Chapter 136: THE QUEEN CHAMBERS
Lumina’s lips were pressed together, her face pale as Lord Drex’s hand rested against her wrist, feeling for her pulse.
She sat still on the small cushioned chair in his private chambers, listening to the faint crackle of the fire in the corner.
The air smelled faintly of herbs and incense, and it made her feel like she was back in the healing halls of the Celestial Palace.
Her husband came home early from the office that day, after Lumina lessons today just so they could check on the poison. No matter how many times she told him not to worry, he never listened.
Lord Drex was quiet for a long while, his brows drawn together in thought. He was a man who rarely treated anyone other than the King himself, so the fact that Ashen had convinced him to look after Lumina spoke volumes.
Ashen stood nearby, tense, his hands clenched behind his back. His eyes stayed locked on Lumina as though afraid she might fall apart at any moment.
Finally, Lord Drex released her wrist with a soft sigh. "Your Highness," he said, turning to Ashen, "the poison in her blood is no longer just one kind. They are fighting one another. If we do not find the true antidote soon, the long-term effects may be dangerous."
Ashen’s jaw tightened. "How dangerous?"
Lord Drex met his eyes. "It could leave her weak for years to come... or worse."
Lumina lowered her head and covered her hands in her lap. "It is fine," she said softly, trying to ease the heavy mood.
Ashen didn’t answer. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small glass bottle. "What about this?" he asked quickly, his voice tight. "Will it work?"
Lord Drex took the bottle and uncorked it, sniffing the contents before pouring a single drop into a shallow dish. He examined the color as it spread, then nodded slowly.
"This concoction is very rare. Whoever prepared this knows what they are doing."
Lumina tilted her head slightly, listening closely.
"But..." Lord Drex continued, "it will not cure her completely. It will mask the symptoms for a time, perhaps even make her look as though she is healed. But to truly remove the poison, we must find the original antidote one made by the same hands that created the poison."
Ashen’s fist tightened until his knuckles went white. "So we still have nothing."
Lord Drex placed the bottle back in Ashen’s hand. "We have something. This will buy us time and I will continue my research... I also get to find out the princess herself is very good when it comes to herbs so we can work this journey together."
Ashen exhaled slowly and turned to lift Lumina from the chair. She touched his clenched fist before he could pick her up, her small hand soft over his rough one.
"You don’t have to look so worried," she murmured, smiling faintly.
"You are poisoned and you still expect me not to worry?" he asked, voice low.
Lord Drex watched the two of them for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Your highness," he said quietly, "I suggest we search the records from the royal archives. We may find something useful there."
Ashen nodded once. "I will... Please don’t let this get out." lord Drex smiled.
"I shouldn’t treat anyone without the permission from the king but I did yours." Ashen let out a small smile.
With that, he lifted Lumina gently into his arms. She leaned against him, her face calm but her heart heavy.
They stepped out of Lord Drex’s chambers into the hallway where Ero was waiting. The man bowed immediately.
"My lord," Ero said, his face serious.
Ashen’s eyes narrowed. "What is it?"
"The Queen has requested the presence of you and your wife," Ero said carefully.
Ashen frowned. "What if I refuse?"
"My lord..." Ero hesitated, glancing at Lumina before continuing. "This is not the time to disobey her. The First Flame Festival is approaching. We must be careful."
Lumina’s ears caught the name. "The First Flame Festival?" she asked, her head turning toward Ashen.
Ashen’s face darkened slightly. "It is a festival we will not attend."
"Why?" Lumina’s lips curved into a small pout. "It sounds interesting... I love festivals!" She let out dreamily.
"Because," Ashen said flatly, "I am never invited."
"My lord," Ero interjected quickly, "it is not the same this year. The King himself sent you an invitation. Personally."
Ashen froze. His breath caught in his throat as the words sank in.
"Personally?"
"Yes, my lord," Ero confirmed with a nod.
For a moment Ashen didn’t know what to say. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face. His grip around her tightened slightly as though sharing the moment with her.
"You seem excited," Lumina whispered.
"I am," Ashen admitted with a soft laugh. "I have never been invited to this festival before. Not once, since I was a child. To be personally invited by my father..." His voice trailed off, warm and disbelieving.
Lumina smiled, pleased by his rare happiness. "Then you should thank me, since your father is finally seeing the usefulness you have." Ashen smiled and placed a small kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you so much." Lumina could only let out a small giggles and he swore he couldn’t contain the relief he had hearing that sound.
"We should prepare for it together," she said gently.
Ashen’s heart swelled at her words, but before he could respond she reminded him softly, "But first... the Queen’s chambers."
His shoulders sagged. "Right," he muttered, clearly less excited about that part.
They walk through the palace halls until they reached the Queen’s chambers.
The guards bowed deeply as Ashen entered, and the heavy doors opened to reveal the Queen’s private hall.
Inside, the chamber was bright with golden lanterns. A long table had been placed at the center, already set for a private dinner.
Rhynera sat at one end, her back straight and her dark hair braided elegantly. Beside her, Crown Prince Adam lounged with his usual smug smile. The seat across from him was empty, clearly prepared for Ashen.
Queen Sephora sat at the head of the table.
"Good evening, Mother," Ashen said, his voice respectful but cool.
Her gaze slid to the wife in his arms, and she raised an eyebrow. "Your wife is not a child, Ashen. You do not have to carry her everywhere."
Ashen opened his mouth to argue, but Lumina’s fingers pinched his sleeve gently. He sighed and set her down carefully, allowing her to courtesy toward Queen Sephora.
"Long live, Your highness," Lumina greeted softly.
Queen Sephora’s lips curved into a small. "Never knew you could do that... you can have your Sit," she said simply. "I wanted to share a meal with you."
Ashen hesitated before pulling out a chair for Lumina, then sitting down himself. Rhynera eyes Ashen as she watches him doing this, he hates just the smell of her.
The food was brought in, steaming, but Ashen’s appetite was nowhere to be found.
"Well, little brother," Adam said, finally breaking the silence. His voice was mocking but smooth. "It has been a long time since the last incident. Nice to see you at last."
Ashen didn’t even bother to hide his glare. "I wish I could say the same."
Adam’s fist clenched under the table, but his smile didn’t falter. His gaze shifted to Lumina. "And you, Princess..."
"Say one more word to my wife," Ashen cut him off coldly, "and I will turn this dinner into a bloodbath."
The room went silent. Rhynera stiffened, her spoon frozen halfway to her mouth. Even Queen Sephora’s brows arched slightly, though she did not speak.