CHAPTER 172: STOP UNDERESTIMATING YOUR ENEMIES

The sound of Adam’s quick footsteps as he walked quickly, his jaw tight and his fists clenched. When he reached the Queen’s private chambers, two guards bowed and opened the massive golden doors.

Inside, Queen Sephora was pacing the floor. Her face was cold, her gown trailing behind her like fire. The moment she saw Adam, her eyes burned with fury.

"Mother, you called for me?" he said, trying to sound composed.

Before he could say another word, a sharp smack struck across his face. The sound echoed through the chamber. Adam stumbled back, his hand flying to his cheek in shock.

"How can you allow those brats to win against you!" the Queen’s voice thundered. "You are the Crown Prince, yet you keep losing to a blind girl and that cursed brother of yours!"

Adam’s breath came unsteady. "Mother.... "

"Don’t you Mother me, Adam! I did not raise a fool!" she hissed. Her golden eyes gleamed with rage.

"It is becoming too much. You stand there watching while Lumina and that wretched prince continue to rise in power! Tell me, why are you the Crown Prince if you can’t control your enemies?"

He swallowed, his pride wounded. "Mother, Lumina is not ordinary. I fell for her act once. She is far more dangerous than she looks. We need to start planning a way to push her out of this realm."

The Queen’s expression hardened. "Are you saying that blind bats are smarter than you?"

Adam looked away, shame and frustration flickering across his face. "I don’t want to admit it, but yes. She’s clever... calculating. She uses her blindness as a shield, but she’s been three steps ahead of me every time."

Sephora narrowed her eyes. "I thought you poisoned her. I gave you one simple task."

"The poison works," Adam replied through clenched teeth. "But not the way we hoped. It seems her body adapts. The first time, it made her weak. The second time... it barely slowed her down. If it continues like this, she will grow immune entirely."

The Queen turned away, her hand curling around the arm of her chair.

"I poison hard meat, but it seems like he’s doing every single thing to get safe."

"Drex... as in the Chief royal physician." Adam nodded his head.

"What the heck? He isn’t supposed to treat anyone aside from..." She used one staring at Adam.

"The king had given him permission to do so.." She bit her lip.

"So he’s not doing things behind my back, he’s not doing everything to support them right!" Queen Sephora is annoyed.

"Then we will make her body remember what pain feels like." Adam lifted his eyes to her, uncertain. "What do you mean?"

Sephora walked slowly toward him, her long gown sweeping across the floor. "The poison alone is not enough. It attacks the body.. but not the soul. She is protected by something stronger. Perhaps the Celestials gave her that immunity. But if we can reach her spirit... the next poison won’t just harm her body. It will destroy the link between her magic and her life."

"You mea..."

"Yes," the Queen said coldly. "We will strike where she cannot defend herself. I will summon the high priest. There are rituals older than her bloodline, dark enough to break the immunity of even a Celestial."

Adam hesitated. "But if we use that kind of spell, the council will..."

"The council will do nothing!" Queen Sephora snapped. "They are weak and if they dare to question us, I will remind them who holds the throne."

Adam lowered his gaze, still uncertain. "If this fails, Mother Ashen will retaliate. He’s growing stronger every day. Even the guards talk about his dragon aura returning."

Sephora’s lip curled. "That cursed child will never rule. Not while I breathe."

Her voice lowered. "And as for Lumina... she will not die quickly. I want her to suffer first, her power stripped, her heart broken. Let her watch everything she loves burn before she takes her last breath."

Adam nodded slowly, though a shadow of doubt passed over his eyes. "As you wish, mother."

The Queen turned away, dismissing him with a flick of her hand. "Go. Prepare the second phase. And, Adam..." He paused at the door.

"Do not fail me again."

He bowed his head. "I won’t."

But as he walked out of the chamber, his hands trembled slightly.

*****

By the time Adam reached his own chambers, the sun had begun to set, bathing the castle halls in a blood-red hue. He was furious at Lumina, furious at Ashen, but most of all at himself.

He pushed the door open.

"Rhynera!" he snapped out and all the maids already understanding him quickly found their way out.

Rhynera looked up from her vanity mirror. "What now?" she asked tiredly, brushing her long hair. "You look like you have been dragged through the pits."

Adam clenched his jaw. "Give mother back the power to rule in the inner court."

She blinked, confused. "My Lord... the king had been blessed with this position, and the only reason why he had stopped your mother from being the one in charge of the inner court, is because she’s becoming old. She needs to take care of her health."

"How dare you!" he laughed out loud bitterly. "So you are just like your sister... You sit there pretending you’re innocent while she keeps gaining more influence!"

Rhynera stood, her own temper flaring. "Don’t talk to me like that! Maybe if you weren’t busy spending your time on Serena... you wouldn’t get embarrassed in the palace court today."

Adam’s eyes darkened, it seemed like the whole realm had heard of this.

"Watch your tongue."

"No, you watch yours!" she retorted, stepping closer. "You think I don’t know what’s really going on? The Queen is angry because Lumina outsmarted both of you! And now you are trying to cover it up by blaming me?"

"Do you have any idea what’s at stake?" he hissed. "If Lumina keeps gaining power, she will take control of the entire council. Even my mother is beginning to panic.... And the King... that brat had gotten hold of him.. He no longer listens to us."

Rhynera laughed bitterly. "Good. Maybe it’s time your mother learns she can’t control everything. Maybe Lumina and Ashe deserve this win for once."

Adam’s hand slammed against the wall beside her, making her flinch.

"Don’t ever say that again, you are the crown princess, you should support me!" he growled.

But Rhynera didn’t back down. Her eyes. "Oh please, have you ever been supportive of me ever since I became your Crown princess?"

"Rhynera.."

"My realm is a big win for your realm. Still, you made me look like nothing in front of everyone. Serena was the best to you so now go meet Serena to help you. Don’t come here yelling at me."

She took in a deep breath and moved closer to Adam, "This inner court is in my power and I will never drop it."

His expression tightened. "You talk too much."

"And you listen too little," she shot back, brushing past him. "If you are so desperate to keep your crown, maybe stop underestimating your enemies especially my sister."