The kiss lingered long in Lumina’s mind after Ashen left the room.
Lumina stood still, her breath caught somewhere between her throat and her chest.
Her fingers trembled slightly, resting near her lips as if they could still feel the heat of his. Her cheeks burned with a blush she couldn’t hide, and no matter how many times she paced the room, it didn’t go away.
Her knees went so weak that she almost tripped, it was her first kiss and she could swear it felt like the best thing ever for her.
"Focus," she whispered to herself, dragging in a breath. "You need to focus... You were not here for this," she mumbled under her breath, slapping herself.
But that was nearly impossible. Every second, the kiss was still on her mind, and she returned to the way his lips had pressed against hers.
She touched her chest, her heartbeat thudding like a drum. It wasn’t supposed to feel this way. He was meant to be her ally, her shield in Drakonia... not the reason her knees went weak.
Just then a knock came at the door.
"My lady," Stella’s voice cut through her thoughts, "Your class is about to begin."
" Oh... let’s leave.. Lumina muttered as they found their way to the queen’s chambers.
Freya stood at the front of the room like she always did, her voice sharp and cold. Her dark robes moved with every step, sounding like bird wings brushing the floor.
The rest of the ladies sat nearby, writing quickly on their scrolls and whispering to each other. H
Lumina on the other hand tried to focus. Tried to keep her hands from shaking.
"Blind or not," Freya had once said, "The etiquette doesn’t care for the weak."
Today, Lumina knew she had to be extra careful. Healing the Queen had made everyone in the place uneasy.
Freya, most of all, seemed angry at the trouble it had caused and this had sent Lady Mirelia out of the royal palace.
But no matter how hard she tried to listen, her mind kept drifting back to the kiss.
Her face warmed, then her fingers slipped, and her scroll fell to the ground with a soft thud.
She silently cursed herself and bent down quickly to pick it up.
That’s when Freya’s voice cut through the room.
"Princess Lumina," she said in an even voice. "If you are done daydreaming, maybe you would like to answer the question I just asked?"
Everything went quiet and she froze. She hadn’t heard the question at all.
Her stomach twisted as she slowly stood back up, smoothing her skirt with her hands.
"I am sorry," she said quietly. "Can you please repeat the question?"
Freya smiled, but it was a kind of heartless smile.
"I see... You are not only are you blind, but also deaf to the world around you." Her voice cut through the silence like a whip, and Stella gasped.
"Unfortunately, the laws of the court do not accept distraction as an excuse. Perhaps you need a reminder."
A few of the ladies along with Rhynera snickered under their breath, but Lumina kept her chin high, refusing to show weakness.
Freya turned to the shelf behind her and retrieved a vial with a shimmer of green liquid inside.
"For today’s practical," she said slowly, "You will be working with a touch-sensitive toxin. One wrong movement, and it burns through skin." There were quiet gasps from the class.
Freya walked up to Lumina’s table and placed the vial directly before her hands.
"You will isolate the root and identify the properties...!without using any assistance," Freya announced. "And if you fail, well... perhaps the royal family will learn just how reckless their new miracle healer truly is."
Lumina’s heart pounded. She could feel the glass trembling slightly under her fingertips.
Stella, who had been quietly standing at the edge of the room, stepped forward at once. "She can’t do that alone. She..."
"She’s what?" Freya snapped. "She’s blind? I would like you to tell me more."
"I accept," Lumina said, suddenly gaining back her attention and Freya scoffed.
"So... go on." she let out.
Lumina’s hands were shaking, but she held the small vial carefully and began to work.
She reached first for the blue-leaf thyme. She knew it by its soft, feather-like feel and light lemon smell.
Then she picked the crushed rosehip, followed by the wild clover petals, and finally the dried mint heartleaf. One by one, she placed them into the shallow bowl in front of her.
She took warm water from the silver kettle and poured it slowly. Then she stirred, gently and evenly, like she had been taught.
The scent that rose from the bowl reminded her of the Celestial Realm.
After a few more minutes she was done, leaving everyone shocked at how fast and smooth she did it despite being blind.
"I have finished, Lady Freya," Lumina said softly, stepping back.
Lady Freya walked over with her usual cold look. But after observing it for a while her mouth twitched a little.
"Passable," she said flatly, she wanted to look for a way to embarrass Lumina but again Lumina played her game smoothly.
Then she turned to the others. "Class is dismissed."
The other girls stood up as they shot a deadly gaze at Lumina walking out one by one leaving Rhynera and Lumina now in the class.
Lumina stood quietly near the table about to leave, when the door closed, and then Rhynera with arms crossed, and there was a cold smile on her face.
"You did well today," she said. Her voice was flat. Lumina turned her head a little. "Thank you."
"I will admit it," Rhynera said, walking slowly around her. "You did it right this time. But don’t think that means anything."
"One little success doesn’t mean you belong here," Rhynera said. Her voice was lower now. "And I won’t let you embarrass me again."
"Then try harder," Lumina said. Her voice was calm, but firm.
Rhynera’s eyes narrowed. "You will regret saying that." Lumina rolled her eyes under the blind fold and then walked out with the help of Stella.
Rhynera smirked as she looked toward the table. Lumina practically still sat there, glowing faintly. Rhynera walked slowly to it.
She touched the edge of the bowl with her fingers, "Let’s play dirty.." she murmured.