CHAPTER 179: THE HAIRPIN

Several whispers filled the hall as all the women gathered in the inner court.

Rhynera stood in front, dressed in white and gold, her long veil flowing down her shoulders. Since she was leading it she needed to dress in white and one could see how excited she was leading this gathering.

Lumina on the other hand could be seen with her hands clasped together as she kept asking for nothing but sight and a high position.

"Today, we pray for purity of mind, loyalty to the realm, and cleansing of all deceit." Rhynera’s voice booms.

She moved her hands in a graceful motion, and the women followed, bowing their heads.

"Repeat after me," she said. "For the realm, I give my word."

"For the realm, I give my word," they echoed.

"For the Queen, I give my faith."

"For the Queen, I give my faith."

"For the dragons, I give my heart."

"For the dragons, I give my heart."

Rhynera smiled faintly, then stepped down from the stage, moving among them.

"We will now share the cleansing drink," she said, motioning to the maids who came forward holding golden cups filled with a faint blue liquid.

Each woman received her cup. Lumina took hers, feeling the rim with her fingertips. Something about the smell made her chest tighten.

She lifted it, pretending to sip, but tilted her wrist slightly so that the liquid touched her lip without entering her mouth. She stayed still, pretending to swallow.

From the corner, she sensed Rhynera’s gaze fixed on her.

"Did you drink, sister?" Rhynera’s voice was soft, almost caring.

"I did," Lumina replied smoothly, keeping her expression calm.

Rhynera’s steps came closer. "Good. It’s important to stay pure for the dragons." Lumina only smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Moments later, a maid hurried in from the far end of the hall, kneeling. "Your Highness, the Queen is here."

At once, everyone bowed. The Queen entered, her gown dragging lightly as her eyes swept across the hall.

"So," she let out, "the daughters of the realm are praying. How pleasant." Her tone was kind, but her stare was not. "Where is the heirloom?"

The women looked at one another. Rhynera blinked. "Mother, what heirloom?"

Queen Sephora frowned. "The royal hairpin. Surely, it should be brought to the inner court. It is an heirloom from the first dragon queen herself... how careless to leave it behind."

Lumina froze as she got to understand this, of course, Rhynera knew how important it was and decided to frame her.

Rhynera paused, her lashes fluttering slightly before she gave a soft, thoughtful hum. "Oh... I must have left it in my sister’s chambers when I went yesterday... I plan to ask about it after the prayers are fully over." Her eyes drifted over the women then stopped on Lumina. "Unless... perhaps my sister saw it?"

Lumina’s body went still. Her head turned slightly toward Rhynera’s voice. "Why would I have seen it?" she asked calmly.

Rhynera smiled faintly. "Because I was in your chambers yesterday. I remember removing it while we spoke. I might have left it there without realizing."

A murmur rippled through the hall.

The Queen’s attention snapped toward Lumina. "Then it is in your chambers?"

Lumina remains calm, controlling her actions, "I do not know what you are speaking of, Your Highness."

"You were visited by your sister, were you not?" the Queen pressed.

"Yes," Lumina replied. "But I do not recall her leaving anything behind."

Rhynera gave a soft, nervous laugh, her hand pressed lightly to her chest. "I am sure she didn’t mean to ignore it, Mother. Perhaps she found it and kept it aside, thinking I would collect it later."

"That’s not true," Lumina barked out at once.

"Oh?" Rhynera’s smile deepened. "Sister.. this belongs to me you can just deny not even seeing it, because you want it."

"I didn’t deny that in the first place, especially for what is not true," Lumina answered.

The Queen’s expression darkened, not in the mood for bickering between the sisters. "If she says she left it there, and you deny it, one of you is lying. Guards, check her chambers."

Rhynera lowered her gaze modestly as everyone murmured among themselves.

"Please, Mother, there must be a mistake. I don’t wish for her to be embarrassed. We all know Lumina’s... condition makes it hard to notice small things."

The subtle insult Rhynera had at her sister drew soft murmurs from the women nearby.

Lumina’s fingers curled around her gown, her breath tightening. "I might not see, Rhynera, but I notice more than you think." She argued.

Rhynera’s smile didn’t waver. "Then I am sure you noticed where the hairpin went."

"Everyone leave for your chambers. This matter is between royals." Queen Sephora’s voice rang through the hall. The women moved away fast, murmurs dying as the doors closed.

Only the royals stayed. Rhynera stood to the side, face pale but acting calm.

Queen Sephora walked straight to Lumina. Her face was hard. "Did you take the hairpin?" she asked once more.

"Your Highness, I do not have it," Lumina replied with no hesitation.

The queen’s eyes narrowed. "Then we will search your chambers to be sure."

Lumina moved in front of the queen before she could step away. The movement was small, but it stopped Sephora.

"Your Highness, you cannot search my chambers without cause. This is not right."

Sephora blinked. "The hairpin was last seen with the crown princess in your chambers so..."

Lumina’s lips curved, not a smile but a line of calm. "If you want to search my chambers," she said, "I will agree but it will only be on one condition."

Rhynera’s breath hitched loudly in the silence. The queen’s face turned to her "One condition?"

"Yes," Lumina said. "If the hairpin is not in my chambers, I want my sister punished severely for this lie. And I want to be placed in charge of the Inner Court."

Queen Sephora’s mouth was left open in shock. "You...you demand punishment for your sister and the Inner Court leadership? You think you can command me?"

Lumina did not back down. "Either the hairpin is in my chambers, and I am guilty or it isn’t and the inner court will be in my care."