The Crown's Fire - Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Minister of Justice
Ezekiel proceeded to the great hall, despite his strong desire to find Tarah, and asked her about what she had done. If not for Vulcan’s loose lips, he wouldn’t have found out that Tarah was facing unknown consequences and punishment for her actions.

Right now, Ezekiel shut Vulcan down for good, as its voice was only causing him more headaches.

Khal told him that she had formed a life-and-death bond between his spirit and the dragon spirit, a bond that was supposed to exist solely between a dragon and its dragonrider.

Closing his eyes, Ezekiel tried to calm his chaotic mind amidst the lovely music in the great hall. He felt a tightening in his chest.

[She did it to save you. Do you really think the extraction won’t be dangerous? You may have managed to be our host for a long time, but that doesn’t guarantee your safety if the dragon is extracted from your body. Vulcan and I have been with you since you were a small blood cell inside your mother’s womb,] Khal explained.

Khal added, “[Since she bonded your spirit to mine, even if Vulcan’s soul is extracted and vanishes, I will return to your body instead of ascending back to heaven.]”

But Ezekiel wasn’t interested in how his life was saved; he was consumed with worry for Tarah’s safety.

[Don’t worry, I’m certain she’ll survive whatever comes her way. She’s a dragon rider, so they won’t punish her with death. But it’s true, she will face consequences for this. I’m sorry, but I also don’t know how the heavens will handle this.] Khal added.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty,” the four dukes of Ebodia greeted in unison, bowing curtly. Their words and gestures pulled Ezekiel out of his stupor.

A long line awaited him for this formal greeting, each noble presenting their gifts to the new king. Like in other kingdoms, Ebodia had five ranks of nobility, listed in descending order: dukes/duchesses, marquesses/marchionesses, earls/countesses, viscounts/viscountesses, and barons/baronesses.

[Tarah,] Ezekiel called through their bond, even as he maintained his formal composure during the continued greetings. He exchanged courteous nods with everyone.

[You shouldn’t be talking to me. Focus on the event, Kiel. You must give them a good impression, so don’t get distracted,] she scolded. Ezekiel wanted to converse with her, but perhaps it would be best to wait and discuss matters in person.

He felt guilty that Tarah had sacrificed so much just to ensure his safety. [I love you,] he genuinely stated.

[I love you more,] hearing those words from Tarah tugged at Ezekiel’s heart, knowing how much she was sacrificing for him.

He would make sure to free Tarah from Devon’s spell and release all those held captive by him. He was confident he could do it. But Khal interrupted his thoughts, [You’re not ready.] As they now shared the same body, Khal could discern Ezekiel’s thoughts without him having to voice them.

[I will not wait any longer and let her go back to that damn demon!] Ezekiel inwardly hissed.

Recalling that foul smell around Tarah before made his blood boil; it was unmistakably the stench of a demon, likely Devon’s. Ezekiel knew all too well how devious Devon could be.

‘Tarah…’ Ezekiel balled his fists until his knuckles turned white. He couldn’t bear to imagine what Tarah was enduring whenever she met with that demon.

Everything made sense now as he recalled Tarah’s nightmares, especially that night by the river when she kept scrubbing herself, insisting everything was too dirty. His jaw clenched, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Are you alright?” Apollo whispered in his ear. “Aunt Dana asked me to stay by your side and keep you company. I mean, this should be a happy event, but why do you look so gloomy? Are you purposely giving everyone a cold aura as king? Is this some kind of strategy to appear as a fearsome, snobby king?” Apollo added, trying to lighten the mood.

Ezekiel took a deep breath and released a heavy sigh. “I’m fine, Apollo. You can go back and enjoy yourself with everyone. How about helping me entertain some of the guests so they won’t notice my mood?”

“So you are in a bad mood after all. Alright, let me handle that task, but I can’t promise I’ll do a great job… You see, a lot of eyes are on you right now, and I’m just one person. It will be very hard to pull all the girls who are now coming your way away from you,” Apollo remarked before leaving Ezekiel to his duties.

Ezekiel watched Apollo as he tried his charm on the noblewomen on their way to him. And as expected Apollo failed to manage all of them.

“Your Majesty, I, Lady Greta Holmes, congratulate Your Majesty with utmost respect,” Lady Greta, daughter of Marquess Fidel of the northeast region of Ebodia, greeted with a courteous bow.

“I must say, you look rather unhappy for someone who has received such great power over a kingdom,” Greta remarked straightforwardly, a smirk playing on her lips.

“It’s been a while, Greta. I’m glad you’re back,” Ezekiel replied warmly, his expression softening at the sight of her. He personally knew Greta; she was the first woman who had managed to get close to him.

Greta was different from other women; she was considered one of the boys, training alongside the men, including him and his sister Xenia. He hadn’t seen her in almost a year, as she had become busy with further training, groomed as the successor for the post of Ministry of Justice by his father’s decision.

A few weeks ago, while he was at war outside Ebodia’s borders, Greta had been appointed as the new Minister of Justice and would officially assume her post tomorrow. “I am back now for good, Your Majesty… We’ll be seeing each other more often, and I’m truly glad to be of service under your rule. It will be a great honor for me,” she remarked with a wide smile, her eyes reflecting genuine enthusiasm for her new role.