The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 84: The Ichor Clan (2)

Chapter 84: The Ichor Clan (2)

"It would be an honor, Your Majesty," Prince Raul commented with a smile.

With that, Mineah signaled the servants to change her arrangements, telling them to add chairs so that she could accommodate the addition of Raul and Niran to her table. By the time the couple had seated themselves, another thing happened.

"Announcing the arrival of Lady Alexa Ichor!"

The guards at the door suddenly announced a new addition to the event, one that Mineah was rather happy to hear.

"Oh," she smiled widely.

This was an unexpected surprise. Earlier, Aunt Alexa had told her that she wouldn’t be able to join her due to the closed meeting she had to attend with the Exordium Council. But it would seem that wasn’t the case anymore.

Still smiling, Mineah signaled the nearest servant to her. "Get one more chair for Aunt Alexa beside me."

Just as she had said that Alexa arrived at her table with a slight bow. "Your Majesty."

"I’m glad you’re here to join us," Mineah hummed.

"My pleasure, dear," the older woman hummed as she comfortably settled in on the seat beside her.

If Mineah recalled correctly, Aunt Alexa was the one who suggested that she hold a small lunch during the Ichor Clan’s visits since all the mistresses of late King Arturo were human, resulting in more Meld offspring that appreciated human foods.

Thankfully, the Scions not part of the royal harem of King Arturo were not included, meaning that Mineah wouldn’t see Rosela’s face during the gathering. Her encounter with her this morning alone was more than enough annoyance for her that day.

"Let’s all have lunch first," Mineah hummed with a wide smile. "After that, we can proceed with the introductions and formal greetings."

She smiled as a pleasant exchange of smiles happened at her table. And seeing Niran’s teasing smile, she couldn’t help but use her power just to see what her Shadow Maiden was thinking.

[As I expected,] Niran thought of her. [Milady will never keep food waiting.]

The table then settled into a comfortable silence as they began eating. With their food already waiting, Mineah didn’t waste any time in having her fill.

"Raul, it seems you haven’t introduced Her Majesty to the young lady beside you," Alexa noted as if noticing the lull in the conversation. "She was unable to meet her during the Coupling Rites, correct?"

Mineah kept her silence, satisfied with simply listening.

"You see, Our King is so smitten with our Queen that just one word from her would make him do things to her whim," Alexa murmured to Niran with a playful wink. "He ’ll surely approve the Coupling Rites for the two of you if you really want to."

Hearing those suggestions, Mineah quickly swallowed the meat she was munching on before gracefully wiping the sides of her lips with the napkin. With a meek smile, she then looked at Niran and Raul. "She’s a human," she pointed out to Raul. "Do you have any intention of turning her?"

"I do so if she will allow me to," Raul quickly answered.

[I want to stay with her forever. I fell in love with her the first time I laid my eyes on her,] Mineah blinked as she read the man’s thoughts. [Even if Nikolai doesn’t approve of my coupling with her, I’ll still do it.]

Satisfied, she then turned to Niran and bluntly asked, "Do you love him?"

Immediately, there was a blush on Niran’s face. She was obviously taken aback by her questions. "I’m sorry if I’m being straightforward," Mineah promptly apologized. "I mean, I honestly believe that love and commitment are the firm foundations for a strong and unshakeable relationship."

"That’s a quite forward question, Your Majesty," Raul remarked with a raised brow. "Especially for someone who’s in an arranged marriage."

Mineah chuckled. "That is true, and I apologize if my marriage position could be seen as something questionable," she playfully remarked.

"Well, Nikolai and I are working on our relationship at the moment, and I’m quite confident that the two of us will reach a mutual understanding in the end... One that will result in a very unshakeable marriage and relationship."

Skeptical, Raul pressed, "Are you even aware of his past an-"

"Raul!"

The atmosphere at the table shifted, and Mineah quickly turned to Aunt Alexa and said, "That’s alright, Aunty. We’re family now, and as a part of the Ichor Clan, I really don’t mind talking openly with family."

She flashed a warm smile as she insisted, "In fact, Prince Raul can even address me casually in front of our Clan should he wishes to. That’s fine with me."

She then turned to Raul, her genuine smile still on her face as she stated, "I am well aware of Nikolai’s past, Prince Raul... Actually, he was the one who insisted that we work on our trust in each other."

"Your Majesty..."

Niran’s small voice cut through the conversation, making Mineah immediately turn her attention to her shadow maiden.

"I like Prince Raul, and I believe my feelings for him are deepening to the point that I’m willing to be by his side and be his mistress..." Niran timidly answered.

[I honestly think I love him too.]

Mineah gulped as she read Niran’s thoughts. Her shoulders slumped in resignation. She still had conflicted feelings about Niran’s situation, but it would seem that she currently had no choice in the matter.

"She won’t be my mistress, but my wife..." Raul firmly stated.

Mineah let out a heavy sigh as she then stretched her lips wide. "Then I will support you two and put in a good word to His Majesty," she responded. "Please send us the intended schedule of your Coupling Rites. It’ll be good if our Lady Niran here will have the blessings of His Majesty while we’re here. That way, she’ll be formally acknowledged as your wife, Prince Raul. She’ll have the proper title she deserves."

Raul seemed to be caught off-guard by her words. As such, she added, "Niran is a human like me, so she probably gained my sympathy and favor that way."

"Thank you for your kindness then, Your Highness," the prince murmured with a curt nod.

[I wonder if she’s genuine,] Raul thought. [Still, it’s better that Niran gained her favor. That way, I won’t have to worry too much about her...]

Mineah smiled as she felt like something heavy had just been lifted from her back.

It was just what she wanted to know, and it was quite relieving to see that the two had genuine feelings for each other. Now, she just had to make sure to keep Nikolai’s family intact and prevent Raul from taking the path that would lead him against her husband.

"It’s really nothing, Prince Raul. I aim to have a harmonious relationship with the Ichor Clan and the Ivanov Clan," she remarked with an honest smile. "After all, it’s very important that we have each other’s back and have unity as a family..."

With her spiel done once more, Mineah put her attention back on the food on the table. She would very much like to continue eating without getting interrupted as much as possible.

"Let’s continue with the meal for now," she insisted. "Later, I’ll continue with all the introductions and greetings with the rest of the family."

After all, Nikolai’s father indeed had a handful of mistresses and offspring left behind... She had to work her way through all of them, and she’ll need all the strength she could get before then.