The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 398: Conflicted

Chapter 398: Conflicted

"Isn’t it nice to hear such good news? I’m still surprised.... Another pregnancy..."

Nikolai couldn’t help but comment on the news as he watched Raul and Niran leave to go to Mineah. They wanted to pay their respects to her, as well as to deliver some good news that the former just told him a while ago. Surprisingly, his wife Niran was five weeks into her new pregnancy, and his brother wanted to celebrate this joyful news by inviting his family and closest friends to dinner later. The man personally saw him this morning with his wife to relay this wonderful news, and Nikolai could only smile at such wonderful news.

"I bet our Chancellor’s wife will be next," Fritz teased as he fanned himself. "Looks like everyone just has some good news to give to people recently."

Nikolai chuckled as he turned to Abel who simply scratched his head. Perhaps there was some truth to Fritz’s words then?

"It’s really nice to see you three in one frame!"

The three men turned around and greeted the newly arrived Exordium Alexa. She courteously bowed to them, a smile still on her face even as the servant behind her had a few things on her hands.

"What are those, Aunt Alexa?" Nikolai asked, pertaining to the files the servant was holding.

"Oh, this? I’m on my way to see Minister Laura so she can look at these profiles of potential husbands!" Alexa excitedly announced.

"What?!" Fritz burst out, the resounding clap of his fan abruptly being closed echoing from his hands.

"What’s with the exaggerated reaction, Lord Fritz?!" Alexa naively asked. "I thought you and Minister Laura are close enough for you to be updated on this."

"Will I react like this if I am aware of it, Alexa?" Fritz sarcastically mumbled.

"Well, we’re all aware of some of the issues regarding why His Majesty let an Ebodian take charge of the justice hall," Alexa explained with a taunting smile. "While they are issues that didn’t really affect the peace and order in our kingdom because of how well Minister Laura is handling her position, the Queen Mother still believes that it would be in Minister Laura’s best interest to address this matter by marrying a Valcrezian that would pass her standards."

Nikolai mentally nodded at the explanation given. He was already aware of such things since his wife had consulted him about this matter earlier. Mineah said that Laura was pursuing solving the matter after hearing the suggestion from the Queen Mother herself, and as such, was moving forward with such methods.

"Is Laura even aware of this? Why does Queen Mother keep interfering with other people’s love lives?" Fritz complained. He then turned to Nikolai and said, "I think Queen Mother is becoming more bored lately since most of her duties are now offloaded to Queen Mineah. Perhaps it would be good to assign her more work, Your Majesty?"

"What are you grumbling about, Fritz?" Nikolai chuckled. "Laura knows about this. She’s even the one pursuing this matter asking for all the possible candidates to choose from."

"Indeed. That’s why I compiled a list of any and all reliable men for her to select here," Alexa hummed with a wide grin. "Why? Do you want me to include your profile?"

"Hah, there’s no need for that! They’re acquainted with each other, and Lady Laura certainly knows Fritz well enough by now," Abel teased. "Surely, she wouldn’t want to see Lord Fritz among her selection, wouldn’t she?"

"What are you implying? Why wouldn’t she not want my profile there?" Fritz annoyingly grumbled. "Do you really think that there’s a better eligible bachelor than me in those damn profiles?"

Nikolai watched his friend’s annoyed face in amusement. At first, there were only some rumors regarding Lord Fritz being often seen hanging out with the new Minister of Justice, Lady Laura. Understandably, Mineah tried reading their thoughts. She was worried for her friend, and it seemed like his wife was right... Something seemed to be brewing between Lady Laura and his friend Fritz.

"Since you look so worked up with this, my friend, then how about you make things easier and simply ask Lady Laura to marry you then?" Abel snorted. "You said it yourself. There’s no eligible bachelor here that can surpass you... Although, I do wonder if Lady Laura will accept you as her husband."

"Are you saying that she’ll reject me?!" Fritz fired back.

"Does that mean you’ll ask her to marry you then?" Alexa challenged. "If you will, then I won’t bother going to her right now to show her this list."

Meanwhile, Nikolai simply observed from the sidelines as he watched Fritz fidget from where he stood. His friend was obviously conflicted about what to do next.

"Aunt Alexa, you should just go to Laura now if you’re on your way to see her," he interrupted after a terse of silence lingered around them.

Alexa clicked her tongue before shaking her head. "If you want Lady Laura, then you should have enough balls on your own to get her without hesitation," she scoffed at Fritz before walking away toward her destination.

Seeing her leave, Abel chuckled, and he was about to say something when Fritz suddenly pointed his fan to him.

"Say another word to annoy me, and-"

"Fine, I’m sealing my mouth now, my progenitor!" Abel casually remarked with a curt bow before turning his head to Nikolai. "I’ll be taking my leave now, My King. After all, I need to get ready for my delayed honeymoon vacation."

In an instant, Abel disappeared from the premises, leaving them alone once more.

"That brat! How can he join in on teasing me?" Fritz snorted with a frown. "He wouldn’t be where he is right now if not for me!"

Nikolai simply chuckled at the exchange. It wasn’t new that Fritz and Abel would usually bicker like this whenever they bantered.

"So, what’s your plan now?" Nikolai curiously asked. It was unlike him to meddle in these kinds of affairs, but he was somehow both curious and concerned for the man at the same time. A beat of silence passed, and he let out a heavy sigh and reminded, "Mineah already warned me about what she’d do if her friend is hurt, so don’t mess with Lady Laura unless you’re serious with her, Fritz. Sort out your feelings. I too want you to be happy with your life, you know."

Fritz copied his heavy sigh, but he remained quiet afterwards. Seeing his response, Nikolai patted his shoulder and said, "It’s been a while since I saw you like this..."

Fritz turned to look at him and asked, "See me like what?"

Nikolai smirked as he replied, "Seeing you being conflicted like this over a woman."

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