Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 259: THE DECREE

Lumina sat beside Ashen at the small table near the window, her posture composed, her hands resting lightly on the polished surface. A simple breakfast had been prepared, fruits sliced neatly, warm bread steaming faintly, and tea placed carefully within her reach.

Ashen watched her more than the food, seeing her again once I’m in front of him made him feel at ease.

"You barely touched anything," he said softly.

Lumina smiled faintly. "I am eating. Just slowly."

He reached out without thinking and adjusted the cup closer to her. The familiarity of the act surprised him, but she did not comment. Instead, her fingers brushed his briefly in silent acknowledgment.

Stella stood a short distance away, watching them with quiet satisfaction until Ashen broke the calm.

"Stella," he called out to her:

She stepped forward immediately. "Yes, my lord."

"Where is she?" he asked and Lumina’s head snapped up hearing that he was asking about Briella.

"Lumina did not interrupt and just simply continued sipping her tea, even though it’s clearly seen in her face that she is actually so pissed.

Stella hesitated only a moment before speaking. "The concubine, Lady Briella, attempted to force her way into your chamber while you both were sleeping. When refused, she struck me."

Ashen’s eyes darkened, but he said nothing.

"Later," Stella continued, "when my lady woke and encountered her, Lady Briella acted without respect. She raised her hand again and used... inappropriate words."

"And my wife?" Ashen asked calmly.

"She told Aria to stop teaching her manners and take her to learn more about the household." Ashen exhaled slowly.

Pride flickered briefly across his face, quiet but unmistakable.

"Speaking to her rudely... Did you do what I had asked ?" he asked.

"Yes, my lord," Stella answered honestly. "As you commanded."

Ashen nodded once. "You did well."

Stella bowed deeply and Lumina finally understood what Stella meant by Ashen ordered her to hit whoever disrespected her.

"My lord... Breakfast is ready... You both come to eat in the dining." Ashen stood up almost instantly and then stretched his hands for his wife to grab.

Lumina smiled unrefined, grabbing his hands as he slowly led her to the dining room... Ashen pulled the chair for Hef to have her and a seat and was about to have his when the unfamiliar scene hit his nose.

He turned to see how Briella entered,

She was dressed elaborately, hair styled with careful precision, jewels catching the morning light.

Her expression was carefully controlled, though her eyes burned as they fixed on Ashen.

She moved quickly toward him, as she showed courtesy.

"My lord," she said sweetly, inclining her head. "Good Morning... Hope you have a good sleep?" Ashen stared at her in return without saying a word, of course he knew one word from him could get his wife mad.

"Breakfast..." she murmured, glancing at the table.

"Yeah... I really hope you also had a good night." Breilla glared back at him and snickered.

"The last time I checked, as a woman who just had her marriage ceremony.."

"You are a concubine." Lumina cut her off as she picked up her spoon obviously the negr in her could see how she had held it.

"Lu..." Briella paused as she bit her tongue, "My Lady... that is a bit absurd, after all he also has the title of being my man."

"You are to serve him and he will only accept when he wants, I see no reason for the elaborate title you had given to him." Ashen sighed a lot and then replied.

"Enough.." he cut both of them up, even though he didn’t want to be with Briella, he couldn’t treat her badly, after she also had feelings and had no choice but to accept what she was arranged for.

"Briella... have your seat... and your breakfast." Lumina rolled her eyes and then she almost snapped when Berilla asked the next question.

"May I sit beside you?" he asks and at once Lumina grabs her husband’s sleeves and her fingers tighten around Ashen’s sleeve.

Before Briella could take another step, Lumina gently but firmly pulled Ashen to her other side.

"Sit there," Lumina said calmly, gesturing across the table.

Briella’s smile faltered at once while Stella let out a victorious smile, it’s been awhile she has seen her lady this active.

"Lumina!"

"The last time I checked we both don’t know each other, so don’t call my name with so much familiarity:" Lumina cut her off.

Breilla swallowed, her jaw tightening as her gaze flickered to Ashen, searching for objection.

But he did not speak.

After a tense pause, Briella lowered her head. "As you wish, My Lord " she stated making it obvious that she didn’t listen to Lumina:

She moved to the opposite seat, her movements stiff but controlled.

Breakfast resumed, though the air was thick with tension. As she sat before the food she then turned to Stella.

