CHAPTER 178: THE INNER COURT

Stella ran into the room like a spring. Her face was bright and Lumina lay half up on the bed, hair messy, but she smiled when she heard Stella’s steps.

"My lady!" Stella cried and hugged her so hard Lumina felt the warmth down to her bones. "You are awake. Thank the stars, I thought I had lost you."

Lumina laughed, a small shaky sound. "You make it sound like I have gone to the moon." She pushed Stella gently away and sat up. "How are you? Are you really better?"

Stella’s hand went to her side where a dark smear had been. "I took the antidote last night. Lord Drex helped Ero give it. At first I felt strange, but then..." she sniffed, trying to hold back tears. "I felt like myself again. You saved me, my lady. I owe you my life."

Lumina’s chest warmed. She had not expected the gratitude to hit like this. "Don’t say that," she said softly. "We are sisters. We do this together. If anyone hurts one of us, we fix it."

"We will," Stella said, "all the pride a maid could hold. "I will always stand beside you."

Lumina’s smile faded for a second. The sudden worry that had lived under her ribs all night rose.

"Where is Ashen?" she asked.

The smile slipped from Stella’s face. "He... he left early." Stella’s voice dropped. "He said the palace called for him. He told Ero to stay with you. He looked... tense."

Lumina felt the puzzle pieces click in her head. They had been pushed and pulled all night. "That jerk knocked me out... after being accused of killing Cyres."

"My lady... he asked for you to go to the inner court for prayers."

Lumina took a long breath. She could feel the ache of the morning, the tiredness that would not leave.

"Then I will go to the inner court," she said after a long while.

"But he will be back here to do some explanation... There is drama, I will stand where it is needed."

Stella reached for her hands. "My lady, you are weak. You should rest."

Lumina shook her head. "I am not weak." She pushed off the bed and swung her feet to the floor. The room tilted a little. She was still dizzy but she stood. "Help me dress. Quickly."

Stella moved like she had been waiting for that order. She bustled and tied, fetched a cloak, and pressed a cloth to Lumina’s brow.

"You should not push yourself," she kept saying, but Lumina only smiled and let her work.

******

Lumina was about to leave her chamber when she stopped. There was a presence by the altar, and she could feel it immediately.

"Come out," Lumina called out softly, turning her head toward the sound. While Stella stared at her lady in surprise.

"My lady... Who are you talking to?" she asked and then Aria stepped out from behind the column and bowed.

"Forgive me, my lady. I stayed to guard the chamber. In case... anyone tries to do anything wrong to you."

Lumina smiled faintly, her hand brushing against her gown. "You worry too much, Aria." Then her smile deepened, she turned about to leave but then stopped.

"Come. Let’s go to the inner court. I can already feel there will be drama." she let out and a sly grin appeared on Aria’s face.

"Of course... I am ready for this." she let out and followed her instantly.

The moment they entered the inner courtyard, a group of ladies turned, their silks rustling. One of them, a smug-faced woman from the past classes at Lady Freya’s, scoffed at Lumina.

"Well, look who finally decided to join us. Late again, are we?" she let out loud enough for everyone present to hear her.

Lumina tilted her head, her lips curving. "I was only delayed by something important. You, on the other hand, should learn manners."

The lady snorted. "Manners? From a blind princess?" Lumina let out and Aria moved before the words finished.

She grabbed the lady’s arm, twisted it sharply, and bent it behind her back.

The lady gasped, stumbling to her knees. "What are you doing! Let me go!"

"Teach her a lesson," Lumina said, voice calm, almost gentle.

"Yes, my lady." Aria forced the woman down further, her knee pressing into her back. The woman cried out, and the courtyard went still.

"Stella," Lumina called.

Stella stepped forward with a wicked grin. "Now.." Her palm cracked against the lady’s face once, loud. The sound echoed against the walls.

The lady whimpered, her cheek swelling red. Gasps filled the court.

"Enough!"

Rhynera’s voice cut through the tension as she stormed forward, fury burning in her eyes. "Lumina!"

Lumina didn’t jerk a bit. She stood straight, her chin slightly raised. "Yes, sister?"

Rhynera stopped a few paces away, trembling with rage. "What in the name of goodness are you doing?"

"I am teaching your little friend some respect," Lumina replied smoothly. "If she cannot welcome a princess properly, then she should learn what happens when she forgets her place."

"You dare..." Rhynera hissed, her hand lifting. Before she could take another step, Aria shifted protectively, standing between her and Lumina. Stella joined, eyes sharp.

Rhynera froze, glancing around the court. Lumina smiled faintly. "Be careful, sister. You wouldn’t want to make a scene before the prayers begin."

Rhynera clenched her fists but said nothing. She turned and walked away, her skirts snapping behind her.

Lumina then touched Aria’s shoulder. "Let her go."

Aria released the lady, who collapsed to the ground clutching her wrist.

"Next time," Lumina said softly, her voice cold enough to make the lady shiver, "remember to bow."

The woman scrambled away, too terrified to look back.

The inner court fell silent, every head bowed in fear. Lumina turned, calm and composed, her both ladies by her side.

"Let’s begin," she murmured, stepping toward the prayer stage as if nothing had just happened.