The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 78: I Am Sorry

The news about Beirut's death already reached Valcrez. Nikolai's chest tightened with heaviness as he watched Mineah cry through Nik's eyes. He badly wanted to hug and comfort her.

Nikolai shut his eyes, temporarily severing the bond connection with Nik. He was uncertain if Mineah was aware of it, but he had been bound with Nik the moment she marked the raven using his energy. He had a gut feeling that his wife knew about it, after all, she was someone well-versed in the realm of spellcraft.

"I refuse to step foot into the throne room without my wife, Gregory. Inform the officials that the morning session will be delayed. I will wait for my queen in the east wing private room of the throne hall and have breakfast with her there first," he said with authority.

"But…" Gregory muttered.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

"What? I'm not breaking the tradition here, Gregory. Having breakfast with my wife before attending to official duties in the throne room is not explicitly prohibited, am I correct?" Nikolai questioned with his eyebrows raised.

"You're right, Your Majesty. I will inform all parties concerned." Gregory answered and left when Nikolai dismissed him.

A few moments later, Nikolai made his way to the private chamber nestled within the throne room. During his reign, he commissioned the addition of two more rooms. One on the east side facing the fleeting rising of the sun and the rising of the moon, the other on the west side to watch their setting. He had made a habit of witnessing these events when he held meetings in this room.

Standing in the east wing, Nikolai instructed the servants to open the sliding doors, revealing a picturesque view of Corvus' beautiful garden.

A beautiful smile graced his face as he recalled the ongoing renovations within his residence. He had a surprise for his queen and hoped she would like it the moment she laid her eyes on it.

Before long, Nikolai detected the familiar scent of Mineah. His senses had become more attuned to her presence ever since the Coupling Rites ended.

"Your Majesty," Mineah greeted him with a faint smile. At that moment, Nikolai didn't need the connection to feel her emotions. He could understand how hurt she was simply by gazing into her eyes which were still tinged with red from crying a while ago.

Nikolai immediately sent the servants away and enveloped Mineah in a tight embrace holding her close against his chest.

"I'm sorry…" he tenderly whispered while gently stroking her back.

"Do you want to go and send him off?" Nikolai murmured as he continued to caress her back. He yearned to comfort her with every fiber of his being although he did not know how.

Mineah gently leaned back to look at him. "I'm fine Lai. I don't want to break tradition and cause another uproar in the kingdom. Seer Beirut understood everything and he even sent word to me in his letter. He knew this would happen… I…"

Tears rolled down her eyes, and Nikolai felt his heart break at her sorrow. He couldn't bear to see her crying like this. Gently, he wiped away the tears on her face and murmured, "Damn this Midnight Sun Waiting…"

Mineah chuckled at his words and said, "Thank you for trying to humor me."

But he didn't say that to make her laugh. He was really annoyed by that tradition!

"Seer Beirut emphasized that the Midnight Sun Waiting is very crucial in his letter so I must follow it. I seek heaven's favor Lai… So let's not break this sacred tradition." she said.

"Alright… It won't take too long anyway. Come, let's have something to eat first…," Nikolai urged, pulling her gently.

"Lai, what are you doing?" she asked, her frown deepening as he positioned her on his lap.

"I will feed you, Mine. Our time together is very precious and limited during the Midnight Sun Waiting…" he replied before beginning to feed her.

"Also, I have yet to discuss the privileges of completing the Coupling Rites with you. It is purposely omitted in the book since it is within the King's discretion to reveal them to his Queen" he mused.

Frowning, Mineah asked, "So, you mean there's a chance you won't tell me everything?"

"Hmm, I will tell you everything but not in one go. One at a time, Mine," he hummed with a mischievous grin. While he had no plans in keeping them all a secret from her, there was one thing he did not want to disclose to her yet… and that was his ability to enter her dreams.

He could easily enter her dreams now even when she wasn't wearing the ring he had given her. Perhaps he would let her know about it once the Midnight Sun Waiting ended.

"Tell me," she murmured with slumped shoulders.

Nikolai started briefing her while feeding her at the same time.

"Now that you're bonded to me, we can communicate through our minds, much like how I do with my Scions," Nikolai explained with a smile. He purposely did not mention it to her last night considering how exhausted she was. Besides, using telepathy would still require her to tap into her inner energy.

"So I don't need Nik to communicate with you anymore," she murmured.

[Yes, you can talk to me directly inside your head. Like now… But don't use it unless necessary as it can drain your inner energy. Just use Nik to communicate with me because you'll use less energy, especially when the distance is quite far. Using it when I'm near, like now, is fine though…] he explained through their mind link.

Mineah's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but grin.

[I see… This is nice.] Mineah replied with a nod.

[Later we can curse the officials together when they are being annoying,] he added, making Mineah chuckle. He felt at ease knowing he could bring some joy into her life despite the pain in her heart from losing someone close to her.

She cupped his face and hummed, "Thank you, Lai." Smiling sweetly at him, she leaned in, pressing a chaste kiss against his lips.

Nikolai gulped because he felt something stir in his heart. Mineah's eyes lingered on him and for some reason, it welled up again as she stuttered, "I… I am sorry… if i-in the f-future I… I…"

She faltered, unable to finish her words, and instead clung to him tightly as she sobbed.

"It's alright, Mine… Everything will be fine," he reassured, his hand soothingly caressing her back.

Why was she saying sorry to him? Nikolai didn't dwell on the reason behind her apology as he sensed that she was having a hard time. Instead of adding more burden, he wanted to support and be there for her in whatever way she needed.