CHAPTER 182: TEASING HER

"My lady... so..." Stella began softly, hesitating as she watched Lumina sit stiffly on the edge of the bed.

"Nothing," Lumina muttered, her voice breaking as she clutched the sheet in frustration. "It’s not working!"

Her words came out in a cry that echoed through the chamber, her breath uneven.

Stella froze, unsure what to do as Lumina covered her eyes with shaking hands.

Just then, the door creaked open.

Ashen entered quietly. He carried a small bouquet of white lilies.

Lumina sniffed the air feeling her husband’s presence and tilted her head toward his direction. "You brought me flowers?" she whispered, on the edge of tears.

Ashen smiled and gestured for Stella to leave. Without a word, she bowed and slipped away, closing the door behind her.

"You are not... trying to check if you can see again, are you?" Ashen asked.

Lumina pouted her lips slightly as she raised her arms toward him.

Ashen walked closer, his steps unhurried. The weariness in Lumina’s face told him enough that the poison was still taking its toll. Her once-bright eyes were dull and tired, her expression strained from days of effort.

"You don’t need to force yourself," he mumbled. "You weren’t born blind, My lady. Everything has its time. When the right moment comes, you will see again."

He pulled her into his arms, his hand resting against her back.

"I just..." her voice cracked as tears slipped from her eyes. "I just want to see. I prayed like my aunt told me, but nothing happened. It’s like I have been forgotten."

Ashen drew back enough to cup her face in his hand. "You should be thinking of how to get the poison out of your system first. You are brave, Lumina. Don’t let this small battle defeat you."

She nodded weakly, though her lips trembled. To lighten the mood, Ashen reached down and took her hand, placing the flower in it. "Here... this should make you smile, my lady?"

Lumina traced the petals gently, inhaling the faint scent. "I don’t know..." she murmured, sounding lost.

Ashen frowned at her at the sound of her voice, then he slowly brought something from his robe, and then he placed it close to her nose.

Lumina sniffed, then tilted her head. "Chocolate?" she asked in disbelief, leaning forward slightly.

"Maybe," he teased, pulling back before she could reach it.

She frowned, her lips forming a little pout. "Give it to me."

"Only if you smile," he said, holding the piece just out of reach.

Her expression darkened instantly, and she turned her back to him. "No... I am fine with the flowers."

Ashen blinked, half amused and half confused. "Hey... I am sorry. I was only teasing." She ignored him, folding her arms stubbornly.

He sighed and gently turned her around by the shoulders, his voice softening. "Come on, don’t be mad at me.."

He moved the chocolate close to her lips again, smiling. "Here. Peace offering."

Before he could react, Lumina leaned forward and bit it along with his finger.

"Aaah! Ow...!" Ashen yelled, shaking his hand as she refused to let go. "Get your teeth off me!"

She only bit harder, her cheeks puffing out as she chewed stubbornly.

"Please, I am sorry!" he pleaded, laughing helplessly. "It won’t happen again, I swear, my queen!"

Finally, she released him, licking the chocolate from her lips with a victorious smile. "Don’t mess with me next time."

Ashen rubbed his finger, chuckling under his breath. "Yes, my lady. Lesson learned."

Then he picked up another piece of chocolate and popped it into his mouth.

But Lumina’s head tilted so fast. "Stop." He froze mid-chew, startled.

"Give me the chocolate," she ordered. He shook his head, grinning. "That one’s already gone."

Before he could even finish the sentence, Lumina lunged at him, tackling him with surprising force.

"Give it to me! Don’t you dare eat my chocolate!" she shouted, laughing as she tried to pry his jaw open.

He leaned back, teasing her mercilessly, refusing to surrender the treat.

Their laughter filled the chamber as they struggled, tumbling onto the bed. In one quick motion, Ashen caught her wrists and rolled her beneath him.

She glared up at him, breathless, her hair spilling over the pillow.

"You sure you want the one in my mouth?" he murmured, his voice dipping low.

"Yes," she said, her chin lifting.

Ashen raised a brow, a mischievous smile curling his lips. "Then take it."

Before he could react, Lumina caught his face between her hands and pulled him down, pressing her lips to his.

He froze for a few seconds until her teeth grazed his lower lip, stealing the half-melted chocolate from his mouth.

His eyes widened as she pulled away, grinning. "I win," she whispered, triumph gleaming on her face.

Ashen sat back, completely speechless, then burst into a deep, genuine sound that made her heart skip.

"Lumina," he said softly this time, leaning closer again, his eyes tracing the smile on her lips. "Are you ending it that way?" he asked.

Her smile faltered. "What do you mean?"

He didn’t answer. Instead, he reached forward and brushed his fingers against her cheek, his touch slow and deliberate. "You lit a fire," he murmured, "so you will have to finish it."

Lumina’s breath caught as his lips brushed her forehead, then her cheek, then down to her neck.

"Ashen..." she whispered.

He trailed his lips along her collarbone, his breath warm against her skin. One of his hands moved to the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair. Her heart raced wildly, her hands clutching his shirt as she tried to steady herself.

"I said... stop teasing me," she managed to say, though her tone had softened. He only smiled against her skin. "And if I refuse?"

Lumina’s lips parted, but no words came. He kissed her again, this time slower and deeper.

When he finally pulled away, she exhaled shakily, her fingers still gripping his sleeve.

"You... you play too much," she murmured, embarrassed.

"Only do that with my lady."