CHAPTER 197: FIGHTING

Ashen caught Lumina before she hit the floor. His arms wrapped around her trembling body, his hands shaking violently, tears almost fell from his eyes.

"Lumina! No, no... stay with me," he whispered, his voice cracking. Her body was cold, her eyes half-open but losing light fast.

"Why did you jump in!" he hollered in fear.

Seraphina stood frozen a few feet away, her face pale beneath her veil. Her breath caught in her throat, disbelief written across her trembling lips.

"No... no, no..." she muttered, her voice shattering. She hadn’t meant for this to happen.

She hadn’t meant to hurt her niece. She had only wanted to force Ashen back, to make them scared not to destroy her.

"Lumina!" she cried out as she stumbled forward, pushing Ashen aside.

She gathered the fallen girl into her arms, her own hands glowing faintly with violet light. "Please, not you... I never wanted this!"

Lumina’s eyelids fluttered weakly. Her trembling fingers reached up, brushing her aunt’s cheek with a faint, forgiving smile. "I am sorry... for being a disobedient niece," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her hand fell limp.

Seraphina’s breath hitched. For the first time in centuries, she looked broken utterly and completely.

"I never wanted this," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I only wanted to protect you..." she let out in pain.

Ashen leaned closer, desperate. "We can still save her," he said, his tone urgent. "Now... help me... instead of showing regret."

But before he could finish, Seraphina’s hands pressed against Lumina’s chest. Her eyes snapped shut, and a strange light began to glow from her palms.

After a few minutes Aeraphina let out a smile and then she disappeared instantly.

Lumina was left lying lifeless on the ground. Then, as if someone flipped a switch, time resumed.

The guards gasped and stumbled back into motion. The frozen court came alive again.

King Aden blinked, looking around in confusion. He stared everywhere and weirdly couldn’t recall anything that had happened minutes ago to cause this trouble in the court.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "Why is the court in ruins?"

Aurelia turned, bewildered. "Father... What happened? It was quiet just a moment ago."

King Aden’s gaze swept across the hall until it landed on Ashen, kneeling on the ground, holding Lumina tightly against him. His expression darkened immediately.

"Why is she hurt?" His voice was deep, edged with authority. "And why are you here, Ashen? How is your mother? What is going on with me? Why does my brain messes up?"

Ashen’s head jerked up, confusion flickering in his eyes. "You... you don’t remember?"

The King frowned. "Remember what?"

Ashen glanced around the shattered court. Everything looked the same except it wasn’t.

The battle that had just taken place, Seraphina’s attack. Everyone except him seemed oblivious.

He turned back to Lumina, whose lashes began to flutter. Her breathing steadied. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

"Ashen..." she whispered faintly.

His heart skipped. "Lumina? You are awake." He searched her face, relief flooding him. "You are doing fine now. Nothing happened to you, did it?"

She gave a weak nod, though her eyes lingered on his face with quiet pain.

"Answer me, Ashen," King Aden snapped, pulling his attention back.

"What exactly is going on here? Why is my court destroyed? Why is my daughter-in-law fainting in your arms?"

Before Ashen could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall. A guard burst in, panting. "Your Highness! The Queen... she..."

The King didn’t wait for him to finish. His expression changed instantly, fear flashing through his eyes. Without another word, he pushed past everyone and stormed out of the court. Aurelia followed, her skirts sweeping behind her.

Ashen turned back to Lumina. "Can you stand?" he asked softly.

Lumina nodded, resting a hand on his shoulder as he helped her to her feet. Her body was weak.

"Yeah...Andi can also recall everything my aunt just saved me again."

"Ashen," she said quietly, "this is our only chance."

He frowned. "Chance for what?"

"To make your father listen." Her voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of urgency. "I will save your mother again. But in return..." She looked up at him. "I want you to help me claim the title of Coven Leader."

Ashen stared at her, stunned. "Didn’t you just tell your aunt you wouldn’t—"

"We don’t have time for this," she cut him off. "Your mother’s life is slipping away even now."

Ashen clenched his jaw. He didn’t want to argue, not when his mother was in danger. He lifted Lumina into his arms and began to move quickly toward the Queen’s chamber. His heart pounded, his thoughts spinning. He still didn’t understand what had happened—how everyone had forgotten, or why Seraphina had vanished—but he could feel something heavy lingering in the air.

As they neared the chamber, raised voices reached them.

