CHAPTER 94: TEACH ME HOW TO TREAT HER RIGHT

Lumina stood in the middle of the chamber, her pale gown falling like water around her ankles as she gave a slow, graceful twirl.

The fabric shimmered faintly in the candlelight, catching at the gold threading near her waist.

Even though she could not see herself, the action came naturally, as though she had been trained all her life to move like elegance itself.

"How do I look?" she asked softly, tilting her head toward Stella, her hands lifting slightly as though to invite praise.

Stella clasped her hands together, her lips curving into a warm smile. "My lady, as always, you look breathtaking."

Lumina’s lips parted in a faint smile. That was the kind of answer she wanted to hear.

Just as Stella stepped forward to tie the blindfold back over her lady’s eyes, the door swung open without a knock.

Lumina froze at the sound and her brow furrowed. "I told you to always knock before entering.."

Then a low chuckle drifted through the room.

"Hmmm... I am not used to that.?" Stella quickly bowed and Lumina scowled.

Ashen’s smirk deepened as he approached. "Besides," he murmured, circling her.

"I am your legal husband. I believe I have the right to enter." Lumina folded her arms.

"Whatever. Let me go. I need to leave early for my first day."

He caught her wrist gently, for a moment he simply looked at her, his gaze tracing the curve of her cheek, the line of her lips.

Then, without another word, he released her hand and extended the other toward Stella.

Stella hesitated but took another look at him, she quickly placed the blindfold in his palm.

Ashen stepped behind Lumina, he could feel her body stiffen at his nearness, the way her breath caught faintly. He slowly tied the fabric around her head, the bow resting against her hair.

In the mirror before them, Ashen studied her face with a bright smile.

This stirred something heavy in his chest. He knew how desperately she wished to see herself.

He had searched tirelessly for someone who could heal her blindness, though so far hope had been nothing. Still, he would not give up.

"Don’t you think you are missing something, Ashen?" Lumina asked suddenly.

He raised his brows, genuinely perplexed. "Missing something?" His fingers paused on the knot, then smoothed the edge of the cloth at her temple.

"Yes."

For a moment, he searched his mind, but nothing came. Instead, he leaned forward, his chin brushing her shoulder, his arms sliding lightly around her waist. His reflection loomed behind hers in the mirror.

"My lady," he whispered, his voice rough against her ear, "you will have to tell me. What is it that I have missed?"

Lumina’s lips twisted into a small scowl. "Don’t act like you don’t know."

His smirk faltered. Her annoyance wasn’t feigned. He straightened, turning her toward him so he could study her face directly.

"My lady," he said carefully, "you look angry. I truly do not know what you think I missed but will you remind me?"

She clicked her tongue in irritation, pushing him back with more force than necessary. "Do not speak to me if you cannot recall."

Stella, who had been silently watching, covered her mouth to hide a smile.

She knew exactly what her lady wanted, but a mischievous part of her thought Ashen deserved to squirm a little.

"My lady, perhaps we should go for breakfast," Stella suggested gently, slipping to Lumina’s side.

Her eyes darted toward Ashen, who stood frozen in confusion, as though a battle had been lost without him even realizing.

Before Lumina could turn away fully, Ashen reached out and caught her hand.

"My lady," he called again. "if I have offended you, I ask your forgiveness. I am... confused. This is my first time as someone’s husband. Can you make it easier for me?"

Lumina stilled. His sincerity disarmed her, stirring guilt for being upset over what, to him, might seem so small. She pressed her lips together, considering.

"Well," she said finally, her voice quieter, "there is one thing."

Ashen leaned in, serious and attentive.

"When you see a lady dressed like this, the first thing you should do is praise her," Lumina explained.

Ashen blinked. "Praise her?"

"Yes."

"I don’t usually praise women," he admitted bluntly.

Stella groaned aloud, smacking her hand to her forehead. "Hopeless," she muttered under her breath.

Lumina let out an exasperated sigh. "Exactly. Hopeless." She turned to leave, but Ashen pulled her back into his arms, holding her tightly as though afraid she might slip away forever.

"You can teach me," he murmured, his lips brushing the crown of her hair. "I am willing to learn... from you."

She pushed at his chest. "I shouldn’t have to teach you how to praise your wife."

Her words struck something in him, deeper than she could have known. Wife.

"I am your wife," Lumina continued firmly, "and you must praise me. Every time. Even the smallest moment. It makes me happy."

Ashen’s expression softened. His heart pounded in an unfamiliar rhythm, one that almost frightened him with how strongly it beat.

"So you were upset," he said slowly, "because I did not praise you?"

Lumina’s lips quirked in mock denial. "I am not upset. But Stella praises me every day. You do not."

With a scoff, she pushed free of his arms and began to walk toward the door. "Do not touch me. You are hopeless."

Ashen stood, stunned, watching her leave and the door shut behind her.

Just then, a flutter of wings sounded against the stone walls, and in an instant Aria appeared, morphing into her human form. She bowed lightly.

"My lord. You called for me."

Ashen rubbed a hand down his face, still bewildered. "Teach me," he said at once. "Teach me how to treat her properly." Aria blinked, stunned into silence, and then smirked.

"I do not want her angry over such little things," he added quickly, almost desperate. "How do I stop it?"

Aria folded her arms. "First, my lord, she is not angry over little things. She is a woman. She desires affection, acknowledgment, and words of value from her man. That is not little."

Ashen’s eyes narrowed. "Hold on... how did you even know what had happened and you appeared more quickly than you were supposed to?"

"You asked me to protect her, my lord, I can’t be far from her," she answered.

Ashwn exhaled sharply and then proceeded. "You speak as though you know this well. Do you... have a man already?"

Aria scoffed, her cheeks flushing. "My lord, that is hardly the point! I am a lady too. I understand such matters naturally. But if you mean to make fun of me, then I will take my leave."

Ashen bit back a laugh, but the corner of his mouth curved despite himself. "If you stay, I will increase your monthly pay."

Aria gasped, then smirked. "Consider me convinced. I will draw up a list of what you must do. But since you are hopeless, I will need several hours to put it into writing."

Ashen narrowed his eyes at her teasing, but before he could object, she held up a finger.

"First lesson," she said seriously, "go after her. Do not let her leave believing you do not care. If she storms off, follow her. Coax her. That is what she truly wants."

And before he could respond, Aria shifted back into her crow for me and darted out the open window, leaving him standing there in stunned silence.