CHAPTER 51: THE NEW ALLY

Lumina walked into her chambers, tired. Her feet ached, her shoulders were heavy, and all she wanted was to collapse into her bed and sleep deeply enough to forget the weight of the day.

But Stella, on the other hand, was fuming quietly behind her. She hated the way the nobles kept treating Lumina.

She knew her lady would strike back eventually. Lumina always did, but this was starting to cross the line.

As they stepped into the main chambers, Lumina suddenly slowed. Her brows furrowed. She could hear a voice. A deep male voice she did not recognize.

Her ears sharpened quickly and she turned slightly toward Stella.

"Who is the guest we are having?" she asked under her breath.

Stella looked up and froze. "I... I can’t say," she said cautiously. "But... My Lord is the one having a guest."

Lumina nodded, her face unreadable, and walked forward slowly until they stood just a few feet from where Ashen was also strolling with the man as he had a serious discussion with him.

Stella touched her lady’s and then came to a halt and they both dipped their head in a small bow before the stranger.

Before Lumina could rise fully, Ashen stepped quickly to her side and gently grabbed her arm, his touch firm but not rough.

"You don’t have to bow to just anyone.." he mumbled beside her ear.

Then he looked up at the stranger. "This is my soon-to-be wife," he said in a clear voice. "Lumina Windsor. Princess of the Celestial Realm."

Lumina felt the stranger’s eyes settle on her at the introduction.

The man admired Lumina after the introduction. Lumina had only been in the Drakonis Realm a few moon days, but her name was already echoing across court halls especially after she saved the Queen.

Eyes are on her now, everyone watching her now, all of them, waiting to see what she will become.

The man’s voice came low and respectful. "My lady, it’s an honor to finally meet you.."

Ashen’s hand remained on her arm, a silent signal of presence of protection.

"My lady," he continued, "this is Lord Thorne. Commander of the Night Guard."

At the name, even Stella’s breath caught slightly. Lord Thorne was no ordinary noble.

He was known across the realm as a silent shadow loyal to the throne, feared by many, trusted by few. The man who walked when others slept, whose blade never missed.

"I hope our meeting is not disturbing you," Lord Thorne added with a subtle bow.

"Not at all," Lumina replied softly, her voice calm, her expression unreadable. "You are most Welcome to our chambers."

"I will speak with you soon," Ashen said quietly, giving Lord Thoene a knowing and Lord Thorne gave a slight nod and turned to leave. r

As the silence returned, Lumina turned her face slightly toward Ashen. "Who is he?"

Ashen didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his hand returned to hers, fingers brushing hers gently.

"Come," he said. "There’s something I want you to see." She hesitated instantly.

"Ashen... I am tired."

"I know," he murmured. "But just a few moments. Please."

Something in his tone made her nod without another question.

He led her slowly down a hall she had never walked through before. She could tell by the coolness in the air, the texture of the floors, and the quiet echo of a space rarely used.

As they walked, he guided her gently with each step. He didn’t touch her unless she seemed unsure, but his presence was always just within reach.

After a few minutes, she felt the warmth of a private fire as the door opened. The space smelled of parchment, old wood, and ink.

He helped her sit in a chair near his desk and sat opposite her.

"This is your office?" she asked, brushing her fingers along the armrest amazed.

"Yeah... it is where I think," he said simply. "Where I do what the court never sees.... I wanted you to be able to come there on your own when you need my help. So you must master the way here." Lumina breathed out in relief and nodded her head.

"Lord Thorne is one of the only people in this palace I trust," Ashen spoke up again and Lumina tilted her head.

"Why was he here? I thought you said you only trust Ero?" Lumina’s voice was soft but laced with suspicion as her fingers brushed along the edge of the carved armrest.

Ashen didn’t answer right away. Instead, he leaned closer, drawn to her closer to him.

His eyes studied her face, the gentle slope of her lashes, the way her lips trembled slightly when she was curious. He was captivated; he couldn’t lie about that.

"Well... not like we know everything about each other yet," he murmured, his voice deep.

Lumina’s breath caught in her throat as she felt his warmth inch closer. Her hand gripped the chair tightly. "Stay back..." she whispered, but her voice lacked firmness.

"Why?" he asked, lowering his head so his breath fanned the side of her face, sending shivers racing down her spine.

"We... we are not a couple yet." Her words stumbled as he leaned in, his lips now brushing against the curve of her neck, his voice barely a whisper against her skin.

"But we are going to be," he said, each syllable melting into her as his scent clouded her thoughts. She hated how much she liked it.

She wanted to protest again, but before she could, she felt the gentle press of his mouth against her neck. Her eyes flew open, and she tensed.

"Hey... respect the boundary," she warned, attempting to push him gently.

But Ashen pulled her forward instead, keeping them both balanced. If she pushed harder, they would fall and she would be on top of him so she froze.

Ashen rose to his feet, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face.

"Lord Thorn is the man we need most right now," he said with sudden seriousness. "He knows things that might help us understand who’s working against us."

"And what if he turns on us?" she asked, brows furrowed in worry. "What if he’s one of them?" Ashen went still, then slowly knelt before her. "Ero!" he called.

The door creaked open. Ero stepped in with a respectful bow. "My Lord."

"Tell the maid to bring warm water," Ashen ordered.

Ero blinked. "In... in your office?" He hesitated, clearly confused. Ashen’s glare silenced any further questions, and Ero bowed again, retreating with a deep sigh.

"Why do you need warm water?" Lumina asked suspiciously.

He smirked and gently lifted one of her feet, cradling it in his hand. "I noticed the way you were walking earlier."

"Hey! Let go of my leg," she said, trying to pull away, she didn’t want him to know what had occurred in the class.

"Stop being shy over little things. I am just helping," he replied, undoing the straps of her shoes and she knew she couldn’t stop him.

A moment later, Stella entered with the warm water and bowed. "Should I help, My Lady?"

"I can do it..." Lumina began, but Ashen cut in.

"Go prepare dinner. I will handle this." Stella paused, eyes lingering on Lumina with a small smile before bowing and leaving.

Ashen knelt before her again, rolling her socks down carefully. Then he dipped the cloth into the warm water and began washing her feet with a gentleness she didn’t expect.

His hands moved slowly, and the massage that followed sent waves of comfort through her tired body.

"I... didn’t know you could be like this," she murmured, barely audible.

His lips curved. "You’ll find out many things about me." She tilted her head.

"Like what?"

"For one, Lord Thorn won’t turn on us. We have discovered we share the same enemy." he changed the topic

Lumina’s eyes narrowed slightly as she asked. "Who?"

"Lord Carlos."

Lumina blinked, surprised. "The one in charge of the Realm’s taxes?"

Ashen’s voice dropped, "Yes... It’s just like you had said." he paused, lifting her second leg for the massage.

"I have been investigating silently. The taxes collected for public welfare and the funds meant to repair roads, build houses for the displaced, even feed the lower clans have been disappearing." Lumina’s mouth opened in disbelief.

"He’s been diverting it to off-realm dealings. Funding illegal trade in the border towns... selling Drakonian steel to enemy territories. That’s why even the king’s relief efforts have been failing. And worst... the king doesn’t know."

Lumina sat up, shocked. "That... that could collapse the entire realm."

Ashen nodded grimly. "And if Lord Thorn hadn’t shown me the ledgers, I wouldn’t have known the extent of it."

He paused, eyes meeting hers again. "He also found out Carlos is planning a coup." Lumina’s breath caught in her throat.

"But that’s not the worst part," Ashen added, his voice cold.

"He has allies... and one of them is inside the royal family."