The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 467: Crisis

It almost came like lightning. Before they knew it, something had happened. It was on an unassuming morning, Dani remembered. Her relationship with Abel was proceeding smoothly, and he was even starting to show more and more affection to her, to the point that she was sure she’d hear the three magic words that she was waiting for him to utter. It was only a matter of time then. Of that she was sure...

But then, the news came of King Nikolai’s death.

"That... That can’t be," Dani gasped as she heard the news from Abel. "Surely, that’s not true."

"Unfortunately, it would seem that the news is indeed real," Abel regretfully sighed as he hugged her. "There are already talks about who would be the next king and the amount of work that has sprung up because of this is already piling up."

Dani hissed through her teeth in both grief and annoyance. King Nikolai was a good man, and to think that he died of some random plague was almost incomprehensible. And speaking of the plague, the Demonic Plague that caused this mess in the first place was starting to spread further beyond what they anticipated. Sure, it was currently still contained in the province of Gaza, but there were already a few reports of the disease jumping borders to the nearby provinces.

Somehow, she doubted such claims, but it was always better to be safe than sorry in situations like these.

"I’m assuming that you’re gonna be busy in the coming weeks then," she sighed.

"Unfortunately," Abel grimly nodded. "And you’ll be busy as well, I take it."

"Quite..."

An awkward silence settled between them as they both took in the situation at hand. Things were moving up in their relationship, and they were both getting their momentums settled when this all suddenly happened. To think that they would have to be apart for prolonged periods of time now felt off now.

"I’ll try to make time for you, my wife," Abel reassured her with a peck on her cheek. "There’s only so much work I have to do, I’m sure."

"Likewise, my husband," she faintly smiled, a soft blush coloring her cheek due to his actions. "We’ll make the time."

***

The days passed by quickly after that. With the succession crisis still in play, Abel was practically glued to the palace with how much work he was doing. At the same time, Dani found herself equally glued to Queen Mineah, her friend mourning her husband’s death as she did her best to console her.

Dani didn’t know what to do. Well, she did her job dutifully, but the stress of it all was starting to get to her. And with Abel unable to even see her night after night, her heart was aching at all of the horrible events happening around her.

[Dani, are you alright?]

Thankfully, while they might be unable to see each other, they could still talk to one another through their bond. The magic of being bonded with her husband was truly a wondrous thing. She just wished that they didn’t have to use it like this while they could barely even see each other.

[I’m fine, Abel. And thanks for checking up on me. I really needed it,] Dani sighed to him in relief, her longing for him coloring her words. [How about you? Is there any word on what’s going to happen now?]

[Not much still, unfortunately. The Elders are still arguing on what needs to be done to stop this mess,] Abel grumbled to her. [Sometimes, I just wish they could just get things over with. Maybe even just crown anybody else king.]

[Who would that be then? You?] she joked, hoping to at least lift both of their moods.

[That sounds awfully like treason, my wife,] he teased her back. [Though you’d probably like that, won’t you.]

[Honestly, I wouldn’t. Besides, our Queen is already more than capable of leading,] Dani proudly replied back before a bit of reality returned to her. [Well, as soon as she’s done grieving, at least...]

[She’s still not alright then, I take it...]

Dani simply sighed. It had been a few hours since she accompanied her queen to confirm if King Nikolai was truly dead. Upon seeing the tattered clothes that belonged to him, her friend went off into hysterics before thankfully passing out from grief. It was still a horrible sight to see her like that, but at least she wasn’t awake to live through what she was sure was currently a living nightmare.

[I’ll just keep being here for her. It’s the least I can do for her,] Dani replied with determination.

[That’s good. The queen needs a friend by her side,] Abel hummed with an approving tone. [In the meantime, I’ll keep doing my best to help things run smoothly on my end.]

[Take care out there, alright?]

[You too, Dani.]

And with that, their connection was cut off, leaving Dani to return to her duties. She still had a lot of work to do, after all. But at the same time, her queen needed her, and she’d be damned if she just left her to mourn all on her own.

***

Abel sighed as he returned his attention to the work in front of him. Already, he could feel the guilt of keeping secrets from his wife. To see her hurting this much when King Nikolai was actually alive and well was painful. However, with Dani being susceptible to hypnosis, there was no other choice than to keep her in the dark.

It was all for Nikolai’s plan to get rid of their enemies once and for all. Once everything was said and done, things would go back to the way they were, and they’d finally build their relationship further... perhaps to the point where they’d finally have their own family.

"Hang in there, Dani..." he whispered to himself, hoping to ease the guilt within. Things will get better soon..."

They just had to hold on. It’ll all be over soon.