"Ashen!" King Aden’s voice thundered across the royal dining hall. He slammed a hand on the table as he stood.
"The very tradition you’re dismissing has just been upheld by your older brother... Not even his official wife has ever dared to question tradition. And yet, you... of all people want to bend it?"
Ashen snickered and set his cup down with a clink on the table. His silver eyes gleamed, and Lumina could sense the change in environment.
Ashen was about to stand but she quickly reached for his hand under the table, her fingers warm and firm.
"Your Highness," Lumina said softly, turning her blindfolded eyes toward the King, "I am truly sorry for his reaction. He was only worried that it might harm me. I will drink it now."
Ashen stiffened under her touch, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t move.
King Aden was stunned. His son, the one always ready to snap, stood silent now, held back by a blind girl’s hand.
Prince Adam stepped forward, trying to ease the King’s anger. But his gaze flicked coldly back to Ashen.
"Your payment this month will be reduced. The only reason you are not losing it entirely is because of your woman."
"We are sorry Crown Prince.." Lumina apologized again as she stretched her hands for Ashen to hand her the cup having the drink.
Ashen rolled his eyes at his brother’s insult but didn’t speak. Instead, he picked up the cup and handed it to Lumina without looking at his brother. "Since you want it so badly," he said, "then go ahead. Drink it."
Lumina gave him a small smile and took it in both hands. She turned to the servant girl who had brought it and passed it back.
The girl, slightly nervous, took it and filled it to the brim this time. Lumina raised the cup, held it to her lips, and tilted it back.
Her expression remained calm and blank, as the thick liquid slid down her throat.
Ashen watched her closely heart squeezed with worry, but she gave nothing away.
Once finished, she placed the cup back into the servant’s hands and then stood with Ashen’s help. Gracefully, she walked to the center of the hall, then bowed toward the King.
"I am sorry once again for his behavior," she said, her voice smooth with a touch of slyness. "I hope Your Highness can forgive him on my behalf."
Prince Adam’s mouth fell open. He didn’t expect that.
He had hoped to provoke Ashen, to make the King punish him. But now, with Lumina taking control so smoothly, the blame was no longer clear.
Adam always did this by setting traps to make their father hate his younger brother more. He wanted the crown to be just his, he wanted Ashen’s position ruined forever. He never thought twice before trying to ruin Ashen’s image.
"Enough!" King Aden snapped again, but his eyes lingered on Lumina, surprised. She was clever. He hadn’t expected her to turn the situation around so quickly.
"This is a royal feast, not a battleground," the King added. "I won’t tolerate anyone turning it into chaos and the traditions of Drakonia will be respected."
The entire hall fell silent.
Soon, breakfast was served. Plates clinked, maids moved around serving them, and golden trays filled the air with warm scents.
Lumina sat back down, inching closer to Ashen and gently placing her hand on top of his.
To her, it was to keep him calm. But Ashen could only stare at her small hand resting on his, a strange longing in his eyes.
As the servants placed food on their table, Stella stepped forward and bowed.
"My Lord... My Lady doesn’t eat in public. She..."
A loud smack on the table cut her off. Prince Adam had slammed his fist in anger.
"Throw her out! Teach her proper etiquette!" he shouted.
Stella got startled by this and her knees nearly hit the floor. Guards moved quickly, ready to drag her out.
Lumina was about to stand in alarm, but Ashen stood before her.
"Halt!" His voice echoed around the hall, and the guards froze mid-step, confused. Their eyes shifted between Prince Adam and the younger prince.
"Are you disobeying me?" Adam asked, angry.
Ashen drew in a slow breath and gave a small, polite smile. "Brother," he said, "you must understand, she only meant to respect her Lady’s ways. And..." he gestured for Ero, "it is my right to manage my chambers and staff."
Ero quickly moved forward and helped Stella up from the floor.
"Ashen!" Adam growled again, but this time King Aden raised a hand to stop him.
"Prince Adam, that’s enough. He’s right. The girl did nothing wrong."
Adam clenched his teeth. The King was siding with Ashen. "Your Highness..." Adam tried again.
"I said it’s fine," the King interrupted. "Don’t argue. He’s still your little brother." Adam was boiling with rage but held his tongue.
Ero led Stella out quietly while food was finally placed before the royals.
Just then, Princess Aurelia, seated near Queen Sephora, glanced at Lumina with a sharp, playful grin.
"Well then, sister-in-law," she said sweetly, "how do you plan to eat if you can’t see?"
Across the table, Princess Rhynera smirked as well. At last, something that could embarrass Lumina.
Queen Sephora, regal in deep blue robes and dripping with gold, said nothing but her cold, proud gaze was fixed on Ashen. She never did like her last son. She didn’t even try to hide it from her children.
This pissed Ashen so bad that he stood again.
"Your Highness," he said, looking at his father, "We have taken part in the ritual. We have done our part. I would like to take my wife out now."
"You may go," the King said, waving a hand. "Though it’s your first time joining us in months, and yet... You still bring trouble." his mother added.
Lumina’s fingers curled tightly into her dress. They were the ones provoking him. Yet they always blamed him.
"I see," Ashen murmured. "I don’t belong here." Before Lumina could say anything, he took her hand and helped her up.
"We will take our leave now." And with that, he led her out of the royal hall, his steps calm, his face unreadable.
But his heart was shattered more by his mother’s words. It had been five years since he last sat at that table with his family. Five years. And yet, his mother said it like it was just a few months.