章節 75: Part LXXV

*SEAN'S POV*

"Are you sure you're okay Sean?." Crystal asks for the gazillionth time today and I sigh, nodding my head in exhaustion. That's the same question she's been asking since she woke up and found me by her side, during breakfast and now that we're on our way to the throne room. I've tried so hard to hide my fear and trauma but somehow, she manages to figure out something isn't right.

I wanna tell her but I can't have her fidgeting over mother just before this meeting. She has to look and be her best that's why I got her this long sky blue tail dress to match her beautiful eyes and white embroideries to match her new hair. I hope the calm blue colour would ease her tension and since it also represents refinement and authority, it'd give her confidence the boost it needs although she does pretty well in public than I had expected.

We finally get to the floor on which the room is and once we're in front of the door, my grip on Crystal's soft hand tightens unintentionally as I try to get rid of last night's event from my head. Seeing mother again has really messed with my head, bringing back so many memories and feelings along with fear and resent but I don't have any intention of letting it show, not today.

"Sean?" Crystal says my name with so much worry and I'm sure she feels guilty thinking it's because she forced me to say that story last night. I want to tell her it's not her fault but I can't have her watching her back every second, living in constant fear and abhorrence like me. Bringing her close to me for an embrace, she hugs me tightly and I sigh into her hair.

The relieving feeling of her arms around me settles in my heart as I dispel every fear and anxiety in me.

"Thank you," I whisper knowing that Fred Jenkins is in there and has the ability to hear even the tiniest sound but thankfully, he's slow to speech. "For being here for me."

I feel her nod and pull away, smiling and looking at me with reassuring eyes which I nod at in response.

Opening the door with my telekinesis, I keep a straight face and pull up my walls so no one can detect any weakness. They all stand up with their heads slightly bowed the moment we step in and they stay that way until we are sitted in our respective thrones, giving them the cue to sit as well. I see everyone's present and sitting in the usual order and I take a deep breath, exuding my usual kingly aura. I don't have time to fear or be weak now, I have a kingdom to rule.

"Welcome everyone." I start in my thick authoritative voice and they all turn to look at me excluding Adrian whose silly hatred for me is slowly turning to stupidity but I don't really give a shit about him.

"The war was successful thanks to the goddess and everyone here including our soldiers. The unavoidable loss from the war didn't have much effect and we're sure to recover soon and for that, I'd like to say weldone."

They applaud lightly, muttering appreciations and smiling.

"We couldn't have done it without you, your highness." Joe speaks up and I smile lightly, nodding my head in response. He's been a really great friend of the kingdom and I'm grateful for him and even his troublesome offsprings.

Sometimes I wonder if he was truly the one who bore them but there's no much doubt to that seeing the great power those two possess.

"Before I proceed," I continue, "does anyone have anything to say in regards to that?"

"Yes," Miranda speaks up and I sigh inwardly, already feeling exhausted from the mere sound of her voice. "I do."

I nod for her to go on and she stands up to say what she has to say. I can only hope it has nothing to do with Crystal.

"While we were at war," she starts, "A part of the kingdom, precisely the largest grocery store where lots of people are usually gathered for business was attacked by perpetrators who were eventually captured and are in the dungeon right now.

The attack happened few hours before our return and was only attended to when we arrived. Meanwhile, a certain person was put in charge of the kingdom during our absence. I'd like to know where this person was while all that was happening?"

She finishes up and sits back down while my eyes immediately travels to Crystal and see she has her usual calm look but I know her too well and I'm so sure she's scared as hell right now. What do I say to these people? How can I explain that she was kidnapped and discarded after being severely tortured during that time.

Zara and Joe are the only ones who knew she was kidnapped although I refused them details. No one knows it's my mother and it has to stay that way.

"Very good question Miranda." I say with all composure and seriousness, "I intended explaining that during the course of the meeting and I like that you brought it up. As we all know, Crystal is human and isn't exactly loved among the people. On that day, it wasn't just the grocery store that experienced an attack. She did too and was really hurt but thankfully, we came back just in time to save both her and the kingdom."

Guilt fills my heart from lying to my council and also placing the blame on the people but I can't let them know the truth. They wouldn't even believe me if I tried.

Once I'm done, there's awkward silence in the room as no one knows what else to say and I'm glad they bought the story, hopefully.

Zara has a frown on her forehead and I can tell she doesn't quite believe because she saw the incision on Crystal's legs as well as Joe but he doesn't show any sign of doubt.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect her, your highness." Zara says from her sitting position, keeping her head bowed a little, "forgive me, queen Crystal. I hope you're feeling better now."

"Yes." Crystal responds immediately with a kind queenly voice that exudes power. "I'm very well and I hold no grudge against you Zara, only gratitude. You did the best you could."

Zara bows again in response but doesn't smile, keeping her usual poker face. She's quite tough for a woman.

"The attack on the queen." Imelda, Miranda's friend, speaks up in her pitchy voice, "has there been any investigation to catch the culprits?"

My heart beats quickens as the image of my mother in the mirror plays in my head but I brush it off immediately, racking my brain for the best suited response. I can't be caught in a lie.