The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 95: The Rossi Clan

Chapter 95: The Rossi Clan

Finally, the next day came, and it was time for the last of the five Clan’s visits, and Mineah simply wanted to get it all done so that she could focus on better things. Yesterday was the Wagner Clan, and she was honestly not pleased reading their thoughts, especially those of Sage Wagner, the head and Exodium of the clan.

It was obvious that the woman and most of her entire Clan were against her husband. Then again, she was already aware of such a fact. She had heard that Wagner and Rossi Clans were both looking for an opportunity to dethrone Nikolai, which meant that she had to look out for them for any suspicious schemes.

[Nik, what is Lai doing?] she asked her raven.

She knew she could’ve just directly talked to Nikolai, but she didn’t want to disturb him at the moment. Still, she was bored, and she was missing the company of her shameless husband enough to try and snoop around.

[He’s having a serious talk with Chancellor Abel and the rest of the Generals. They’re dispatching more reinforcements to aid the Minister of Defence,] Nik relayed. [I still find it weird though that Princess Ezme somehow became the head of the military. She’s so childish.]

Mineah chuckled. [But I heard that Princess Ezme is really good in battle and that she’s gifted with great knowledge when it comes to strategies on the battlefield,] she casually defended. [Anyway, just have fun for now. I’ll contact you if I need anything. And don’t stalk Lai too much. I at least want to have some modicum of being hidden from him.]

[Why not?] Her raven chuckled. [He loves it whenever he sees me around. He obviously thinks you’ve tasked me to look after him while also spying on him.]

Mineah only shook her head. Truly, her pet had a mind of its own when it came to her decisions and schemes. Well, at least it had an amusing personality.

"Announcing the arrival of the head of Rossi Clan, Exordium Eva Rossi with her husband, Dylan Wagner."

However, her musings were cut short as the guard announced the arrival of the Rossi Clan. One by one, the introductions of each of their clan members started as they entered her throne hall either alone or with their partners.

Breathing in and out, Mineah prepared herself for another mind-reading session as she took in her guests’ presence. This was the first time she had read minds for consecutive days in a row. And surprisingly, she wasn’t feeling exhausted from it in the slightest.

She couldn’t help but wonder if it was because of the dagger in her body that was keeping her powered up. Either that or it was because she had absorbed more of Nikolai’s inner energy that she could use her powers more often without any problems at all.

"Your Majesty," Eva politely greeted her with a blank face.

Immediately, Mineah blinked as she noted her newest guest’s presence. Like the rest of the remaining female Exordiums, Eva retained the look of someone in their early forties. Rania of Ivanov Clan, Alexa of Ichor Clan, Leona of Braun Clan, Sage of Wagner Clan, and Eva of Rossi Clan - The five remaining female Exordiums seemed to be all stunning in their own style.

Of course, that didn’t stop her from reading the woman’s mind.

[Why do I have to bow in this lowly human?! She probably thinks she’s so high and mighty now! Enjoy your seat and crown while it lasts, human. Nikolai will go down soon, and you’ll inevitably end up serving us your blood.]

Mineah inwardly sighed. These kinds of thoughts were the most annoying she had read so far among the Clans. Well, Sage Wagner had the same thoughts of how ridiculous it was for her to bow to a human like her, but this Eva had something more to say in her mind. She was actually threatening her, and somehow, she could feel something ominous about it.

"What a lovely day," Mineah hummed. "Don’t you agree, Lady Eva?"

"So it would seem," the woman nodded with a half smile. "Can I have a private conversation with you, Your Majesty?"

"Why not, Lady Eva?" Mineah shrugged in agreement as she turned and signaled for the three shadow maidens standing near her to leave.

Standing by her side, Eva waited until they were finally alone when she suggested, "Walk with me to the balcony perhaps?"

Mineah nodded as she got up from his chair. Giving her shadow maidens a nod, she silently told them to take care of the rest of the guests while she was preoccupied with her current guest.

Making their way to the balcony, Mineah passed by Minister Rory, who was apparently a Meld from a deceased Exordium brother of Eva, Tristan. She exchanged a curt nod with the man, making sure to show her courtesy to him.

"Oh, I told him I will turn him into a Scion one of these days since he’s aging quite quickly," Eva casually commented upon seeing her interact with the minister. "Looks like he inherited more of his human blood from his mother."

"Does he want it?" Mineah curiously asked.

"Apparently, Rory doesn’t," Eva scoffed. "He shares the same sentiments as his mother who wanted to die as a human. He wants to go with the flow and see how long he would live as a Meld."

Mineah mentally filed that information in her head. Eva was obviously not happy with Minister Rory’s choice.

Eventually, they reached the balcony, and Mineah sat on the nearest vacant chair with Eva sitting beside her. A terse silence settled between them before the latter finally broke it.

"Do you want to be turned into His Majesty’s Scion?" Eva asked. "You’ll be able to stay by his side forever if that’s the case."

Immediately, Mineah shook her head. And of course, she quickly read the woman’s mind to see her reaction.

[What a hypocrite! I’m sure that sooner or later, you’ll ask Nikolai to turn you so that you can be with him and wear that crown in your head forever! But that won’t happen! My son Haman should be the one wearing the crown by then!]

Mineah wanted to roll her eyes. Yesterday, Sage Wagner had the same sentiments of how her son Amed should be the one wearing the crown. It would seem that great minds think alike...

"Don’t you find it tiring, Lady Eva? Living for a long time as you witness everything and everyone around you fade and wither?" Mineah naively asked. "Having the same routine and cycle for so many years and centuries?"

The woman didn’t respond. Her mind went blank as well as the question lingered.

Seeing the opportunity, Mineah smiled and said, "I’m the type who appreciates what the heavens gave me, whether it be good or bad."

"Even if the heavens give you a curse?" Eva snorted.

"Well, I believe that there’s a purpose for everything," Mineah chuckled. "Whatever the heavens gave and will give me, I won’t treat nor look at it as a curse. Instead, I’ll see them as a trial to test one’s faith. I’m sure the Almighty wouldn’t give us something that we can’t endure and triumph over should we give it our all."

[What a safe answer. She’s not confirming whether she’s cursed or not!]

Mineah suppressed another chuckle upon seeing the slight twitch on Eva’s mouth. Likewise, Eva was staring closely at her, and it was only then that she realized something.

’She’s compelling me,’ Mineah thought as she felt Eva’s power wash over her.

"Tell me what your curse is..." the woman asked without breaking eye contact.

"Ask my husband because he knows. And he doesn’t want me to tell it to you," Mineah plainly answered, following what Nikolai told her to answer should she be compelled by someone. "You will answer to him directly if you pursue this matter, and you won’t like how things will end for you."

"That bastard! Compelling you with this nonsense!" Eva scorned.

Mineah bit her inner lower lip as she stopped herself from laughing. Still, she at least had to do something. Clearly, this woman wouldn’t stop unless something happened to stop her.

[Nik, come here and help me distract Lady Eva!] she called out to her raven. [She’s compelling me!]

Just like that, Nik arrived and promptly pooped on Eva’s hair.