Chapter 140: MAKE YOU LOOSE FACE
The door creaked open and a huge grin appeared on Queen Sephora’s face.
She had purposely come down here and made sure Ashen knew about it so that he would come save his wife and that would make the king mad at him and stop him from attending the first flame festival.
"Didn’t I warn you never to trouble the little princess!"
The voice boomed through the chamber making everyone drop to their knees at once.
"Welcome to our humble abode Your Highness!" the maids chorused. Ero also fell to the ground in shock, this was the first time the king himself was coming to Ashen’s chamber.
Lumina’s head turned toward the doorway, her blind eyes glowing faintly. A small smirk touched her lips. It was not Ashen who had come but King Aden himself who meant she was safe.
Even Rhynera’s face was drained of color. The King never came to the chambers of the sons. Not even Adam could get him to step foot in his chambers. Yet today, the most powerful man in Drakonia stood in Ashen’s hall.
Queen Sephora rose immediately, her composure cracking. "Your Highness," she let out carefully. "We were not expecting your arrival."
The King’s cold gaze swept the room, resting briefly on each person present before returning to his wife. "Yes, you weren’t," he answered flatly. "If I had not come, you would have done something... regrettable... Am I wrong?"
Queen Sephora stiffened, her hands curling at her sides. "When," she asked quietly, "did you start supporting Ashen?"
"Since the day you decided never to show him compassion a bit as a mother," King Aden replied without hesitation.
Her breath caught. For a moment, her mask slipped. "I... cannot believe this," she whispered.
"Believe it," King Aden countered, then turned his piercing eyes toward Rhynera.
"And you," he said, his tone dropping like ice. "Crown Princess. Do you wish to find yourself on my bad side?"
Rhynera quickly shook her head, her lips trembling.
"Good." He gave a single nod. "Because things will not go so easily next time, I see you by the queen’s side bullying any person from this chamber."
Queen Sephora exhaled sharply and turned as though to leave, but the King’s voice stopped her.
"Since we are already here," he said. "Do you not think we should have our dinner together?"
The room stilled, then erupted in quiet activity as the servants scrambled. No one had expected to host the King here.
Lumina rose gracefully, bowing her head. "Your Highness," she said softly. "Please, you will have to wait a little while. The kitchens were not prepared..."
"That is fine," King Aden interrupted.
"My daughters-in-law are here representing my sons. I know you are still furious that Ashen stays in the palace, so let us keep you company until dinner is ready."
Lumina’s lips twitched, her faint smile faltering. But she accepted with quiet dignity and gestured for Stella to guide her back to her seat as Stella rushed into the kitchen to get everything ready.
Queen Sephora sat opposite her, her eyes glittering like shards of glass. Rhynera’s hands gripped her skirts so tightly her knuckles were white.
To ease the tension, King Aden finally spoke first. "So, Princess, how are you finding the palace?"
Lumina turned her face toward him and smiled faintly. "It has been... lively," she said carefully. "I think I am learning quickly what it means to be a princess of Drakonia."
"Good," the King said approvingly. "I expect nothing less from Ashen’s wife."
The words made Rhynera’s jaw tighten, but she said nothing.
Moments later, dinner was brought in. Dishes of roasted meat, spiced vegetables, and honeyed bread were placed before them.
Queen Sephora’s voice broke the silence. "The King cannot eat without assurance," she said coolly. "Someone should taste the meal."
"I will," Lumina said before Stella could speak. Even Queen Sephora blinked at that, surprised.
"You are royal yourself, why would you risk your life for the king?" Lumina stood from her seat bowing a bit as Rhynera but her lips were in jealousy.
"He is the father of my husband, of course, I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to him... after all my husband had put me in charge of the household so I should take the fall of my girls if they ever made a mistake." King Aden smiled out at this but Queen Sephora was still not satisfied.
"The household is now in your hands... You are too blind to be able to do anything... permit my bluntness."
"Your Highness... you don’t live with us so you shouldn’t judge, after all my husband is satisfied with it." Queen Sephora was about to crash it again when the king stopped her.
"Princess please." he gestured to Lumina and she smiled.
With Stella’s guidance, Lumina moved toward the King’s table and carefully tasted from each dish her movements sure and steady despite her blindness. She placed the spoons back neatly, her face calm.
"It is safe," she said softly.
King Aden’s eyes softened with pride. "Well done, Princess. I must say I commend your household efforts. You have good maids, well-organized and obedient. You manage them well."
Lumina leaned her head in thanks.
Dinner continued in uneasy silence, broken only by the clatter of cutlery. Rhynera stabbed her food with far too much force, her frustration clear. Queen Sephora’s gaze rarely left Lumina, studying her as if trying to unravel her.
When the meal ended, King Aden set his cup down and turned to Lumina.
"Since you are already managing your husband’s household well," he said, "I will entrust you with the arrangements for the upcoming First Flame Festival."
Lumina froze. For a moment, she wondered if she had heard him correctly. "Your Highness you know I cannot see. This would be a great challenge for me."
King Aden smiled faintly. "I am not sure it will be a challenge at all. I think you will surprise everyone."
Before Lumina could reply, Queen Sephora spoke. "If you are entrusting this to her," she said smoothly, "then I suggest Rhynera be involved as well. They are sisters. Surely they can manage together."
The table turned mute by this, until Rhynera broke it. She stood up elegantly and slowly bowed before the king and queen.
"Your Highness... I am pleased that you have thought and hold me with such importance... but I will suggest you leave it to the princess, Also she would oversee and do her best."
"No... You are the crown princess you are supposed to oversee, not her!" Queen Sephora yelled.
"Enough!" King Aden yelled and she shut her mouth instantly.
His head tilted toward Lumina’s direction, "So... princess what do you see about this?"
Everyone seemed to expect Lumina to refuse but she turned her face toward the Queen and smiled.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said softly. "That is a good suggestion."
King Aden raised a brow, shocked. "Are you satisfied with that arrangement?"
"Yes," Lumina replied. "I will manage... It’s also a great idea since she is the crown princess and has managed the queen’s chambers well also."
"Good," the King said, standing. "Then it is settled."
One by one, everyone rose and bowed as the King departed. Queen Sephora glanced at Lumina and she scoffed while walking out.
Rhynera finally stood up with the help of Mia, she was about to leave when Kumina stopped her the moment she got closer.
"Rhynera," Lumina’s calm voice stopped her at the doorway. Rhynera turned, her eyes narrowing.
"If I were you," Lumina said softly, "I would not mess this up. If you think you can humiliate me, remember that when it fails, I will not hesitate to make you lose face in front of everyone."