The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 185: Her Shadow Maidens

Chapter 185: Her Shadow Maidens

Mineah watched as Nikolai bonded himself to one of the ravens above, his mark visible on the soaring bird as it glowed. It swooped down to greet them, and he gently stroked it as he stated, "I can’t guarantee your safety in this mission since there will always be a possibility that Zoran would snap your neck, but I hope it won’t come into that." He smiled as he gingerly said, "Tell me if you’re scared and want to back out anytime."

Mineah smiled as she jokingly said, "Do you also talk to the ones you suck blood from like that too?"

Raising a brow, Nikolai first released the raven before turning around to approach her. Snaking his arm around her waist, he pulled her closer to him before pinching her by the chin. "Are you teasing me, huh?"

"Absolutely not," she chuckled with a snort. "I’m merely curious." She then clung onto him and added, "Let’s go now. I’m ready..."

Nikolai nodded before he promptly shifted into his mist form and they then traveled back to Valcrez. The journey was swift, but it was almost dark out when they arrived at the Corvus Palace. The moment they arrived, Queen Mother Rania was there ready to greet them.

"You two are finally back," Rania beamed.

Nikolai smiled as he greeted his mother with a kiss on her cheek. "You look so happy to see us, Mother,"

"But, of course!" she jokingly scoffed. "You left me here all alone to tend to your duties. And if that wasn’t enough, you even have to drag Abel along with you!"

Nikolai chortled. "Hah! I absolutely did not drag him along with me!" he retorted. "He went there of his own will to present himself to Lady Dani’s family."

Rania’s eyes widened as she gasped, "Ah, right. Speaking of that, I’m glad that Abel is finally dutifully doing his part. And before I forget, Raul’s Coupling Rites are set to happen in two days."

Mineah bit her inner cheek at the news. She almost forgot about Niran!

"Mother, it’s been a long journey for us. Let us rest for a bit and tomorrow, you can start your grand vacation since I’ll be taking over your duties," Nikolai smiled at his mother, his gratitude apparent in his words. "Thank you so much for always making sure that all is well while I’m gone."

"It’s not much, my son," Rania beamed. "You two go on ahead then. Also, it’s nice to see you back..."

Smiling, Mineah gave the older woman a curt bow before turning away. With her husband leading the way, they were making their way to their bedchamber when she felt Nikolai’s hand on hers, their fingers intertwining.

"How about a walk?" he offered.

Mineah nodded as they then slowly walked outside into the open air, giving themselves a bit of detour as they headed to their bedchamber. The weather was refreshingly cold at the moment because of all the snow, and she couldn’t help but really love it. Above them, the night sky was as dark as the eye could see, with only a few stars out in the open as they twinkled overhead.

"Actually, let’s go to the pavilion first and have a talk," Mineah offered.

Nikolai raised an eyebrow and mirthfully said, "We can talk inside the bedchamber instead..."

Mineah had a pout knowing how her husband’s lewd mind was giving him ideas again. Taking matters into her own hands, she deftly pulled him with her to the pavilion. With his arm in her hands, she only stopped once they reached their destination. Finding themselves at the edge of a huge pond, she couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful scenery with all of the floating lotus lanterns illuminating the waters.

"Lai, you have to know something important," Mineah started with a serious tone as she fixed her stare at the pond. She knew that Nikolai was staring at her at this point, which at least made things easier. "Niran is a member of my shadow maidens," she confessed. "I have a total of five of them."

"Niran?" Nikolai confirmed. "You mean the woman who’s with Raul?"

Mineah let out a heavy sigh before she turned to meet Nikolai’s intense gaze. She weakly nodded.

"Yes. I will tell you everything and how things have come to this, however," she began before she then went on to explain how everything ended up in the way they were now. She then added, "I had also read Raul’s thoughts during the Ichor Clan’s visit, and I can tell that he’s genuine with her feelings for Niran."

"But what about Niran? Is she even serious with my brother?" Nikolai questioned with a deep frown.

Mineah nodded. She had at least read Niran’s thoughts on the matter. From there, she found out that Niran also loved Raul.

"But the lies will keep their relationship complicated. Raul... He hates being lied to. I know that for a fact," Nikolai warned. "Do you know what he’s been doing to the people under him that he caught deceiving him? He kills them without a second thought, Mine, regardless of age or gender."

Mineah bit her lower lip at that information. From what she could recall, however, Niran was determined to continue the relationship even after she emphasized how dangerous things already were.

"She keeps sending me reports about Raul and his movements," Mineah informed Nikolai. She then told him how Niran was determined to continue with how things were at the moment.

"I can understand that she wants to help you in her own way, but what if something bad happens to her? You’ll feel devastated too," Nikolai reasoned. "Look, there’s still time to pull her out. Because once the Coupling Rites happen between those two, you wouldn’t be able to do anything to save Niran anymore. From then on, she’ll be under Raul’s jurisdiction."

Mineah’s shoulder sagged as she murmured, "The only option is to compel her then, Lai, but I don’t want to do that to her. I want her to do things of her own free will." She then narrowed her eyes as she thought of something. "What if I just talked to her and simply stopped her from giving me reports? I can convince her to just focus on her personal life and her genuine relationship with Raul."

"That would be better, but I still strongly suggest that she tell Raul everything before the Coupling Rites," Nikolai insisted. "Trust me... Misunderstandings will destroy a good relationship."

Mineah’s face paled as she subconsciously thought about the one other secret that she hadn’t told Nikolai just to protect her dear brother. Brushing off the thought, she did her best to focus on the topic at hand.

"But what if Raul is really plotting something against you? I mean, won’t it be more advantageous to let Niran do what she really wants? I’ve known her for many years. She’s been very loyal to me, and even though I will ask her to stop, deep down, I know she won’t," Mineah insisted back with a tired sigh.

"Telling Raul the truth like you suggested would only cause him to be wary of her. As such, I believe that it’s for the best that Niran be the one to handle this situation from her own perspective and beliefs. Still, I’ll try and convince her to stop spying on Raul"

"That’s the best we’re going to get then," Nikolai nodded. "We shouldn’t waste any more time. Come. We’ll visit Raul at his residence. You can talk to Niran about it there."

Mineah tilted her head in agreement. Well, at least that was one secret out in the open now.

"Now, tell me about the fifth member..." Nikolai reminded her as he wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her closer to him, interrupting her from her own stupor.

"Yes, Laura..." MIneah hummed in thought as she recounted the information about her shadow maiden. "She’s just around the capital somewhere. Sooner or later, she will enter the Palace as an Ebodian to formally participate in the Civil Service Examination."

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