Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 258: I ACCEPT ANY PUNISHMENT

A scream tore through the stillness outside and both couples’ bodies jolted in shock.

"What was that noise?" Lumina asked, her breath uneven as she instinctively tightened her hold around Ashen.

"Ashen..." she called softly.

He stirred at her voice, lashes fluttering open, exhaustion heavy in his eyes. "My Queen..." he murmured, his voice rough with sleep deprivation.

Lumina stared at him, really stared, and her heart clenched. Dark shadows framed his eyes. How many nights had he gone without rest?

"You should sleep," she whispered, lifting a hand to his cheek. "You are exhausted."

Instead of listening, he pulled her closer, burying his face against her neck. "Then sleep with me."

A small smile curved her lips. She nodded and lay back down with him.

But as his breathing slowly deepened, as his weight slackened against her, she knew he had pushed himself far past his limit. Carefully, she cradled his head, guiding it onto the pillow. She brushed her fingers through his hair until his eyes closed fully, his breath growing heavy and even.

Only then did she gently slip out of bed.

She moved quietly, every step careful not to wake him, and exited the chamber.

Outside, the corridor was dim and hushed. Stella appeared almost immediately, walking toward her with hurried steps.

"My Lady," Stella whispered, relief flooding her voice. "You are finally awake."

Lumina nodded faintly. "Lock that door," she ordered softly.

Stella hesitated, confusion flickering across her face. "My lady..."

"How many days was I unconscious?" Lumina asked.

"Fourteen days," Stella answered. Lumina closed her eyes briefly. Fourteen days.

"He has not rested," she murmured. "He needs to."

Stella hesitated again. "But... the new lady is being difficult. She keeps insisting..."

"I will handle her," Lumina cut in calmly. "I am going to bathe."

Before Stella could respond, a sudden grip seized Lumina’s arm from behind.

Lumina turned.

The woman before her was dressed in a light blue robe embroidered with silver threads. Her hair was styled elaborately, jewelry glinting at her ears and neck. Her eyes burned with entitlement, her lips curled in a displeased sneer.

"Last night was our wedding night," the woman said. "The least you could have done was allow him to stay with me. How dare you take him?"

Lumina looked her over slowly, from head to toe.

Then she smiled.

"My lady," Stella blurted out nervously as she stepped closer, hiding partly behind Lumina. "She struck me earlier when I refused to let her into your chamber."

Lumina’s smile did not waver.

"For a concubine who knows nothing of this household," Lumina said calmly, "your lack of respect is remarkable."

The woman burst into laughter. "Excuse me? I am twenty. The same age as Ashen."

The slap echoed sharply through the corridor before anyone could even understand what was happening.

Briella staggered back, stunned, even Stella gasped.

Aria and Ero, who had been approaching from the other end of the hall, froze mid-step.

"Why did you slap me?" Briella shrieked, clutching her cheek.

"Other than his family," Lumina said coldly, stepping closer, "I do not allow anyone to call him by that name."

Aria smirked faintly, amused.

"I am older than you, you brat," she snapped. "How dare you disrespect me?"

Lumina closed the distance between them, her presence suddenly suffocating.

"If you had shown proper respect," Lumina replied quietly, "that would not have happened."

"You blind..." The second slap landed even harder.

This time, it was Stella.

Briella stared in disbelief. "How dare a maid strike me?"

Stella straightened, fear shaking her voice but not her stance. "My lord ordered me to slap anyone who uses that word toward her."

Lumina turned slowly to Stella, momentarily surprised. Yet when she thought of Ashen, of his quiet fury and fierce devotion, she knew it was true.

"You!" Briella screamed, raising her hand. Lumina caught her wrist midair.

"This household," Lumina said softly, "has rules. And you will learn them."

The woman struggled, but Lumina did not release her.

"You are here because my husband allows it," Lumina continued. "Not because you are wanted. You exist here by tolerance alone."

She leaned in, her voice low and deadly.

"Test that tolerance again, and I will remind you why I am called Lumina." Lumina released her abruptly.

Briella stumbled back, fury and humiliation burning in her eyes.