"Who is in charge of cooking?" she asked and Ashen stared at Briella.

"I am the one... Lady Briella." Stella replied and Beiella snickers.

"Get a cook... if the household can’t pay for that then I will," Lumina smirked.

Ashen was about to speak but Lumina tapped his hands making him keep mute, "Lady Briella... we will really appreciate that, and I would be pleased if you allow me to select the cook who would be in charge."

Breilla let out a deep scoff but couldn’t reply, "For now... You can have this henceforth we will get a new cook and also cook food that suits your taste." Briella stared at Lumina wondering if she was speaking in parables or just straightforward.

"I really appreciate that Lumina.."

Ashen picked up his cup slowly before speaking "You will address my wife with respect," he said, his voice carrying clearly across the table.

Briella stiffened while Lumina stared at him shocked

"Also... I hate when anyone plays dirty games especially against her... if anything happens to her," he continued calmly, "you may regret it."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted her cup. "You speak as though I am a threat."

"You have already proven capable of disrespect," Ashen replied.

Her eyes flashed in anger as she yelled at him. "You are ungrateful. I accepted this arrangement for you."

Ashen set his cup down. "You were the one who asked to marry into this household. Accepting it includes respecting my wife."

Silence fell and Lumina said nothing. Her calm presence spoke louder than any words. But one thing was shocking to her, his telling Briella bluntly. The meal ended shortly after.

Ashen escorted Lumina back to their chambers before turning away.

"I need to see my father again," he said quietly.

She nodded. "I know."

"Are you angry?" he asked suddenly.

"No." She replied as she turned to him

He searched her face. "You should be."

"I prepared for this," she said softly.

He frowned. "Prepared?"

"Well... even though she is a woman who might actually be closer to my man, I need to try and prepare my emotional feelings... Also, it’s time to get maids and cook. I wouldn’t want her to be in charge of that part." Ashen pulled her closer,

"I am your Queen," she replied gently. "I know you did this for me, so I don’t have to be hostile after all you have no choice but to accept it."

He hesitated. "About the poison... Hope you are not feeling too tired... The medic said you don’t have to stress yourself... he would come back to check."

Her lips curved faintly. "Yes... I won’t stress myself too much.."

Before he could ask more, a guard arrived, bowing deeply. "His Highness summons you immediately. The time limit has been shortened."

Ashen’s expression hardened.

"I will return soon," he told Lumina.

She reached for his hand. "Be careful."

The throne room was tense as he walked inside there he sat only weighing some of his men, he looked around wondering where his brother was and why he was the only one but still managed at the same time to go in.

"How was the ceremony yesterday?" his father asked the moment he showed his courtesy to his father and Ashen’s fist tightened and he controlled himself.

"I don’t know what you want me to say." King Aden snickered, aware of how pissed his son is right now but he wouldn’t want him speaking much to his men right in front of the people.

King Aden did not waste time as he went straight to the point. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"The Princess of Shadover will be transferred immediately," he said coolly. "She will take her place at your side as consort." he turned mute at once.

"Excuse me?" Ashen’s voice was calm, but there was a harsh edge beneath it.

"You heard me," the king replied. "This arrangement has already been approved."

Ashen straightened, his gaze hardening. "I already have a wife. And I am still a prince." His leg out, each one cutting. "So I suggest you explain what position my wife is meant to occupy once this... consort arrives."

The pause that followed was answer enough.

Ashen’s fingers curled slowly at his side. "Or is the intention," he continued, his tone dangerously quiet, "to strip Lumina of her place without daring to say it aloud?"

King Aden studied Ashen for a long moment before giving a faint, dismissive nod.

"I will not dispute the fact that Lumina is your legal wife," he said at last.

Then the king reached to his side and took a sealed scroll from the attendant waiting in silence. He rose just enough to place it on the table between them.

"This matter," King Aden continued evenly, "has already been addressed."

Ashen’s gaze dropped to the imperial seal pressed into the wax.

"Before the Princess of Shadover arrived," the king said, "she was granted a title befitting her value to this realm."

"So by the royal decree," King Aden said calmly, "Briella of Shadover is hereby named Grand Matron of the Drakonis Court." The words followed like a dagger piercing into Ashen’s heart.

"She will preside over the inner court, command the palace households, oversee noble consorts and attendants, and speak with my authority in matters of internal governance."