The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 311: New Life

Chapter 311: New Life

Everyone left except for Zaila who Mineah had asked to stay and check her body. Her healing capabilities and talent for checking on the human anatomy were honestly almost already in comparison with Lady Jayra, and Mineah couldn’t help but notice how her shadow maiden was getting better and better as time went on.

"What is the matter, Milady?" Zaila inquired as she positioned herself before Mineah. "Is there something wrong?"

"I don’t really know. I just feel that something’s wrong," Mineah replied with an awkward smile. "It’s been a while already, but I can’t help but wonder why I’m still not getting pregnant like my sister. Can you check what’s wrong with me? I have a theory on it, but I want to hear your opinion on the matter."

Zaila’s face lit up at her request, and she could already see the excitement brimming in her shadow maiden’s eyes. "Alright, let me check on you then, Your Majesty."

With a nod, Zaila positioned herself in the way that they used to whenever they meditated. She then grabbed her hand before quickly closing her eyes and clearing her thoughts so that she could have a thorough view of her body.

After some quiet time, Zaila spoke, "I’m done, Milady."

Mineah slowly opened her eyes, and for some reason, Zaila frowning at her was making her nervous.

"From what I’ve seen, you have to remove the dagger inside your body, or else you won’t get pregnant at all," Zaila remarked, her brows still in a frown as she spoke. "It’s blocking your body from forming new life inside you. I’m sure you felt that too. Is that your theory as well after you assessed your own body?"

Mineah gulped. She couldn’t find it in herself to speak about it.

"Why do you even keep that dagger within you?" Zaila chided, her tone taking on her usual nagging tune whenever Mineah was being stubborn.

Biting her lower lip, Mineah replied, "I’ll try removing it from my body, but I’ll have you keep it instead. Can you do that? Nikolai shouldn’t see it at any cost, so make sure you hide it from him."

Zaila eagerly nodded, and Mineah quickly let go of the dagger inside her body and handed it to her. The latter then quickly put it inside her magical purse safe from view.

"You must always stay by my side, Zaila," Mineah told her. "Make sure you’re always within my sights whenever I need that dagger."

Zaila gulped at the responsibility. "But Your Majesty, Prince Ezekiel’s coronation is coming up, and I do believe that you’ll have to travel with His Majesty in his mist form, right?" she reminded her. "Also, I’ll have to stay behind there for a day to participate in the introduction and selection of his wife..."

"Ah right," Mineah murmured. "I almost forgot about that..."

"It’s understandable. We have a lot going on here in Valcrez, especially you, Your Majesty," Zaila reassured her with a smile. "That’s not to mention how you also had to travel a lot and attend so many events. And now, yet another major event is coming. Well, I’m sure Prince Ezekiel will just reject me as a candidate, but it’s still an opportunity I can’t miss."

Mineah chuckled at that. While their court officials were trying hard to push Ezekiel into getting married, the truth was that no one would be able to tell her brother what to do matter how hard they tried. He might be accommodating them for now, but in the end, her brother would simply break their hearts by choosing none of the ladies in that coming event. She could almost picture it already with how her brother would point out why he would reject each and every one of them.

"Seeing you smile like that is just making me wonder how Prince Ezekiel will reject me," Zaila snorted.

Mineah chuckled. "Hmm... Let’s see... He’ll probably say that you’re not his type since he just sees you as the little sister he’s had all his life."

"Why do I have a feeling that’s exactly what would happen?" Zaila chuckled back. "Anyway, I should get going now, my lady."

Mineah nodded, and Zaila promptly got back on her feet before helping her do the same. She then turned to leave, and Mineah simply watched as her friend left her. However, Zaila wasn’t even a few steps away from her when she called out to her again. "Zaila!"

The latter quickly halted her steps to turn around and approach her. "What is it?" she asked, panting since she practically ran back to her.

"The purse... Check your purse," Mineah weakly murmured as she held onto the nearby table to compose her trembling body.

Checking her purse, Zaila’s eyes widened as she gasped. "The dagger, milady..." she whispered. "The dagger isn’t here... How is that possib-"

Zaila paused as she looked at her, the dagger going back to Mineah’s body as they watched.

"It’s coming back to me," Mineah muttered, her face pale at the implications.

It didn’t make any sense. Seer Beirut said that once she had the dagger, it would attach itself to her body and she could easily get it out whenever she wanted. He never mentioned that it would forever be a part of her body like this.

"The dagger is now a part of your body?" Zaila asked. "That means..."

"I won’t be able to have a baby," Mineah gasped, almost a whisper as her knees gave way, making her slump down onto the ground.

What was going on? Nikolai was very excited to be a father, and she could already feel that it wasn’t only because the court officials were pressuring him about it. He truly strongly desired to have a baby of his own. Her husband had personally told her that when they talked about their future and having children of their own, there was no way that she wouldn’t give him that.

"Your Majesty," Zaila addressed her as she quickly helped her up again before guiding her to the nearest chair.

"I’m sure there’s a way out of this. Right, Zaila... I’m probably missing something here," Mineah unknowingly hummed to herself. "This can’t be. The dagger’s only here because of the curse, and once I probably use this... it will be gone forever as well."

"I can’t understand. I’m confused, Your Majesty," Zaila frowned with worry. "Why would Seer Beirut give you something like this?"

Mineah closed her eyes as she tried her best to calm herself first. "Help me get back to my bedchamber first, Zaila. I really can’t explain all the details of this situation right now to you and the others though. I hope you’ll understand," she replied. "I will have to discuss this matter with Nikolai. first."

Even as they walked, Mineah couldn’t help but feel apprehensive of the situation. Deep inside, her heart was breaking just thinking about saying such a thing to Nikolai. For the first time in her life, she felt scared of the future...