The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 266: She Fell in Love

Chapter 266: She Fell in Love

Dani had a broad smile on her face as she turned around and left Dahlia in her bedchamber. She was whistling as she walked through the hallways, happy that Dahlia and Zoran would finally be together.

For days now she could tell how empty Dahlia’s smiles were. She was a nice woman, and she wanted her to be happy. She couldn’t imagine how those two, Zoran and Dahlia, suffered for all these years. Dahlia had lost sixteen years of her life while Zoran waited for just as long. Yes, the two of them shared five years of being together, but according to Dahlia, they had no label for their relationship during those same five years.

"Look at you walking like you’re over the moon, Dani," Zaila scoffed as she approached her. "Your wedding is in three days, right? You should be preparing to travel by now since you don’t want to travel with Chancellor Abel in his mist form."

Dani blinked. Right, she almost forgot that she would be sailing with Zaila to Ebodia in the fastest of Valcrez’s fleet. Despite that, she would be arriving there in two days’ time.

"Let me wrap things things first," Dani replied. "We can leave before sunset."

"Alright then. Too bad Laura won’t be able to attend with the civil service exams pushing ahead of time, but at least Niran could come with Her Majesty while we meet with Krisha there," Zaila snorted. "Anyway, what do you think will happen? Taro and Krisha will arrive there before evening, and I actually feel nervous for her. I feel like her father, Duke Rigot, might have a heart attack the moment he finds out."

Dani hummed in agreement. Zaila could be right, especially knowing the personality of Krisha’s father. Unfortunately for the Duke, Krisha was a stubborn daughter from the start, one who he couldn’t cage and wrap around his finger to do whatever he wanted.

She could still remember how Krisha’s father tried to lock her up since he didn’t want his daughter hanging around with her and the rest. He said that their influence wasn’t good for his daughter, but that wasn’t enough to stop Krisha from doing what she wanted. She always had her ways like most of their Queen’s shadow maidens. In her case, she just always snuck out without her father even knowing about it.

Dani unknowingly chuckled upon recalling those funny memories about Krisha. Some things just didn’t stop being amusing despite the passage of time.

"Care to share your thoughts so that you’re not the only one laughing like a crazy person?" Zaila snorted with a frown.

"Why are you even nervous for Krisha? She knows how to handle things," Dani pointed out.

"Did you see how fast she handled having Taro mark her the moment she got the invitation from Ebodia? You should worry about yourself. Have you already decided if you want to participate in the selection? I’m sure it’s the condition our court officials wanted from King Stephan so that he could transfer power to Prince Ezekiel."

She sighed as she shrugged, "I can’t believe that they’re still doing this... Why can’t they just leave Prince Ezekiel alone and wait once he meets someone he likes and loves?"

"What’s new? I believe every kingdom has this kind of selection anyway," Zaila shrugged back with a frown. "Besides, it’s not like they’re pushing Prince Ezekiel to get a wife this instant. It’s merely a selection, so I plan on participating since I’m sure Prince Ezekiel will have me quickly eliminated on day one anyway."

Dani couldn’t help but burst into a fit of laughter. "What’s with the long face?" she jokingly asked. "Are you that sad knowing you’ll be quickly eliminated and have to return here so quickly?"

"Well... A bit," Zaila meekly admitted. "Who wouldn’t want to get married to Prince Ezekiel? Admit it! Even you adored him, and he was also your first crush and love!"

Dani’s face reddened at that accusation. She couldn’t refute that truth. All of their Queen’s Shadow Maidens truly swooned over the young Prince back then. After all, who wouldn’t when he looked so perfect in every aspect?!

This time it was Zaila who laughed. "Anyway, I must admit that Krisha moved quickly. I really noticed that when we were on vacation. Krisha paid a lot of attention to Taro," she pointed out with narrowed eyes.

"I’m sure she likes him because if not, she wouldn’t have let Taro mark her that easily. In addition, having that reason to avoid the Selection process to be Prince Ezekiel’s wife is just convenient for her. After all, she already knew that Prince Ezekiel would just reject her anyway."

"Let’s just be happy and support her, shall we?" Dani shook her head with a grin. "You don’t have to look too much into things, you know."

Zaila turned and raised an eyebrow at her. Clearly, she had something in mind.

"What?" Dani huffed.

"You and Krisha are being too suspicious! I mean..." Zaila clicked her tongue as she whined. "Tsk... Who would have thought? You two are both acting so aloof, prim, and proper around men... and then boom! You both instantly get yourselves a man!"

She then shook her head as she added, "Truly... I thought I’d known you and Krisha enough, but I guess you two have this hidden slyness in you when it comes to men. Goodness, you getting married after sleeping with the Chancellor and casting that Chain Thralling Spell on him... and now Krisha getting married after being marked all of a sudden. Ah, I can’t believe I’ll be the last one to get married and laid!"

Dani could only blush at her friend’s candid words. "Well, Laura is still available, so don’t worry," she reassured her. "I’m sure you’ll marry first before her since she still has a goal she wants to achieve. She’s dreaming of having a high position, so I’m sure she won’t have time to flirt around with men..."

"Huh, we’ll never know though," Zaila scoffed with a pout before turning around and walking ahead of her. "Like I said, I never expected you and Krisha to be this fast."

Dani shook her head, chuckling as she said, "Hey, wait for me our, dearest Zaila who will surely get married soon!" Zaila only scoffed at her even as she put her arm over her shoulders.

"It’s because you have so many suitors that you’re having a hard time choosing!" she teased. "Come now. Tell me who’s currently topping the list in your heart. Gregory? Sixto? Marlo? Or this- Hmmm... There’s this new vampire hinting at you, right? Minister Milo?"

Dani chuckled upon seeing how red Zaila’s face turned. "See? We don’t have that many suitors, so I guess it’s way too easy for me and Krisha to decide."

"Just admit that you’re fortunate to have the man you like beside you," Zaila scolded with a pout. "You already have a man whom you feel secure with. Someone that you can see spending your life with."

She blushed yet again even as a beautiful smile appeared on her face. Zaila was right. She was indeed fortunate enough to find a man she liked. At least she fell in love instead of someone being thrust upon her.