The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 378: Be My Queen

Some congratulations were given to Ahmed as the meeting finally came to an end. In spite of this, however, his eyes as he kept an eye on what was currently happening around him. He was serious in claiming all that was now his, and there was still another part of the plan just waiting to happen for him to achieve it.

’Why is nobody saying anything?’ he inwardly scowled despite all of the cheers and congratulations he was getting. ’I don’t care about any of you... Just say something about the Queen...’

For his plan to work, the crowd had to turn on their former queen. After all, she hadn’t done anything productive for the crown as far as they could tell. She even failed to produce an heir that caused all of this discussion and debate to happen in the first place. If the crowd simply dispersed without anything happening whatsoever, then that meant that his calculations were incorrect. That was something that shouldn’t be possible, so he was getting ready for some of his men to instigate things should the one thing he was expecting to happen didn’t go according to plan.

And sure enough, as the crowd slowly dispersed even further, it would seem that he had to rely on his fall-back plan. Giving one of his men a knowing glance, the official nodded before he visibly began to prepare a speech.

"With Ahmed now king, what else is Queen Mineah supposed to do now?"

The official’s question lingered in the air for but a brief moment, but it was more than enough for a conversation to get started. Already, more and more people were starting to question the queen’s continued presence in the palace, and that was exactly what Ahmed wanted.

"She’s a useless queen if anything. While I’m grateful for her service, the fact that she couldn’t even secure an heir for us means that she was a failure."

"Who is to say that she even tried? Maybe she didn’t even bother bedding with the king."

"Right? As she is now, she’s just a waste of resources that should be going to the kingdom instead!"

One innocent line was all that it took for the discussions to go right back up. The tension was starting to build within the room, and he could only imagine what the queen was currently feeling about all of this animosity.

"We should just execute her for failing to give the king and heir!"

"What?! Are you crazy?! Just send her back to Ebodia where she belongs!"

"And risk losing her kingdom’s support?! What are you all saying?!"

He narrowed his eyes at that one official who was seemingly trying to fight for the Queen’s continued stay in Valcrez. Still, one small voice wouldn’t be enough to fight against the tide of opposition that his side was now rolling with.

And all the while, Queen Mineah was left isolated, ready for him to take all for himself.

Slipping away from the growing frenzy, Ahmed did his best to look calm and collected as he kept an eye on his future queen. She had slipped away from the crowd herself, and she was clearly distraught after everything that had happened to her.

And as everyone knew, a distraught woman was easy to take advantage of.

Rubbing his hands together, he eventually followed her all the way to her office. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

"My Queen? It’s me, Minister Ahmed."

"A-Ah... Come in..."

Her voice was uncharacteristically stoic as she promptly let him in. Stepping inside, he noted her blank expression. She was probably too shocked at everything that she had just witnessed. After all, she was usually loud and willful, and seeing her like this just made him all the more confident that he would finally have her wrapped around his fingers.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," he curtly nodded before he sat right in front of her. "I hope things are going well?"

"No... No, it is not," she scoffed. "Why are you even here? Are you here to gloat?"

"Not at all," he quickly replied. "In fact, I’m here to make sure that you are alright after everything you’ve been through."

Mineah seemed to be taken aback by his words, an expression that Ahmed all too eagerly enjoyed as he began to form his proposition in his head. Now was the time to claim her all for himself, and only then would his plans be complete.

"If I may, Your Majesty, you’ve seen the animosity the court has given you earlier," he began. "Surely, you’re worried about things moving forward, especially since your position is now untenable."

"I... I suppose so," she promptly stated, her face unreadable even as her tone betrayed her anxiety. "I am no longer needed here, clearly. You will be king, and I will simply have to go back to Ebodia."

"Ah, but what if that shouldn’t be the case?" he quickly offered her with a smirk. "After all, what guarantee is there that only you will be persecuted? You have many friends here in Valcrez now, and they all rely on your influence to keep them happy. Safe, even."

Mineah’s face paled, and he couldn’t help but inwardly smile at what he was doing. His trap for her was set. There was no way that she would leave her people behind. Not that he would kill them, of course. They were highly skilled, and their talents would be useful for his coming reign.

"You... What are you saying?"

"What I’m saying is that you can be my queen," Ahmed finally offered. "That way, you don’t have to leave. You will regain your legitimacy, and I won’t have to look for my own queen."

"I..."

"I know it’s a difficult decision to make, so I understand if you would need some time to think," he sincerely offered. "Just know that I’m here for you, and I’ll make sure that you and your people will remain safe so long as you stay by my side."

"I... Very well. Give me some time to think."

Simply giving her a nod, Ahmed stood up and left the room. The moment he was outside a mad grin formed on his face at a job well done. Truly, he was winning in life, and nothing was going to stop him now.