CHAPTER 54: MOMENT WITH HIM

Lumina stood quietly in front of the mirror, dressed in a soft ivory gown that brushed her ankles. Her long hair had already been brushed out by Stella, and now she was gently arranging it, weaving strands together into a loose braid.

Though Lumina could not see her reflection, she had always asked Stella to help her get ready while standing in front of a mirror.

It had always reminded her of her mother’s gentle hands and calm voice whenever she helped her dress every morning before her death.

That memory was a comfort Lumina held tightly in her chest, even though her mother had been gone for many years now.

Stella was just about to tie the ribbon at the end of her braid when the chamber door creaked open without warning. Lumina gasped and stiffened.

She didn’t need her sight to know who had just walked inside. Stella’s hands froze on her braid.

"Stella?" Lumina whispered.

But Stella had already turned. "My Lord," she said quickly, bowing.

Lumina frowned this time around as she recalled how bad it would have been if she hadn’t dressed up already.

"Ashen, have you no manners? You should knock before entering a lady’s room," she said, crossing her arms.

She could hear the soft click of his boots as he stepped further inside.

Ashen didn’t reply. Instead, he made a small gesture with his hand, and Stella bowed again before silently leaving the room, closing the door behind her.

Now, it was just the two of them.

Lumina could feel his presence behind her. He didn’t speak right away. He was watching her through the mirror. She stood still, her fingers lightly brushing the edge of the wooden table in front of her.

Sometimes he wants to ask questions about how she hides her pain. How she just let things go and acted like nothing had happened the previous night.

After a long pause, Ashen’s deep voice broke the silence. "Our nuptial ceremony will be in two days," he said softly. "How would you like your outfit to look?"

Lumina gave a small smirk, tilting her head slightly. "That depends," she replied, reaching for the blindfold on the table. "Would you let me wear something more beautiful than your Crown Princess?"

She lifted the cloth, preparing to tie it around her eyes again. But before she could, Ashen stepped forward and gently took it from her hands.

She gasped again at the sudden warmth of his fingers brushing hers.

"You don’t need to hide your eyes when you are with me," he said. His voice was soft.

Lumina lowered her head slightly. "I don’t want to scare anyone," she murmured.

"You don’t scare me," he whispered, his breath brushing the side of her ear. "I think your eyes are beautiful."

Lumina’s lips parted, but she didn’t know what to say. She could feel her heartbeat rising.

Ashen stepped even closer and she could feel the heat of his chest behind her, and then gently he wrapped his arms around her from behind. One of his hands rested just beneath her chest, the other lightly brushing her waist making her stand still.

"Ashen," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You don’t have to keep pushing me away," he murmured near her ear. "We’re going to be married soon. Let me be close to you... just like this."

Lumina blinked several times. Her fingers trembled slightly as she touched the hand he had placed on her stomach.

"You are always too good to me," she whispered. "You say yes too easily. If you keep spoiling me like this, I won’t know how to live without you."

"Exactly," he breathed into her neck. That word made her chest tighten in a way she didn’t expect.

Ashen gently pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, and her whole body shivered at the touch. She just stood there, held in his arms, breathing softly.

"You didn’t complain this time around," he teased.

"Would you have listened if I had?" she replied, tilting her head slightly.

He smiled and shook his head. "Of course not."

Lumina let out a small sigh. "Now, stand back. I have to go to class."

The word "class" made Ashen’s smile fade slightly. He remembered the things Stella had said to him the night before the way the other girls treated Lumina during those lessons.

"How are you coping?" he asked. "Do you want me to stop you from going?"

She turned toward his voice. "You think the king will praise you for that? Or make me feel weak? No, Ashen. Let me handle it." she cut him off sternly.

He didn’t answer right away. He only watched her, his arms now falling to his sides.

"I will be busy tonight," he said after a pause. "I might not return until morning."

Lumina’s breath caught. She didn’t know why, but the idea of him not coming back that night made her chest ache.

"Why?" she asked softly.

Ashen looked away, then sighed. "I have an investigation to run tonight and it’s important. The king is watching me closely."

She nodded, slowly understanding. "So, this is about the Crown Prince."

He gave a small nod, even though she couldn’t see it. "Yes. If he finds anything to use against me, he might send you back to the Celestial Realm."

Lumina reached for him, placing her palm gently on his chest. "I trust you, Ashen and you can trust me too. I won’t let anyone bully me. I know how to strike back... when the time is right."

He smiled at her words, pride glowing in his eyes. If anyone could stand her ground in this cruel court, it was her.

"If it becomes too much, promise you will tell me."

"I promise," she said softly, her lips curving into a small smile.

He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"Now," he said gently, "Let’s go have breakfast. I will take you to class after that."