CHAPTER 25: CONTROLLING HER ACTIONS

The next morning Ashen Chamber could be seen brightly from the sky above looking cold and calm as usual, until the Stella figure is seen running towards her lady’s room and some other ladies following from behind.

"My lady..."

Stella’s voice came in a rush, her steps uneven as she hurried into the room, only to freeze halfway. Lumina sat on the edge of her bed, motionless, lost in deep thought.

"My lady..." Stella called again, softer this time, uncertain whether to break the silence.

Lumina turned her face slightly toward her voice.

"Why are you in such a hurry? And..." she paused mid-sentence as a loud commotion rose outside the door.

She lifted her head confused, "We are not that many in these chambers. What is all that noise for?" she finally asked.

Stella placed a hand over her chest, breathing in and out, trying to calm herself.

Before she could explain, the door burst open. A woman, likely in her forties, stepped in with the authority of someone used to being obeyed. Several younger ladies followed closely behind her.

Lumina, sensing the new presence, turned her head in their direction.

"To what do I owe all these visits?" she asked calmly.

The woman scoffed moving forward like she was ready to pull Lumina from the bed.

"I am Freya, the Royal Governess. I will be in charge of teaching you the etiquette of the Drakonis Realm and some other important things you need to know about.

Lumina stayed seated, her hands resting neatly on her last atom of fear in her.

"I understand I am to be taught, but barging into my room like this... Is that the standard for etiquette here?"

Freya’s little vanished. "How dare you.." but her words were left hanging as she got interrupted by Lumina.

"You speak to me with such a tone already?" Lumina stood up slowly.

"I should be the one using that tone on you, not the other way around."

Her voice rang out fiercely. She stood tall, her gown flowing around her like mist.

Though her eyes could not be seen, the confidence in her expression struck everyone speechless.

"You are not even a princess yet," Freya stammered, stepping back.

Lumina raised her hand slightly. At once, Stella stepped forward, guiding her hand until it almost reached Freya’s cheek.

She pretended to smack her across her face but then stopped midway, leaving the rest of the ladies who had come with Freya speechless.

"Yo... you..." But a smirk appeared on Lumina’s face, "You speak about etiquette when you have none!" Lumina stepped forward. Each movement was smooth and elegant.

"Last time I checked, I am still Lumina, Princess of the Celestial Realm." She drew closer to Freya, who stumbled back in disbelief.

"The eldest daughter of the king of the celestial realm! My bloodline had never been mixed with that of a slave. I carry the legacy of royal stars, so I won’t tolerate disrespect from anyone." She stopped right in front of Freya who, despite being older and wiser than Lumina, couldn’t dare look her in the eyes.

"Get out of my room and return only after displaying proper courtesy."

The air in the room tightened, as though her words held weight beyond their understanding.

"Wha..." Freya’s words again stopped the moment Lumina pulled off her blindfold.

"Go back outside and display courtesy when you want to convey the message."

Without another word, Freya bowed her head, turned around, and walked outside along with the ladies who scurried behind her, stumbling over themselves.

Once outside, Freya fell to her knees just beyond the threshold, bowing in the corridor.

Stella’s face lit up with pride. She gently took Lumina’s arm and led her to the chair now placed at the center of the room. Lumina sat, calm once more watching Freya kneel

"My lady..." Freya called more respectfully.

"We were sent by the Queen herself. So you are to begin etiquette classes with the Crown Princess." Lumina gave a small, knowing smile.

"If the Queen truly sent you, I will not refuse. Though it’s clear the Royal Governess lacks the grace of the role."

Just then, the door swung open again.

Ashen rushed in, his breathing heavy. He had left for a morning walk, not planning to disturb Lumina’s rest. But the moment he heard what Prince Adam had ordered, he turned back.

He arrived only to see Lumina sitting comfortably as she taught them lessons herself. He watched how she shut her eyes the moment he entered, and then Stella helped her tie back her blindfold.

"You came late," Lumina said, her voice light, but carrying something more.

Ashen’s eyes widened slightly and he moved toward her without hesitation and gently took her hand. Stella stepped back respectfully giving him the chance to be with her.

"I am so sorry..." he whispered.

The room was so silent, the ladies behind Freya weren’t sure if they had heard right.

"If you’re not interested in learning..." Ashen began but Lumina raised a hand, stopping him.

"This order came from the Queen. Who am I to refuse?"

Ashen frowned at this, he knew too well that the queen had no time for such things.

"I will go," Lumina continued, her voice soft. "I will manage well enough."

"But.."

Lumina tilted her head gently. "Allow me... I just arrived in this realm. Everyone here already questions me. What do you think they will say if I start refusing lessons?"

Ashen said nothing this time around. He didn’t care about the opinions of others, but he didn’t want Lumina’s name dragged through the mud either.

"Fine. You can go." he accepted and a wide smile bloomed on her lips. She nodded once.

"Let’s leave," she said, and in an instant, the ladies stood up, nearly tripping over themselves in their rush.

They walked ahead, opening the path, and Lumina followed behind them, elegant and poised.

The moment the ladies stepped into the corridor, I felt like they were no longer used and suddenly aware of themselves again.

Freya turned back, her eyes wide, watching Lumina as though seeing her for the first time. "Yo... you can control one’s actions?" she asked in shock and Lumina only smirked.

She stepped closer, her presence once again commanding.

"Mess up one more time," Lumina whispered, her voice like velvet wrapped around a dagger, "and I will control you to unlive yourself."