CHAPTER 99: APOLOGY

The moment Lumina stepped into the dining chamber, a warm aroma greeted her, a mingling of spiced wine, roasted meat, and the sweetness of fruit pastries still warm from the oven.

She paused just inside the doorway, her pale eyes unseeing, yet her other senses smeared the room with shocking clarity.

Ashen was already there. She could hear the sound of him rising to his feet, the soft shift of boots against the ground.

"You came a bit late," his voice reached her worried yet carrying a subtle note of relief.

Lumina lifted her chin slightly, "It’s not like the classes I attend," she replied, still not forgetting she was mad at him in the morning even though she was playful about it.

She began walking toward the table, with the help of Stella.

She heard him move closer, so he extended a hand toward her, but she did not take it.

Ashen exhaled, a sound that held a trace of regret. He had known she would be stubborn, that an apology offered in mere words would not soothe her wounded pride.

That was why he had done something no prince of Drakonia had likely done before.

The table was already set, but this was no ordinary meal. He had arranged a spread of golden roasted chicken glazed in butter, bowls of steaming root vegetable stew, fresh bread sprinkled with sea salt, and a tray of early-summer berries drizzled with cream.

At the center of the table sat a steaming kettle of fragrant mint tea and two crystal goblets filled with spiced mulberry wine.

Lumina’s steps faltered as the scents reached her.

"This..." she breathed softly.

Ashen moved to stand just before her, his tall figure casting a presence over her. "Stella told me what you liked," he said. "So, I prepared it."

An incredulous laugh escaped her before she could stop it. "You cannot cook."

The corner of his mouth lifted in a rare smile. "I can, just never do it for anyone... but I still used the help of Stella who threatened to throw a ladle at my head if I ruined the broth."

From the corner of the chamber, Stella pressed her lips together to hold back a laugh. It had escaped her lip before she knew it and she never knew he still remembered.

Lumina turned slightly toward the sound, as if narrowing her eyes at Stella.

"He truly made this?" she asked, disbelief laced in her tone.

"I did," he answered, his voice unusually earnest. "It is my apology for this morning."

She sniffed softly, rolling her eyes though there was a faint curve to her lips. "You think one meal erases my anger?"

"Perhaps not, but let me try."

He stepped closer, his hand brushing lightly against her arm before guiding her to the seat at the head of the table.

"Sit," he said, pulling the chair out for her. "Allow me this much, Lumina."

She sat, not protesting, her lips pressed together as he tucked the chair in and then placed the napkin over her lap with near ceremonial precision.

He sat across from her, waiting. She picked up the spoon Stella had set near her hand and slowly lifted her first taste of the stew.

The warm broth coated her tongue, rich and savory with notes of garlic and wild thyme.

Ashen leaned forward slightly, unable to help himself. "Well?"

Lumina took her time. She sipped another spoonful, then another, deliberately prolonging the moment as though to punish him.

Only after a long pause did she lower the spoon and tilt her head toward him.

"You said nothing this morning," she said coolly. "So you get no words from me now."

Ashen chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. For once, he did not argue. Instead, he rose from his seat, walked behind her chair, and with a cloth in hand, carefully dabbed the corner of her mouth where a small drop of stew had stained.

The stubborn line of her mouth softened despite her efforts.

Before she could remark, the heavy doors of the chamber opened again.

Two servants entered carrying a small cake drizzled with spiced honey, its surface glowing with tiny candles.

Behind them followed two court musicians, their stringed instruments already tuned.

The first notes rose into the air, soft and lilting, filling the room with a melody from an older time.

Lumina’s lips parted slightly in surprise.

Ashen leaned close to her ear, his voice a low murmur. "I am not letting you stay angry tonight, even if it takes the entire palace to win you back."

The musicians played a gentle tune, and one by one, the guards and maids who had been summoned entered the chamber, each holding a silver-white bloom.

They knelt before her as if before a queen, then Ashen stood before her also, and at once their voices rang out.

"My lady, forgive my silliness."

"You are the light of this hall. Please accept our loyalty."

"No shadow of this realm is darker than your displeasure."

Lumina’s breath caught, her hand instinctively reaching toward the nearest voice until her fingers brushed cool petals. Her throat tightened.

And then, in front of everyone, Ashen did something no one expected. The last prince of Drakonia, cursed and proud, went down on one knee before her chair. He held a single silver rose, its stem wrapped in deep blue silk.

"I failed you this morning," he said, his voice low but steady. "But I swear to you, Lumina... I will not fail you again as your husband."

The room fell silent. Stella’s eyes glistened with tears, the maids covered their mouths in astonishment, and even the guards bowed their heads lower.

Lumina’s lips trembled despite her effort to remain calm. "Here is a flower for you.. My lady." he stated, pushing the flower closer to her so she could collect it easily.

She reached out, her slender fingers brushing the rose before taking it from him.

A breath of relief seemed to pass through the entire chamber.

Ashen rose to his feet and, without giving her a chance to protest, slid an arm beneath her knees and another around her back.

He lifted her effortlessly, his chest warm against her cheek. The servants stepped aside, the music trailing behind them as he carried her out.

"You staged a courtship just to apologize," she murmured, her voice softer now, almost amused.

"I told you," he replied as he carried her toward her chamber, "I am learning how to treat a wife right... I wouldn’t want to hurt you for the two years we are going to be together"

When they entered her private room, Stella had already prepared warm water.

Ashen set her gently on the cushioned seat. Without hesitation, he knelt before her and removed her slippers, dipping his strong hands into the water before massaging her feet with care.

"Ashen..." Her voice faltered, her heart thudding in her chest. "Why would you..."

"Because you matter," he declared simply.

Her lips pressed together, and a huge grin appeared on her face.

When he was done cleaning her leg, he helped her pull off her heavy robe even though she had hesitated but he didn’t listen.

Ashen then pressed his lips to her bare shoulder, lingering there with warmth that made her breath catch.

She was sitting on the bed now. Her body softened, exhaustion tugging at her. Just then she felt him place something cold in her palm.

"What is this?" she whispered.

"The key to everything I own," Ashen said. "From this night, your word is law here. This hall, this chamber, all of it is as much yours as it is mine."

Her breath hitched. "How do you even have so much?"

Ashen rested his chin atop her hair. "I was hated, yes. But my father... he always sent me more than anyone knew. I left it untouched for years, but now... now I have someone I want to spend it on."

Her fingers closed around the key. "Good. I am your wife. I have every right to it."

Ashen smiled proudly and kissed the crown of her head. "You can have everything. Except my life."