The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 468: A Reason To Celebrate

"This is a pain, you know?"

Zaila’s usual complaints filled Dani’s ears as they both worked on the ongoing investigation in the province of Gaza. The Demonic Plague was still rampaging through the province, and they were both making sure that things remained running as smoothly as possible. Also, they wanted to be hands-on with the current happenings. They wanted to find out the truth regarding the king’s death to appease their queen, and the only way they could do that was if they also had a hand in the investigation proper.

"You weren’t complaining earlier," Dani remarked, a hint of annoyance staining her tone. "Besides, you wanted this work, right?"

"I know, and I hate it," her friend sighed. "Still, this is all for the greater good. And for our queen..."

"Yeah..."

Once more, a faint silence settled between them, the sound of rustling papers being the only thing keeping them company as they did their respective works. Still, such silence was never going to last for long with Zaila on the premises.

"Say, your relationship with Abel’s going smoothly, right?" Zaila suddenly opened up, a teasing smile adorning her face as the mood rose considerably. "That’s what I heard, at least. How’s that going for you?"

"You’re actually right, Zaila," Dani softly chuckled while casually sorting a few papers on her desk. "Still, we haven’t really progressed to a place that I’m happy with. He hasn’t even said ’I love you’ to me yet."

"Truly? Then I guess my feelers were a bit off," Zaila frowned. "Still, at least your relationship is progressing according to your own words."

"It is, but again, I kind of want it to go faster, you know?" Dani admitted with a sigh. "I just want him to finally love me like I do with him."

"That’s what we all want, to be honest," her friend hummed in thought. "Although... Hmm...."

"What is it, Zaila?"

"Actually, why not try to make him worry?" Zaila suggested, a finger raised in the air as if she was teaching her something. "Some men only realize their feelings about someone when they’re about to lose it. That goes especially so with women."

Dani frowned. "So... I should just try and worry him to death?" she questioned. "Isn’t that a bit cruel?"

"Well, you were the one who wanted things to progress faster," Zaila shrugged. "I’m just throwing out suggestions."

Against her own judgment, Dani found herself pondering her friend’s words. Maybe it would work in her favor? She did ask for it herself... She might as well own up to it...

"Assuming that I want to go with that route..." Dani paused, trying to find the proper words to say. "What can I even do that would both not be too cruel and yet still deliver the desired result?"

"Hmm... Maybe just faint out of exhaustion?" Zaila suggested. "You can do it the right way and actually exhaust yourself to death, but you can also just fake your way to it. I’ll even cover for you and act like you’re in grave danger."

"Geez... Thanks, Zaila," Dani jokingly scoffed in gratitude. "Then I guess I have no other choice."

Taking a deep breath, Dani prepared to act her heart out by sitting on the floor. From her desk, Zaila gave her a thumbs up, and it only gave her more resolve as she contacted Abel.

[A-Abel...]

She made sure to sound as exhausted as possible as if she was about to keel over at any moment. It would surely make her husband come running for her. And sure enough, he was quick to reply.

[Dani? What’s wrong?]

[I... I think I’m going to faint...] she weakly thought to him even if she was inwardly laughing at her performance. [So... So tired...]

[Dani?! Stay right where you are!]

Those were the last words she heard from Abel before she cut off their connection, feigning unconsciousness as she closed her eyes. Laying on the cold floor, it didn’t take long before she heard Abel burst through the door.

"Dani!"

She heard shuffling footsteps as she listened in. At this point, she heard Zaila come near her, clearly faking trying to see what was wrong with her with a bit of theatrical magic. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Lord Abel," Zaila greeted him with a serious tone, her acting prowess in full force just from her words alone. "You’re just in time. I don’t know what happened, but Dani just suddenly fainted on me."

"Can you heal her?" Abel questioned, her voice laced with worry as they both hovered above her.

"I... I don’t know..." Zaila lied as easily as she breathed, the fake worry in her voice almost sounding like she was about to die. "You... Can you look after her? I have to contact other healers to help me."

"I shall, Lady Zaila," Abel grimly nodded.

Dani held her breath as she heard Zaila leave. She was now alone in the room with Abel, and she quickly felt him wrap his arms around her as if he was cradling the most important thing in his life.

"Dani... Don’t leave me... We’ll get through this, alright?" he whispered to her as he did his best to reassure her supposedly unconscious form. "I... I can’t lose you... You have to wake up for me..."

Despite her best efforts, Dani felt her heart pound in her chest, making it harder for her to fake her current state. Still, she kept her eyes closed, hoping that Abel wouldn’t notice that something was wrong.

"Wake up, Dani... I... I haven’t even told you how much I love you..."

She felt her entire world stop. Those were... Those were the only words she was waiting to hear from him. This was it... She had actually succeeded...

He loved her back... and all it took was for her to fake sickness during a time when there was a literal plague rampaging through the country...

Right... Abel would probably smack her in the head the moment he realized what was up. But still, this was a reason to celebrate!