"Your Majesty, please," Aurelia was saying, her voice trembling. "Mother’s pain is getting worse. Maybe... maybe it’s time we let her rest."

"Watch your tongue," King Aden said sharply, though his voice carried deep sorrow. He stood by the Queen’s bedside, his eyes glassy. The once strong Queen now looked fragile, her face pale and lips colorless.

Lord Drex was standing beside him, his expression grim. "Your Majesty, her condition has worsened rapidly," he said. "I fear she won’t last till dawn unless we act."

Lumina took a deep breath as she entered the room, Ashen setting her gently down. Her eyes flicked over the Queen, then to the others.

Before she could speak, Serena stepped in through the doorway, her face drawn but calm. Adam, who had been standing near the window, turned sharply. The sight of her made his blood boil.

"You have no right to be here," Adam snapped. He stepped forward, his voice harsh. "After everything you’ve done—how dare you walk into this chamber?"

Serena looked unbothered. "I came to pay my respects," she said evenly. "I heard the Queen was dying. I thought it proper to show concern."

"Concern?" Adam’s voice rose. "You’re already preparing to mourn her before she’s even gone!"

"Adam, please," King Aden warned, though his tone carried frustration.

Serena bowed slightly, but her words were sharp. "Your Majesty, I only meant that perhaps it’s time to stop chasing false hopes. The Queen has suffered long enough. Since this palace has always rejected witches, calling for one now would only shame your rule."

"Serena!" The King’s voice thundered. "Hold your tongue. This is the Queen you speak of—my wife, your Queen!"

The room went silent. Serena lowered her head quickly. "Forgive me, Your Majesty."

Lumina stepped forward, her voice soft but clear. "Then allow me to help her."

Every head turned toward her. Even Serena’s eyes widened in disbelief.

King Aden’s brows furrowed. "You?"

"Yes," Lumina said. "I can save her."

Lord Drex frowned, unsure whether to believe her. "Save her? With what power?"

Lumina met his gaze steadily. "With knowledge your healers don’t have." She glanced at the herbs on the bedside table. "You’ve used the wrong mixture. Replace the frostroot with bauleia. Crush it with moonvine, not water. The poison will retreat from her veins instead of spreading."

Lord Drex hesitated, turning toward the King. "Your Majesty, this is risky—"

"It’s better than doing nothing," King Aden interrupted. He looked back at Lumina. "If you can truly save her, do it. I give you permission."

Aurelia frowned, stepping forward. "Father, we can’t trust—"

"Enough," the King snapped. "We’ve run out of time. If she can help, she will."

Lumina inclined her head slightly. "Everyone must leave," she said quietly. "Including you, my King."

A murmur rippled through the room.

Serena scoffed. "You expect us to leave you alone with her?"

"Yes," Lumina said simply. "If you want the Queen to live."

Ashen looked at her, understanding passing silently between them.

The King nodded slowly. "Everyone, out. Now."

Though hesitant, they obeyed. Aurelia glared at Lumina as she passed, her anger barely contained. Serena lingered a moment longer, her eyes burning with resentment, before storming out.

When the chamber door finally closed, silence filled the room.

Ashen turned to Lumina. "You sure about this?" he asked quietly.

Lumina knelt beside the Queen, her hands hovering above her chest. "No," she whispered. "But we have to try."

A faint golden light began to flow from her palms, soft and steady. It spread across the Queen’s body like a living thread, weaving through her skin and sinking deep into her veins. The color began to return to the Queen’s face. Her breathing evened out.

Ashen watched, awe and fear blending in his chest. He remembered Seraphina’s glow—the same strange, golden hue—and the way she’d vanished.

He swallowed hard. Whatever had happened between Lumina and her aunt hadn’t ended there. He could feel it. Something had been passed to her—something dangerous.

When the light faded, Lumina slumped forward slightly, catching herself with one hand.

Ashen rushed to her side. "Lumina?"

She nodded weakly, turning her gaze toward the Queen. "She will live," she murmured. "But this is only the beginning."

Ashen exhaled, half in relief, half in confusion. He brushed a strand of her silver hair behind her ear. "You’re unbelievable," he whispered.

Her eyes met his. "Then remember that," she said softly, a faint smile on her lips. "Because soon, you will need to choose where your loyalty truly lies."

Outside the chamber, the King waited anxiously, unaware that the fate of two realms was quietly shifting in that single moment.