CHAPTER 27: SUPPORTING HER

Lumina strides slowly to Rhynera’s seat with the help of Stella. Her seat was different and comfortable so it was easy for Stella to identify it.

Lumina gracefully sat in the seat, her posture perfect, hands folded neatly in her lap.

Though she could not see the envious stares around her, she could feel the stress prickling in the air like needles.

Her chin was slightly raised, her expression calm just like a true princess who knew her worth.

"You!" Princess Aurelia let out but Rhyners grabbed her hands shaking her head, still trying to fake her kindness game even though she is also on the verge of losing it.

"Everyone to your seats!" Lady Freya’s voice echoed around the room, not bothering to interfere in their fight, obviously still terrified from Lumina’s threat.

Lady Freya, stood at the front of the chamber, her robes flowing around her.

The morning light filtered through the windows, casting golden shapes on the floor where each noble lady sat.

A thick scroll lay unrolled on the table before Freya, and her sharp voice echoed through the quiet room.

"Today, we study the etiquette of the Drakonis Court, especially the sacred role of the Crown Princess, and the other princesses" She began.

"You are not just to become brides of royalty, you are to carry the pride of empires."

The room remained still, though every girl sat straighter.

Freya’s gaze drifted toward Lumina, her brow twitching slightly, but she said nothing about the seat.

Instead, she lifted her hand and motioned toward the attendants, who brought in silver trays with delicate items, a teacup, a feathered ink quill, and a layered silk cloth.

"Each of you will now perform the ceremonial tea offering. This ritual represents obedience, grace, and attentiveness. The Crown Princess is expected to master this flawlessly. You will be judged based on your posture, and your elegance."

"Now Begin."

One by one, the noble ladies stood to perform the task. Some trembled, others spilled a few drops, but when it got to Rhynera though a bit worried but still moved with care and pride.

Her fingers shook just slightly as she poured the tea, but her movements were beautiful. When she finished, a few of the other girls clapped softly.

"She tried," someone whispered.

"That is why she is chosen as the crown princess." another said, and Rhynera could be more pleased seeing this.

Then came Lumina’s turn, Stella gently guided her up from the seat.

The moment she rose, a voice hissed from behind loud enough to be heard.

"How can a blind girl who isn’t even the Crown Princess sit in her seat like that? How rude."

"I bet she can even hold the cup, talk more, and pour the tea," another whispered.

Stella paused, her grip tightening around Lumina’s hand, but Lumina’s voice stopped her before she could react.

"Continue," Lumina whispered. "We don’t answer barking dogs... I will take care of them later on." Stella sighed and moved forward slowly, every step calm and sure.

Stella positioned the tray before her and whispered what she needed to do.

Lumina’s hands moved as she found the cup with ease, poured the tea with balance, and held it out with both hands just as described.

Her every motion was graceful, even her bow was respectful and steady.

By the time she was done the whole room was silent, Lady Freya blinked slowly, clearly stunned. She was shocked at how despite being blind she could do this well.

She stepped forward, looked over each tray, each presentation, and began writing down the scores after a few minutes she was done and started calling them out.

"Lady Rhynera... eight out of ten. You displayed great effort, though your hand was unsteady."

Rhynera smiled politely, though her eyes betrayed her disappointment underneath her veil.

"Lady Lumina..." Freya paused, voice tightening. "Ten out of ten. Perfect execution." Gasps filled the room and Rhynera’s smile dropped.

"How... is that possible? She is blind!" Princess Aurelia announced annoyed, but Lady Freya smiled explaining it even though she isn’t happy with this.

The class ended shortly after, and the ladies began to rise one by one, brushing off their gowns and whispering to one another. Rhynera tried not to look in Lumina’s direction.

Just as Lumina began to walk out with Stella, Aurelia’s voice rang from behind.

"You shouldn’t have sat in that seat." Just these sentences stop the rest of the ladies from leaving. After all, they were all mad that Lumina had done that to Rhynera.

Lumina turned slowly. "Was it wrong, little sister?" she asked gently, tilting her head in Rhynera’s direction.

She had lived with Rhynera for ten years so out of a hundred people she could still figure out the direction of her sister, she is only having troubles here because it’s a new environment and also new people.

Rhynera’s teeth clenched. "No... It’s fine," she said stiffly, voice tight.

Lumina nodded politely, turning back to Aurelia. "There, you heard it. I didn’t offend the Crown princess, so there is no problem."

Aurelia stepped forward. "You do not understand the role. As Crown Princess, she shouldn’t have to pretend she’s fine. Etiquette also means making sure you don’t make others uncomfortable."

Lumina’s lips curled into a small smile. "Ah... I see. Very well, I will make sure not to do anything that unsettles the uncomfortable crown princess again." She let out and turned to leave.

But Aurelia’s hand shot out, grabbing Lumina’s arm tightly. "You are being disrespectful," she hissed.

Lumina froze, then turned her head slowly and leaned closer to Aurelia.

"You should mind how you treat your sister-in-law," she whispered in Aurelia’s ear. "You seem to forget I already am one. And you... still unmarried at twenty-two. Strange, isn’t it?"

Aurelia’s face went red, "How dare you!" Her hand raised to strike but she never got the chance.

"Don’t you dare touch my woman!" Ashen voice thundered across the room like a storm.

His footsteps rang through the stone hall, echoing like the warning of a storm approaching.

He came into view with eyes like burning daggers as they locked on Aurelia.

"Let her go," he barked out in fury.

Aurelia’s hand dropped from Lumina’s wrist as if burned.

She blinked, surprised by the fury burning from her little brother. But before she could react, Ashen closed the distance between them and stepped between them both, his arm outstretched to shield Lumina from her.

"You dare shove me?" Aurelia hissed.

"I did," he answered without hesitation, not meeting her gaze but keeping himself firmly planted in front of Lumina. "And I won’t apologize."

She gaped at him in shock, he never tried to show much respect to her but he had never shown this much disrespect before.

"I am your older sister, Ashen!"

His jaw tightened. "I know you are older. I have always shown you the respect that comes with that."

He turned his head slightly now, just enough to look at her fully, his tone dropping into ice.

"But the moment you laid a hand on my woman, you lost any right to expect it." Aurelia reeled, lips parting.

Behind him, Lumina stood still, her posture soft and lowered, almost delicate. Then slowly, she lifted her chin now ready to play her game.

"I am so sorry," she said quietly, facing no one directly, her sightless eyes turned toward the open air. "I didn’t mean to cause trouble... please forgive me." She let out a sniff.

Her voice cracked at the edges, just enough to sound fragile. She tilted her head ever so slightly, like someone unsure where to place herself, and gently pressed one hand to her chest.

"I just sat there since my sister wanted me to be comfortable, I never wanted to upset anyone."

Her lips curved into a small, pitiful smile, the kind that was more heartbreaking than sad.

She wasn’t trying to win their pity she was wearing it like a crown.

Ashen turned slightly, enough to see her face. His expression softened. His hand reached back and found hers.

Then, without a word, he turned fully and swept her up into his arms.

Lumina gasped lightly, one hand clutching his shoulder, the other grasping at his sleeve.

Her cheek brushed against the collar of his dark robe, her breath shallow.

"I’m fine, Ashen, I feel like we should apologize to the princess so..." she whispered, just for him to hear, still playing her part.

"I see no reason why you should apologize, if she wants to continue being a bully then... You will stop the class," Aurelia’s eyes widened in shock.

"Ashen... you just met not quite long, and you are disrespecting me for her."

"You have never done what would earn respect from the beginning," With that he stormed out of the class leaving Aurelia speechless.