The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 222: Warm Hand

Chapter 222: Warm Hand

Abel was having a lot of fun with what he was having right now with Dani. He couldn’t explain why, but for some reason, having Dani around made him feel relaxed as if he had nothing else to worry about... which was a good thing since he couldn’t remember the last time that he felt this way.

With Rosela, he was always on edge; worrying about everything as he felt like he carried the whole world on his back. With Dani, however... He had a wide smile on his face the moment the Queen Mother met his eyes. He loved holding onto Dani’s hand with how warm it was. It was why he took the initiative to hold onto her hand whenever he saw a good opportunity to do it.

Well, Dani was like a tigress who always seemed ready to attack him with her angry demeanor, so he needed to be careful whenever he took advantage of her. He found her frowning adorable though...

Abel blinked before shaking his head. It would seem that Dani had started more often occupying his head recently. Maybe it was because the two of them were often together...

"Queen Mother," Abel and Dani politely greeted Rania with a curt bow.

Rania nodded. The older woman was already seated in her chair, a slew of parchment scattered on the table in front of her. "You two sit down," she directed them. "Let’s discuss things about the wedding. I heard you already visited Lady Dani’s family. I’m glad you took the initiative on that matter."

Abel gulped at the praise. He could feel Dani’s glare, and it only made him more wary about turning to look back at her. He had lied to Dani that it was the Queen Mother who asked him to visit her family, so he could only assume that she was miffed at him.

Still, he smiled at Queen Mother as he explained, "I just heeded your advice to treat things seriously, Queen Mother. Also, Dani and her family are very respectable personalities in Ebodia. It’s only proper that they know that their daughter will be in good hands."

Dani remained quiet beside him, but he knew that she was probably already cursing him in her mind.

"That’s good. We’ll have the wedding ceremony in Dani’s manor in Ebodia first," Rania informed him. "After that, we’ll have the Coupling Rites here in your residence."

Abel nodded at the plans being given to him. Even so, a sly smile carved itself onto his face as he suggested, "I know that only the royal family are required to perform the Coupling Dance, but it would be nice if Dani would perform the same, Queen Mother."

"No!" Dani quickly retorted.

Expecting her outburst, Abel innocently turned to face her. "But I want you to dance for me like that..." he bluntly stated. "Seducing me to mark you..."

Dani’s eyes widened in terror at his words, and Abel could only try and control himself not to burst into laughter.

"That’s a good idea. Even if you’re not a part of the royal family, you still hold a high position in this kingdom," Rania sagely remarked. "Besides, the Coupling Dance is usually up to the couple’s discretion." She then looked at Dani with an encouraging smile and said, "It will be nice if you’ll perform the Coupling Dance, Dani. Don’t worry, they’re only comprised of some basic and standard steps. You don’t need to dance like how our Queen danced before."

She added, "The dances the Queen and Princess Niran performed were quite different if you noticed. Now, there are simpler dance steps for you to choose from. You should start practicing tomorrow."

"But... I haven’t tried dancing my whole life," Dani muttered with her head bowed down.

"Don’t worry, I’ll personally assist you, Dani," Abel offered. He then grabbed Dani’s warm hand and gently caressed them. Although, he flinched with how she tightened her grip on his hand.

"That’s good then. I can see that you and Lady Dani are getting along rather well," Rania beamed. "I’m so glad that you’re finally settling down, Abel. Now, I only have Fritz and Ezme to worry about."

"I’m glad that that’s the case as well," Abel chuckled. He then curiously asked, "Queen Mother, if I may ask, why are you obsessed with us settling down?"

Rania shrugged as she replied, "I’ve been living for more than a thousand years now, Abel, and trust me, you’ll understand me once you finally have a child of your own. Being alone isn’t bad, but in all of your hundreds of years of living in this world, it’s nice to experience how it is to care and love. To be cared for and loved... To feel normal things like having a family of your own."

"You sound like you’re saying that we’re not normal," Abel scoffed.

"Well, being a vampire doesn’t mean that we can’t live like others," Rania chuckled. "I truly believe that having a family of your own is still the greatest gift one can have. But anyway, enough of this topic..." She then fixed her gaze upon Dani and directly asked, "Are you aware that our Queen had angel blood from the start?"

Abel blinked at the sudden question. That was a jarring change of topic, but then, who wouldn’t be curious about it? It was the talk in their kingdom ever since the Queen showed her power in the province of Dania. It also didn’t help that it was then followed by the news of how her sister showed her magnificent wings during the battle for Cordon’s throne to become Queen.

Faced with the question, Dani only shook her head. "She also just told us recently, but we understand why she had to keep it a secret," she explained.

"I’m sure she had no intentions of ever revealing it like that, but she had no choice but to act back on the incident at Norma. Queen Mineah has always been like that even when she was a kid. She won’t hesitate to compromise herself just to save others..."

The Queen Mother nodded. "Hmm... Fallen angels are complicated. I’m aware of their existence, and I understand how some would want to keep their identities hidden unlike those who turned into Demons," she hummed.

"I’m glad Queen Dana didn’t turn into a demon and chose a better path by staying in the light, but let’s go back to your marriage." She chuckled as she quickly followed up with a question, "Have you talked to Dani’s parents about when it would be held? I’ll be present at the wedding ceremony, and I’m sure Nikolai and the rest will attend as well."

Dani turned to Abel and asked, "How about your biological family then? Aren’t they going? You haven’t told me yet about them."

"I have no family except for the Ivanov Clan, Dani," Abel stated with a dim expression. "I’m an orphan; an abandoned baby found in the wilderness who doesn’t know my origin..."

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