The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 489: Unbreakable Walls

Today, Niran prepared herself after receiving a royal decree to which she had been chosen by the King to accompany the Queen on her visits to the provinces of Valcrez.

She didn’t expect Raul to see her off, let alone accompany her. Lately, he was always gone early in the morning, as if he couldn’t bear to see her or even cross paths with her. But as she stepped into the carriage, her breath caught. Raul was already inside, waiting.

Her lips parted in surprise before quickly curving into a smile.

"I’m glad you’re here," she murmured, unable to stop herself.

"It’s my responsibility. I received the royal edict, so I must comply," he replied flatly, his gaze fixed on the window.

He sat across from her, distant as ever. She didn’t press further. Raul could have traveled in his mist form, avoiding her entirely, yet he chose to be here. That was something, at least.

Silence settled between them, thick and suffocating. Only the occasional sound of Niran’s sighs filled the space.

After a while, the quiet became unbearable.

"Are we near Norma yet?" she asked, just to fill the void.

Raul finally turned to her, his golden eyes unreadable.

"We’ll reach there soon enough," he answered simply.

And just like that, the silence returned.

The carriage suddenly hit a rough patch in the road, jolting violently. Niran gasped as she lost her balance, tumbling forward, straight into Raul’s arms.

His hands caught her instinctively, steady and firm. For a moment, she froze, the warmth of his touch sending a rush of memories flooding back.

She remembered the last time they were in a carriage together when Raul had been so different. When he had been warm, gentle. When his lips had traced every inch of her skin with devotion, whispering her name like she was something precious.

The way he had pulled her into his lap, holding her close, his breath hot against her ear as he murmured sweet reassurances. The way he had kissed her, slow and deep, as if there was no world beyond them.

But that was then...

Now, the man before her was distant, his embrace no longer one of love but of obligation. He didn’t push her away, but he didn’t hold her the way he used to either.

Still, when she hesitated in his arms, pretending to be dizzy, Raul did not let go. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

She felt his grip tighten ever so slightly. His jaw clenched, his golden eyes flickering with something unreadable.

"Are you alright?" His voice was devoid of warmth, yet he hadn’t moved to release her.

"I just... I feel a little lightheaded," she whispered, testing him, seeing if he would cast her aside like he always did now. But he didn’t.

Instead, Raul held her still, his fingers pressing lightly against her waist as if steadying her was second nature.

For a fleeting second, Niran allowed herself to believe, just maybe, that there was still something left of the man he used to be.

Raul stiffened the moment Niran wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest.

"Niran," he called, his voice low, almost warning.

But she only nuzzled closer, gripping his coat tightly. "Can I stay here with you like this?" she murmured, her voice trembling. "I just missed you so badly."

For a moment, he didn’t move. He didn’t push her away, nor did he pull her closer. His hands hovered at her waist, tense, as if unsure whether to hold on or let go.

Niran didn’t care.

She had decided, she wouldn’t hold back anymore. She would be vocal, she would show him her affection, no matter how much he tried to push her away.

If Raul wanted to punish her with distance, then she would close that gap with her own hands.

If he wanted to ignore her, then she would make sure he had no choice but to see her.

She wouldn’t stop, not until he forced her out of his life completely. Not until he looked her in the eye and told her he no longer wanted her.

And until that moment came, she would stay right here, wrapped around him, holding on as if her life depended on it.

Raul’s breath hitched, his grip on her tightening for just a second before he let go.

He could feel her emotions through their bond, raw, desperate, unwavering, but he refused to acknowledge them. He had locked himself away, fortified his mind with thick, unbreakable walls, ensuring that nothing she felt could reach him unless he willed it.

And right now, he wouldn’t.

Meanwhile, Niran had nothing to protect herself. She was human, and their bond was unfairly one-sided. She could send him her thoughts, her feelings, but she couldn’t feel his unless he let her in.

And right now, he was so damn guarded.

"Raul, you told me that you wouldn’t let me go..." she whispered, her fingers curling into his coat. "Then I won’t let go either, no matter how much it hurts."

Her voice cracked, but she pushed through, her heart laid bare.

"I will wait until you forgive me. I will wait until you give me another chance to prove that my feelings for you are real. Yes, it started with a motive, but you can’t deny the truth. I truly fell for you." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked up at him, pleading. "My emotions for you are real, Raul. They are genuine. I love you."

Silence

.

His face was unreadable, his crimson eyes dark and unfathomable as they bore into hers.

For a moment, just a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in them, hesitation, conflict, something beyond the anger and coldness he kept throwing at her.

But then, just like that, he shut her out again.

Raul slowly pried her arms away, his touch lingering but firm. "You don’t get to say that to me," he murmured, his voice devoid of emotion.

Then, without another word, he pulled away and turned his gaze back to the window, his entire posture distant and unreachable.

And just like that, Niran felt the crushing weight of his rejection all over again.