Chapter 151: HIS CONFRONTATION
The door of Lumina’s inner chamber shut behind them with a dull, echoing thud, and Lumina’s fingers tightened around Stella’s arm as she guided her toward the bed.
She could feel the faint tremor in Stella’s steps, could hear the uneven drag of her breathing and the soft, wet sound of blood dripping onto the floor.
"Sit," Lumina said quickly, reaching down to feel the edge of the mattress before easing Stella onto it. "Let me check the wound."
Stella hissed as Lumina’s fingers brushed the torn fabric of her sleeve, then the sticky warmth of blood.
The skin around the wound was hot and slightly swollen. Lumina’s stomach clenched.
"We need Lord Drex," she said, keeping her voice firm despite the knot of fear forming in her chest. "The poison is already working through you."
Stella caught her hand, holding it tightly. "No, my lady. I can slow it. I will use my cleansing veil... it will keep the poison from spreading too fast."
"But that won’t heal you," Lumina argued, her nails digging into her palm. "You could still..."
"My lady," Stella interrupted gently,
"If you tell the prince now, you know what he will do. He will confront Adam, and this will spiral. The crown prince will not stop until he has you under his thumb completely. You cannot let him win."
Lumina’s breath came shallow. She could still hear Adam’s mocking tone ringing in her ears, and feel the memory of his breath near her face. But she was terrified of losing her closest one, she didn’t know what poison he had used if the one in her body still reacts, despite having ways to be immune to it... Then she can’t say anything about the one in Stella.
"We cannot tell Ashen about this," Lumina whispered. "If we do, he will go after Adam, and then the entire court will take sides. They will destroy him before they ever punish their crown prince."
Stella’s voice shook. "But we cannot just stay silent either. My lady, you have always been the one who chose the right path. Do not lose yourself now. Please let the prince help you, my life isn’t that important for you to be miserable."
Lumina’s throat ached, her hands curling into fists. "Shut the hell up! Nothing will happen to you!" she yelled.
"You think I didn’t think of telling him? You think I don’t feel your pain right now?"
She reached for Stella’s face, cupping her cheek. Her skin was clammy, her pulse racing under Lumina’s fingers.
"I would burn the world to keep you alive. But if Ashen finds out and acts rashly, Adam will use it against him, and we will all pay the price. This is my fight, Stella. I have to end it before it swallows him too."
Stella was about to argue when the air shifted. Heavy boots struck the floor with controlled force, and Lumina stiffened.
"What happened?"
The voice was deep. Lumina felt her heart jump to her throat. "Ashen..." she breathed. "When did you come in?"
"I asked you a question," he said, his voice closer now, "What happened, Lumina?" Lumina could immediately tell he had heard her because he called her by her name when serious.
"My lord," Stella said quickly, forcing herself upright. "It was the Crown Prince. He ambushed us again."
"You were going to hide this from me," Ashen let out, cutting her off.
Lumina rose to her feet, gripping the bedpost for balance. "I wasn’t given the chance to speak," she accused.
"Do you truly think I would hide this from you?"
"Yes," Ashen said, moving closer until Lumina could feel the anger emitting r from him.
"Because that is what you always do, carry it all alone until it breaks you. You are already thinking of how to face Adam without me, aren’t you?"
Lumina bit her lip, saying nothing.
"Stella is poisoned," Ashen went on, his voice low. "The only way to get the antidote is to do what he asked of you. Tell me, are you going to do it?
Lumina felt the tears threatening to fall and swallowed them back. "Have I ever gone against you? Have I ever refused you when you asked me to trust you?"
"Then give me the tax ledger," she said.
Ashen froze instantly. "I cannot. The king gave it to me and warned me never to hand it to anyone."
"Then you are asking me to watch her die?" Her voice rose.
"My lady..." Stella let out frustration, "I should leave.." Lumina wanted to stop her but the grip she got from her husband told her not to push it. He wanted to have a private conversation with her.
"I am not saying I will allow her to die, I will just find another way!"
But that didn’t calm Lumina, her control snapped. "She is more than my maid, Ashen... She is my sister. I cannot lose her. Do you hear me? I cannot!"
The words broke as tears spilled over, warm on her cheeks.
There was silence for a long moment before he finally broke the silence.
"You will not lose her," he said, and his voice had softened, though it was no less fierce. "I will not allow it. But you will not face this alone, Lumina.."
Her knees felt weak at the promise in his tone. She nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her sleeve.
He turned about to leave but she grabbed him back, "Where are you going?" she asked.
"It might sound rude saying this but I need to be extra careful with the ledger now.."
"What did you mean by that?" Lumina asked, a bit irritated, "Well... I need to give the ledger to you, because I know how smart you are. If the ledger is with you, and things get out of hand, I will know my wife has been the one who put me in greater danger."
"Ashen!" she yelled but he just walked out until she stopped by the door.
"Get ready for the first flame festival... Aria will dress you up and be by your side since your girl needs rest today."
"Hey! How can I trust her?" but Ashen was already out of the chamber.