CHAPTER 114: THE BRACELET

"My lord, we finally got some details about the person you are looking for," Aria’s voice rang out behind Ashen as he found his way down to his office.

Ashen stopped mid-stride, turning to her. "Where did you appear from? And why come without me calling you?"

Aria stepped into view, her expression blank. "Just keep walking, my lord. You don’t want ears catching this."

Ashen dragged a hand over his face, irritation prickling. "You’d better have a reason for appearing out of nowhere."

"I do." Aria’s voice dropped. "The bracelet you showed me... I traced it across every realm. It belongs to someone from the Celestial Realm."

Ashen stopped walking entirely, his boots scraping against the floor. He turned fully toward her, his dark eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"

"I followed its strong scent," Aria explained, "and every trail ended in the Celestial Realm. There’s no doubt. Whoever it belongs to... they are from there."

Ashen’s jaw tightened. "So you are telling me there’s someone in the Celestial Realm who can walk out of their realm the way I can?"

Aria nodded once.

A humorless laugh escaped him, low and bitter. "Find out who that person is. I need to know everything about her. Who she is, where she is, and what she knows about me. I don’t want her to discover anything more about me before I am ready. I don’t even know if she sees me or not."

"On it, my lord." Aria bowed slightly.

Together they walked the final stretch to his office, but the moment Ashen pushed the door open, he froze.

Rhynera was already seated at the table, sipping tea as though she owned the place.

Ero stood nearby, tense but composed. "My lord, welcome," he said, stepping aside as the princess turned to face Ashen.

It had been a long time since Ashen had seen her face. She rarely unveiled herself outside of ceremonial occasions.

The last time had been on the day she had first arrived in Drakonia and even then, she had worn a veil until she had been formally introduced.

For a moment, Ashen was too stunned to speak.

Rhynera’s gaze flicked to Aria standing at Ashen’s side, and a faint crease formed between her brows.

"Who is she?" she asked coolly.

Ashen’s irritation snapped back into place "I see no reason why that should be your concern," he replied, striding past her toward his desk.

"To what do I owe this uncomfortable surprise?" He asked.

"Uncomfortable?" Rhynera’s lips twisted into a cold smile. "Isn’t that a bit rude?"

Ashen sank into his chair, clearly uninterested in the game she wanted to play. "You can leave now, Aria," he said, gesturing with a flick of his hand.

But before Aria could step out, Rhynera’s voice cracked like a whip. "Stop right there!" and Aria froze, lifting her chin.

"Where is your courtesy?" Rhynera asked.

Ashen let out a low laugh, pinching the bridge of his nose as though fighting for patience. "Courtesy? I see no reason she owes you any. She serves me."

"Serves you or not, she is standing before the Crown Princess and does not even bow?"

Aria smirked faintly, unbothered. "I bow to my lord and one else."

"What!" Rhynera surged to her feet, anger flashing in her eyes.

Ashen’s lips curled in amusement. "Are you going to attack her now? Think twice before you do something you will regret." and Rhynera recoiled.

"Aria. Leave." This time Ashen’s voice boomed like thunder, and Aria hesitated only long enough to throw Rhynera one last look before stepping outside.

The slam of the door behind her left a silence.

Rhynera folded her arms. "Your side woman is shockingly disrespectful."

Ashen’s brow arched. "Side woman? You are standing in my office, Rhynera. Perhaps you should think carefully before throwing accusations."

"I am the Crown Prince...."

"And she is a titled commander in my station," Ashen interrupted. "You don’t get to call her names."

For reasons she couldn’t quite name, the way he defended people under him stung. He had never raised his voice like this to Lumina. He was softer with Lumina, always measured, always careful.

She bit down on the thought hard enough to silence it.

"Tell your men to leave. I need to speak to you alone," she said instead, gathering her composure.

Ashen leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "The Crown Princess wants to talk to me alone and last time I checked, I didn’t see any conversation scheduled in the future."

"As the Crown Princess, I am ordering everyone to leave this office!" Rhynera’s voice bellowed, now annoyed at the disregard Ashen is throwing at her.

Ero glanced at Ashen for a while before Ashen finally gestured for him to step out.

He didn’t like what he was seeing and didn’t trust her one bit but he couldn’t say no to his Lord.

The moment he closed the door behind him, he caught the faintest flicker of movement near the corner.

Then Aria reappeared, standing guard with her back pressed to the door.

"What are you doing?" Ero hissed.

"I don’t trust that lady, if she tries anything, I will be inside instantly."

Ero blinked at her, startled, then sighed and waved to her to stay silent.

Inside, Rhynera rose from her seat and took a slow step forward.

Ashen stood immediately, wary. "What are you trying to do? Stay back," he warned.

Rhynera’s lips curved. "You don’t expect the Crown Princess to do something reckless, do you?"

"With you, I can’t expect less," he muttered. " Has your wife spoiled me so much that you don’t even trust a bit of my action even though this is the first time we are exchanging a private conversation?" Ashen shrugged his shoulders in return.

She gave a sharp exhale, then sat back down with an exaggerated sigh.

"I came here because your wife parades around that her husband is the arbiter of law," Rhynera said.

A faint, amused smile ghosted over Ashen’s mouth.

"You find this funny?" she snapped.

"No," Ashen replied simply, though the curve of his lips didn’t disappear.

"Someone has been sneaking into our chambers," Rhynera continued, leaning forward. "I want private men from you to guard and catch that person for me."

"You are the Crown Princess," Ashen said flatly. "Your husband is not just the Crown Prince, but the most respected man in this realm. He trained half the guards himself and you come to me instead?"

"That is because I don’t want him to know about this. Will you help me?"

"No." Ashen’s voice was firm. "I will not involve myself in your chambers. If that is all, leave."

He turned away from her, reaching for the parchment on his desk.

But Rhynera suddenly stepped closer, closing the space between them.

Ashen turned back, anger flashing in his eyes and his arm struck hers unintentionally.

"Aah!" she cried out as she stumbled, about to hit the ground but he caught her wrists just in time, pulling her upright.

Just then a small bracelet clattered to the floor and Ashen froze.

Rhynera’s gaze followed the sound. Her eyes widened. She bent instinctively to pick it up, but Ashen moved faster, snatching it from the floor before her fingers could touch it.

"Please leave.. You are crossing your limit."

But Rhyner’s eyes were placed on the bracelet "Where did you get that?" Rhynera demanded, her voice shaking.

Ashen’s stare was sharp as a blade. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because.." Rhynera’s voice cracked. "That bracelet belongs to me!"