The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 264: Zoran’s Return

Chapter 264: Zoran’s Return

"That bastard is finally back," Fritz snorted at the news. "What took him so long?"

"Whatever happened, we’ll know of it eventually," Nikolai scoffed before he turned to the guard and addressed him. "Let him in. Lead him to the execution grounds and have Dahlia and everyone involved in this case be present."

The guard quickly saluted, and Nikolai could only shake his head as he turned to Fritz for the next set of instructions he had to give out.

"We’ll be going through with it now then?" Fritz asked.

"Better now than having to postpone whatever trial needs to happen to the warlock Zoran has with him," Nikolai nodded. "Inform Abel and make all the necessary arrangements. Gather all the court officials and ready the Cage of Death. We already used it once. We might as well do so again. Besides, Nimue deserves a gruesome death like his Master Haman."

Fritz shrugged before promptly leaving to do what he was told. Likewise, Nikolai went ahead to quickly fetch Mineah so that she could be present for the trial and subsequent execution. Giving her just a token warning, he didn’t waste time before he whisked her away in his arms and promptly placed her feet back down back home in record time.

"Seriously? You didn’t even give me a warning?" Mineah whined as she let go of his neck. "Sure, I want to see this through just as much as you do, but I still have work to do, you know."

"It won’t take long, I’m sure," Nikolai reassured her. "Either way, I can always take you back to the province of Otto once you’ve seen enough."

Mineah rolled her eyes as she dusted herself off. "I’ll hold you to that then," she chuckled. "I don’t want to torture my ladies-in-waiting by constantly having them replan my schedules."

Nikolai hummed as he let his wife do everything she could to get ready. After which, they then went to the same open courtroom hall where Haman met his end. Thankfully, the court was already filled and ready by the time they arrived. Abel was already on the courtroom floor, and his court officials were already present as they sat in their respective seats. Fritz, as usual, was all by his lonesome somewhere in the stands, making sure that he would do as little as he could for the coming trial.

"The King has finally arrived," Abel announced. "The trial can finally begin."

"Indeed," Nikolai nodded as both he and Mineah took to their seats. "Since Haman has already given us all the evidence we need, shall we skip all the pleasantries and go straight to the execution?"

Mineah chuckled beside him, and some of his officials actually laughed at his half-humorous remark. Unlike Haman, Nimue had no support to back him up, and the current trial was more of a formality in terms of just getting him to his execution.

"Your Majesty, I should at least read out his crimes to the public," Abel jokingly remarked. "It would do for us to at least follow procedure."

"Very well," Nikolai curtly nodded. "Let us proceed then."

From there, the trial went about just as smoothly as he would’ve hoped. Without anyone defending the warlock, Abel was quick to list out all of the crimes the warlock committed. From colluding with Rosela to having Dahlia killed using Nikolai, human trafficking to outright kidnapping, the public reception was also on par with how Haman was received. Even better, there was no sympathy to be had. This warlock was an outsider, and the public’s animosity for him only rose higher the further Abel read out his crimes.

Again, like with Haman, the public was crying out for blood by the time the trial was done. All that was left was for Nikolai to hand out the punishment, and they’d be done with everything.

"For your crimes against the Kingdom of Valcrez, I sentence you to death through the Cage of Death," Nikolai coldly announced.

Like last time, the crowd went silent as the same cage as yesterday was carried out onto the courtroom floor. Unlike the last time it happened, however, the public actually cheered as Nimue was devoured by the same insects and bugs that killed his master.

By the time the screams went silent, there was nothing left of the warlock to even be remembered by.

"Now, for the subject of Zoran," Nikolai sighed as he rose from his seat again. "Why have you returned?"

"I’ve returned to ask for your forgiveness and to regain my place back here in Valcrez," Zoran resolutely replied from where he stood. "My offering of Nimue’s head should suffice for my sincerity, hopefully."

Nikolai narrowed his eyes at him. He could already hear his court officials nagging him already. And sure enough, they were already crying out about how his former friend was a known collaborator to Helion.

"What?! He’s a known enemy!"

"Why don’t we just arrest him now?!"

"He’s clearly here just to be a spy for Helion!"

Looking at Zoran’s eyes, Nikolai could see sincerity in him. He already noticed earlier how uncomfortable the man looked throughout the trial, but he was determined to be here regardless. He knew him enough to trust that, at least, but it wouldn’t hurt to be sure.

[Mine, your thoughts?] he asked.

[Lai, he’s hiding something,] Mineah replied through their bond. [He and Dahlia keep sharing glances earlier, and while he’s sincere with her, his intentions regarding wanting to return here are muddled somehow...]

He pursed his lips in deep thought. It would seem that Zoran did something to hide his thoughts then. There was more to this clearly, and while they knew that Zoran needed saving, him being here was clearly because Devon told him to be here.

"Is that really all there is to it?" Nikolai probed.

"I... I’m here to be with the love of my life," Zoran stated with determination. "I know that my words might hold no meaning, but I’m sincere with my intentions."

Nikolai closed his eyes for a second as he thought about what to do. Inevitably, he nodded as he replied.

"Very well. You may stay," he declared. "However, you will be under constant observation. Until you are proven to be clear of all influence from our enemies, you will be considered as a potential threat to the kingdom."

Zoran visibly relaxed, and Nikolai could only sigh to himself as he nodded at the guards to do what had to be done. If Devon wanted a spy, then he might as well welcome it and spin it to his advantage.