CHAPTER 176: THEIR POWER

Ashen’s deep voice thundered from the doorway. "You sound like someone who has been expecting me for a while, and I would like to know why."

His piercing gaze fixed on Seraphina, whose face was still hidden beneath her dark veil.

"Ashen..." Lumina whispered.

"I would also like to know how much power you have to always stop the time," He added, his tone edged with restrained anger.

Then Seraphina fired back, "I would also like to know.. How much does it cost for you to break through the barrier, something no one on this earth has ever been able to do?"

Ashen took a slow step closer, his presence filling the room. "You might not notice, but I am not a man known for patience. The only reason I am not attacking you right now is because of my wife. So tell me what exactly you want?"

Seraphina’s voice was calm, almost amused. "What I want is a way to protect my niece."

"Your niece?" His voice sharpened. "Whatever bond you think you share with her doesn’t concern me. But let me be clear, if you ever lay a finger on my wife, I will make sure this is the last morning you see."

"Ashen! She would never hurt me!" Lumina stepped between them, hand stretched forward.

Ashen gave a low snicker, his eyes dark. "As much as I want to trust your words, I still need to place a warning."

"Ashen, respect my aunt," Lumina warned. "I already told you she’s the one person I can trust. Why are you acting like this toward her?"

Seraphina smiled faintly. "Little one, there’s no need to worry. His reaction only shows how deeply he cares for you. That kind of fire... It’s rare." Her tone softened. "He protects what he loves, even when he doesn’t understand it."

Ashen turned his gaze back to her. "Why is your face hidden?"

Seraphina glanced up at him, then slowly extended her hand. He stepped back instantly, not allowing her touch.

She gave a knowing laugh. "Just like your father... You despise being touched."

"My father is the King," Ashen replied coldly. "No one is allowed to touch him. Are you trying to insinuate something?"

"Nothing at all," Seraphina said with a sly smile. "It’s simply... intriguing to finally be near you. I have watched from afar for years, never imagining that one day you would stand before me."

Ashen’s brows furrowed. "You have been watching me?"

She smiled beneath her veil. "You will understand in time."

Lumina frowned. "Aunt... ever since my mother’s death, you have always been distant and never spoken with such emotion before. Why are you like this with him?"

Seraphina laughs out loud at her little one"Are you jealous?"

Lumina stiffened. "Of course not. I am just surprised. You have never been like this with anyone. And why can Ashen even see you? No one else can."

Seraphina’s expression turned unreadable. "Because he is not like anyone else. He may have been branded the Cursed Prince, the Weak Prince, but those names run deeper than you think. Even he doesn’t know the kind of power buried inside him."

Lumina turned to her. "You always know the answers, Aunt. Then tell me if he’s so powerful, why was he cursed? Why did the dragons flee the moment he was born?"

A smirk curled beneath Seraphina’s veil. "That, my dear, is a question for both of you to answer. You may be clever, Lumina, but remember your blindness limits what you can see. And that... was the greatest mercy your mother ever gave you."

"Aunt..." Lumina’s voice trembled, but Seraphina only turned away, her veil swaying softly in the dim light.

"You have to look for the truth by yourself," she said, her tone almost tender. "This might be the last day you see me until you fulfill the plan."

"What? Aunt... this isn’t supposed to happen. You brought me here, you wanted me to be part of this!" Lumina’s voice shook, her fingers clutching the edge of her veil. "You told me there was a plan."

"Plan?" Ashen’s voice cut through sharply. He took a step closer, his gaze flickering between them. "You both aren’t talking about taking over the throne, are you?"

Seraphina didn’t look at him. "I am not forcing you, Ashen," she said calmly. "But know this... when the time comes, if you refuse your place, this realm will face its end."

Ashen’s expression hardened. "I have no right to the throne. I will not take it, no matter what anyone says. It was never mine to begin with. It belongs to my brother, and I will not drag the kingdom into my curse. I would rather live quietly, without the burden of the whole realm beneath me."

Seraphina tilted her head. "So you would neglect your duty even before it’s given to you?"

He met her gaze, his tone bitter. "It wasn’t supposed to be mine. The crown prince is alive, and I have no intention of fighting him for it."

"Are you sure he is the one meant to rule?" she asked softly. "Or is it for the firstborn prince?"

Lumina gasped, her blind eyes widening beneath her lashes. "Aunt... stop."

Ashen’s voice dropped low. "Don’t talk about my brother. You know nothing about him."

Seraphina’s smile didn’t falter. "Are you sure I know nothing?"

"That’s enough!" Lumina’s voice rose. "Please, stop. You are hurting him."

Seraphina’s expression turned cold. "Are you going against me now, Lumina? You are supposed to support me."

"Not when it hurts my husband," Lumina said firmly. "He is my husband, and I will stand by him."

For a moment, silence filled the chamber then Seraphina laughed. It was not cruel, but heavy, echoing against the walls like the toll of an ancient bell.

"So be it," she said. "Deal with the truth yourself." Instantly Seraphina was gone.

Everything started moving again. Ashen ex a faint snort escaping him. "Well," he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Who would have known that my little wife and her aunt could stop time as they wish?"

Lumina turned toward him, frowning. "Ashen, don’t start..."

Before she could finish, he reached out to touch her hand, but she moved too quickly, pressing her palm to his lips to silence him.

His eyes darkened slightly as her fingers lingered against his mouth.

"Wh.." He barely had time to speak before Lumina leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

It was a sudden, unplanned quick kiss, She only wanted him to stop talking much because of Stea.

But the moment their lips touched, Ashen’s hand slid around her waist, drawing her closer which made her heart race. His lips softened, answering hers slowly, with more depth, more heat.

Lumina tried to pull back, startled by her own boldness, but Ashen didn’t let her. He deepened the kiss, just enough to make her knees tremble, his hand splaying across the small of her back. She could feel his heartbeat thump really hard.

For a moment, she forgot about Seraphina, the throne, the curse, and everything vanished except the warmth of him.

Until Someone cleared their throat.

Ashen stopped, his lips still a breath away from hers. His gaze flicked past her shoulder, and Lumina’s entire body went rigid.

Stella stared at them as she shook her head in disbelief.

Ashen blinked, then gave a faint, mischievous smirk. "Well," he murmured, "looks like someone’s awake."

Lumina gasped, stepping back instantly. "Ashen!" She turned toward Stella, her cheeks burning. "I... this isn’t..."

Ashen raised a hand, cutting her off with a chuckle. "She’s still half asleep," he said calmly, motioning toward Stella. "No need to worry."

Stella only sighed, turning away with an amused expression. "If you say so, my lord," she murmured. Lumina glared at him.

"You are impossible."

He leaned closer, the edge of his smile softening. "You called me your husband a few seconds ago, remember?"

Her breath caught. "That was..."

"What’s happening now?" he interrupted softly. "You don’t want me anymore that she isn’t around?"

Lumina hesitated, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. "I never said that. I only wanted to remind you that someone was still here."

She wasn’t going to push him away this time around, not after what her aunt had said she would rather be with the one who treats her right.

He nodded slowly, his tone teasing but low. "Then how about when we are not distracted... How about we continue whatever we started? In my chambers this time."

She took a step back instinctively, though his presence followed her like a shadow. "Ashen..."

He smiled, his voice dropping into a near whisper. "What is it, little one?"

Before she could reply, he swept her off her feet in one swift motion.

Her startled cry filled the air as he held her firmly in his arms. "Ashen! Put me down!"

"No," he said easily, his grin widening.