The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 483: Her True Purpose

"Your Highness..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the ocean.

He didn’t waver, his hand still resting on her cheek as his thumb traced small, reassuring circles on her skin. "I know this is sudden," he said, his voice steady and calm, yet carrying an edge of vulnerability. "But I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life. You’ve brought light into my world in a way I never thought possible, Niran. And I want that light to stay. I want you to stay."

Her heart pounded wildly as emotions continued to surge within her... fear, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of wonder. She bit her lower lip, trying to process the moment, but Raul’s presence was all-consuming.

"Are you sure?" she finally asked, her voice trembling. "I mean, we’ve only just started... this. What if-"

"What if we keep waiting and miss the chance to build something beautiful together?" Raul interrupted softly, leaning closer. "Life is unpredictable, Niran. I’ve learned that much. But with you, I feel like I can face anything. I don’t want to waste another moment without making it clear how much you mean to me."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she stared up at him, her lips parting but no words escaping. He took her hands in his, his grip firm yet gentle.

"You don’t have to answer now," he added, his voice softer now. "I just needed you to know how I feel... how serious I am about you. About us."

Niran felt a lump form in her throat, her emotions overwhelming her. Finally, she nodded, her voice breaking as she said, "I... I don’t know what to say. But I-"

"Say yes," he interrupted again, his lips quirking into the faintest smile.

Her laughter bubbled up, soft and shaky, as she wiped away the tear that escaped down her cheek. "You’re impossible," she muttered, her heart swelling.

"And yet, here I am," he teased gently, his tone warm, his gaze never leaving hers.

Niran took a deep breath, her hands tightening in his. "Yes," she finally whispered, her voice trembling but resolute. "Yes. I’ll marry you."

A rare, unguarded smile spread across Raul’s face, one that made him seem almost boyish in his joy. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, holding her tightly against his chest as the waves swirled around them.

"You won’t regret this," he murmured into her hair. "I promise you, Niran. I’ll do everything I can to make you happy."

As she buried her face in his shoulder, her own smile widened, and for the first time in a long time, Niran felt like the future was something to look forward to. But that fairytale moment was fleeting, shattered by the persistent voice in her mind reminding her of her true purpose... the real reason she had approached the prince in the first place.

She bit her inner lip, anxiety flickering across her face. ’What if Raul found out the truth?’ she thought warily. She could feel the weight of his sincerity in every word, in every gesture. She had no doubt developed feelings for this man, but unlike him, her heart carried a burden of deception.

Raul had always stood in opposition to King Nikolai. She had deliberately sought him out, not for love, but to serve as a spy, to gather crucial information and deliver it to her Princess Mineah.

Now, as she looked into his earnest eyes, guilt coiled tightly in her chest, threatening to strangle her. How much longer could she maintain this facade? And would she be able to bear the fallout when the truth inevitably came to light?

That same night, Niran sat at her desk, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across the room as she carefully composed her message. She knew what she was about to send would not be met with approval, but the weight of her decision had already settled in her chest. Her fingers hovered over the parchment, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before she began to write.

Princess Mineah,

I trust this letter finds you well. I have come to a decision regarding the recent proposal from Prince Raul. After careful consideration, I have accepted his offer of marriage. I understand the implications of this decision, and I know you may not agree with it. However, I believe this is the best course of action for the future stability of our kingdom. My place in the royal court will allow me to serve you better and help strengthen your position as the rightful queen.

I know this is a risk, but I will do everything in my power to make this work. My loyalty remains with you, Princess, and I will be steadfast in my duties. I hope you will understand that this is a decision I made with your future reign in mind.

Yours in loyalty,

Niran

Her mind was conflicted, torn between her duty to Princess Mineah and her growing feelings for Raul. She hoped that, one day, Princess Mineah would see her actions as a necessary sacrifice.

After sending the letter off, Niran leaned back against her chair, staring at the ceiling. She wasn’t sure if she had made the right choice, but the decision was made. Now, all she could do was move forward and hope that everything would fall into place.

*****

Days passed, and Niran found herself growing more attached to Raul than she had anticipated. Their time together had become something she looked forward to each day. Whether it was sharing quiet moments in the palace gardens or enjoying simple meals together, Niran couldn’t deny the connection they were building.

There were times when she felt lighter, as though the weight of her hidden motives could be forgotten for a brief moment. But at the same time, the weight of her deception grew heavier with each passing day.

Raul’s treatment of her was unlike anything she had ever expected. Gone was the distance of their earlier interactions, replaced by the affectionate gestures of a man who seemed to genuinely care for her.

He was attentive, always ensuring she was comfortable, and her needs were met in ways that made her feel more like a queen than a mere servant. The lavish bedroom he had given her was just one example, next to his, with windows that opened to a breathtaking view of the palace grounds.

Raul also made sure she had everything she could possibly want, from fine clothes to exquisite jewelry. She had never imagined living in such luxury, especially considering her humble beginnings.

At times, she almost forgot why she was here. But then, the reality of her mission would hit her, and she would remember her true purpose.