The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 199: She Confessed

Chapter 199: She Confessed

Days melted into each other but Mineah still remained unconscious with Nikolai never leaving her side even for a moment.

He ordered for a total lockdown in the kingdom and strict security at the borders. The weapons with his wife’s blood were also distributed to each province and city to prevent any potential outbreak of infection.

Nikolai watched closely as her shadow maidens looked after her. Zaila took on the task of overseeing Mineah’s well-being, closely monitoring her condition. While Dani, with Krisha’s assistance, made sure that the Queen’s duties and tasks were fulfilled while Mineah was still unconscious.

Zaila’s occasional sighs and furrowed brows didn’t escape Nikolai’s eyes.

"How is she?" he asked Zaila with a frown.

"Physically, she’s unharmed, Your Majesty. If nothing goes wrong, she should wake up soon. However, there’s an element within her that’s beyond my understanding. Something powerful," Zaila answered with a creased forehead.

"That divine dagger inside her body, can you remove it?" Nikolai asked.

"I’m afraid not, Your Majesty. The sword is intertwined with her essence. Only she herself can release it from her body," Zaila answered.

Nikolai knitted his eyebrows. The dagger had vanished after Mineah had used it in the battle, and it seemed to have been drawn back into her body now that she was no longer using it.

"The weapons had turned into divine weapons... Was it because of the dagger or her blood?" Nikolai asked.

"She wounded herself with the divine dagger inside her body, Your Majesty, so it’s possible that it’s also the reason how the weapons she cast a spell turned divine but-" Zaila began to explain before being interrupted by a knock on the door. The guard informed him of Prince Raul and Princess Niran’s presence, seeking to visit.

"Let them in," Nikolai replied. Niran and Raul entered, greeting him with respect.

While Zaila engaged in conversation with Niran about Mineah’s condition, Nikolai remained quietly by his wife’s side. His fingers tenderly clasped her cold hand, offering a gentle caress before he pressed it to his lips, planting a soft kiss.

"Please wake up soon. You’re worrying me too much, Mine," he lovingly whispered.

"The last time something like this happened was when she had saved me where she was unconscious for almost a month," Niran weakly said from behind.

"Her Majesty always puts herself at risk whenever she sees someone in danger. She often neglects her own safety," Zaila added.

"She’s rather careless," Raul suddenly interrupted.

Nikolai’s gaze hardened as he shot a look at his brother. "What? I’m just pointing out the obvious... Haven’t you heard about the negative rumor circulating now? Yes, she saved the lives of the Valcrezians in Norma, but not everyone witnessed that. In other parts of the kingdom, people are starting to whisper that she’s brought her supposed curse to our land."

Nikolai’s face darkened as he called, "Abel."

In a flash, Abel appeared before him.

"Your Majesty," Abel curtly bowed.

"Identify and apprehend all those spreading false rumors about the Queen. Lock them in the dungeons. Spread the word that anyone tarnishing the Queen’s reputation, especially when she is still unconscious from saving their lives, will face severe punishments from the King himself! I don’t care if they hold royal blood or high status in the kingdom. Slandering the Queen is tantamount to slandering the throne. Spare no one!"

"I understand, Your Majesty. I will give the orders," Abel answered before disappearing upon his dismissal.

"I wish to be alone with my wife," Nikolai declared after a heavy silence, prompting everyone in the room to quietly exit.

Alone with Mineah, Nikolai closed his eyes, a lone tear escaping as he whispered to the still form beside him, "Please wake up soon. The thought of losing you is unbearable."

"Please, just wake up and I promise I won’t ask you any questions," he murmured, his lips brushing against her hand. Emotions swirled within him, a mix of concern, love, and uncertainty. It felt like an eternity since Mineah had become so still, lying there on the bed.

"Please, Mine... I have good news for you too. Do you know that your sister Xenia passed her trials inside the Element Forest and will soon fight her final battle in the arena to claim the throne of Cordon as its new Queen? Don’t you want to watch her fight?" Nikolai whispered while sobbing.

Though her shadow maidens reassured him that Mineah would awaken, that this was not an unfamiliar situation when she expended too much of her inner energy, it did nothing to settle the unease in his heart. Perhaps him knowing about her curse and the danger of the awakening chaos inside of her made him even more restless. Nothing was certain and no one could explain everything...

They were already standing on a thin thread, waiting for the Seer of Ebodia’s vision to paint a clearer picture of her fate. It gnawed at him, this feeling of helplessness, of being unable to shield her from what might come.

"I... I don’t want to lose you, Mine," he pleaded. "So, please..."

"Shhh, Lai. I never expected you to be a crybaby like this."

Nikolai quickly raised his head and there she was, smiling sluggishly at him. She was moving to sit on the bed when Nikolai quickly hugged her.

"How are you feeling? I’ll call for Zaila to take a look at you an-"

"No need. I’m fully well now. It’s just my body is adjusting to this strong inner energy within," she answered with a faint smile. With a soft nudge, she eased herself out of his embrace, her fingers delicately swiping away any lingering traces of tears.

"You must have been startled and flabbergasted at the same time. How is everyone?"

"Everyone is safe, and we’re making sure to check and contain any infection in other places of the kingdom as best as we can. Taro is investigating the situation and you were right... Black magic and spells are involved. The weapons you cast a spell on turned into divine weapons, Mine..."

Mineah looked straight into his eyes and whispered, "Oh, that... It’s because of my blood, Lai."

"Your blood?" he furrowed his brows in genuine puzzlement.

Mineah nodded and there was a beat of silence where he felt her heartbeat rise and her body tremble. "I am what you often call in myths as Nephilim," she confessed.