Lumina turned slowly on the bed, feeling the soft fabric under her fingers. It was silk, and smooth. The mattress beneath her was firmer than her usual one but still comfortable, and the air carried a scent that made her eyes open wide.
Her body jerked upright trying to process the room she had slept in.
Memories from the previous night crashed back into her mind, the way she had fallen asleep beside Ashen.
She gasped, her hand reaching for the edge of the blanket.
"My lady..." came Stella’s voice softly from beside her.
Lumina turned her head quickly to where Stella’s voice had come from.
Stella was sitting calmly near the edge of the bed with her usual smile, though a little tired.
"Where are we?" Lumina asked, her voice low and still a little raspy from sleep.
Stella looked at her and gave a small smile. "My lady, you... You fell asleep in Lord Ashen’s chambers last night."
Lumina’s eyes widened in disbelief and she pressed her palm to her forehead.
"I did what?" she gasped.
"You were very tired, and Lord Ashen asked us not to disturb you," Stella explained gently. "He didn’t want anyone to disturb you."
"Why didn’t you move me to my chambers, Stella?" Lumina asked, her voice rising slightly. "He needs to rest more than I do. He should not have given up his bed for me."
Stella lowered her gaze. "He slept in the guest room. He insisted. We had no say in it, my lady."
Lumina sighed and pushed her blanket off. "Oh no... no no no," she muttered. "Tell me I didn’t do anything strange last night. Please."
Stella blinked. "Strange?"
"You know," Lumina said in a whisper, her cheeks heating, "Something not elegant and proper for a princess."
Now Stella smiled, finally understanding. "My lady... You simply slept off. That’s all. You were holding his hand and breathing quietly. It was very peaceful."
Lumina placed a hand on her chest, letting out the breath she didn’t know she was holding. "Take me to my chambers. I need to wash up and prepare for class."
Stella nodded and reached out to help her down. Just as Lumina slipped her foot into her slippers, there was a knock at the door.
Before Stella could reach it, the door opened slightly. Standing right there was Ashen, dressed in a dark robe, his hand raised like he was about to knock.
"You are awake," he said.
Lumina froze and her heart gave a hard thump. Ashen looked tired, but his eyes lit up when he saw her. He took a step forward, reaching out his hand.
She lifted her hand quickly like always, and Ashen caught it gently, pulling her from Stella’s grasp.
"My lady," he said in that soft voice of his, "I didn’t want to leave this morning without checking on you."
Without thinking, Lumina slapped his chest lightly with her other hand.
But the moment her palm landed, he let out a groan. It wasn’t loud, but it was enough to make her gasp in horror.
"I am sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you!" she said quickly, placing both hands on his chest now as if to soothe the pain. "I am so sorry, Ashen."
Ashen smiled at her and shook his head slightly.
"You should be resting," she scolded, worry etched in her face. "You are not healed yet."
"I can’t rest when there’s work to do," he answered. "I need to speak to Lord Thorne. There are matters I need to handle today."
"Can’t this wait?" she asked, gripping his robe gently. "Just for today, at least until you feel better?"
He leaned closer, his lips brushing her forehead.
"I need to earn the official position, Lumina," he whispered. "One strong enough to stop others from bullying you. You should never have to walk with your head down or feel like you don’t belong here."
Her heart thudded harder, her lips parted slightly, and before she could say another word, he kissed her lips.
She blinked, her fingers touching her lips just as he stepped back.
"Make sure you eat before class," he said with a small smile, then kissed her wrist before leaving.
The door closed behind him and Lumina stood frozen. Her breath stuck in her chest.
Stella stepped forward slowly. "My lady..." she whispered, leaning closer. "Your cheek is so red."
Lumina finally blinked, her fingers still on her lips. "Stop it." She called Stella off while Stella still tried to pissed her lady off.
"Let’s go get ready," Lumina said quickly, brushing past Stella. "I need to clean up!"
Stella stifled a laugh and followed her out of the room.
The moment Lumina walked into the classroom, the chatter among the ladies instantly dropped to whispers like always they would never change.
Their words were cruel, aimed at her like daggers as they pretend to whisper among themselves.
"I heard... the last prince got punished because she couldn’t keep her chaste until marriage."
"She’s just trying to seduce him... and make him lose the little title he is about to earn.. Poor prince."
Lumina clenched her fists inside her sleeves as she walked slowly to her seat like nothing touched her, like their words meant nothing.
She sat down gracefully and folded her hands in her lap.
Stella leaned over and hissed, "My lady... when are you going to shut her up? Especially Lady Freya."
Lumina gave a small smile. "People forget things so quickly. I will deal with her soon enough."
Stella rolled her eyes. "Can I remind them now?"
"No," Lumina replied. "We are here to learn, not to show off. And besides," she added, "I need her to keep underestimating me."
Stella mumbled words under her breath as she sat beside her.
Just then, Lady Freya walked in with her usual loud step, her eyes instantly locked on Lumina.
"Good morning, ladies," she began in her high-pitched tone. "Today’s class is about the importance of purity before marriage."
She turned her full attention to Lumina.
"Some of us here might need to listen carefully that a lady’s reputation is like silk, once stained can never be fully removed." Stella made a loud scoffing sound but Lumina smacked her knee to stop her.
"Even if a prince protects you all the time and falls for you," Freya continued, "That does not mean the kingdom will ignore your unclean self. You must earn respect the proper way."
Stella whispered under her breath, "Say the word, and I will cut off her head."
Lumina said nothing. She only smiled faintly, her hands folding tighter in her lap.
"Stella... one slip from you, don’t forget what it would cost you."