The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 81: Dahlia’s Twin

Chapter 81: Dahlia’s Twin

After the court meetings, the Queen Mother approached Mineah on her way outside the throne hall.

"I am sorry about the passing of the Seer," Rania sincerely stated. "I learned from Nikolai that he was someone special to you..."

There was a pause before she offered, "Would you like to conduct a private prayer or perform any rites according to your customs for the Seer? Minister Marlon will have it arranged in your residence should you want them."

Holding onto her sigh, Mineah gave the Queen Mother a faint smile as she politely replied. "Thank you so much for your thoughts, Queen Mother. I greatly appreciate it," she hummed.

"However, as some might say, we humans are destined to die one day or another. After that, we will then face judgment from the Almighty alone. It would do no good to pray for someone who is already dead."

The Queen Mother simply nodded in understanding, having seemingly decided to let Mineah say her piece.

"Again, thank you for your great concern, Mother," Mineah sincerely added. "What I can only do now is to simply mourn and move forward. After all, that’s what Seer Beirut would’ve wanted me to do. We might’ve lost him, but what he left behind and instilled in us will remain. He will never be forgotten."

Rania hummed at the response she gave her. After a few more moments of walking, the conversation swerved to more pressing matters.

"You will have a lot of visitors in your palace today. I trust that you’re already well-informed about everything that might happen," the Queen Mother reminded. "You might have to reserve around seven days to accommodate the visitors and nobles from each clan who will greet and pay respects to you."

"I understand, Mother..." Mineah answered.

"The Midnight Sun won’t be long," Rania remarked. "Until then, make sure you and Nikolai follow the traditions."

"Yes, Mother," Mineah reassured her. "We will."

As the two of them walked, Mineah couldn’t help but notice how serious and stern her mother-in-law was. It was almost like talking to a well-versed diplomat, and she could only wonder if she acted the same with Rosela.

And speaking of the devil, her face immediately soured upon seeing the woman’s wide smile while approaching their direction.

’What is she up to now?’

"Greetings to you, Queen Mother," Rosela politely hummed. "And to Her Majesty as well."

"Greetings, Rosela," the Queen Mother greeted back. "Since you’re here, will you please join us? I’m walking our Queen back to the Amaranth Palace."

"It would be my honor," Rosela meekly replied.

Seeing the woman join them, Mineah contemplated on whether or not to waste some of her energy to read Rosela’s mind. In the end, she chose not to, just to save herself the headache.

"How’s the feast last night?" Rania asked Rosela.

"It was great, Queen Mother," Rosela smiled. "Everyone had fun, and the King even stayed up late to participate and grace everyone with his presence."

"I see," the Queen Mother nonchalantly stated. "Anyway, I talked to Nikolai last night and proposed that he take you as his mistress."

Mineah gulped as she felt her body tense up at the words she just heard. What was the meaning of this? If the Queen Mother wanted to talk to Rosela about this, then why open the topic in front of her? That was just rude!

Somewhere along the way, the Queen Mother stopped walking before looking out at the open pavilion that was only a few steps away from their location. She then turned to the servants following them before giving out instructions.

"Prepare some snacks in the pavilion for the three of us," she commanded. She then turned to Mineah with a smile and said, "Let’s have some desserts, your Majesty."

Mineah tried her best to smile as she simply replied with a curt nod. With the way things were going, it looked like she would need to use her inner energy just so she could have somewhat of a clue as to what was happening.

She wasn’t really in the mood for it, but she’d rather be tired than be caught unaware of potential plays that were happening right in front of her.

Seeing her companions enter the pavilion, Mineah followed after them before purposely choosing to sit in front of Rosela and the Queen Mother. That way, she’d have a better view of their eyes and read their thoughts if the opportunity for it arises.

"Queen Mother, you don’t need to, I’m already happy with where I am," Rosela bowed as she seemingly declined the offer. "Being of use to the King, you, and the Clan is more than enough for me."

"It’s just a mere suggestion from me, Rosela," the Queen Mother stated. "But of course, we’ll still need to hear the Queen’s opinions about it as well."

Noticing that her two companions had turned their attention to her, Mineah gave off her meekest smile as she replied, "I believe it’s not for me to decide, Mother. Our King has the final say, wouldn’t you agree?"

"But I would still love to hear your thoughts about this," Rania insisted without breaking eye contact.

"Nikolai declined my suggestion last night, and I do believe he did that because he was thinking out of courtesy for you. In turn, I believe that if he learns that everything is alright with you, he will then accept Rosela as his mistress."

Mineah held her tongue seemingly in thought. In truth, she was already reading her mother-in-law’s mind.

[Let’s see if you’re really against my son having a mistress. I’m against it as well, but not with Rosela. Just one mistress will do. She’s already done enough for Nikolai and our Clan. I can’t just let her be left alone...]

Hearing the Queen Mother’s thoughts, Mineah maintained her meek smile as she firmly stated, "Mother, as a woman... I personally wouldn’t like sharing my husband with any other woman. I believe no wife would want that as well, even if it’s allowed in Valcrez Law."

Having said her piece, she then looked at Rosela with her power still active.

[You arrogant bjtch! Just wait and I will have you kicked out of our kingdom! I’ll kill you as soon as that happens!]

Ignoring the threats she just heard, Mineah flashed a wide smile as she said, "I’m sure Lady Rosela here would share the same sentiment if she would ever have a man. She wouldn’t want to share him with any other woman, I’m sure. But like I said... it’s still up to my husband."

She then turned to the Queen Mother and politely stated, "I’m not sure why you suggested that to him, Mother, but I’m sure you had your reasons. Still, as far as I know, Nikolai had introduced Rosela to me as nothing more than his sister and a good friend to him. She’s Dahlia’s twin sister, after all. I also understand that she did much for Nikolai during the full moon, especially after Dahlia died, but again, the decision will be up to my husband alone."

"You know about Dahlia and the full moon?" The Queen Mother gasped.

Mineah smiled. Looking at her two companions, even Rosela looked surprised at her revelation. "We are husband and wife now, after all," she vaguely remarked. "I’m simply grateful that Nikolai opened up to me about his past..."