The Crown's Fire - Chapter 170

Chapter 170: Main Priority
At the kingdom of Ebodia, Ezekiel went about his usual routine in the palace. He had already confirmed the previous night with his parents that Tarah and Queen Regent Katelina Grimaldi of the Kingdom of Zion were indeed the same person.

Now, he had called for Atlas, Elijah, and Cora to inform them about this discovery.

“I knew it! My gut feelings are never wrong!” Cora exclaimed with a wide smile, looking elated.

“You don’t seem surprised,” Ezekiel remarked to Elijah.

“Oh, Greta mentioned it to me last night,” Elijah replied. “She told me you said you’d found a queen and her name is Katelina. From there, I figured you’d confirmed Cora’s suspicion.”

“Why do you look like you’re zoning out? It’s not like you to be this quiet,” Cora pointed out.

Scratching his head, Elijah looked at Ezekiel and said, “Greta loves you. She’s disappointed that you’ve found a queen already.”

“So?” Ezekiel responded coldly.

“She thinks you and she kissed that night when she got drunk with us during New Year nine years ago,” Elijah murmured, his face reddening.

“What?! Weren’t you the one who brought her back to her quarters that night?!” Cora blurted.

“She thought it was His Majesty she kissed and confessed her feelings to,” Elijah explained with an awkward smile.

“So? Just tell her the truth,” Ezekiel stated with a frown.

“I tried to last night, but—”

“Why are you even discussing this matter with us, Elijah? Are you suggesting that our King deal with this petty matter?” Atlas interrupted with a creased forehead.

“Of course not, just that I—”

“Do you need help?” Cora commented with a grin. Ezekiel remained quiet. Greta was like a sister to him, but he needed to ensure she understood his position since Katelina would be with him soon, and he didn’t want any misunderstandings.

“Deal with Greta about this matter soon because I don’t want any misunderstanding,” Ezekiel remarked. “If you want me to deal with it, I’m afraid I’ll be a bit harsh. You all know how I am with other women.” His directness could hurt Greta’s feelings, so it was better for Elijah to handle it.

“I will deal with it,” Elijah quickly answered. “I just told you this in case Greta suddenly acts out of character in your presence, Your Majesty. She thinks you kissed her back that night.”

“I guess you like Minister Greta since you kissed her back,” Cora teased.

“Stop it, Cora, and focus on making arrangements for Lady Tarah’s—”

“Katelina. That’s her real name, so get used to addressing her as such. I don’t know what really happened while she was away, but it seems like she lost her memories, and we’re part of those lost memories. I don’t yet know the extent of what she remembers, but she didn’t recognize me when we met,” Ezekiel informed them.

He paused, frowning as he continued, “Her hair didn’t change back to black, so I thought her abilities were still with her, but she said she doesn’t have clairvoyance or foresight anymore.”

“Maybe it’s because she’s a dragonrider? I heard dragonriders have white-silver hair as soon as they form and secure the dragon bond,” Cora commented.

[That’s true…] Khal interrupted.

Elijah parted his lips in surprise. “Are you studying dragons now?”

Cora’s face crumpled as she scoffed, “I’m close with Lady Ta— I mean, Lady Katelina. She mentioned that to me.”

[But how come our bond with her is not working?] Ezekiel asked Khal.

[It could be dormant now after receiving her punishments, but… if it’s dormant, then there’s a high chance it can be awakened!] Khal beamed.

[How?]

[I don’t know,] Khal answered.

Atlas suddenly coughed, interrupting Ezekiel from his stupor. “Your Majesty, do you need me at the Global Summit?”

“What kind of question is that?!” Elijah snorted.

“Do you want some days off?” Ezekiel directly asked. He had heard that Atlas got married while he was unconscious. According to his parents, Atlas looked smitten and he seemed to develop a good relationship with Princess Ezme. Ezekiel was glad to hear that.

“If only you would allow it, Your Majesty,” Atlas meekly stated.

Ezekiel smiled and said, “I missed your wedding day, Atlas, and I apologize for that. Yes, you may have your days off as long as you want. Although late, I will have Mother arrange my gifts for your wedding…”

“It’s fine, Your Majesty. You don’t have to apologize. You were unconscious at that time,” Atlas commented.

Crossing his arms, Elijah mumbled, “So how long are you going to be away for your honeymoon? Goodness, I still can’t believe you’re a married man now!”

Cora grinned and teased, “Are you envious? Why don’t you talk to Minister Greta now and confess? Who knows? You’ll get married next?”

“You two, that’s enough… Atlas deserves this vacation. And you will be granted the same once you find your lifetime partner,” Ezekiel stated plainly, making both Cora and Elijah blush.

Turning to Elijah and Cora, he continued, “You two will accompany me during this Global Summit. This is an important event to me, so for now, this is the main priority.”

“We understand, Your Majesty. We’ll make all necessary arrangements,” Elijah replied.

Ezekiel then addressed Cora, “Katelina will come with me after this Global Summit, so you must make the necessary arrangements for her arrival at the palace. Coordinate well with my mother because I want a grand wedding without any hassle as soon as we arrive.”

“A wedding so soon? But Your Majesty, I thought she can’t remember you?” Cora questioned, her eyes wide with surprise.

Ezekiel smirked and confidently said, “Her mind may not remember me, but her heart and body will surely do.” He had his ways, and he would ensure that Katelina would come back with him no matter what.

After discussing a few more important matters, Ezekiel stood up and said, “I will go ahead now and be back before midnight.”

“Where are you going?” Atlas asked.

“To woo my future Queen,” he answered with a roguish smile.