CHAPTER 53: A MESSAGE FROM THE KING

It’s been a few minutes with no communication but just silence from the two brothers after the sudden threat.

Ashen calmly lifted his teacup, his expression stoic as he took a sip.

Everyone present could feel the heat and just kept hoping and praying they wouldn’t fight.

"I heard Lord Thorne was in your chamber earlier today," Adam said smoothly, leaning back with a false smile. "You must be quite close to invite him into such a private space."

Ashen didn’t look up, he knew his visit had a reason. After all, he never cared about him.

He placed his cup down, then gave a small nod to Adam. "Lord Thorne and I were discussing matters concerning the Queen’s poisoning. I am surprised that you, of all people, would question why the Lord of the Night Guard would visit me. Or perhaps..." Ashen raised his eyes now, sharp, "You are scared it might be reported to one of your men or...."

Adam’s hand tightened around his teacup. With a hiss of irritation, he suddenly flung it across the table. It struck Ashen’s cup with a sharp crack, shattering both and spilling hot liquid across Ashen’s arm.

Ero, who had been standing by Ashen, got startled and moved forward in alarm. But Ashen calmly lifted his hand, topping him.

"Don’t," he said calmly.

Steam curled from his skin, but he didn’t even shake as he picked up the broken shards and wiped the tea from his arm.

His draconic blood made him nearly impenetrable to burns still, the act was humiliating and hurtful coming from a brother he should have always looked up to and received care from.

"You dare mock me and then pretend it’s justified?" Adam’s voice was harsh now. "Don’t you think you are crossing the line, little brother?"

Ashen smiled faintly. A few moons ago, he might have acted rationally and reacted the wrong way, greeting himself and being punished at last. But ever since Lumina arrived she had been rubbing off the silent killing energy all over him.

If it were the old Ashen, this chamber would already be in ruin, but instead, he let out a slow breath that could calm his anger, now surprising even Adam himself.

"I never insulted you," Ashen said evenly. "I never raised a hand to you. I merely asked why you are so concerned with who visits my chambers unless it’s because Lord Thorn’s presence unsettles your plans."

Adam rose from his chair so suddenly that it scraped loudly against the stone floor. The sharp sound made every maid in the room flinch. The air itself seemed to change, turning heavier, tighter, as though the walls had drawn closer.

His eyes burned into Ashen. "You insolent brat!" he snapped. "I arranged your wedding. I can cancel it just as easily. Don’t tempt me... I could make your precious princess my concubine instead."

The word was like the last straw for Ashen, he had been controlling himself from losing it but his brother was making him lose it.

Ashen’s head lifted slowly, his hand curled into a fist at his side until his veins popped out.

"I dare you," Ashen said in a low voice, steady but dangerous, "to say that again."

Adam chuckled under his breath, a low, mocking sound. He stepped closer until the space between them was so small that Ashen could feel the faint heat of his brother’s breath.

"You have fallen for her, haven’t you?"Ashen didn’t answer. He stood completely still, forging everything in not to punch a living hell out of Adam.

"I knew it," Adam murmured, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "You have fallen for the woman I brought into this realm.."

Adam tucked his tongue as he shook his head, "That is a dangerous mistake Ashen."

He began to circle Ashen like a predator testing its prey, moving slowly, his boots clicking against the floor.

His eyes stayed locked on his brother, studying every twitch of muscle, "You know you are playing with fire, don’t you?"

Ashen’s breath came heavier.

"I arranged for the wedding, without my word she would not be here, and one word she would be sent back to the celestial realm yet here you are, acting like she belongs to you."

Ashen’s jaw shifted, his teeth grinding together. "She is not a prize," he said firmly. "She is a person and I do not appreciate your tone when you speak about my woman that way."

"Woman?" Adam’s lips curled into a sneer. "I could change that title anytime I wish. She’s just the older sister of the one I have chosen for Crown Princess. Do not forget your place, little brother."

Ashen’s breathing deepened. His shoulders rose and fell slowly.

Adam’s tone dropped lower, almost a whisper, but sharp enough to cut. "I am the Crown Prince in this realm, and you are nothing to talk about. I can give and take whatever I please."

He let the words hang for a heartbeat, watching for a reaction. Then, with a smirk of satisfaction, Adam stepped back. He turned toward the door, his cloak brushing lightly across the floor.

Ashen’s voice came from behind him, so cold that everyone around could feel it. "I won’t see you off."

Adam glanced over his shoulder, grinning faintly. "You don’t have to brother after all you need to get ready for the nuptial ceremony in three days." He paused, as if remembering something.

"Oh, and one more thing, Father sent you a message..." he turned back to him fully.

"He said if you haven’t uncovered the Queen’s poisoner by then, your position will be even weaker than it already is."

He tilted his head, mockery dancing in his eyes. "And a princess wouldn’t want to marry a man who is falling in rank, would she?"

Ashen stood stiff, she watched his brother walk out of his chambers with that last word.

He kept his gaze fixed on the space where his brother had stood a moment ago. The fire in the hearth crackled softly behind him, the only sound in the silence that followed.

At last, Ashen spoke, "Not a single word of this is to reach the lady."

Everyone in the room bowed at once, their heads low. "Yes, my Lord," they said together.