one bite. She fed him more and more, and she only stopped when she heard him start coughing.

"Here, Lai, drink some water," she hummed with her sweetest smile and voice.

Seeing her offer, Nikolai quickly drank it. But that didn’t mean that she was done.

"Do you want more, Lai?" she hummed, and she did her best to control her laughter when Nikolai quickly shook his head.

"I’m already full, Mine," he mutely replied. However, he was quick to ask her through their bond, [Mine, are you mad? Did I do something that displeased you?]

[No, I’m just feeling a bit under the weather probably,] she plainly answered. [I mean, I love the cold, but that doesn’t mean my body can actually withstand it...] She then added, [Don’t think too much about it. Why would be I mad? Is there a reason for me to get mad at you, Lai?]

Inwardly, Mineah let out a quiet sigh. If she told him why she was mad, it was as good as her confirming to him that Vulcan’s soul was indeed inside Ezekiel’s body. Nikolai had a valid reason to hate Vulcan and take his revenge on that dragon, but she didn’t want him to do it right now. At least, not until they’ve managed to free Ezekiel’s body from it first!

She had to do something, and she had to do it fast.

******

As soon as they finished their meal, their party decided to continue on with their journey. Mineah walked with Xenia, and she quickly noticed how her sister was looking at King Darius as he was about to mount his horse. Right, her sister loved riding horses during their travels instead being stuck in the confines of a carriage.

"I know that look, big sister," Mineah pointed out with a faint smile. "Go on and ride a horse. Don’t worry about me."

"My sister wants to ride a horse, so I let her," Mineah announced, not waiting for Xenia to comment at all.

"But, it’s alright, Mineah," Xenia reasoned. "I can ride a horse going back later."

"Hmm, but you still have to leave before sunset tomorrow so you won’t be able to see everything right now while we still have daylight like right now," Mineah encouraged. "Go on and ride a horse."

Then, she looked at Darius and gave him a curt nod.

"I will request for another horse," Nikolai interrupted.

"There’s no need. She’s used to riding with me," Darius quickly said. "Come, Xen."

From there, Darius pulled at his horse before he extended his hand down to help her sister up. Xenia sat in front while Darius adjusted and sat behind her back.

"Come, Mine... You ride with me too..." Nikolai suddenly said.

Mineah blushed. It would be the first time she and Nikolai would ride a horse together. However, she wasn’t really in the mood for it at the time. So instead, she gave her sister Xenia a meaningful look. Her sister, thankfully, quickly caught on to what she was trying to say.

"Mineah isn’t used to extreme weather like this," Xenia quickly spoke up, making Mineah smile. "She usually stays inside the castle during winter and summer, Your Majesty. How about you accompany her inside the carriage, milord?"

Mineah’s smile faded. She wanted to retort, but her sister didn’t give her a chance to do so as she didn’t even glance in her direction. She really didn’t want to get close to Nikolai at this point, and she was sure that her husband would eagerly take this opportunity.

Sure enough, a bright smile curved into Nikolai’s lips as he answered, "I will do that then. It would be an honor to stay with my queen inside the carriage."

Mineah shrugged at her fortune. Without a word, she quickly entered the carriage with Nikolai following her from behind.

As soon as everything was settled, they traveled under Nikolai’s banner, with everyone they passed bending their knees to show their respect to their caravan.

Beside her, Mineah could feel Nikolai’s intense stare boring into her. She ignored him by gluing her eyes out to the small window on her side of the carriage, but all that changed when it was suddenly closed.

Flinching, she turned to him and murmured, "Why did you close it?"

"So we can have some privacy, Mine," he stated. "I really feel like something is off..."