The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 234: Play Cupid

Chapter 234: Play Cupid

Mineah’s visitation to the province of Rusan didn’t take long as her carriage passed a few towns and villages where the citizens’ cheers and curt bows warmly greeted her. It was a big province on the east side of Corvus City and south of Norma, and it was due to its sheer size that Nikolai only chose a few towns and villages where her transparent carriage would pass by.

If she recalled, this province was a loyal supporter of Nikolai. It was led by the governor from the Ivanov Clan, Lord Andro, a pureblood, and Nikolai’s cousin from the Queen Mother’s twin Vania who also died fighting during the attack of the dragon souls. According to Nikolai, the dragon queen’s soul was the one that entered Vania’s body, and she suffered the same fate as his father despite their best attempts.

"They all love you here, Your Majesty. I came to visit this place before and after the Coupling Rites, and it’s indeed one of the provinces that solely supports His Majesty," Niran remarked as Mineah also started waving back at some of the kids who waved at her. "So long as you’re his ally, they’ll support you wholeheartedly."

"I indeed feel their warm welcome," Mineah hummed in agreement.

In truth, she didn’t have to feel it since she read some of the people’s thoughts around her, and so far, they were all positive about her arrival. It was honestly refreshing, though she was sure that there were a few who didn’t share the same thoughts as the majority.

It was already afternoon when she finished parading around the province. Before long, they eventually reached their final destination.

"Your Majesty, Lady Niran," Lord Andro greeted them with a curt bow as they stepped down from their carriage.

Mineah smiled back. It would be the first time for her to personally meet Andro since the latter wasn’t present during the courtesy visit of the Ivanov Clan after her Coupling Rites. "It’s nice to finally meet you," she greeted with a wide smile. "You’ve been working hard." She then turned around to formally introduce Niran to him.

"Lady Niran, we meet again," he greeted in kind.

"Oh, you two already knew each other?" Mineah asked in surprise.

Out of habit, she immediately read Lord Andro’s thoughts. The way he looked at Niran was a bit bothersome to her tastes, and that was good enough of a reason for her.

’She looks very lovely. It’s a pity I arrived so late and Raul met her first... I wonder if she’s doing fine now. She looked unwell the last time I visited. Ah, Raul should have taken good care of her. I should beat that bastard next time around and knock him back to his senses.’

"Lord Andro and Raul are good friends, Your Majesty," Niran informed her with a bashful smile.

Mineah quickly blinked and stopped reading Andro’s thoughts. "I see... That’s good to hear," she commented with a sigh.

"I understand that you won’t take long since it’s the full moon," Lord Andro noted. "I’ve prepared a feast together with the heads of Rusan’s town."

"Thank you, Lord Andro," Mineah gratefully nodded. "I would be delighted to eat lunch with you all."

Lord Andro smiled as she ushered them in. "This way, Your Majesty, Lady Niran."

Following his lead, Mineah watched as he led them to a big open pavilion. Insides, there was indeed a feast waiting for them.

"All hail Her Majesty! Long live Her Majesty!"

As one, the town leaders and villagers all bowed their heads before her. They greeted her in chorus, and it made her smile to be greeted that way.

"Please all rise," Mineah told them with a smile, and they all did as they were told.

From there, Lord Andro guided her to her seat at the head of the long table. She blinked at the various meals presented to her... The cooks were practically cooking before them, and she couldn’t help but salivate at all the roasted meat that they were currently slicing.

"Rusan is well known for quality meats, Your Majesty," Andro explained as he briefed her about the province. It was then that she discovered that it had the second biggest land area next to Corvus City, and because of the green pastures of the province, it was the best place for raising domestic animals that they use for exporting.

Mineah’s face lit up as the head cook began serving her different kinds of meats. As soon as the food reached her, she started eating, and she was internally squealing at the high-quality marbling, tenderness, and rich, buttery flavor of each meat. Beef, mutton, and more.

[Are you enjoying your meal, Mine?] Nikolai suddenly asked her through their bond, making Mineah raise her brow.

A mischievous smile graced her lips as she savored her juicy beef. [Ah, right... Did you purposely ask Andro to feed me well since you’ll feed on me?]

Nikolai’s loud laughter rang inside her head. It would seem that she was right.

[Are you having a blast right now?] she further teased as she continued eating. If she recalled, most of the townspeople and village heads were Melds, so they got to enjoy the food just as much as her.

She then turned to Niran who was also eating well. She was currently engaged in a good conversation with Raul, who also seemed to be smiling and laughing a lot. Actually, since when was he here?

"I see you’re having much fun in here, my wife." Raul, who suddenly appeared out of seemingly nowhere, interrupted.

[Raul is here?] Mineah informed Nikolai through their bond. [I thought he wasn’t available to join since he’ll be with you there?]

[Oh, that brute just left,] Nikolai shrugged. [So he went there, I see...]

[Guess that’s the gist of it,] she shrugged back with a smile. [I’ll see you later Lai.]

Back to the actual event, Mineah noted that Raul’s face was getting rather dim, so she quickly interrupted whatever it was that was happening. "Prince Raul..." she called to him with a smile. "It’s nice to have your presence here."

"Your Majesty," Raul greeted her with a curt bow and serious face.

Mineah narrowed her eyes as she read his thoughts. Jealousy for Niran and Andro... That was what filled Raul’s mind at that point. He was being insecure, and it couldn’t be helped since his relationship with Niran started out as a lie.

Trust being broken involved a lot of feelings that would take some time to rebuild, especially with Raul who had his own struggles and inner demons. She wouldn’t interfere knowing how he loved Niran, however, so in this case, she would trust Niran on how confident she was in handling her personal affairs.

"Are you here to pick up Lady Niran?" Mineah asked. "You see, she’s been sulking around me a while ago while saying how much she missed you already whenever you’re not around."

Well, she didn’t actually hear it. She simply voiced out what she read from Niran’s thoughts a while ago.

"She did?" Raul asked in reply, clearly taken aback by her words. His gloomy face quickly vanished as he turned to Niran, whose face had quickly turned red.

"Come now. Take a seat, Prince Raul," Mineah offered with a smile. "Have a meal with us."

Beside her, Lord Andro got up and offered his to Raul, which the latter quickly took as he sat down. Ah, Mineah just hoped Niran and Raul worked things out soon. For now, she would simply play cupid and help her friend every once in a while whenever she saw a good opportunity like this.