The palace was finally quiet after all the arguments and fights.
King Ryker decided it was time to sit with his two daughters and speak with them properly.
He called them over and motioned for them to sit.
Rhynera sat close to her mother, holding on to her arm like a frightened child. Even though her mother was currently mad at her for the mistake she had made.
She wanted to cry and confess how badly Prince Adam had been treating her, how his anger made her afraid.
But with Lumina sitting across from her, she stayed silent.
She did not want Lumina to hear her troubles and turn them into a joke later.
King Ryker on the other hand looked at both of his daughters before speaking up.
"How do you find the Drakonis realm?" he asked, his voice calm but expectant. For a moment, no one spoke.
Until Lumina broke the silence answer softly, "It has been going well."
A small smile appeared on her lips as she thought of Ashen and the moments they had shared with him.
"Well?" her father pressed, leaning forward slightly. Lumina tilted her head toward him, sensing his concern.
"If you are worried about me being bullied or treated badly, trust me, Father, I am fine," she replied.
Rhynera’s eyes turned toward Lumina, surprise flickering in them. She is aware of how Lumina had been through much since coming to Drakonis, but still her sister spoke as if nothing had happened.
Queen Mireya shifted her gaze to Rhynera, her tone gentle now.
"Rhynera, my little princess... and you? How have you been?" She gave her daughter a hopeful look, but Rhynera kept her head high. She could not speak carelessly. She needed to appear stronger than Lumina, always above her.
But Lumina’s voice cut through the moment, having a teasing smile.
"My girl told me you had been using a veil ... is that tradition in Drakonis?"
She picked up her teacup, her fingers slowly tracing the rim while the warmth of the tea seeped into her skin.
Rhynera glanced at her before answering. "Yes... Prince Adam is a kind man, but he is also very jealous. He does not like other men seeing my face, so I use the veil for him."
Lumina’s lips curved into a faint smirk.
"Darling," Queen Mireya said warmly, "I always knew he was a good man. He will treat you well and now that you are going to become crown princess, he will watch over you closely." Rhynera’s fist tightened she wanted to scream her lungs out if her parents didn’t notice the usual spark in her eyes was gone.
But she just had to hold it hoping she wouldn’t lose it.
The family spoke for a while longer, before they were told to sleep early so they would be rested for the marriage ceremony the next day. But as they rose, King Ryker seemed to remember something and stopped them.
"Your outfits for tomorrow... your mother brought them over," he said. Rhynera’s face lit up instantly.
"Yes," Queen Mireya said with a proud smile. "It is the bride’s family tradition to prepare the outfit."
Lumina’s brow furrowed slightly. From the corner of her vision beneath the blindfold, she sensed Stella glancing at her.
Ashen had already arranged everything for her ceremony attire, even going so far as to find a rare gem from a faraway land for his future wife. Guess he had never considered the family tradition.
Lumina reached out to touch Stella’s arm and shook her head slightly. "Thank you, Father," she said softly, her tone polite.
That small moment stirred something in King Ryker. He realized again that his daughter hardly ever called him
"Father" with warmth and had grown so distant all the years she spent in the Celestial palace.
"Give them their outfits," he ordered, "it is laced in Drakonis style and you will love it.."
One of his maids stepped forward, carrying a large, ornate bag, and handed it to Stella. Lumina gave a faint smile, and they left the royal chambers.
When they reached the guest chambers assigned to them, Lumina walked straight to the bed and let herself sink onto it, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on her. She was tired, but in truth, she missed being in Ashen’s chambers where she could feel at ease.
"My lady," Stella began carefully, "the outfit is not bad, but it is not as fine as..."
Lumina raised a hand and placed it gently over Stella’s mouth to stop her.
"You do not need to say more. The walls have ears," she murmured. "Place the outfit on the bed."
Stella nodded and did as she was told. "You should sleep early for tomorrow, my lady," she advised.
The next morning came too soon. Lumina could hardly sleep. She had been waiting for her aunt to even show up. It’s her big day. She wanted the blessing of the next two years from her.
Her thought was disrupted when Stella called her.
"My lady! My lady!" Stella’s voice rang through the chamber, with panic. She rushed toward Lumina, who was sitting quietly on the porch.
"Calm yourself," Lumina said with a small frown. "People are still sleeping."
"My lady," Stella said breathlessly, "your outfit for the day... it has been destroyed."
Lumina let out a long sigh, her face unreadable. "I thought she had grown up," she murmured under her breath, not surprised.
"What do you want me to do?" Stella asked, worries clouding her features.
"Ask Ero," Lumina said. "Tell him to bring the real outfit I planned to put on."
But Stella nodded her head quickly and knelt beside her mistress. "It is just as you predicted," she said.
Lumina’s lips curved into a knowing smile. She remembered hearing a faint presence outside her door last night, just after they had arrived.
She had known immediately it was one of Rhynera’s people. Of course, her sister had sent someone to ruin the dress she could not stand the thought of being outshone.
That was why Lumina had not brought the dress from Ashen’s chambers. She had known Rhynera would try to destroy it.
"Go get me the new outfit," Lumina said at last, her voice calm and steady.
Stella rose to her feet and hurried away.