CHAPTER 175: WE MEET AGAIN

Lumina sat in silence, her mind drifting through thoughts. Aria’s voice came hesitantly behind Lumina gaining back her attention.

"My lady..."

Lumina turned her head slightly, now sensing her kneeling near the table.

"What is wrong? Why are you kneeling?" she asked worriedly.

Aria’s hand reached underneath it, feeling along the smooth underside of the carved base. There, hidden behind a nearly invisible slit between the wood and the frame, a space only someone familiar with royal furniture would know existed her fingers brushed against something cold.

She pulled it free carefully, her eyes widening as the candlelight caught the glint of a very valuable and expensive hairpin.

A royal hairpin, forged with the insignia of the House of Drakonis, its tip embedded with the firestone reserved only for royal brides.

Aria’s breath trembled. "My lady... do you own this hairpin?"

Lumina tilted her head toward the sound. "Describe it."

"It’s gold, engraved with the Drakonis crest. It looks like..." Aria’s voice trailed off. "It looks like one of the nuptial heirlooms."

Lumina’s lips curved faintly, though the smile never reached her eyes. "I knew she came here for a reason," she murmured.

"Really?"

"Of course, she came to invite me tonight so when I go to the Inner Court for prayers tomorrow, she will accuse me of stealing it. Clever of her to leave the evidence behind."

Aria snickered at this; their hatred for one another was just the same as her master’s and his older brother’s.

"So do you want us to return it to him tonight or..."

"Destroy it and leave no evidence behind," Lumina instructed.

Aria frowned at this. "But this pin seems too valuable to destroy..."

Lumina cut her off coldly. "Do you want me dead?"Aria froze.

"That pin belongs to Rhynera," Lumina continued. "It was given to her for her nuptial rite. It’s one of Drakonis’ royal heirlooms. If anyone finds it here, they will believe I stole it and that would stain both my name and Ashen’s. I have no time to waste proving lies. Destroy it, before it destroys us."

Aria’s hesitation faded instantly. She clasped the pin in both hands, beneath her breath. A faint red glow flickered between her palms and heat rippled through the air. Moments later, the metal softened, the gemstones cracking, until the once-beautiful heirloom disintegrated into shimmering dust.

"That would also be my kind of punishment for her, when she can’t provide it she will be punished for it."

Aria grinned seeing how sneaky Lumina was, Ashen hardly punished anyone who hurt him. All he did was find a way to live and let things be.

When it was done, Lumina’s fist tightened on the table. "Rhynera," she whispered, "I will make sure to play the game clearly with you."

She rose slowly, reaching out until Aria took her hand. "Take me to Stella’s room."

Aria obeyed without question, guiding her mistress down the candlelit hallway. When they entered, Stella was asleep, her breathing shallow but peaceful. Lumina gestured for Aria to leave them alone.

When the door closed, Lumina sat by the bed and touched her maid’s face. The warmth of her skin made Lumina’s throat tighten. She hadn’t realized how much she had missed her until now.

She pulled off her blindfold, her trembling hands tracing Stella’s features as if trying to memorize them through touch alone.

"I am useless, aren’t I?" Stella murmured weakly feeling her lady’s. "I can’t even help you..."

"Don’t say that," Lumina whispered, but her voice broke. Tears slipped down her cheeks and fell onto Stella’s hand. "Go back to sleep now." she let out Stella and slowly closed her eyes.

Just then Lumina felt the familiar presence and she stiffened.

"You brought me here," she said, her voice trembling, "and yet you abandoned me!"

A soft, familiar sigh answered her. Seraphina appeared before her, veiled in silver mist, as she took Lumina’s hands gently.

"I never abandoned you," Seraphina said. "I have been searching for the antidote to your father’s poison. But Adam has interfered. The poison’s corruption is spreading through your pulse and you have been too distracted to sense it."

Lumina’s body went rigid. "Aunt... please. I am tired. My maid has been hurt, and I..."

"You cannot rest now," Seraphina interrupted softly but firmly. "The realms are shifting. The King of Drakonis must be kept safe until Ashen is ready to claim his rightful power."

Lumina frowned. "But why can’t the Crown Prince take over? Ashen is not ready to take over.?Isn’th..."

"He isn’t the first or last prince," Seraphina cut in.

Lumina’s breath caught. "Then where is the first prince? Is he dead?"

Seraphina’s gaze dimmed beneath her veil. "Not dead... but close to it. Only the royal family knows the truth."

Silence stretched until Seraphina stepped closer. "I came to warn you about tomorrow. The prayer ceremony in the Inner Court is not merely a ritual. According to the law of the Inner Flame, the prayers offered there decide who holds divine favor. Rhynera seeks a child to secure her place. You must go, Lumina and you must take that position before she does."

"Position?" Lumina repeated softly.

"You must become Leader of the Inner Flame Coven. Have you forgotten? It is the only role that appears meaningless but holds power in Drakonis.

The King plans to grant you a title soon so ask for that one. It is through that position you will awaken your full power... and regain your sight."

Lumina’s heart trembled. "But you once told me to wait for the one meant for me." Lumina paused at this.

"Did you lie to me all this time?" she asked, her voice a bit raised.

Seraphina’s lips curved faintly. "I did not lie. The curse your mother cast was that it could only be broken by the one who stands beside you, ready to fight for you. Ashen is that person. I can see it."

Lumina’s hands tightened. "You lied to me!" she cried out.

"I didn’t," Seraphina said calmly.

"If Ashen wasn’t a good one he would have abandoned me long ago because of the way I pushed him away."

"I never told you not to be in a relationship with him in the first place, I only told you not to let it get in the way." Seraphina leaned closer to Lumina.

"Besides, have you forgotten I told you the exact word to enchant the crown prince with?" Lumina smirked.

"I thought I was smart." she let out and Seraphina smiled, "Ashen is the best for you that was why I had wanted you to be with him in the first place... he is way powerful than anyone could think just like he is listening to us outside of this door despite nothing in the whole world is moving right now."

Lumina froze hearing this and just then the door creaked open revealing Ashen as he stood at the threshold, his tall frame half-shadowed, arms folded across his chest.

Seraphina’s smile deepened beneath her veil. "Finally," she announced grinning. "We meet again, Last Prince."