CHAPTER 37: THE GIFT

Lumina stepped out of her chamber, looking like someone from a dream. Her robe was a mix of deep red and black, flowing around her like water.

The red cloth was soft and shiny, catching the morning light as she walked. Along the bottom of her robe, black dragons were stitched in dark thread that sparkled a little, as if they were alive and moving.

The sleeves of her robe were long and wide, almost touching the floor with each step she took. A silver sash was tied around her waist, showing the soft curve of her body.

Her silver hair was tied back with black ribbons, but a few strands had slipped free and framed her face, making her pale skin and high cheekbones stand out even more.

She wore no crown, yet she had the presence of a queen strong, calm, and beautiful.

Ashen stood still at the entrance, unable to move. His breath caught in his throat the moment he saw her.

His eyes, usually cold, laced with surprise and awe. His heart gave a sudden, strong beat, and for a moment, he forgot how to speak.

"My lady... you look exquisite," Ero breathed out beside him, his voice full of awe.

Ashen turned to glare sharply at his aide, a flash of heat in his eyes. Ero, realizing his mistake, quickly bowed.

"I apologize, My Lord," he muttered, though the excitement in his voice was hard to hide. He had never seen Ashen so lost in admiration.

Ashen ignored him and walked toward Lumina, taking her hands in his.

There was a quiet pride in his touch, his thumbs gently brushing her knuckles.

In this moment, he felt it with his whole soul she belonged beside him, and he would protect her with every breath he had.

"My lady... you look pretty," he said softly.

Lumina tilted her head, raising a brow. "Ero used a better word," she murmured, her lips curling into a faint, teasing smirk.

Ashen stared at her in stunned silence, his chest warming with something between joy and disbelief. Without thinking, he pulled her closer.

Then, before she could react, he turned her gently in a circle, her robe twirling with her like a ripple of red flame.

As she spun, her silver hair fanned out behind her, falling around her shoulders in a soft, moonlit wave as both couples made one with the same color of hair.

He caught her again by the waist, his arms holding her firmly, their faces close.

"I am speechless and stunned by this beauty," he whispered, his voice rough and full of wonder.

Lumina blushed fiercely, her cheeks flushing pink. Her throat tightened and she quickly cleared it, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"The King and Queen are waiting. You don’t want them finding something else to be mad at us for," she said quickly, stepping away from his embrace.

Ashen gave a small, amused smile and offered her his arm. Together, they walked toward the palace, her hand gently resting on his.

By now, Lumina had begun memorizing the paths through the palace.

When they arrived at the royal hall, the doors were already open.

Inside, Prince Adam and Rhynera were seated, waiting.

The moment Ashen and Lumina stepped in, Adam’s gaze lifted and lingered.

"Finally, you choose to honor the King’s call," Prince Adam said, his voice light, though his eyes narrowed as Lumina stepped fully into view.

For a moment, Adam stared, caught off guard by her beauty. The same ethereal charm that had once made him choose her for his younger brother now felt like a mistake.

She was more graceful than he expected. He had thought her blindness would make her easier to control, but now he was beginning to rethink everything.

Ashen rolled his eyes at Adam’s words, but said nothing. He and Lumina bowed in unison before King Aden, who stood at the head of the chamber beside Queen Sephora, his expression unreadable.

"You are welcome," King Aden said, gesturing for them to take their seats. His voice was calm, though his eyes were fixed on Lumina with quiet interest.

Adam’s gaze, however, remained locked on her, and Rhynera seated beside him noticed. Her fingers clenched around the armrest, a storm rising in her chest.

"How is your health Ashen? Several herbs are being sent to your chambers. Hope you are using it?" Lumina smiled and jabbed Ashen who refused to use the herbs.

"Yes... Your highness.." he answered and King Aden let out a small smile.

"Little one," King Aden finally said, turning his attention to Lumina.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Lumina replied, her voice steady and respectful as she turned her face toward his voice.

"I called you here to thank you," the king said. "For saving the queen. Without you, I do not want to imagine what could have happened."

"Your Highness... it was my pleasure to serve. I am grateful that the detoxifying techniques I learned out of boredom became useful to the Drakonis Realm in such a time," she answered with grace, lowering her head humbly.

King Aden smiled, impressed. The queen, however, remained stoic, her face unreadable. But she knew she owed this girl her life, and she dared not be ungrateful.

"I also thank you," Queen Sephora said at last. "Though it makes me envious that you are not the Crown Princess instead of her." All eyes turned to Rhynera, who stiffened.

Lumina lifted her head slightly. "Your Highness... my sister knows nothing about poisons. She may have a sharp tongue, but she doesn’t have the heart to harm anyone, let alone save them."

King Aden raised a brow. "Really? But the queen..."

"I am sorry to interrupt you, Your Highness," Lumina said gently, "but I believe this was an attack. Someone may have used this opportunity to both harm the queen and create conflict between Drakonis and the Celestial Realm."

Ashen eyes widened at once beside her, his hand curling slightly. He hadn’t expected her to involve herself in politics.

"Your Highness... forgive my lady. She doesn’t understand what she’s saying," he interjected quickly trying to stop Lumina.

King Aden raised a hand, silencing him. "Let her speak." Ashen fell quiet, surprised at how his father got interested.

King Aden leaned forward, intrigued. "Go on," he said.

Lumina bowed her head slightly. "While I was neutralizing the poison, I noticed something strange. The toxin was not in the tea itself... it was something the queen had touched right before drinking. It must have transferred from her hands into her mouth when she drank the tea."

The queen gasped softly. "How... how would I know what I touched? And beside it had its effect after I had taken the tea she gave me."

"If Your Majesty reflects carefully... perhaps we can trace the moment it happened," Lumina replied calmly.

Just then, Princess Aurelia gasped. "Mum! That hairpin from Lady Mireya! It pricked your hand, remember? Right before tea!" Aurelia spoke up for the first time, she was still tending to the wound the hair pin had caused so her face was half covered.

The queen’s eyes widened.

"Yes... yes... I didn’t wash my hands afterward... I just drank the tea..."

Lumina gave a gentle smile. "Then that explains it. The poison wasn’t in the drink. It was something you touched... and it entered your body through your lips when you drank."

She turned slightly. "It may have been a decorative blade or pin made from toxic materials."

King Aden leaned back slowly in deep thought. "So... does this mean the daughter of Carlo is responsible?" Lumina rose and bowed deeply.

"My King... we must not act hastily. If we accuse her now, she may hide the evidence or alert others working with her. And considering her father’s influence... it could spark rebellion."

King Aden’s face darkened in thought. "You are wise beyond your years... how did you even get to know more information about her?"

Lumina glanced toward Ashen’s way bringing the attention of the King Aden to Ashen, who still hadn’t recovered from how swiftly Lumina had taken control of the situation.

"Ashen," the king called.

"You will investigate this matter quietly. Find who is truly behind the poisoning. If you succeed without alerting them..."

He paused, then continued, "I will name you Drakonis’s High Arbiter, the Dragon’s Hand of Justice." Gasps echoed through the hall.

Ashen’s eyes widened, his heart pounding. This was a title that hadn’t been granted in over a century the hand that wielded justice under the king himself.

"Father!"

"Your highness!" Father and son’s voices came in simultaneously in shock with this news.

"The princess saved you my queen, this is a little gift I could give to her."

Lumina pulled the lost Ashen up almost immediately and together they stood and bowed deeply.

"Thanks for the memorable gift, Your Highness."