CHAPTER 168: THEIR DEAL

Lumina sat beside the sleeping Stella, watching her intently and momentarily forgetting to go to sleep for a moment.

This was the kind of time she needed her aunt but her aunt had been ignoring her call these days and had even refused to come down to this realm.

Ever since taking the antidote, she could feel a difference in her body, but she knew she was still not completely out of danger. As long as Stella was doing fine, she felt reassured.

While she was still adjusting her clothes, a maid entered the room bowing before her.

"My lady, Lady Serena has asked for your presence in the outer chambers," the maid announced.

A smile tugged at Lumina’s lips, Serena had decided to venture to come to her chambers despite their current clash with her current family.

Lumina leaned down to place a gentle kiss on Stella’s forehead before standing up.

"Take me to her.." The maid gently grabbed her hands as she gently walked her out of the inner chambers.

"Wow, princess, you look stressed and pale," Serena remarked as soon as she saw Lumina approaching with the help of the maids.

"It’s an honor to see you here today. I assume you came because you missed me in the physician chambers," Lumina let out with a small smile.

"Of course, I heard the news even before heading to the training center. My father told me," Serena replied with a soft chuckle.

"Allow me to check you.." she stated.

Serena gently took Lumina’s wrist, checking her pulse for some seconds before letting her go.

"The antidote seems to be warming you up a bit, but there’s still some lingering poison. You will need more of it."

"As long as Stella is fine, I can manage," Lumina replied with a reassuring smile.

"You must really care about her," Serena noted.

"Of course, she has been with me since childhood. I owe her so much." Lumina let out reminiscing about all the old times they had spent together.

"I am sorry I had to come to you like this," Serena said, looking a bit guilty.

"Don’t worry about it... after all, I play my own game back smoothly," she stated and Serena smiled of course she understood Lumina.

"Princess Lumina... I am here for a request and I hope you will be able to grant me this request." Serena let out with her eyes a bit closed because she was sure Lumina wasn’t the kind of lady who would just accept anyone into her plans.

"I would be listening.." Lumina announced and she breathed out in relief.

Serena glanced around and whispered, "Can we talk privately? I don’t want anyone else to hear this."

Lumina nodded and signaled to one of the maids. "Take us to a private room."

*******

Once inside, Serena sat Lumina down and began pacing slowly leaving Lumina confused.

"I heard Adam has the antidote, but you’re still affected. How about I help you get more of it, and in return, you help me with something?"

Lumina raised an eyebrow. "What kind of something are we talking about?"

Serena smiled slyly.... "Please princess, I need your co-operation more than anything now." she let out as her hand wrapped around her stomach.

As far as Lumina doesn’t want to do this she seems to be interested in whatever Srena was beginning to plan.

" If I can do it, I see a reason why I should decline your deal." Serena took in a deep breath another relief washing through her at least this was going to the right part.

"Adam has a secret one that could bring him down if it ever got out. I need you to help me expose it, and in return, I will make sure you get the full antidote and the protection you need."

Lumina considered this, for minis, so this was the right time for shit to have had in her hands. This was the right time for her to destroy Adam for what he had cost her and her maid.

A thoughtful expression on her face. "And what do you want from me specifically?" Lumina asked, knowing that this was not the only point she needed.

"I will need your cooperation because I want to gain a strong foothold in the realm," she explained.

"You are carrying the current grand heir of the throne, so why do you feel like you still haven’t been a foot in the realm?"

"Because I don’t think Adam is the same Adam, I knew from my childhood."

"What do you mean? He took you in despite the rules of him just being with the crown princess. Why do you think he doesn’t love you anymore?"

"Adam has been keeping a secret from me. He’s been using contraceptives to prevent me from having his child, despite telling me otherwise. I have just found out, and I feel utterly betrayed."

Luminous’s eyes softened with empathy. "That’s terrible, Serena. I’m so sorry you are going through that."

Serena nodded, "Yes I am pregnant with his child, the future heir, but I am still not recognized in the palace. I need a stronger position, and I need to ensure that I have a solid standing... not for me but for my child."

Lumina nodded, understanding the stakes.

"I know you have connections and influence. If you help me gain control of the inner court, I can secure my position. In return, I will make sure you get the antidote you need and any protection you require."

Lumina’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "Why are you so certain I have connections that could open the path to the inner courts for you?"

"Because the Crown Princess already holds the inner court in her grasp," Lady Serena replied smoothly. "And I know you well, Lumina. When you say you will achieve something, from your sister you will."

"You call her my sister," Lumina countered, "Do you truly believe I would turn against her to support you?"

"You already have, once," Serena said without hesitation. "You play dirty, but you sweep away those filthier than yourself. The only reason you have not yet swept this realm clean is because you are waiting for the right moment."

Lumina smirked faintly. "And you? You are just as dirty as I am. Why should I trust you not to betray me when the time suits you?"

Serena leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. "Because I can help when it is your husband’s time to take the throne."

Lumina’s smile faltered, and she paused. "My husband has no desire for the throne. His heart lies elsewhere."

"Perhaps," Serena murmured, "but your husband will not need to desire it when Adam himself is unfit to rule."

"Lady Serena..." Lumina’s voice dropped, wary.

"You do not trust me, I know," Serena admitted softly. "And perhaps you shouldn’t, because I have confessed that I love him too much. But that does not change the truth that Adam will never be king. That is why I have never tried to contest your sister’s position as Crown Princess."

Lumina’s gaze narrowed, suspicion flashing in her blind eyes as though she could still pierce through Serena’s soul. "He is the First Prince. What makes you think he is unfit to rule?"

Serena’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. "Because he was never the true First Prince. And in Drakonis, only the First and the Last may ascend the throne."