CHAPTER 190: THE BLACKMAIL

The whole realm seemed to fall into silence. The news of Lord Drex is the cause of this silence.

King Aden had been pacing back and forth, his face drawn with worry, regret clouding his once proud eyes.

He couldn’t help but think of how he had punished the Queen so harshly before how he had dismissed her pleas and ignored her pain. Now, seeing her like this, so pale and weak, guilt ate at his heart.

Adam had been restless since morning, searching through every scroll and herb record, speaking with every healer he could find. Yet each time he returned, Lord Drex’s words echoed in his mind, "No antidote can cure this poison.

Lumina and Ashen sat quietly at the side of the chamber. Lumina leaned her head gently on her husband’s shoulder, feeling his heart beat faster than usual.

She could sense his sadness and the silent grief that weighed on him. The Queen was his mother after all, and despite everything, he loved her.

"My lady," Ashen finally called out at last, his voice low, "is there any way you can help my mother?"

"No," Lumina replied almost immediately. If there was one thing she had promised herself it was that she couldn’t help the queen. Ashen sighed deeply and stared at the floor.

"I will keep searching for a cure then," he murmured. "Maybe there’s something Lord Drex missed. But you should go back to your chambers and rest."

Lumina lifted her head, turning slightly toward him. "You are sending me away?" she asked quietly.

Ashen rubbed his temples, clearly exhausted. "Lumina, this isn’t the time..."

"If this isn’t the time," she interrupted, resting her head back on his shoulder, "then I am staying right here."

Ashen let out another deep sigh, as much as he loved how she was clinging to him he also needed to save his mother. "I want to be alone for a while," he said softly.

"Then take me back to the chambers," she mumbled against his neck.

He exhaled sharply. "Aria will take you."

"I don’t want Aria," she snapped, her tone rising with hurt and frustration.

Before she could finish, Ashen suddenly stood, almost making her lose her balance. Lumina gasped, shocked by his sudden movement. "Ashen..." she whispered, I was shocked.

But he said nothing. His silence struck deeper than any harsh word could. Lumina bit her lip, anger and pain swirling inside her chest.

Without another word, she rose to her feet. The sound of her steps echoed through the chamber, drawing the King’s and Aurelia’s attention.

They both darted between Ashen and showed Lumina walking so fast to the door without any aid, and just like that she left.

King Aden looked up from where he stood. "You’ve quarreled with your wife?" he asked Ashen quietly.

Ashen bowed his head. "Just a small misunderstanding, Your Highness. We will resolve it."

Meanwhile, Lumina had already left the chamber. Though blind, she moved swiftly through the corridors, her steps sure and unhesitating.

But before she could reach the palace gates, a hand grabbed her wrist roughly. She gasped as she was pulled into a side corridor and then into a dimly lit room. The door slammed shut behind her.

"Adam..." she began, but his hand covered her mouth.

He shoved her against the wall, his eyes burning with fury. "What did you do to my mother?" he shouted, his voice vibrating with rage.

Lumina stumbled, brushing her arm against the sharp edge of a table. Pain shot through her skin, but Adam didn’t seem to notice. His anger had consumed him.

"Adam, I didn’t " she tried to speak, but he raised his hand, and a spark of fire flew past her face, close enough to make her flinch.

"Answer me!" he roared. "What did you do to her?!"

"I did nothing!" Lumina cried out, her voice shaking. "Why would I harm the Queen? I have no reason to!"

Another burst of flame shot toward her, missing her by an inch and striking the wall behind her. She could feel the heat on her face. Before she could move, Adam’s hand shot forward, gripping her by the neck and pushing her to her knees.

"I know you have power in you," he hissed. "You hide it, but I have seen what you can do. You think no one knows what you are?"

"Adam please," Lumina gasped, trying to pull his hand away.

He pulled out a small glass bottle filled with dark liquid and held it close to her face. "Do you know what this is?" he whispered harshly.

"This is the same poison that’s killing my mother. If you don’t tell me the truth, I will make you taste it yourself."

Her heart pounded. "I don’t know what you are talking about!" she cried.

Adam pressed the bottle harder against her chin. "Then save her," he demanded. "If you didn’t poison her, then heal her!"

"Why would I save her?" Lumina whispered weakly. "She hates me. She would rather see me dead."

He leaned closer, his eyes wild. "Are you forgetting our deal?" he said darkly. "You promised me you would help her to save your man from future troubles."

Lumina’s lips quivered. "Lord Drex said it himself. Only a sorcerer can cure her. Why are you asking this of me?"

"Because you are an Enchanter!" he snapped. "There’s no difference between an Enchanter and a Sorcerer. You can save her!"

"I am not what you think I am!" she protested, tears finally breaking free. "I can’t use that kind of power it’s forbidden!"

"Then I will make you," he muttered.

He raised his hand, and before Lumina could react, she felt the air shift and an invisible force pressed around her, holding her still. The energy was suffocating, burning at her skin. She gasped, struggling to break free, but the hold only tightened.

"Stop!" she cried. "You are hurting me!"

"Then do it!" Adam shouted, his voice echoing through the dark room. "Save her or I will show everyone what you really are!"

Lumina’s knees buckled as she struggled against his power restraining her. "You don’t understand," she choked out. She wasn’t planning to use her power, she can’t accept that she is an enchantress until she gains her full power.

But Adam’s face showed no mercy, only desperation. He didn’t care what it would cost as long as his mother lived.

"I don’t have such power.." she cried out. This pissed him more as he smacked her face, making her hit the ground.

He stumbled toward her, "I will give you a few hours to think about it, if you don’t save her then consider your life gone." With that, Adam walked out leaving Lumina.

Lumina sat quietly on the ground, her whole body crouched in fear, she could feel her body trembling, no matter how she tried to make it stable.

Ashen words echoed in her head, pressed on the bracelet and I will be there in seconds

With teary eyes, she pressed on, hoping this wouldn’t be the time he would get mad at her.