The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 91: Escape Ezme

Chapter 91: Escape Ezme

[Lai, we’re in an open space,] Mineah talked to him through their bond in alarm.

Sensing her distress, Nikolai hummed through their bond as he promptly closed the sliding doors to their private room using his magic. [There... We have our privacy now, Mine...]

He really didn’t want to be disturbed at the moment. He was unable to control himself, and couldn’t help but indulge in the fleeting moments like what they had right now. He was so overwhelmed and touched by how concerned Mineah was for him, and he had to at least show her just how much she was affecting him.

It was inevitable, he supposed. She was stirring something in his heart, and he knew right then that she was starting to break the barrier that he himself put up to protect his heart. It wasn’t hard to fall for someone like her, but because of his past... things were harder. The guilt in his heart was the one stronghold left in his chest, and it was the hardest one to break even for his new wife.

After all, he took Dahlia’s happiness away by taking her life... Who was he to indulge in these kinds of strong emotions then? He was feeling utterly happy and content with the woman in his arms right now, and yet...

Nikolai didn’t notice the tears starting to fall out of his eyes.

[Lai, are you crying?] Mineah asked through the bond.

Holding back a gasp, Nikolai broke their kiss and gently released Mineah.

"You’re crying," she softly and lovingly whispered as she moved her hands to wipe away the tears on his cheek. "What’s wrong?"

Shaking his head, he smiled. "I... I’m just so happy, I guess."

"I’m glad then," Mineah smiled back.

There was a beat of silence before Mineah suddenly spoke, "I’ve been working hard not to get you involved with any other woman. I don’t want to share you with any other woman except for your family."

He couldn’t help but smile at her words.

"And why are you smiling? Are you that amused that I’m being clingy?"

Nikolai let out a faint chuckle as he pinched her nose. "Yes, I love it," he admitted with a slight smirk. "No matter what happens, don’t let go of me, Mine. I’m happy because I have you by my side... and thank you."

"So that’s settled then," she nodded before she threatened with a pout. "And if you ever feel like seeking Rosela’s blood again, I will never let you near me again, just so you know."

Nikolai nodded as he held her firmly by the chin. She looked so adorable that he simply wanted to cuddle her up in his arms. But instead, he leaned in closer for another kiss as he felt himself wanting yet another-.

"Your Majesty!" Gregory called out from outside the door. "The court officials have been waiting for long enough..."

Nikolai inwardly cursed at the interruption, and simply Mineah chuckled as she stared at his annoyed expression.

"Let’s get going then. We don’t want to make them wait for too long," Mineah hummed as she stood up to get herself ready. "It’ll backfire on us if all those officials have a busy schedule today and we keep them from doing their duties by being late."

Fixing her dress, Mineah then called out, "We’re ready, Gregory. The King and I will be with you shortly." Then, with a smile, she extended her hand out to Nikolai. "Come."

Smiling back, Nikolai accepted her hand. Together, they made their way to the throne hall where every important official in their kingdom was currently waiting.

While he was never this eager in attending the usual court meetings, by having Mineah by his side like this, even such boring matters seemed exciting to him. He found himself eagerly waiting for another day to come to have breakfast and be inside the throne hall so long as she was with him.

"Hail to the King and Queen!"

As Gregory announced their arrival at the throne room, Nikolai held his chuckles upon seeing everyone’s gaze going to his hand being interlocked with his Queen’s. It was the second time that they witnessed their King bluntly holding the hand of his Queen before them, and somehow, they still weren’t used to it.

’Why can’t they just get used to it?’ Nikolai inwardly scoffed.

He was aware that they were talking behind his back as well. They were probably talking of how brazen he was in openly showing his affection for his Queen like this after killing his first love.

But surprisingly, he didn’t care as long as he could hold his wife’s hand like this. They could call him barefaced all they wanted. So long as Mineah was with him, then all would be alright.

As soon as the two of them took their respective seats, the discussion started soon after. And as if time moved quickly, it ended almost just as quickly as it began. Nikolai could only sigh as he watched Mineah walk away to go back to Amaranth Palace, leaving him alone once more for the night.

"Look at you watching your wife’s back with sadness," Abel hummed from his back.

Scoffing, Nikolai turned to him and said, "She gave me an ultimatum not to seek Rosela out again for blood."

He was close to Abel, the man almost being his uncle figure that, in time, eventually turned into a close and friendly relationship. In fact, he was almost like a brother to him. Well, they looked like they were the same age even though Abel was twice his age.

"You’re turning three hundred years old this coming winter, my friend," Nikolai teased with a chuckle, changing the topic from what the man just said. "Do you want to hear in advance what my mother is thinking as a surprise gift for you?"

Frowning, Abel asked, "And what is that, Your Majesty?"

"A wife..."

"What?!"

"A very extraordinary one as well," Nikolai hummed with a wide smile. "Someone who’s literally a pain in the ass."

Abel’s face paled as he weakly murmured, "No way..."

"Oh, yes..." he chuckled. "She’s been considering it so much that she even asked for my opinion about it."

"Please, my King...." Abel all but pleaded. "Please have mercy on me! Don’t agree with the Queen Mother!"

Nikolai shook his head and murmured, "How come men are so scared of my sister Ezme? It seems hard to find her a match."

"She’s a handful," Abel quickly retorted. "You should’ve married her to King Darius instead. He’s the only one who can tame your sister."

"Then go and find yourself a wife this instant if you want to escape my mother, Abel," Nikolai teased with another chuckle. "Besides, aren’t you in love with Lady Rosela?"

"But you’re well aware that she’s in love with you," Abel seriously noted. "She will never accept me."

"Rosela knows that I will never see her as my woman no matter what," Nikolai stated with a frown. "She’s available."

"But no one can force one’s heart into something it doesn’t desire, Your Majesty," Abel weakly muttered.

Shaking his head, Nikolai patted his shoulder. "That’s not wholly true in some cases, my friend," he sagely advised. "Now, it’s all up to you. I just wanted to give you some heads up about my mother’s plan so that you can prepare in advance if you want to escape Ezme. I shall leave you now."

With that, Nikolai started walking out to see Taro in his private meeting room.