The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 283: The Only Option

Chapter 283: The Only Option

Ebodia Palace

Mineah and Nikolai didn’t take long after seeing Taro and Krisha’s wedding. As soon as the newlyweds went away, they too also left to return to Ebodia castle. Currently, they were walking in the hallways of the palace to have dinner with her family. It had been a while since she got back here, and both she and Nikolai decided to sleep for the night in her previous bedchamber since they still had yet another wedding to attend tomorrow.

"I feel bad for those two," Mineah murmured with a pout. "Couldn’t you extend Taro’s vacation for a bit longer?"

Smiling, Nikolai kissed her knuckles as he replied. "I really can’t risk it. I need Taro to look after Jayra as soon as possible," he reasoned. "She’s still in danger. Devon might try to get her again soon. After all, she still bears the demon blood inside her body. In Devon’s eyes, she’s still a possible threat to him."

Mineah could only let out a sigh, knowing where her husband was coming from. It had come to their knowledge that Devon was trying to eliminate everyone who harbored demon blood. No one knew the reason why, but it could be that Devon wished to be the most powerful demon alive. Still, none of those mattered except that Jayra’s safety had to be ensured. It was simply the right thing to do, solely because her life was now intertwined with her sister’s friend.

After all, if Jayra died, she would die as well.

"My bloodthread will cleanse the dark energy in her demon blood," Mineah reassured him. "It’s just that we’re not sure just how long it will take."

It was just a waiting game now. As soon as her bloodthread was done wiping out all of the dark energy within Jayra, then it would finally be safe to extract her bloodthread. In this case, her divine blood had the power to cleanse the demon blood, especially those that could cause harm to the body.

For Jayra, her dark energy was dormant, but Devon’s blood thread activated and manipulated it in a way that the dormant dark energy inside her body came to life, destroying her inner energy and taking away her life force as it slowly began to kill her.

Back in the real world, Nikolai let out a heavy sigh as he stopped walking to face her. "I know you did it for a good reason, but I still don’t like it..." he grumbled. "The fact of you sacrifici-"

Not letting him get another word in, Mineah tip-toed up and gently kissed her husband to stop him from scolding her. "I know, I know..." she cooed. "Let’s just stop this discussion now. I don’t want you to become restless."

She then suckled on his lips passionately and lovingly, sliding her tongue deep into his mouth to distract him fully. And it seemed to be working as Nikolai let out a few muffled moans, his arms pulling her closer as he deepened their kiss.

Mineah smiled as she let it happen. She loved it so much whenever she would feel how her husband’s body would tremble in anticipation whenever they would kiss. She could feel his growing arousal as well, but having an intimate moment could wait for later.

Deciding that they’d spent enough time kissing, she gently broke away by pushing him off. "Come now. Let’s continue later," she smiled. "My family is waiting for us in the dining hall."

"Mine," Nikolai called to her, and Mineah saw the hesitation in his eyes.

"If you’re not ready to face Ezekiel, then we can have dinner in my bedchamber, Lai," she offered. "My family will understand."

This would be the first time that Nikolai would meet her brother after she confirmed that Vulcan’s soul was indeed inside him. It was probably awkward for him, to say the least.

"No, I’m fine, Mine. You said Ezekiel is in control... I won’t have any problem with it then," Nikolai replied as he shook his head. "Besides, it’s been a while since you’ve been with your family, and I don’t want to kill the mood. I also have to overcome my own feelings in this situation as well. After all, Ezekiel is your brother, and he isn’t Vulcan, and I also want to cooperate in extracting that dragon’s soul out of his body."

Gratefully smiling, Mineah gently squeezed Nikolai’s hand. "Come then."

Together, they made their way to the dining hall. Already, her mother and father were inside together with Seer Tarah whom they now considered a part of their family. After all, she had no one but them, and according to Tarah herself, her parents were already dead. Ever since she had become a pupil of a town healer before then becoming a wanderer. She learned to heal further during her travels all over the world before she inevitably came to be their seer.

"Where’s Ezekiel?" Mineah asked as she sat on the chair her husband pulled out for her. This was after they’d all exchanged courteous greetings with one another, of course.

But just before anyone could reply, the door swung open just in time, and Ezekiel entered the scene with a slightly apologetic tone. "I’m sorry I’m late. It’s because of that damn selection for a wife," he complained. "Those court officials are pestering me too much about it."

Mineah chuckled. "Well, you’ll soon be crowned king, and many would want their daughters to become Queen."

"That’s true," their mother chimed in. "In fact, it’s also giving me a headache."

Mineah then watched as the time for Nikolai and Ezekiel to casually greet each other came. Her husband bore a blank expression, and the same could be said with Ezekiel. From what she knew, her brother was aware of how Nikolai’s father died because he too had access to Vulcan’s memory.

"I’m sorry," Ezekiel suddenly said. "I saw everything, and I know how painful it must have been. This monster is currently inside of me, but don’t worry. You’ll soon get justice for your father and the rest as soon as I have Vulcan’s soul extracted from my body."

"When do you plan on attacking Helion’s Palace?" Nikolai just as suddenly asked. "I want to come."

"Lai!?" Mineah burst out. She hadn’t heard of this from Nikolai at all.

"Your Majesty, I really don’t feel good about this idea," Tarah interrupted. "I’m sure there’s another way."

"This is the only option, Tarah, and you know that," Ezekiel firmly stated. "I need those books no matter what..."

"Let me accompany your brother, Mine," Nikolai quickly reasoned. "Also, one of the books they will retrieve can also help us regarding your curse."

Mineah looked Tarah in the eyes, but she was still unable to read the Seer’s thoughts like how she was unable to read Seer Beirut before. It would seem that Seers was an exception when it came to her reading mind abilities like Nikolai.

Her stare then shifted back to Ezekiel. She blinked at her brother, and she couldn’t help but inwardly frown... How come she wasn’t able to read her brother’s thoughts as well? She could read him perfectly well before... The last time was before she left Ebodia and married Nikolai, however.

She gulped when Ezekiel suddenly met her intense stare. [Stop it, Sister. Vulcan’s power is strong and this damn dragon has the ability to shield thoughts from mind readers like you,] he talked through her mind, giving Mineah goosebumps.