"Now you see why I told you to learn more about this household before acting," Lumina said calmly.

"Lumina!" Briella screamed, her voice shrill with fury.

"Where is my husband?" Briella demanded. "I will report you to him. I swear he will make you pay for this. I will tell the King as well, and my brother will not spare you either!"

Lumina tilted her head slightly, unimpressed.

"Well," she replied evenly, "I may not know how the others will judge you, but the man you call your husband will not stand on your side. And as for seeing him..." a faint smile curved her lips, "...you cannot. He is sleeping and without my permission, he will not rise."

"You..!"

"Point that finger at me one more time," Lumina said quietly, her voice suddenly cold, "and you will regret it."

Briella froze. Her raised hand trembled before slowly lowering. She stared at her fingers, then back at Lumina, disbelief burning in her eyes.

"Aren’t you blind?" Briella spat.

Stella scoffed. "My lady is blind, not deaf." Briella huffed angrily and turned away.

"Aria!" lumina called out.

"Yes?" Aria answered quickly.

Lumina turned her head slightly. "Aria," she said, and Aria stiffened in shock at being addressed directly. "Make sure she is taught how this household works. Thoroughly. Without guidance, she may not function well here."

Aria bowed. "As you command, my Lady." Lumina turned to leave but Briella suddenly rushed forward, reaching for her.

She did not get far before her body stopped mid-air as if an invisible wall had slammed into her. Briella gasped, unable to move.

Lumina smirked faintly as Stella stuck her tongue out playfully.

Lumina did not look back as she walked away.

The moment Lumina stepped back into her chambers, Stella hurried in front of her.

"My lady," Stella blurted, eyes bright with concern, "what do you think of her? Won’t she disturb you?"

Lumina laughed softly, unexpectedly light.

"I thought she would be difficult," she admitted. "But no.... I can handle her."

She paused. "Stella, dress me."

Stella smiled instantly and guided her toward the spring room, carefully helping her remove her garments.

Warm water embraced Lumina as she bathed slowly, tension easing from her body. When she emerged, Stella dressed her in a beautifully beaded black robe, elegant and regal. Her hair was neatly plaited, and at last, Lumina reached for her blindfold.

Before placing it, Stella hesitated, staring at her mistress’s eyes.

"My lady," she murmured, "sometimes when you look at me... it feels like you see straight into my soul." Lumina inhaled softly.

If there was anyone she wished to tell the truth to, it was Stella.

But she had already disobeyed Ashen too many times. She had promised herself she would honor his wishes from now on.

Stella gently covered her eyes.

When they returned to Ashen’s chamber, Lumina opened the door quietly and stepped inside. Stella remained outside.

The bed was empty and Lumina sighed. "I knew it," she muttered. Did she truly think whatever she used would hold him for long?

She sat on the bed, hearing the faint sound of water from the spring room. Ashen was bathing.

She picked up her medical scroll and began reading calmly. She knew better than to approach him now. If she did, he would ruin her outfit without hesitation.

Moments later, Ashen stepped out, dressed only in a robe. He stopped when he saw her seated there, serene and composed, scroll in hand.

A slow smirk appeared on his lips.

He dressed leisurely, deliberately taking his time. He could have summoned Ero, but no. He wanted his wife.

He already knew why she had not moved from the bed.

"What did you do to her, my Queen?" he asked casually.

Still reading, Lumina did not lift her head. "I merely taught her a lesson," she replied. "If she is not careful, I cannot promise she will remain unharmed."

Ashen chuckled and stepped forward, gently pulled the scroll from her hands.

"This is mine," she argued as she glared at him. He leaned down and placed a brief kiss on her lips just as she tried to pull away. He caught her easily, drawing her closer.

Then he kissed her again, deeper this time, slow , full of possession and warmth.

Lumina melted into him despite herself.

Ashen rested his forehead against hers, smiling.

"And this is mine.. I missed you so much" he whispered.

"Yet you got another girl behind my back, how do you think I should forgive you regarding that?" she asked, staring deep at him.

"Well... I accept any punishment from you my lady."