The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 196: No Ordinary Rogues

Chapter 196: No Ordinary Rogues

It was yet another cold day, and yet Mineah was looking forward to going out of the palace to appreciate its soothing chill. By the time they were out of the palace, she couldn’t help but smile brightly as she finally saw the outside after what felt like a long time being busy inside. Like before, they were using the grand carriage, its transparent walls allowing the denizens of Valcrez to have a proper view of their new queen.

Of course, Nikolai was with her during this journey. He refused not to tag along, saying that it had been a while too since he had seen his people outside the capital.

"It will be a very busy few days ahead," Mineah hummed as she looked out the transparent glass. "We have much to do. Much to visit."

From what she recalled, Valcrez had thirty provinces and five cities, and Mineah scheduled herself to visit each and every one of them this whole winter. Vampires of all kinds were gathered outside particularly around this season because the sun and its rays were nowhere to be seen on the horizon. It was just darker out, allowing them to roam around as they pleased.

"I’m glad Raul let Niran come along with our entourage though," Mineah spoke.

"And he tagged along as well," Nikolai spoke.

Mineah chuckled."Well, they’re probably inseparable right now."

In fact, she was unable to visit the two yesterday. So instead, Nikolai sent out a decree to them; an order stating that Niran should accompany the Queen in all her activities outside the capital unless deemed excused by the Queen herself.

Surprisingly, Raul tagged along, but Mineah didn’t mind it, thinking that it was for the better. Besides, it would help clear the rumors regarding Raul’s opposition to his brother’s rule.

Currently, they were headed to the province of Norma located at the southeastern side of Corvus City. Once they arrived, the carriage stopped and they were promptly greeted by Lord Asa, the governor of said province.

After exchanging a few curtly greetings, Mineah and Nikolai then used one of their horses to tour the surroundings of the province. Every Valcrezian they passed by bowed their heads to them and greeted them with respect.

Somewhere along the way, Mineah stopped as a particular spot caught her attention. It was a group of women all weaving a variety of handicrafts. There were also kids who were helping their mothers, and Mineah smiled as she remembered seeing the same thing in their kingdom.

"These products are being exported to different kingdoms, Mine," Nikolai explained as they approached the area. "These contribute much to the local economy."

Mineah nodded as she felt a warm smile adorn her face. The warm welcome they received in the province of Norma was a good start, especially because Laura already warned her about the other provinces that were still struggling in accepting her as their new Queen.

For a while, they continued with their exploration of the province. Around noon, Nikolai led her into a tavern to have lunch with Niran. It was there that she began reading her friend’s mind.

’I must compose myself. Her Majesty must not notice that something’s amiss between myself and Raul.’

Mineah kept a blank expression as she parsed through Niran’s thoughts throughout their lunch. She was smiling, but unknown to Niran, she already knew that those smiles were nothing but a facade.

"Niran, you do know that you can be honest with me when something’s troubling you," Mineah encouraged with a faint smile. Her eyes then darted to Raul who was currently talking with Nikolai. They were well on their way out of the tavern, and before long, she was left alone with her friend.

"I’m sorry, milady," Niran apologized with a weak smile. "I fainted after the Coupling Rites so I haven’t had the chance to greet you properly,"

"How are you feeling now then?" Mineah casually asked.

"I regained consciousness while we were inside the carriage going back home, milady," Niran reassured her. "It’s nothing too bad."

Mineah sighed deeply as she read Niran’s thoughts once more. Clearly, her friend had no intention of telling her the struggles she was bearing. Niran didn’t want to burden her with her personal problems just because she thought she already had enough on her plate.

"You know he has the ability to see into your past if you let him feed on a bit of your blood, right? I believe that will solve everything between the two of you if there are still some misunderstandings and trust issues," Mineah couldn’t help but suggest as she went straight to the best possible solution. "Why not do just that and offer him some of your blood so he can see you for who you are?"

She didn’t even bother asking what Niran thought since she already knew what exactly was clouding her friend’s thoughts. Ever since they were together, Mineah had a grasp on how Niran thought, and she couldn’t help but smile as she saw her friend’s shocked face.

"How?" Niran gasped with widened eyes.

Her lips parted, and Mineah only winked at her as she humorously replied, "Let’s just say that I’m very good at reading people, yes?"

"I..."

Niran tried to speak, but no words came out of her mouth. Instead, Mineah gave her a reassuring smile.

"In the meantime, let me drag you away with me for a while so that you’ll have enough space for yourself instead of sulking inside his residence all on your own, Niran," Mineah patted her friend’s back as she spoke. "You have to take a breather and let yourself relax if things get stuffy... Come on. Let’s finish what we’re eating."

Niran nodded with a smile before they continued eating. Soon after they were done, Mineah then stood up to go outside with Niran walking beside her.

"It looks like a winter storm is coming, no?" Niran whispered.

Sure enough, there were dark clouds blanketing the sky, and they even started hearing thunder crackle above them.

Mineah’s face dimmed and she felt something lurch inside her chest. There was something ominous nearby...

"Thunderstorms..." Lord Asa murmured beside them. "This is unusual..."

"Ahhhhhh!!!"

All of a sudden, loud screams roared not far from their area. Nikolai and Raul were quick to appear and stand beside her and Niran with the royal guards coming into formation, encircling them to protect them from whatever this threat might be.

"What’s going on?" Mineah whispered to Nikolai as he held her close to him.

"Just some rogues," Nikolai answered with a dark expression on his face.

Already, Mineah could tell that it wasn’t just some mere rogues from his expression alone.

"It would be very dangerous to use your mist form right now," Raul interrupted with a grave tone, eyes fixed on Nikolai.

"What’s really going on?" Mineah questioned with a frown.

"We don’t know," Raul cursed and hissed, "This is unusual! How can they penetrate the borders this easily?!"

Another thunderclap echoed from above, and Mineah’s eyes widened as she stared at the five rogues that suddenly appeared attacking everyone that they saw. The royal guards did their best to subdue them, but they just kept coming back up on their own feet. She blinked several times, making sure that she was seeing things correctly. There were these dark mists around them, and they were increasing in number as they easily infected those that they managed to wound and bite.

"Black magic, Lai..." Mineah gasped. "These are no ordinary rogues..."

"This won’t do then," Nikolai muttered. "I will need to help them."

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