The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 335: Skill Issue

Chapter 335: Skill Issue

With the coronation finally being concluded, all of those in attendance then made their way to the Great Hall of Ebodia for the royal feast being held for the new king’s ascendance. Of course, Mineah was there to attend along with Nikolai. While the entire event was pretty much winding down after such an amazing ceremony, there was still more to be had in the day itself. After all, they still had family to talk to. Some had plans to discuss, and others were there to make connections with their fellow nobles and foreign politicians while they were all together like this.

In a sense, Mineah could understand why she was currently alone at the moment. It was just natural for Nikolai to be with his fellow kings. They had to congratulate the newest monarch, after all, which would also probably mean that some had a few deals to make in terms of trade agreements and the like.

[I won’t be long, Mine,] Nikolai told her through the bond. [It’s just the usual customary greetings.]

[Lai, we both know that’s not the only thing that’s going to happen between you and my brother,] Mineah called him out with a scoff. [You can take as much time as you need. Make sure that everything’s in order before you two go ahead with your plans.]

Nikolai paused for a quick second before he replied, [Very well. I’ll make sure to finalize everything with King Ezekiel today. Assuming that everything goes to plan, we don’t expect anything to happen anyway.]

[If you insist,] she chuckled. [Just take care, alright? And tell my brother that I don’t want you two taking unnecessary risks if you can help it. Just do what needs to be done.]

[I’ll let him know that then,] Nikolai firmly nodded. [In the meantime, you should enjoy yourself. Talk to your sister. Catch up with some friends, right?]

[I know,] Mineah shook her head as she scoffed. [Just make sure that whatever plan you two cook up won’t end up with both of you being dead or worse.]

[As if there’s even any doubt,] her husband teasingly scoffed. [I wouldn’t want to miss anything with you, especially once we have a family of our own.]

Mineah couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle even as she shook her head at her husband’s words. Cutting off the connection, her thoughts then wandered to Nikolai’s last few words. He really wanted for the two of them to have a family of their own, and while she wanted it as well, the fact that she was currently incapable of bearing children was just making her feel more down than she would’ve liked for this event.

With another shake of her head, Mineah returned her focus to the event itself, her eyes scanning all who were currently in attendance to see if she was going to miss anyone that she knew.

’Doesn’t look like I know most of the people here though...’

True enough, there were surprisingly very few people that she knew who attended the event. Sure, she knew them in terms of political terms, but in terms of those that she cared about, the only people that were there were some of her shadow maidens, and she already had regular contact with them even while she was in Valcrez. That, and she would like her shadow maidens to take this time to mingle to their family and relatives in Ebodia more.

In the end, she was left with her sister Xenia who also seemed to be left out by her husband Darius to meet with the other kings.

"Oh, Mineah," Xenia beamed at her as she approached her older sister. "I’m guessing King Nikolai left you out here too?"

"It seems like it," Mineah shrugged with a soft smile. "Just the usual kingly affairs on their end, I suppose. I can understand it, especially since it’s our brother that they’re all talking to."

With a smile still on her face, Mineah couldn’t help but stare at her older sister beside her. Like what she noticed earlier, it would seem that Xenia was in the middle stages of pregnancy, the older woman’s baby bump visibly jutting out of her dress as her right hand rested on top of it.

Somehow, Mineah couldn’t help but feel jealous of what she was seeing.

"It’s just the nature of things, I suppose. Us queens being left out while the kings do all of the work for us," Xenia shrugged. "We’re not entirely useless though, seeing as we run the kingdom for them whenever they wage their wars."

"On that, I agree," Mineah faintly chuckled. "I know I’m busy these days looking over my own part of Valcrez’s administrative duties."

"That’s how it will always be, no? And Ezekiel’s gonna be a part of them now," Xenia wistfully pointed out. "I’m sure Brother will be a good king."

"Agreed," Mineah hummed in agreement. "He knows what he’s doing, even more so than the two of us."

The sisters shared a soft chuckle at their shared observation. After all, their big brother had always looked out for them like an attentive hawk. Surely, he’d do the same for the kingdom where they all grew up in.

"Say, what’s going with your life right now, Mineah?" Xenia suddenly asked her. "I know I’ve been a bit... busy."

"I can see that," Mineah smiled. "You’re pregnant, and I’m really happy for you."

"Thank you, my dear sister," Xenia chuckled. "It’s an amazing feeling though, feeling new life growing inside you."

"I’m happy for you, Sister," she eagerly replied back. "I hope you have a good pregnancy."

Even as she smiled, Mineah felt the awful feelings of envy popping up in her heart again. She knew she shouldn’t feel like this, especially towards her own sister, but she just couldn’t help it. If only the divine dagger within her didn’t exist, then maybe she would already be pregnant with Nikolai’s child as well.

"Thanks, Mineah. Not like I did much other than take it, but it’s a good feeling regardless," her sister jokingly giggled. "I’m sure your own pregnancy would go smoothly too once you get it."

"I sure hope so," Mineah couldn’t help but reply, much to her own self-control. "But I’m not in too much of a hurry. If it happens, then it happens. Otherwise, I’ll just move forward until things happen."

"Oh? Are ’things’ not happening then?" Xenia frowned. "I was pretty sure that you and King Nikolai were... you know?"

Mineah couldn’t help but inwardly chuckle at the terms they were currently using for sex right now. It was understandable since they were in a public setting, but it was still funny to think about. It was also

"Oh, it’s not the fact that ’things’ aren’t happening. In fact, we’ve been doing ’things’ constantly whenever we had the chance," Mineah casually pointed out without any shame to what she was alluding to whatsoever. "It’s just that nothing’s happening despite everything that we did. Might be a skill issue, to be honest."

Mineah knew that she was lying through her teeth, but at least she found amusement in Xenia’s expression as she listened to her reasoning. Having a skill issue in bed was a hilarious concept, especially since she was pretty sure that was the least of their concerns.

"A skill issue, huh," Xenia hummed in deep thought. "Maybe some of Jayra’s books would help."

"Books about ’things?’" Mineah couldn’t help but scoff. "Sister, I’m pretty sure I’ve already read a fair amount of them."

"But Jayra’s collection is proven to work," her sister smugly rebutted as she patted her stomach. "I know it’s known to work for others too based on testimony."

Mineah couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s words. Despite the sadness that she was feeling, somehow, her sister managed to bring some joy to her just by being herself.

"If you say so," Mineah shrugged. "Maybe I’ll find a copy of them somewhere in Valcrez. You can give me a list of titles. I can find them myself."

"I’ll have Jayra compile me a list," Xenia eagerly nodded. "I’ll have it sent to you once it’s done."

The two sisters gave each other a knowing smile before they turned their attention back to the celebration in front of them. Somehow, they’ve talked for long enough that the guests on the floor have lessened considerably during their stay. It would seem that the dinner was just about over, and they hadn’t even eaten a single bite yet.

"You know, we should probably get something to eat," Mineah quickly urged her sister. "I’m sure our husbands would have something to say if they learn that their wives didn’t even bother to eat at a feast."

"I agree," Xenia nodded. "Let’s go to our table."

Sharing a smirk, Mineah and Xenia went and did exactly that. After all, if there was one thing that they missed more while they were away from their home, it was the Ebodian cuisine that they grew up loving to eat.