The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 247: Whirlwind Romance

Chapter 247: Whirlwind Romance

"Mark me?! What do you mean? Are you referring to what they do in the Coupling Rite?!" Krisha exclaimed.

"Yes, that way we can communicate with each other any time and there would be no problem, I can even visit you in your dreams as well." Taro went on to explain, "You see, I inherited these abilities from His Majesty when he turned me. Is this something you would consider? Will you give me consent to marking you so that we can form a bond, Lady Krisha?" Taro asked with a serious face.

Krisha couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She scoffed and replied, "Do you even know what you’re asking of me? Marking me is equivalent to me becoming your wife! If you even think I’m the kind of person who would just allow you to mark me, only just to be your mistress, then you’ve completely lost your mind. I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m not willing to share my future husband with anyone. If this is your idea of making some sick joke, then you should stop because it’s not funny at all!"

"But I’m not joking, Krisha. I’m dead serious... I want to mark you so that no one will dare approach you while I’m gone..." Taro said fiercely with a frown.

Krisha’s face crumpled as she said, "Are you over Dani?!"

"I am..."

"That fast?"

"I admit I did like Lady Dani, but my feelings for her were not deep enough to consider it love. That doesn’t even matter anymore. What matters now is that I like you, Lady Krisha. Don’t you always say ’The early bird catches the worm’? I’m simply living by your words, and moving quickly to make you mine," Taro answered without a blink.

Krisha stood there, her mouth hung open in disbelief as she stared at Taro, who looked dead serious about his proposal. This was no prank - Taro never was the type to joke around, especially about matters such as this. It was usually Krisha who liked to tease and make fun of him.

"You may not share the same feelings as I do just yet, but I’m confident that I can make you fall for me, Krisha," Taro asserted.

Krisha blinked rapidly, still trying to process everything. "Are you running out of time, Taro? Why are you in such a hurry, as if you’re in a race against time? You’re immortal, after all. So, time, out of all things, is on your side."

Just as their conversation was getting more intense, they heard Zaila, one of Mineah’s closest aides, shout Krisha’s name and saw her running towards them. She was practically breathless as she handed Krisha a parchment.

"Huh? What is this?" Krisha exclaimed, confused.

"Please read it first, Krisha. I’m unsure as to how you will react to this. I myself am struggling to figure out how to feel regarding this. Don’t fret, however, what I deliver to you is not bad news, yet the thought of possibly leaving our Queen’s side... I mean... I have never thought of ever being away from our Queen. Yet every woman has dreamt of this moment. Prince Ezekiel is someone I would be more than willing to offer myself to... He shall be crowned king as well one day, yet... Ah! I feel as if my head is about to burst right now. I need time to think, I must leave you now!" Zaila blabbered, perplexed as she walked away.

Krisha frowned as she opened the parchment and read it. She blinked several times to make sure that she was reading it right. She had been invited to the coronation of the king, but aside from this on the same day, selected noble women were also invited as possible prospects to be Ezekiel’s wife.

Her father, the Duke of Vega, in the western region of Ebodia, had always wanted her to be Ezekiel’s potential wife, which is why her name had been listed among the maidens to be introduced to the Prince.

"Oh..." she gasped. She had always had quite a bit of a crush on Prince Ezekiel. This was not exactly an uncommon feeling among her shadow maidens, as they all adored Prince Ezekiel and had long wished to be married to someone like him.

She thought all this to herself as her lips stretched wide. She had been so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t notice how Taro was already reading the parchment that she was once holding.

"Are you honestly considering being a part of this and abandoning our Queen? What happens if you’re chosen, would you really consider leaving the Queen for this man?" Taro chided with a frown.

That was when she snapped back to reality. She turned to Taro and firmly said, "I would never leave our Queen, no matter what."

"Then it settled. You must not participate in the selection." Taro stated very matter-of-factly.

"Taro, you don’t understand. I have to attend this as it’s a royal edict that was presented to my family. Going against this would be to disrespect my family’s own crown." Krisha murmured with a pout.

She was definitely feeling mixed emotions regarding the situation, but one thing was certain, she didn’t want to leave the Queen’s side. She intended to honor her vow to stay by Mineah’s side no matter the situation, come hell or high water. Not only because she was obliged to do so, but also because it was something she wanted.

"Not when you have a valid reason to reject it, Krisha," Taro coaxed.

The crease on her forehead deepened as she stared at Taro. "What are you saying? The only valid reason for me to decline this is if I’m already spoken for..." She said trailing off.

Her eyes widened, as it dawned on her what Taro was implying, "You... are you saying that-"

"Yes, I will mark you now. That way you can tell your parents that you’ve already committed yourself to someone else, and this will make you no longer qualified to participate." Taro deliberated.

"But... I... This is too sudden and I..."

"Do you want to stay here with your Queen or not? Better yet, let me rephrase my question. Is it your dream to become Ebodia’s Queen or not?" Taro said, now gazing at her with so much intensity.

Krisha’s eyes widened as she said, "No!" She adored Prince Ezekiel but she would never want to wear a crown. That would be too much for her to handle.

"Then it’s settled..."

Before Krisha could react, she already felt her body drawing closer to Taro. He was holding her so close now, his arm now wrapped securely around her waist.

"I’m going to mark you now Krisha," Taro murmured so close to her skin, making her gulp. His breath against her was warm, she felt the hairs against her skin all go up and was suddenly now having a shivering sensation.

He started to kiss her neck and moved downwards towards her bare clavicle. She felt her body freeze at that moment. She couldn’t move at all. Every part of her felt so stiff, only her heart moving as it beat loudly against her chest.

"Krisha, I said I’m going to mark you now. Do you want me to? Yes or No?" Taro spoke as he busied himself, peppering her skin with kisses.

The damn brute was distracting her with his touch right now that she couldn’t think straight. A part of her wanted to say yes but a part of her was holding her back and made her want to say no. Taro was a good man and she believed he would take care of her well. She had no doubts about his words and his promises, yet... she still felt as if everything was moving so fast.

’Should I just say yes now or no to this?’ she questioned herself at the back of her head.