The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 485: Your Deceit

Days passed quickly, and at last, the King and Queen arrived in Valcrez. Raul formally introduced Niran to everyone as his fiancee, and with their approval, she was officially recognized as his future wife.

"I can’t wait to mark you during the Coupling Rite," Raul murmured against her skin, his lips brushing her neck. They had grown increasingly intimate, but Raul restrained himself from taking her fully, honoring her wish to wait until their union was sanctified through the ritual.

"Your tea is getting cold," Niran teased with a giggle as she tried to escape his lap. Raul, however, captured her lips in a firm kiss, only to be interrupted by a knock at the door.

Raul cursed softly, his voice sharp. "What is it?"

Butler Moller’s voice came through the door. "Your Highness, the King and Queen have arrived and are waiting for you in the living area."

"What?!" Raul and Niran exclaimed in unison. They quickly composed themselves, adjusting their appearance before heading to greet the royal visitors.

"Your Majesties," Raul and Niran bowed respectfully as King Nikolai and Queen Mineah entered the room.

"This is unexpected," Raul remarked, his brows raised in surprise.

"Mother informed us that your Coupling Rite will be held in two days," Nikolai said with a warm smile. "Mineah and I thought a surprise visit would be appropriate."

"Seems like dropping in unannounced worked perfectly," Nikolai added with a smirk. "At least now I have your full attention, Raul."

Mineah interjected smoothly, breaking the slight tension. "Why don’t you and Nikolai catch up while Lady Niran and I have a private conversation? I’m sure she has questions about the Coupling Rite."

Niran smiled politely. "I would be honored, Your Majesty." She turned to Raul. "May I bring her to my bedchamber?"

"Do as you please, darling," Raul replied with a nod.

Niran led Mineah to her chambers in silence. Once they arrived, she closed the door behind them and nervously turned to the Queen. "Milady, this is so sudden. Is something wrong?"

*****

Meanwhile, Raul couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about Nikolai’s surprise visit. After the King and Queen had left, he found Niran unusually quiet. He took her to their favorite spot on the balcony, where the stars sparkled brilliantly in the night sky.

As a servant set down a tray of hot tea, Raul dismissed them with a wave. Turning to Niran, he took her cold hands in his. "What’s on your mind, Niran? You’ve been so quiet since your talk with Queen Mineah."

Startled, Niran blinked and stammered, "Y-Your Highness..."

"What did she say to you?" Raul asked, his tone soft but serious. His brow furrowed with concern. "Did she upset you?"

"No!" Niran quickly defended. "She was kind to me."

"Then what is it?" Raul pressed, his voice low and patient. "Why do you seem so troubled?"

Niran sat frozen, torn between the truth that weighed heavily on her heart and the fear of losing the man she loved. Queen Mineah’s words echoed in her mind, offering both comfort and unease.

’You don’t have to carry this burden anymore,’ the Queen had said, her tone firm yet understanding. ’Tell him the truth. If Raul abandons you, I’ll be here to take you back. You won’t face this alone.’

But no words of reassurance could quell the fear that gripped Niran now. It wasn’t Raul’s anger she feared most... it was the thought of losing his love. The possibility of him turning away from her, casting her out of his life, was a pain she wasn’t sure she could endure.

Her teeth sank into her lower lip as she fought to steady her trembling body. His piercing gaze bore into her, demanding answers she wasn’t sure she could give. The truth clawed at her, begging to be set free, but the weight of her insecurities kept it trapped.

The memories of Raul’s sincerity, his unwavering belief in her, flashed in her mind. She loved him... loved him with a depth that frightened her. He deserved the truth, no matter how much it hurt, and if there was even the smallest chance that he could forgive her, she had to take it.

Niran took a shaky breath, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. She could feel her heart pounding, a rhythm of desperation and resolve. This was her moment. She had made mistakes, but if she could only make him understand how much she cared for him, how deeply she regretted deceiving him, maybe... just maybe, they could survive this together.

Finally, she met his eyes and found her voice. "Raul, there’s something I need to tell you. I..." Her voice faltered for a moment, but she forced herself to continue. "I’ve been keeping something from you. And you deserve to know the truth."

Raul’s expression darkened. "Go on."

"I... I thought I was helping Queen Mineah," she began hesitantly. "I believed I needed to protect her from you because I thought you might be a threat to the King. So... I came here to watch you."

His eyes widened briefly before narrowing into a cold glare. "You were spying on me?"

"No!" Niran said quickly, her voice desperate. "The Queen never ordered me to. It was my idea. I thought I was doing the right thing. But Raul, I was wrong. You’re not the man I thought you were. You’re kind, honorable, and-"

She paused, her voice trembling. "I’ve fallen in love with you. I want to stay by your side, not as a spy, but as your wife."

Raul stepped back, his jaw clenched. "You deceived me," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You pretended to care, all the while watching me like I was the enemy."

"I’m sorry, Raul," Niran said, tears streaming down her face. "I understand if you want to cancel the Coupling Rite now. I’ll leave if I must..."

Raul’s eyes burned with fury. "And why would I let you leave, Niran? Do you really think I would let you go so easily after what you’ve done?"

She froze, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You will stay," he growled, his voice filled with authority. "You will be bound to me forever. You will endure the consequences of your deceit, and I will ensure you understand the full weight of what you’ve done."

Niran trembled under his intense gaze, her heart breaking at the pain she saw hidden behind his anger. She had no words, only silent tears as Raul turned and walked away.

Tears streamed steadily down her cheeks, blurring her vision as Raul’s heavy footsteps echoed into the night, growing fainter with each passing second. The cool night air nipped at her skin, but it was the icy void inside her that made her tremble uncontrollably.

Her hand instinctively clutched at her chest, where the ache was sharp and unrelenting, each beat of her heart a cruel reminder of the pain she could neither escape nor erase. It felt as though she were suffocating beneath the crushing weight of Raul’s words.

’You will be bound to me forever...’ His voice lingered in her mind, rough with anger and laced with a pain that matched her own.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to end. She had come to Valcrez with a clear purpose, guided by a sense of duty... or so she thought. But somewhere along the way, she had lost herself in the chaos of emotions she hadn’t been prepared to face.

Her voice cracked as she whispered into the silence, "I’ve ruined everything."

Her shoulders slumped as the reality of her actions pressed down, relentless and unforgiving. She buried her face in her hands. The once-vivid memories of their time together now felt tainted, marred by misunderstandings and choices she wished she could undo.