CHAPTER 31: MORE ABOUT THEM

It had been more than a week since Lumina started attending Lady Freya’s etiquette classes.

Ever since the incident with Princess Aurelia and Ashen’s attack, Lumina hadn’t caused a single scene not even once.

No matter how many times the girls whispered behind her back, no matter how they stared or giggled when they thought she couldn’t hear... she never said a word.

She simply walked into the hall with quiet grace, took her seat, and listened.

And every time it came to the practicals, Lumina always outshone them all.

Even Rhynera, who had started practicing twice as hard just to beat her once, still couldn’t catch up.

Lumina could feel her efforts, hear it in the way her sister moved more carefully, or the way her voice stiffened with pressure during questions.

But no matter how hard Rhynera tried, it was like chasing a shadow always close, but never quite catching it.

Lumina also didn’t miss the opportunity of using Ashen’s sickness as an excuse to get him more herbs for a cure even though he keeps refusing to use and also concern from the King. But Lumina felt she could use this against them one day.

That evening, the sky outside was painted in shades of pale gold and soft lilac.

Lumina sat near the open window of the library, just where the breeze was gentle and the scent of burned herbs drifted in from the gardens below. The calming smell of sage and dried lavender lingered in the air.

Her fingers moved slowly over the raised letters of the scroll that lay open on her lap.

Each curve of the writing pulsed under her touch like a heartbeat.

They were scrolls not with ink, meant to be read by touch alone.

It is rare and even almost forgotten by time but Ashen had gotten them for her.

He had searched for them across the realm going through dusty archives, speaking to scholars. All this was done without even Lumina knowing how hard it was for him to get it because he had given it to her in a nonchalant way.

He had done it all so she could learn with ease, without being at a disadvantage in Freya’s class.

Even when Lady Freya tried to delay her learning, tried to hide or withhold certain scrolls, somehow, Lumina always found a way.

Every time Freya thought she had outsmarted her, Lumina proved her wrong.

The wind blew again brushing strands of hair across her cheek. She paused for a moment, her fingers resting gently on the scroll.

Then she heard the faint sound of boots in the hallway.

She smiled softly to herself, tilting her head a little. The way they stopped just before the door and the gentle knock that always followed.

She didn’t need to wait before she knew who it was.

"Ero," she called gently, lifting her chin with calm grace. Her smile deepened just a little as she heard the door begin to open.

"Yes... my lady," he answered with a smile in his voice. No matter how many times he entered, he was always surprised at how she picked him out so easily.

"I want to know about the ladies in the study with," she said, her hand resting on the arm of the chair as her fingers tapped lightly. "I want to know the little information you have about them."

There was a short pause. Ero stepped closer, lowering his voice slightly.

"Are they troubling you?" he asked worriedly.

"No," she said with a quiet smile, "I only let them when I am bored."

He chuckled softly, though she knew he would report everything to Ashen. She didn’t mind. That was why she always kept her temper down. If Ashen knew, he would act on impulse and create more problems.

She couldn’t let that happen. She had been protecting his name since the moment she stepped into Drakonis, and she wasn’t about to stop now.

Lumina gestured to Stella and Stella moved toward her, giving her a list of names of the nobles that she had made Stella write down during classes.

"They are not just noble daughters," Ero began as he read the lists of the names.

Stella quietly moved to a corner, pulling out a scroll and ink. "Each one is a blade crafted by someone far more powerful and also has a close bond with the King."

"Go on," Lumina said.

"Lady Caelia Thorne. Her father is Duke Thorne Virellian, Grand Warden of the Western Borders. He commands a third of the army and no decision on war is made without him."

"Next," Lumina whispered.

"Lady Seraya Draethis, the one who keeps humming during classes. Her mother is Marquess Selene Draethis, the keeper of dragon bloodline records. She is also the highest priestess of the old rites.

Lumina’s brows twitched slightly. Ero continued.

"Mirellia Emmerik is a lady obsessed with stones and jewels. Her father is Lord Calros Emmerik, the Master of Coin. He controls taxes, land trade, and even the Queen’s gold. If the king eats today, it’s because Calros approved the budget."

Ero hesitated slightly, then added, "And Freya... the woman who teaches you. She is more than a governess. She is the Head of the Lunar Council and controls half of the Queen’s magical policies."

"Hmmm," Lumina whispered after he explained more about the rest of the ladies. "Each one of them has a strong backup... and these are the people we need to create allies with and also delete the one that doesn’t work on the right part."

"Now," Ashen’s voice boomed from the corner where he was standing listening to Ero.

"What exactly do you plan to do with this information?" his voice filled the room from the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest, his back leaning against the wall as he watched her.

"I want to know who to avoid and who to work with," Lumina said calmly.

Stella had already scribbled each name and title in the corner of the scroll.

Ashen stepped forward, his voice low. "You want to go into the royal palace and use their power for yourself."

"I want them to be useful," she replied.

He let out a short breath and shook his head. "Getting into the palace isn’t as easy as you think. They hate me the same as the whole realm."

She stood and reached for him. His warm hand wrapped around hers, helping her up.

"I only need two moon days," she said, smiling up at where she imagined his face was.

He didn’t answer and just looked at her with tired eyes. Her words made something in him soften.

"I wouldn’t stop you," he said finally.

Then she turned toward Ero. "You are going to help me find someone."

"Who?" Ashen asked carefully.

"The one who can help me see again."His eyes widened. "You’re serious?"

"I was promised." Her voice broke just slightly. "If I were still in the Celestial Realm, I would have found him. But now..." Ashen stepped closer as her voice grew quiet.

"I miss seeing the world," she whispered. "Even the ugly parts," she added sadly.

"You could see before?" he asked, his voice lower than usual.

She tilted her head toward him. "Yes.. and if I wasn’t blindfolded, I would probably be glaring at you now."

Ashen snorted. "Fine... If you can help me get into the palace, I will help you find the person for you."

She laughed gently and moved toward him. Stella moved toward her.

"My lady," she said quickly. "The Queen will be attending tomorrow’s class to assess all your progress. They want the nuptial ceremony to begin as soon as possible."

Lumina’s smile widened, as she tried to imagine what would transpire.

"What are you planning?" Ashen asks, not trusting the smile on her face.

She turned toward him and smiled.

"I told you, I would get you into the palace in two days, didn’t I?"

"Ero.." she called again now ignoring Ashen, "Yes my lady.." he answered.

"Find out any problem all these men have..." Ashen stared at and couldn’t help but ask.

"What for?"

"So I can use their weakness in making them join hands with us."