CHAPTER 202: THE HIGH CHIEF PRIEST

In a room filled with bright red color, a vast mirror-like pool of dark water stood at the center.

Lumina could be seen where she stood at the water’s edge. Finally, she had been bestowed the position by the king, even though she didn’t miss the hesitation in his voice she was still satisfied she could get this position

She remembered Seraphina’s voice in her mind, telling her how the chamber of reckoning, Lumina. Whoever holds the circle here commands both the light and the dark.

Now she stood there, not just as a princess, but as something more.

Ashen was beside her, tense and wary, his eyes darting between the High Chief Priest and the cluster of nobles who lingered near the doorway.

The High Priest, cloaked in shadowed red and gold, finally broke the silence.

"Princess Lumina," he called out, voice low but laced with disdain, "as much as I still do not trust you, I am bound to honor the King’s decision. But understand this though you may be named the leader of this forgotten order, do not expect reverence. Respect is not given to those who have yet to earn it."

Lumina’s expression didn’t waver. She reached up, and in one smooth movement, she pulled the blindfold from her face, revealing her silver eyes.

Ashen, understanding his wife’s action, stepped in front of her instantly,

"Lumina, don’t. You can’t challenge him here. The High Priest’s power isn’t like the others; you will only make things worse."

She gave a sly bitter grin the type that always unsettled him. "You still don’t understand, my love. I am not here to fight him."

Ashen frowned, helping tie back her blindfold "Then what are you.."

"High Chief Priest," Lumina interrupted, turning her gaze to the old man. "Would you kindly ask the nobles to leave? I have something to discuss with you. Alone."

The priest hesitated, his dark eyes narrowing. "You overstep."

"Do I?" she asked softly, her tone both polite and deadly.

The silence stretched until the old man finally sighed and gestured toward the others. "Leave us."

The nobles obeyed without argument, their footsteps echoing as they vanished through the doors. The High Priest folded his hands. "Very well. Speak your mind."

Lumina began to pace slowly around the water’s edge, her reflection dribbling across the surface.

"Strange," she murmured. "I have attended countless gatherings, yet never once have I seen you grace the ceremonies. The High Priestess always takes your place. Why show your face now?"

The man’s brows furrowed. "What are you implying?"

"Oh, nothing," she said lightly, stepping closer. "Only that for someone who claims to see the future, you seem awfully blind."

He stiffened. "Blind? What nonsense..."

"You see the stars, you read destinies, you speak of divine signs," Lumina whispered, "Tell me, then...can you see me?"

For a brief second, the priest’s confidence cracked. Ashen’s eyes widened slightly, sensing something strange shift between them.

"Little girl," the priest began, his voice carrying anger. "Do not forget yourself. I have guided kings before you were born. If you think to mock me..."

He stopped mid-sentence. His hand flew to his throat as he stumbled, gasping for breath. His staff clattered to the floor, rolling toward the dark pool.

"How... what.. Are you...!" He struggled to say and she turned in surprise only to realize her husband was behind it.

"Ashen, stop," she said quickly, placing a hand on his arm. "This isn’t the way."

Ashen released his grip instantly, and the priest fell to his knees, wheezing. His staff trembled in his grip as he pointed it at them. "How... dare you..!"

"How dare you speak to the future King like that," Lumina snarled and Ashen blinked, startled. "Lumina..."

Even the High Priest froze, his anger replaced with confusion. "What did you just say?"

Lumina tilted her head, eyes glinting. "You heard me. The future King of Drakonis. Or do your prophecies no longer reach that far?"

The old man paled. "That... that cannot be true."

"Oh, but it is," Lumina said, stepping closer. "After all, you are the one who changed it." Ashen’s head snapped toward her. "What?"

She didn’t look at him, her gaze locked on the priest. "Tell him," she whispered. "Tell him what you did."

"Princess, you speak in riddles," the priest said, trying to recover.

"No," she said softly. "You speak in lies, don’t try to act brain smart with me."

Ashen caught her wrist. "Lumina, what are you saying?"

"I am saying," she replied, her voice trembling just slightly, "that he altered your fate, Ashen. The prophecy that cursed you the reason your father looked at you with hatred instead of love wasn’t real. He changed it."

Ashen’s eyes widened, disbelief warring with rage. "That’s impossible..."

The High Priest looked cornered now, his throat working as he searched for words.

"Tell me I am wrong," Lumina asked the priest but he said nothing.

Ashen took a step forward, his hands trembling. "Tell me she’s lying."Still, he only kept his mouth shut.

Then Lumina’s next words fell like a blade. "He did it under someone’s command. Didn’t you?"

The priest’s face twisted. "You don’t know what you are talking about..."

"Oh, but I do," she whispered, moving closer, her magic brushing against his aura like a cold wind. "You switched the prophecy. You made the realm believe the second son was cursed, so that another could take the throne without contest. And youz" her voice dropped to a hiss, "you were rewarded well for your loyalty."

The High Priest’s composure shattered. "Enough!"

"Or what?" she said, eyes narrowing. "Will you silence me like you silenced the priestess you betrayed?" His eyes went wide, and his knees buckled.

Ashen stared between them, his heart pounding. "Lumina... what do you mean?"

"She means," the priest rasped, "that she knows too much."

Ashen moved faster than thought, grabbing the man by the collar and lifting him slightly off the ground. Flames flared faintly in his hands, his voice shaking with fury. "Say everything you know now, else I will make sure to teach you a lesson you will never in a million years forget... remember you know more about me than me."