The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 265: Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Chapter 265: Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Dahlia couldn’t believe it the moment she set her eyes on Zoran. He was really there. He was no longer far away from her. Oh, she just wanted to run to him and hug him with how badly she missed him. It had been so long since she last saw Zoran inside her bedchamber, and for many nights, she waited for him to visit her again only for him to never do so.

She was so utterly worried about him that there were nights where she would quietly sob thinking that something bad had already happened to him. But now, he was here, and all throughout the execution, her eyes never left his visage, afraid that if she ever tore her gaze away from him, then he would disappear on her yet again.

Dahlia didn’t even notice Nimue scream as he was eaten alive inside the Cage of Death. She only felt herself being snapped away from her trance when Zoran answered Nikolai’s question on why he 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."

"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!"

"No..."

Dahlia weakly murmured to herself as she heard all the negative comments from the crowd. She turned to stare at Nikolai, her body practically shaking as she waited for him to speak. Thankfully, whatever the crowd wanted didn’t matter in this situation. After all, the final decision for this would come from Nikolai alone.

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

"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."

Dahlia’s face paled as the realization dawned on her... "No, he mustn’t stay here...".

She remembered Seer Tarah’s words about how Zoran was with her in that one vision. The two of them looked happy and well dressed together as if they were at a party. If Zoran would stay in the palace with her, then that vision would come true! He wouldn’t have died if he wasn’t with her...

"That’s it..." she weakly muttered. "The two of us shouldn’t be together so that he doesn’t die."

"Very well. You may stay," Nikolai 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."

The moment Nikolai’s declaration went out, Zorans’s eyes darted directly toward her. Dahlia held her breath at his attention, her chest tightening as mixed emotions swirled inside of her. She was happy to have him back, but she also feared the consequences of this turn of events.

However, seeing how Zoran’s face glimmered as he lovingly stared at her just melted those fears away. How she just wanted to grab his hand and pull him away right then and there.

Some time had passed, and the King had already dismissed everyone even as Dahlia remained rooted in her post.

"Lady Dahlia, are you alright?"

A voice shook her out of her musings. It was Dani’s voice, her hand patting her shoulder as if to get her attention.

"Right... I’m fine, Dani," Dahlia replied with a faint smile. "I’m just still surprised, is all."

"I’ll take your word for it," Dani shrugged. "Anyway, come with me. Her Majesty asked me to come and assist you in getting back into the Corvus palace. She was worried since you’re looking a bit pale."

Dahlia’s eyes darted back to their King and Queen’s seats, but the couple was already gone by the time she could even see them.

Sensing the direction in Dahlia’s eyes, Dani explained, "They already left. His Majesty had to transport Her Majesty back to the province of Otto." She then pulled on her arm as she addressed her. "Come now. I’ll walk you back to your bedchamber. Zoran still has to talk one-on-one with the King after this, but I’m sure he’ll soon come to you..."

Dahlia nodded. She honestly didn’t know how to respond.

"Your hands are cold," Dani remarked with a frown when she held her hand. "I’ll have Zaila check on you."

"Oh, there’s no need. I’m probably just too overwhelmed right now, Lady Dani," Dani sighed. "I..."

Dahlia let Dani hold her arm as she assisted and led her back to the palace. Again, she didn’t know what to think even as the sights around her changed with each step that they took.

"Now that Zoran is here, you’re probably more worried because of Seer Tarah’s vision," Dani commented while they were walking.

"Yes. If he’s with me, his life will be in danger. Seer Tarah’s vision might be of him dying because we were together," Dahlia reasoned. "I’m very happy at seeing Zoran right now, Lady Dani. I’m in so much bliss right now that it feels too good to be true."

"Hmm... I understand what you’re feeling right now. However, nothing is certain in this world, Lady Dahlia," Dani advised.

"We should treasure each moment we have like it’s our last. I suggest that you ignore your worries and just enjoy your time together with Lord Zoran. This kind of opportunity comes rarely, after all. Also, our king and queen will surely do something to make things work out. They promised you that they’ll do their best to help Zoran, and that’s something that you can look forward to..."

Dahlia smiled as she turned to Dani. "Thank you for the comforting words and advice, Lady Dani," she sincerely thanked. "You’re right. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I should just enjoy it and make the best out of it..."

"That’s more like it," Dani chuckled. "Now, let’s hurry so that you can prepare to welcome Lord Zoran back. You two obviously can’t take your eyes off each other, so he’ll probably rush towards you after talking to our king. You should be at your best when you receive him.

Dahlia’s face reddened at Dani’s teasing. Nevertheless, her newfound friend was right. She wanted to be at her best in welcoming Zoran. She didn’t want any regrets... so there would be no more holding back for her in being with him and doing all the things she wanted with him. She wanted the two of them to create good memories with each other, and there was nothing that would stop her from doing so.