CHAPTER 163: LADY FREYA

They had just ended today’s lesson when Lord Drex called for Serena. She hurried away, telling Lumina she would be back soon. Lumina watched her go, fingers worrying the hem of her sleeve.

Serena had not gone ten steps before a hand hit her face. She stumbled back, breath gone, eyes wide.

"How could you be so stupid?" a rough voice snapped. "I spent years keeping our name safe. You shame me, you shame this house."

Serena clutched her cheek, one foot shaking. "Father.." she tried, voice small. "I love him. I told you. I told you.."

"You think your feelings matter? You think that would make me rethink decisions?" Lord Drex cut across her.

His face was hard as stone. "You killed our honour. You tell the whole court you are carrying the Prince’s child? Do you know what you have done?"

Shame burned in Serena’s cheeks. She opened her mouth, closed it again. Her voice became a whisper. "I never meant to hurt you. I only..."

The world narrowed to the flash of pain where his hand had landed. Serena’s knees threatened to fold.

Footsteps came fast and Lumina moved before anyone else could. She stepped between father and daughter, calm and steady.

Even without sight she could feel the quick breaths, the quiver of anger in the air.

"Lord Drex," she said in a level voice. "That is enough."

He turned, startled. For a moment his anger fought with the weight of the room’s attention.

"Princess Lumina," he said, the tone uneven. "I... this is family business."

Lumina’s hand found Serena’s trembling fingers and held them. "If this is family business, do not break your child with your hands. Speak your anger. Do not strike her." he let out calmly.

Lord Drex’s face dropped, and for a long second, he said nothing. Then his shoulders slumped, and shame crept into his eyes.

"I am sorry, Serena," he muttered, words rough as stone. "I... I did not mean.."

Serena’s breaths were shallow. She bowed her head, tears hot and sudden. "Father," she whispered.

Lord Drex swallowed as he turned to Lumina, the anger leaving him like fog. He dropped into a small bow. "Princess Lumina, forgive me. I...thank you. I had totally lost it."

Lumina gave a small shake of her head and a tight smile. "You are a father. You are allowed to be angry. But please don’t break her, you should be her free ages supporter now."

Lord Drex blinked, then lowered his gaze. He stepped back without a word and let them be.

Serena’s knees were weak. Lumina guided her to sit on a low bench, hands steady at her elbow. Serena’s breath came in short little pulls when Lumina was sure Serena was feeling better and they decided to leave.

They left the courtyard together, but Serena’s fingers stayed tucked into Lumina’s. They strolled, and at the palace steps, they met with an almost unrecognizable woman.

"Princess Lumina!" she cried, as the woman fell to her knees before Lumina the moment she saw her.

Lumina and Serena were startled at this... "Who are you?" Serena asked, confused.

"Please.. save me. I am dying. I will do anything. I swear I will serve you all my life. Please help me."

"Lady Freya.." Lumina called to confirm she wasn’t hearing things wrong; of course, she couldn’t forget the voice of her first teacher in Drakonia.

"Yes, princess, I am the one." Freya’s hands clutched at Lumina’s skirts like a person clinging to a rope. Serena pulled back, shocked. "Freya?" she whispered. "What...what happened?"

Freya’s eyes were wild. "Poison," she said. "Someone poisoned me. It’s destroying me so badly, I have seen healers. Nothing helps. Please, Princess.."

"Why do you think I can cure you of poison?" Lumina asked in a state of shock.

Lady Freya dropped to her knees, clutching at Lumina’s gown as if it were the last rope keeping her alive.

"Forgive me! Please don’t kill me... save me, I am going crazy. I promise to behave. I will serve you for life, just save me!"

"Lady Freya..." Serena gasped, stepping forward, but her voice was ignored. Freya clung harder to Lumina’s skirts, sobbing.

Lumina tilted her head, the corner of her mouth lifting into a small victorious smile. Of course, she had expected this day. Freya, the same woman who had humiliated her at the Moonlight Ball, was now on the floor begging like a child. What a joke.

"Freya," Lumina said softly, as though she were speaking to a foolish pet. "So you have decided pleading is the key? How surprising. You never begged before."

"Please... I am dying," Freya choked, her face pale, lips trembling.

Lumina’s voice stayed smooth and calm. "Well, you see, I have only just begun studying medicine. I’m not a healer yet." She gave a soft laugh. "But the royal physician is inside. Go to him. He might be able to help you."

Serena frowned. "Lumina, are you serious? This lady is in pain..."

Lumina turned to her and let out a tiny snicker. "Serena, pain has a way of teaching lessons."

Freya’s hands shook. "My princess, please forgive me. I have gone everywhere, but no one can save me. I know I wronged you. I lied about you, humiliated you. I am sorry. Please...I have children. I don’t want to die."

Lumina crouched down, leaning close enough to catch the scent of Freya’s sweat and tears. She inhaled slowly, her expression unreadable.

"So you are asking forgiveness? Fine. But don’t confuse forgiveness with a cure. I don’t know why you are sick." Her eyes gleamed as she added quietly, "Or perhaps you think I caused it?"

Freya shook her head violently. "No, no, you didn’t! Please, I’m dying slowly. I have been poisoned. I thought... maybe you know something about it."

At that, Lumina’s face hardened. She stood abruptly, her voice rising. "This is taboo! I am Princess of the Celestial Realm, likely the future queen, wife of the last prince of Drakonia... do you truly expect me to dabble with poisons?"

Freya bowed her head, tears running freely. "I know you are not at fault. But please... forgive me. Help me. I am dying. I can’t take it anymore."

Lumina’s eyes softened in front of Serena, her voice turning gentle like silk. "Oh, Lady Freya... of course I don’t wish you to suffer. You have been through so much, haven’t you? You poor thing. Come, let me hold you."

She drew Freya into an embrace, stroking her back as if she were comforting her. Serena’s eyes widened at the sight.

But Lumina bent close to Freya’s ear, her whisper sharp as a blade.

"Do you remember when you mocked me over little things? When I warned you, and you laughed? This pain you feel now is what you earned. Not only will it stay with you, it will grow, until you die a slow and painful death. And no one will save you."

She pulled back, her face serene again for Serena’s benefit. "Be strong, Lady Freya. The physician will see you now."

Freya stared at her, trembling, but too weak to speak. Serena, still stunned, watched as Lumina straightened, her expression back again to its calmness