CHAPTER 188: SHE KNOWS

Lumina pushed the inner chamber door open with force, her steps quick.

"What is wrong with you, Ashen? Why are you mad at me?" her voice cracked as she raised it.

Ashen turned from the balcony, his eyes cold. "Lumina, I get it. I have finally accepted your wish exactly what you wanted, and I have given it to you. So tell me, why are you angry now?"

Her brows knitted together. "Why do you argue with me over little things? Are you mad at me now just because I spoke with your sister?"

He exhaled heavily and rubbed his temples, frustration clear in his movements. "I have no time for this, Lumina. I need to see my mother." He brushed past her, but before he could reach the door, she caught his hand.

"You are still talking to me and want to walk away? Are you taking advantage of the fact that I am blind to do whatever you please?"

Ashen stopped mid-step. His hand tensed in hers before he slowly turned around. Her lips trembled, tears slipping quietly from beneath her blindfold. For a brief second, his anger faltered, but then his voice dropped low.

"Why are you crying now? You wished for the relationship to end after two years. I only accepted it. Why are you upset that I am doing what you asked?"

Lumina pressed her lips together, breathing unevenly. "Fine," she whispered. "Fine! Do whatever you wish."

Her voice wavered, then she called louder, "Stella!"

Stella rushed in immediately bowing. "Yes, my lady?"

"Take me out of this chamber. I am going to Lord Drex."

Ashen didn’t move. He just stood there, his expression blank, as Stella bowed and gently guided Lumina away.

*****

The physicians’ chambers were quiet when Lumina arrived. Of course, Lord Drex wasn’t there, she had expected that.

The Queen’s condition had drawn everyone’s attention. Still, she took a seat at one of the long tables, her fingers tracing over the smooth wood before she reached for a medical book.

The physicians in training nearby whispered to each other, their glances darting toward her before one of them approached.

"Good day, Princess," he greeted politely.

She gave a small nod, not lifting her head. "Good day."

"You don’t look well," he said carefully. "Is something wrong?"

"I am fine," Lumina replied, her voice calm but distant. "Please, continue your work. I will do mine without help."

Keiran, raised a brow and gave a faint laugh. "Of course you will..."

"No!" Lumina’s voice cut through the quiet before he could finish. "I said I will do it alone. I don’t need anyone’s help."

Her tone silenced him. He only bit his lip, bowed his head slightly, and walked away.

The room returned to its usual rhythm. Lumina opened her book and began to read. Tears gathered under her blindfold, slipping down her cheeks as she tried to steady her breathing.

She didn’t hear footsteps approaching until a soft hand reached for hers. A handkerchief was placed gently on her palm.

Lumina froze, recognizing the familiar touch before the scent confirmed it. "Serena," she whispered.

"I thought you wouldn’t come today," Lumina said softly. "You are late."

"I wasn’t planning to," Serena replied, taking a seat beside her. "But when I noticed you weren’t in the palace, I knew I would find you here. You are brave to show that you didn’t give a damn about the queen".

Lumina nodded faintly. "How is she?"

"The Queen?" Serena tilted her head, pretending to think. "Are you worried about someone who wouldn’t hesitate to destroy you if the situation were reversed?"

Lumina turned her face toward Serena’s direction, but as if hit by a force, she winced and shifted back instantly.

Serena smirked and leaned closer, her tone teasing. "You seem tense, are you scared of me now?"

Lumina gave a small, bitter laugh. "Are you trying to make me laugh or make me angry?"

"Neither," Serena answered, glancing at the open book on the table.

"Though you do make it easy. You have been staring at the same page for a long time. Trying to get attention from your husband, maybe?"

Lumina’s hand moved quickly, closing the book. "What are you talking about? I am not trying to do anything."

Serena chuckled. "No? That’s surprising. I thought you would try something desperate. You are not like me, that’s true... but even you can’t deny how often you want attention from him these days."

Lumina took a shaky breath. "He’s angry again. I thought things had settled after yesterday, but this morning... he wouldn’t even look at me. Even when I cried, he didn’t comfort me like he used to."

Serena smiled faintly. "Ashen isn’t the comforting type. I have never seen him care for anyone, honestly. You must have worked magic on him to make him fall for you."

Lumina’s lips curved into a tired smile. "You are mocking me again."

"I am being honest," Serena replied. "But if you want his attention back, I can help. Maybe if you were a little sick, he would come running."

Lumina’s brows drew together. "Serena, that’s not funny."

"I wasn’t joking," she said, reaching for the mortar and pestle on the table.

"You want him to notice you? Then I will help. After all, our eyes have been on the page all this while."

Lumina hesitated but eventually nodded. "Fine. Let’s do it here. He has eyes everywhere. I would rather not give him a reason to question me."

Serena’s grin deepened as she began grinding the herbs. The other were too busy to notice the two of them whispering at the corner table.

S Serena proceeded with mixing of herbs Lumina finally spoke, her voice quieter now. "Why did you poison her?"

Serena’s movements didn’t falter or get startled. "You are pregnant, Serena. You should be careful when it comes to those things," she replied calmly.

Serena finally looked at her, amusement flickering in her eyes. "I have always wondered how you manage to be so clever, even though you are blind. You always seem to know things before anyone else. You always speak at the perfect time, make the perfect move."

Lumina turned her face slightly toward Serena, "So?"

Serena laughed softly. "So it means you can see the past and the future, don’t you?"