Chapter 148: THE WALL HAS EARS
The room was still dim, the fire having burned down to a warm glow, its faint light brushing against the golden edges of the curtains.
Lumina sat quietly, her head resting on Ashen’s shoulder, her fingers tracing the hem of his sleeve as though grounding herself.
Hours had passed since the chaos in the dining hall, hours since they had both retreated here and said nothing.
The silence was so loud that Lumina couldn’t take it anymore, until Lumina broke it.
"Why have you not said anything regarding the fire incident?" he finally got the courage to ask him.
Ashen turned his head slightly, his gaze was that of her beautiful eyes. He did not answer immediately, merely studied her face as though searching for something in her expression.
"Why are you worried about it? Were you behind it?" Lumina felt a bit insulted knowing fully aware that her husband knew she was behind it but was deciding to tease her about it.
"Well did it.... And I expected you to know that already"
For a moment, there was silence again until a snicker escaped his lips.
"Are you upset because I didn’t know that you were behind it like the way you had wanted me to?" he asked.
She snorted at this, "I thought it was best for you to know the truth first guess I shouldn’t have even mentioned it seeing how you are taking this in a joking manner." she expressed annoyance at his reaction..
Ashen’s smirk deepened, though his eyes softened as he moved closer to her. "So that was why you went to Adam’s chambers? To tell him this?"
"It was among the reasons." Lumina tilted her head slightly, recalling the threats he had hurled at her like knives, the incident that had transpired tonight will be one reason why she is forever grateful to him.
"I purposely went there for the antidote, I got the idea to do that when I walked out of his chambers."
Ashen’s breath left him in a sigh. He brushed his lips against her temple, his voice now a whisper. "You never did it..." She whipped her head up and he smiled.
"No matter what happens in the future you will never do it."
A small smile broke out on her lips as she nodded. She understood what he was saying. She is so grateful for having a hub and likes him.
They both fall asleep hand wrapped around one another as they sleep off.
******
The next morning the first thing that woke them up was shouting from outside.
"You cannot hide inside, Lumina! You...!"
The loud, angry voice rang out all through the corridor jerking her awake. Lumina knew that voice.
She stiffened, her heart beating faster at the sudden way the voice was loud, but Ashen’s arm came around her before she could move.
"Stay," he murmured against her hair, his tone calm but firm. "Go back to sleep."
"But..."
"I will handle this," he interrupted her.
She nodded reluctantly and stayed where she was, pulling the covers close around her as Ashen rose from the bed and strode out of the room.
At the far end of the corridor stood Crown Princess Rhyenra, her face twisted with anger, her hands clenched at her sides.
"Good morning, Crown Princess," Ashen greeted, his voice calm, almost disarmingly polite.
"Good morning?" Rhynera hissed, stepping forward until there were only a few feet between them. "I would like to see your wife. Immediately."
"I am afraid I cannot allow that," Ashen replied coolly, hands clasped behind his back. "You came here to shout accusations and disrupt her rest. Tell me why you are here before I even consider letting you near her."
"She destroyed my room!" Rhynera snapped. "She burned it, every piece of fabric, every tapestry...!"
Ashen raised a finger, silencing her in an instant. "You will stop right there. Did you see my wife enter your chambers? Did you witness her set a single spark?"
Rhynera faltered but quickly recovered. "I have lived with her for ten years. I know her habits, her temper. This is something she would do and she must be mad because I told her the things I got for the arrangement of the ceremony were in my room."
"So you are accusing her based on what you think," Ashen said evenly, his eyes narrowing.
"It isn’t what I think... It’s what I know!" Rhynera’s voice rose. "Let me talk to her and you will see for yourself. I am certain she will not deny it!"
Ashen’s expression darkened, but his voice remained smooth. "And if she does deny it? If she swears she had nothing to do with it? Will you fall to your knees and beg her forgiveness?"
Rhynera froze, clearly not expecting that challenge.
"Wh....why would you even say that?" she stammered.
"Because you sound very sure," Ashen replied. "And if you are so sure, then surely you are ready to face the consequences of being wrong."
Rhynera’s jaw clenched, her anger warring with hesitation. For a moment, it seemed she might back down, but then she spat, "Then I will take this to the Queen herself. She will see justice done."
Ashen shrugged, utterly unbothered. "Then take it to her. But know this if I find out that my wife is innocent, I will deal with you myself. And you will not like the outcome."
Rhynera’s nostrils flared, she felt defeated having no choice turned sharply on her heel and stormed away, her heavy skirts sweeping behind her. Ashen smirked slightly at her retreat before turning back toward the chamber.
Inside, Lumina was already sitting upright, her hands folded in her lap as though waiting for him.
"She was loud enough that I heard everything," Lumina said softly as Ashen sat beside her. "Why did you tell her that I...?"
Ashen reached out, placed a finger gently against her lips, and shook his head. "The walls have ears," he murmured. "You would not want them to know your thoughts too early."
Lumina smiled, but inside her heart was racing. She could feel the anxiety brewing like a storm, and could sense that this was far from over. She knew Rhynera would not let this go and neither would she let Rhybers win either..