CHAPTER 39: CONSIDER YOURSELF A WINNER

"I told you I would get into the palace," Lumina said calmly, settling into what had quickly become her favorite chair by the window.

Ashen remained standing, arms crossed, eyes narrowed in disbelief.

"You are insane," he muttered, still stunned by how smoothly she had orchestrated the morning’s chaos.

"Insane," he repeated in shock and then he felt something hit his eyes making him groan.

"Aww!" he groaned, "That’s for not attending to my wound yesterday," she murmured, and then she threw another small pebble hitting his arm.

"Aww!"

"That’s for calling me insane, I am going to be your wife for damn sake!" she argued.

"You both may leave," Lumina addressed Stella and Ero without glancing in their direction.

Neither one asked questions. They exchanged wary glances, bowed, and quietly slipped out of the room.

Whatever had just happened between the royal court and the poison scandal, it was now far above their understanding.

Ashen remained rooted to the floor, watching her in disbelief as she opened a scroll, as if nothing had just happened.

"You do realize how serious this is?" he snapped. "You poisoned the queen. And now you are reading a scroll?"

Lumina gave a slight, knowing smile, and slowly looked up. "You should be more concerned with how to get me the person I asked for."

He moved closer, lowering his voice. "You are about to make me explain how exactly I am supposed to hunt down whoever you want, when the woman behind the poisoning is you, and she’s sitting right in front of me."

"I recently learned Lord Carlos controls the taxation system," she said softly. "Which means... his hands aren’t clean either."

Ashen narrowed his eyes. "Hold on. How did you even manage to poison the Queen?"

A smirk tugged at her lips. "Simple. When Mirelia attacked me the other day, she dropped her pin. Ero had warned me she was the type obsessed with ornaments. So... I made her my carrier. She brought the poison into the Queen’s tea without even knowing."

Ashen’s jaw clenched. "She hurt you?"

"She did," Lumina replied, brushing her fingers lightly along the fading bruise near her temple. "And no one who hurts me walks free. I have returned the favor to Mirelia, and my sister. I will take care of the rest soon."

Ashen stared at her in silence, stunned by the calm way in which she took her revenge.

"Alright, I understand your reasons, but now you’re walking a dangerous line. Lord Carlos is respected. He handles the empire’s finances. You can’t just destroy him."

"I don’t trust men like him," Lumina replied coolly.

"His daughter’s arrogant. She parades around in the kind of silks only those with stolen wealth can afford. Everything I do is calculated."

He sank slowly onto the bench across from her, gaze locked with hers. "So... what now? We just let it all play out? Wait for someone else to take the fall?"

"Not quite." She rolled up her scroll and leaned in slightly. "You will stop chasing imaginary traitors who ’poisoned the Queen’ and instead start building your allies. Find those in the court who have already crossed to the dark side, then root them out. Gain your foothold and be feared."

Ashen studied her carefully. "You think I can do that?"

"No," she said, pushing his shoulder lightly with a playful smirk. "But I can."

He gave a low chuckle, impressed and still a little unnerved. "So this isn’t about helping me..."

"It’s about building a name for myself," Lumina whispered. "And dragging you along as I do it."

There was a short silence between them before Ashen felt that familiar footstep moving closer.

He stood up in a hurry, before Lumina could grasp and then the door burst open again lightning striking down inside the chambers.

Lumina’s gaze narrowed feeling this, "mum.." Ashen let out in shock.

"Weren’t you supposed to decline that?" The Queen’s voice cracked through the chamber like a whip. Her sharp gaze pinned Ashen where he stood. His eyes fell to the floor, and a shadow of guilt passed across his face.

Lumina stood quietly beside him, her arms folded, her silver lashes hiding her expression. But at the Queen’s words, a low snort escaped her lips, soft but unmistakable.

"Thank you," Lumina said, her voice cool. "I do appreciate you helping me earlier. But don’t you think you’re beginning to cross your boundary?" Her head tilted slightly. "You’re just a blind brat, after all."

A stunned silence followed. Even Ashen stiffened at her words. Lumina bowed her head slightly, though her thoughts simmered with scorn. Had I known she was this foolish, I wouldn’t have wasted my time saving her.

The Queen’s brows lifted slowly, her expression turning cold. "Your Highness," she began in a mocking tone, "it has come to my surprise that you don’t want anyone to uncover the truth behind the poison." Her voice sharpened. "Yo...."

"Enough!" Queen Sephora hissed, stepping forward. Her hand shot up, fingers ready for a slap. But Ashen moved, so fast taking the hit across his cheek.

Lumina got worried trying to touch Ashen but he grasped her hands caressing them.

"You dare..." the Queen began, furious but Ashen cut her off.

"I am sorry, Mother," Ashen said quietly, his voice low.

"I had to take the slap. It’s my fault. I should have taught her better."

A bitter smile curled the Queen’s lips. She turned her focus to Lumina.

"I don’t know what you have been feeding him. Ever since you stepped foot into this realm and my son’s chambers." She moved slowly and deadly toward him.

"If you dare cross the line again, I will make sure you regret ever becoming his woman."

She stepped back, then turned as if to leave. But at the door, she paused and looked back over her shoulder, her eyes fixed on Ashen.

"Find a way to decline your father’s offer. If you don’t..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I will show you just how deep the hatred in my heart runs." And with that, she left, the door slamming behind her.

Silence returned. For a moment, neither Lumina nor Ashen moved.

Lumina blinked, her mind spinning. She had thought her own life back in the Celestial Realm was painful but this?

This was a mother who didn’t just ignore her son she loathed him. A woman who had given birth to him, now threatening to destroy him.

She turned to Ashen, half-expecting him to break down or retreat into silence. But he surprised her.

"Well," he muttered, "if I am to be dragged through the mud, might as well be with some celebration."

He turned toward the doorway. "Ero!"

His aide appeared instantly, as though he had been lurking just beyond the curtains.

"Send for a feast," Ashen said. "From the royal kitchens. Tonight we celebrate my new position in the royal palace."

Ero bowed deeply. "Right away, my Lord."

As he departed, Lumina remained frozen. Only when she felt Ashen’s hand brush lightly against hers did she stir. She caught his hand in both of hers.

"Are you going to do what she asked?" she whispered.

Ashen smiled at her, a real one this time, "No," he said simply.

"All my life, I have done whatever they asked. Lived in the shadow of their decisions. But not anymore."

He paused and looked down at her, their fingers still laced.

"You gave me two years to help you. Then I will do the same. I will protect you as my woman for two years, I will give it everything I have."

A soft smile tugged at Lumina’s lips. She reached up and patted his shoulder.

"Then consider yourself a winner already."