CHAPTER 91: TO THE QUEEN’S CHAMBER’S

"My lady, don’t you think the Queen is playing some kind of game by inviting you?" Stella asked softly, her fingers tightening on Lumina’s sleeve as they walked the long corridor.

Stella had been so worried, ever since they left the chamber. Lumina tilted her head slightly toward her maid.

"Do you truly think your lady will be outsmarted by the Queen?"

Stella shook her head quickly. "Of course not, my lady. I only worry because you walk into her chambers willingly. It has not been long since she last hurt you. The bruises... they have only just faded."

"I know," Lumina murmured with a faint, tired smile, lifting her chin as if summoning courage.

She could feel the weakness of her body, evidence that the poison was still inside her.

"But I can not run forever. If I am to stay in the realm, I must face her. I may not be ready, but I will not always hide."

Before Stella could reply, the doors to the Queen’s chambers creaked open. Cold air rushed past them, carrying incense and the heavy perfume of roses.

They stepped inside where the queen sat gracefully as always, her hands folded neatly.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Lumina greeted sweetly, as she had come to her chambers happily.

With Stella’s guidance, Lumina knelt and bowed. "Good morning, Your Highness."

Then one of the maids brought forward another tray of tea. Lumina stretched out her hand carefully, holding the cup forward with Stella’s help, but Queen Sephora only stared at her with irritation.

After all, she is trying to annoy her and make her do something that would make her get punished.

"If I had not called you to come and show courtesy, would you have come at all?" Sephora fired at her and Lumina lowered her head.

"I am sorry, Your Highness. I thought it was tradition... something expected of the Crown Princess since her marriage is the official one."

"You..." Sephora hissed. "You are so very disrespectful."

A faint smile touched Lumina’s lips. "I am sorry you see it that way, Your Highness."

Lumina said as she stretched the cup at the queen, but Queen Seohora’s eyes narrowed.

She reached for the cup, but at the last moment pulled her hand back, the tea spilling onto Lumina’s palm. The hot liquid seared her skin, and she flinched, her breath catching.

"My lady!" Stella cried out, rushing forward, but Lumina lifted her free hand slightly, silencing her.

"Sit back, Stella," she said calmly, though her hand trembled faintly from the burn.

Queen Sephora leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "My maids tell me you punished them unfairly. Do you not think you deserve punishment yourself?"

"I punished them because they were disrespectful to my lady!" Stella burst out before Lumina could speak. "If punishment must be given, then give it to me, not to her."

"Hey!" Sephora snapped. "Lumina, control your maid. She is being insolent."

Lumina caught Stella’s hands, holding them tightly. "Stay back, Stella. This is between me and the Queen. Do not interfere again."

"Well, since she has already spoken out of turn, she will face the consequences," Sephora sneered.

"She will be flogged twenty times and kept away from you. Perhaps then she will learn respect."

"I am sorry, my Queen," Lumina cut in, her voice firm, "but I cannot accept that. I told Stella to punish anyone who wronged me, and I corrected her when she went too far. She is mine to guide. No one else’s."

"You dar...."

The Queen’s words froze in her throat as the doors slammed open.

Ashen stepped inside, clad in full dark armor, the crimson trim catching the light like fire as his gaze like steel as it locked on Lumina.

"Ashen," Sephora breathed, startled. "You are supposed.."

He moved past her without listening, reaching Lumina in long, heavy strides. His hand closed firmly around her arm, pulling her up from the floor with one swift motion.

"Ashen!" the Queen snapped. "Can your wife not show me respect anymore?"

He pulled out a scroll, sealed with the King’s crest, and handed it to a waiting maid, who quickly passed it to Sephora.

"That is from the King himself," Ashen said, his voice low and unyielding.

"Lumina has been chosen as the King’s healer. Only the King may summon or punish her. Not you or anyone else but the King."

"I never..." Sephora began.

"Stay out of my affairs, Mother," Ashen cut her off coldly. "Stay out of my life, as you have for the past twenty years!"

Sephora’s eyes widened, her face paling at the harsh wound of his words.

Ashen turned, his eyes briefly flicking to Rhynera who was just walking inside.

"She is the Crown Princess, the one the Realm recognizes. Not Lumina. Yet Lumina still carries herself with more grace than those who call themselves dutiful daughters."

"My son, she is your wife..." Sephora tried again.

"You lost that son long ago," Ashen said. "Do not test me again. Let this be the last time my wife is called to your chambers without my notice."

With that, he bent and swept Lumina into his arms at once carrying her as though she were weightless.

Lumina stiffened, startled, her heart racing at the sudden closeness, her pale eyes widening.

She could hear his heartbeat thundering through the armor, steady and strong, wrapping around her in a way words never could.

"Stella," Lumina whispered faintly, recalling that the queen could still punish her if she didn’t save her now.

Ashen’s gaze darted toward Stella who was being held back by two others, struggling.

"Follow me," Ashen commanded. His voice held such authority that the maids instantly released her. Stella rushed to his side without another glance back.

Behind them, Rhynera pressed her hands together, her face twisted in an expression of false concern, "Lumina... what.." Ashen glared at her and she froze.

"Stop it with your silly concerns, we can tell you don’t care." Rhynera shifted back.

"I do... she is my sister and I care about her." she tried to explain but he just walked past her leaving her lost for words.