Chapter 118: THE KING’s REQUEST
The day had finally drawn to an end, and Lumina walked beside Serena, already exhausted for the day.
Lumina steps light despite the exhaustion that had begun to creep into her legs. Today had been longer than most, but her heart was lighter.
"Lady Serena, I have been wanting to ask: You all have way more experience in treating Lord Marcellus yesterday. Why weren’t you doing anything about it?"
Serena smiled. "Well... he works in the royal palace and is one of the king’s important men... any mistake would lead to the death of the physician who touches him."
"What?"
"Princess, the physicians hardly want to touch the King or the King’s men... so they avoid being on the safer side." Lumina nodded her head slowly.
"So they didn’t touch or take care of him because they were scared about their life... what a joke and they call themselves men."
"Well... they have families and wouldn’t want to implicate them."
Before Lumina could respond the familiar voice of Stella called from up ahead. "Good evening, my lady!"
Lumina turned toward the sound, smiling warmly, though her smile faltered a little.
Ashen had told her earlier he would be busy and would not come home early tonight. She still felt a flicker of annoyance about it.
"Hold on..."
The sound of hurried footsteps cut her off, and someone called her name from behind.
All three women turned toward the voice and found none other than one of the king’s personal aides standing there, his expression respectful but urgent.
They immediately bowed in greeting.
"Princess Lumina," the aide said formally. "King Aden requests your presence."
Serena exhaled in relief and smiled. "Then I will leave you here. I will see you tomorrow, Princess Lumina. Have a better night’s rest than yesterday."
"Thank you," Lumina replied warmly, smiling in her direction. "Good night, Lady Serena."
With Stella at her side, she followed the aide through the hallways until they reached the king’s chambers.
The doors were opened at once, and Lumina could feel the warm air and faint scent of burning oil that always seemed to cling to this room. There was no more scent coming from the incense and she could tell he had taken heed to her advice.
"Wait here," Stella whispered, squeezing her arm before stepping back toward the wall.
Lumina moved forward carefully, counting her steps. When she reached the familiar spot before the King, she sank gracefully to her knees.
"Your Highness," she greeted softly, "you called for me."
King Aden looked up from the scroll he had been reading. There was a sigh in his voice when he spoke. "Rise, Princess."
Lumina obeyed, folding her hands in front of her.
"Tell me," he asked after a pause, "has everything been going well for you? Are you settling in?"
She nodded, a small smile touching her lips. "Yes, Your Highness. Lady Serena has been most helpful. I am learning more than I expected."
"I heard you saved someone yesterday." Her cheeks warmed slightly, but she nodded again.
"That was a good thing you did," King Aden said after a long pause. He gestured to the aide standing nearby. "This is a little reward from me."
Lumina bowed her head respectfully. "You honor me, Your Highness."
The aide stepped forward, placing a small pouch of gold coins into her hands. She felt the weight of it, carefully bowing again.
"Thank you," she said softly.
King Aden leaned back in his seat and exhaled heavily. The sound made Lumina lift her head slightly. "Forgive me," she said carefully, "but is something troubling you?"Lumina finally asked.
"You saved someone yesterday," the king said slowly. "So I thought I could give you a chance to check on my pulse."
Seraphina’s words rang in Lumina’s mind. You spoiled someone’s work for ten years yesterday...
Her fingers tightened slightly against the pouch of gold. This was dangerous ground. She had never planned to involve herself in the king’s health beyond the usual formalities. Her only goal had been to help Ashen rise again, to put him where he truly belonged.
But now, with the king looking at her expectantly, she hesitated only a moment before asking gently, "What troubles you, Your Highness?"
King Aden’s tone was low. "People have been coming to me for years. Not one of them ever mentioned this incense that haunts my lungs. Tell me, Princess...do you think I should trust them?" This question made her speechless. The Chief Royal Physician does go to the king, how could he not tell the King?
He suddenly coughed harshly, his body jerking forward.
The aides rushed toward him, but Lumina lifted a hand sharply. "Do not touch him," she commanded.
They froze in surprise.
"Let him finish coughing. Forcing him will make it worse," Lumina said calmly.
"You all should leave.." One of the aides ordered the rest, without anyone saying they were flying out. This is the most trusted King’s aide so Lumina understands.
She waited until the sound of his coughing quieted, then stood and carefully walked forward, guided by the sound of his breath until she reached his side.
"Bring me the handkerchief," she instructed.
The King’s aide hesitated, but obeyed, placing the soiled cloth in her hand.
"What do you see?" King Aden asked, his voice hoarse.
She touched the cloth, her fingers finding the damp stain before lifting it slightly toward her nose. The faint scent was metallic.
Her stomach sank. "This..." she whispered.
The aide’s voice was tense. "It is a rare poison, Your Highness. One that works slowly over time."
Lumina’s lips pressed into a tight line. She had thought about the poisoning long ago. The only reason King Aden still lived was that he was the dragon king. The poison was suppressing most of his power, weakening him little by little.
"Is this why you have been restricting the use of magic from the other realms?" she asked suddenly.
King Aden looked at her sharply, as though surprised by the question.
"You suddenly stop everyone from using their powers," Lumina continued, "and expect them to act like mortals, was this the reason?"
A laugh rumbled out of him. "You know too much for your age." Lumina smiled but said nothing.
"With this poison still inside you," she said softly, "it means most of your strength is gone. If you keep using your powers recklessly, Your Highness, you will only hasten your death."
Then his aide snapped, "How dare you speak such words?"
"Silence," King Aden ordered, holding up a hand.
He looked back at Lumina. "Can you save me?"
"I cannot save you completely," she said, though her thoughts rang severally.
She needed to prolong his life. As long as he remains on the throne, the path to it will stay open for Ashen."
The king smiled faintly. "Then I will let you try your way to save me."
Lumina reached for his wrist and pressed her fingers lightly over his pulse, her brow furrowing at what she felt there.
The rhythm was irregular, and she sensed a faint heat that told her the poison was spreading more quickly now.
"This is manageable for now," she said softly, choosing her words carefully. "But I must come to your chambers every evening to monitor you."
King Aden nodded. "Very well. Do as you must." She bowed once more before taking her leave.
Stella fell into step beside her as they made their way down the corridor, and Lumina placed the gift from the king into Stella.
"Did he scare you?" Stella asked her easy on the gift her mistress had just given to her.
Lumina smiled a little. "No. But he is worse than I expected. If I do nothing, he will not last long."
"Well... it seems you have gained the king’s trust.. He even gave you a gift." Lumina only smirked.
They had just turned into one of the quieter paths back toward their quarters when a sound broke the stillness footsteps too fast.
Before Stella could react, a shadow darted out from behind.
"My lady!" she yelled but it was too late.
Hands grabbed Lumina, yanking her backward. Stella cried out, rushing forward, but someone shoved her hard. She hit the ground, her cry echoing through the empty corridor.
"My lady!" she screamed.
Lumina struggled against the grip, but a cloth pressed over her nose and mouth, the smell sharp and dizzying.