The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 188: A Battered Husband

Chapter 188: A Battered Husband

Ebodia Encampment

"You do know nothing will happen with your staring, right?" Krisha snorted as her mouth twitched at Taro sitting beside her. She was currently sitting with him while waiting for Zaila with Dani and Abel talking with Atlas and Princess Ezme not far from them. "Also give your sighing a rest, will you? It’s getting old."

"I just can’t believe how things happened so fast," Taro seethed. "I mean... I haven’t been gone for too long, and yet those two are already betrothed?"

"The early bird catches the worm, and it looks like the Chancellor is as quick as a hawk," Krisha teased, ignoring how Taro’s face dimmed at her words. "Next time, you should move faster."

She wasn’t dense. She easily noticed how Taro liked Dani, but the man was so slow in showing his feelings despite having more chances than the Chancellor with being with Dani. He and Dani were often together discussing things about their King and Queen, and would often collaborate about other plans as well.

Taro tried to argue before his shoulders sagged. Seeing him in such a state, Krisha couldn’t help but feel guilty for adding salt to his wound.

"That’s alright, Taro. You still have a lifetime on you to find more women you like in the future," Krisha comforted him with a pat on the shoulder. "Treat it as a lesson so that next time, you’ll immediately make a move on someone you might like."

Not that he was going to have trouble, she was sure. Taro was a nice man, and he was handsome too. She liked how he had this almond bronze tone to his skin like Zaila that blended well with his dark brown hair and eyes. His hair was uniquely styled with a windswept look that was just fun and carefree to her eyes along with the shaved sides of his hair.

Beside her, Taro let out another mouthful of air. Hearing him sigh, Krisha chuckled and scoffed, "Goodness, what will I do with you?"

"I’m ready!" Zaila interrupted with a bright smile as she approached them. "Are you coming with us, Taro?"

"His Majesty gave us some vacation time as well," Luis remarked as he stood beside Zaila. "As such, Marlo and I decided to tag along with Lady Zaila and Lady Krisha."

Instead of replying, Taro simply scoffed before letting out another sigh.

Zaila crossed her arms, rolling her eyes at Taro’s non-answer. "Stop sulking. Join us," she encouraged. "Krisha and I will even tour you around the best places in Ebodia. You’re just killing yourself by constantly sneaking glances at Dani and Chancellor Abel."

Krisha shook her head at what she was seeing. It was nice that they had all grown close to these three; Taro, Luis, and Marlo. Maybe it was because they were the ones assigned to them to make sure they were safe in the past few days. It was just inevitable that they’d start talking and make connections.

They were all busy chatting when Chancellor Abel and Dani approached them. They all fell silent, waiting for one of them to speak.

"Are you all going with Lady Krisha and Zaila?" It was Chancellor Abel who spoke, looking directly at Taro.

"Yes, Your Grace," Taro replied with a blank face.

"I see. Then you should all enjoy this vacation," Abel hummed as he nodded. "I’m sure our King will soon task you all with important work, so it’s best that you all take this chance."

"You all have fun there then," Dani greeted them with cheer. "In the meantime, I shall be returning to Valcrez with Abel. Let’s just keep in touch."

Krisha simply nodded. She wanted to tease Dani right then and there, but she held herself back since she felt bad for Taro at the moment.

*****

Dani watched as her friends left riding on their horses.

"Just tell me whenever you’re ready to leave," Abel spoke beside her.

Frowning, she turned to him. "Didn’t I make myself clear already? I will board Admiral Sixto’s ship home. I don’t want to travel with you in your mist form," she grumbled. "Besides, I’m not in a hurry. If you want to, then you can just leave first. I’m sure you have a lot of pending work awaiting you, Milord."

"Drop the formalities and keep calling me Abel. Get used to it since we’ll be an official couple soon, Dani," Abel reminded her. "Also, if you’re this adamant, then I might as well travel with you along the way. We’ll both be boarding Admiral Sixto’s ship then."

Dani narrowed her eyes at him. Was she mistaken? Why did it feel like Abel was becoming clingy to her? She turned to him with a frown, and once again, she met his index finger pointing in between her eyebrows.

"You’re frowning again," he chortled.

"You’re acting weird," she snorted back.

"Weird like this?"

She was caught off guard when Abel suddenly pulled her close to him and hugged her.

"What are you doing?!" she protested.

"Relax, your brother is approaching. I do believe that him seeing us being extra sweet with each other will make him feel at ease, Dani," he whispered in her ear before she felt him kiss her forehead. "You don’t like the thought of hypnotizing him, right? So let’s just give him a good show that will convince him that we both have genuine feelings for each other."

Dani bit her lower lip as she tried her best to calm her beating heart. Wasn’t he going overboard with what he was doing right now? Abel was tormenting her with how touchy he was, and she could only wonder if he knew exactly what he was doing.

She had heard that vampires had heightened senses, but not as comparable with werewolves. So was he hearing how frantic and loud her heart was beating right now?

This was ridiculous. She hated how she was getting used to his presence. In response, she ended up hissing and frowning at him whenever they were alone together. She supposed it was her defense mechanism to hide from him what she truly felt.

She had a pride to protect, after all. She didn’t want to look like she was desperate to let him fall under her trap. That was it, right?

"You two!"

She flinched upon hearing her Brother Atlas’s barking. She gently pushed Abel away. She held an awkward smile as she looked at her brother whose face deep red.

"It’s not like you have to go on separate ways later, so enough with this public display of affection," Atlas hissed. "I can’t believe you’re no longer the same Dani that used to have men as your punching bag for practice!!!"

"You used men as your punching bag?" Abel naively blinked at her. He then humorously added, "Will I become a battered husband soon then, wife?"

Dani’s face reddened. She felt like her chest would burst open. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and she couldn’t help but grit her teeth in annoyance. Why was it so easy for this vampire to seduce her?!