CHAPTER 102: PUNISHING THE PRINCESS

The corridor had fallen so silent that the sound of King Aden’s footsteps seemed to echo like thunder.

The maids who had been lingering fled at once, skirts rustling as they vanished down the side passageways. Only a few guards remained.

Lumina sat on the floor, her hair disheveled, her chest rising and falling with quick breaths.

Aurelia stood a short distance away, her hands trembling, eyes darting between her father and Lumina as if searching for a way out.

Then King Aden’s voice broke the silence. "A question deserves an answer. What is happening here, and why do I feel power lingering in this hall?"

"Your Highness!" Aurelia cried, her voice pitching with false innocence.

But Lumina cut her off before she could continue in a pitiful voice.

"Your Highness, forgive the sight you have stumbled upon. Princess Aurelia was only trying to teach me a lesson... because I outsmarted her."

"What?" King Aden’s tone sharpened, his gaze snapping to Aurelia. The disbelief in his eyes struck harder than any blade. Ashen could only smile at his wife’s smartness.

Aurelia shook her head rapidly, her knees nearly buckling as she bowed.

"Your Highness... no, I..."

But Lumina pressed forward, clutching her chest, her pale face the picture of injury.

"Please, Your Highness, help me plead with her. I swear, I will never again be disrespectful toward her. My chest... my shoulder still aches from the fire she struck me with."

Her words rang with quiet desperation, and the sight of her slight frame hunched on the ground stirred something in the king’s stern expression. Slowly, his gaze turned to Aurelia.

"You used your powers on her?"

Aurelia’s head jerked up, her face pale. "No! I...I wasn’t planning to use my powers against her. I was only... I was just... angry!"

"Angry?" The king’s voice dropped into a dangerous rumble. "You were angry, and the first thought that came to your mind was to unleash your gift on her?" His glare hardened.

"A princess of this realm is not given power to abuse, but to protect. Do you not understand this truth?"

Aurelia fell to her knees at once. "Father, please, it was not as it looks. I swear I..."

"Silence!" King Aden’s roar shook the corridor. Even the guards flinched at the weight of his command. Aurelia froze, her words choked back into her throat.

King Aden’s eyes, stern as iron, narrowed. "Henceforth, your recklessness will not go unpunished. You have disobeyed the warnings I have given countless times. From this moment, your power is stripped. By order of the crown, the High Mage will seal your abilities before nightfall."

Aurelia gasped as though her very breath had been stolen while Serena’s eyes widened. "Father, please, you cannot! To strip me of my power.."

"You will remain under house arrest in your chambers," he continued coldly, ignoring her pleas. "For thirty days you shall live without the privileges of rank with no attendants. You will live humbly, and perhaps then you will understand the weight of your position."

Tears gathered in Aurelia’s eyes, her hands clutching at her gown. "Father, no, I beg you! I will change, I swear I will change! Please do not seal my power!"

His face darkened further as he stepped closer, his voice low and sharp as a blade. "Know this. If you repeat such folly, your blood and your title will not save you. You will face the same justice as any subject in this realm."

The command rang finally. His hand lifted in a sharp gesture. "Guards. Take her away."

Two guards stepped forward at once, each gripping Aurelia’s arms as she struggled, crying out her father’s name.

But King Aden did not falter, and her voice grew faint as they dragged her from sight.

When silence returned, Lumina lowered her gaze. She had not expected such severity. Not even her father had punished any of his kids so harshly before.

King Aden’s eyes softened as they turned to her. "I gave your father my word that you would be protected here. Not even my own blood will be spared if you are treated wrongfully again."

Ashen stood up, his eyes glinting faintly with triumph. The corner of his lips twisted slightly as his father’s gaze fell upon him.

"I fulfilled your wish," King Aden muttered.

Ashen bowed his head with a faint smirk. "Thank you, Your Highness."

King Aden nodded once and turned, his cloak swaying as he departed. The guards followed, leaving the hall empty at last.

Ashen crossed swiftly to Lumina, crouching to lift her from the floor. She resisted faintly, whispering, "You don’t have to..."

"One move," he murmured under his breath, his voice hard, "and you will earn punishment yourself."

Her protest died at once. His arms carried her easily, his warmth steady against her trembling form.

Serena, who had lingered nearby, shifted uneasily until Ashen’s gaze landed on her.

"You will not be spared either if you hurt a strand on her. Whatever bond you claim with my brother means nothing to me. If she suffers, you will answer for it."

Serena swallowed hard at this, she couldn’t help but wonder why he could intimidate her when not even the crown prince could do so.

Ashen carried Lumina all the way to his chambers, his stride brisk.

When they reached the outer room, he set her gently down on a chair. His expression softened briefly as his eyes searched her face.

"How are you feeling?" he asked quietly.

Lumina pressed her lips together, then suddenly leaned forward, her arms slipping around him in a light embrace.

He froze, startled by the gesture. She clung to him as if her very life depended on it, silently praying the lingering spark of Aurelia’s power within her wouldn’t rouse the poison in her veins.

"I was able to dodge so it didn’t hurt me much... I have my powers too, remember?" she mumbled.

Moments later, Stella rushed in, her face pale. "My lady, I just heard a rumor... that Princess Aurelia was punished. Is it true?"

Lumina released Ashen now grinning, "I told you I would deal with them bit by bit." Her fingers trailed lightly up Ashen’s chest, her composure returning.

Ashen caught her wrist, frowning. "Are you still being bullied?"

She met his eyes steadily. "Nope... your shield is working. You’re always there before they can harm me too much."

He exhaled sharply, irritation flickering in his gaze as he sat beside her. "I thought you would be safe. Why wasn’t I told Aurelia was stationed near you as well?"

"Ashen..." but Ashen’s eyes changed instantly.

"Go inside." He let out and the sudden interruption startled her.

"Why so suddenly.."

Her question was cut short as he pulled her up abruptly, urgency etched into his face.

"Take her inside now, and stay with her," he barked at Stella. His voice was so fierce that even Lumina paused in shock.

"Why?" she demanded.

Ashen bent suddenly, pressing a swift kiss against her forehead. His voice lowered, almost a growl. "I will explain later. Stella!"

Stella bowed quickly, taking Lumina’s arm to guide her toward the inner chambers.

"Ashen! Bring out that blind bat for me!" Queen Sephora’s voice echoed and only then did Lumina understand what had happened