Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 271: THE KING

Lumina slipped out of the chamber door with the stealth of a shadow, her bare feet padding silently on the cool marble floor.

She paused for a moment, listening to Ashen’s steady breathing from within the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest confirming he had finally succumbed to exhaustion after their intense encounter.

The air in the hallway carried the faint scent of incense from the palace braziers, but it did little to ease the storm brewing in her chest.

Her blindfold concealed eyes that burned with a crimson glow, a sign of her simmering power, though no one could see it.

She straightened her robe and stepped forward.

There, blocking her path like an unwelcome sentinel, stood the king’s aide, the wiry man with a neatly trimmed beard and eyes that darted nervously.

He bowed slightly, but his posture betrayed unease, fingers twitching at the hem of his embroidered tunic.

"What do you want now?" Lumina’s voice sliced through the quiet. Her head tilted slightly, as if appraising him through the blindfold.

The aide offered a small, placating smile, though it faltered under her gaze.

"The king has sent me to you, my lady. He asks if you require assistance in... controlling..."

"He isn’t a beast that needs to be controlled." She cut him off, her tone laced with ice. "And besides, I would like a word with the king."

The aide studied her for a long moment, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. "Very well... you may speak with him." He glanced over her shoulder at the chamber door, then back to her.

Lumina turned her head slightly, sensing the maids lingering in the antechamber, their whispers like rustling leaves.

"Aria," she called softly, her voice carrying authority. Aria materialized from the dim corner. "Stand by his door. Don’t let anyone approach him...not even by mistake."

Aria nodded once, her eyes gleaming with loyalty, and positioned herself like a statue before the entrance, arms crossed, a dagger glinting at her belt.

Lumina shifted her attention to Stella, who hovered nearby, hands clasped anxiously.

"Let’s go." Stella bowed deeply, her skirts brushing the floor, and fell into step beside her mistress as they strode down the corridor. The palace halls echoed with their footsteps. Lumina’s were purposeful and firm; Stella’s were lighter and hurried.

Guards saluted as they passed, but Lumina paid them no mind, her thoughts a whirlwind of revelations and threats.

They arrived at the king’s chambers, a massive oak door flanked by two aides who bowed low, their spears crossing in salute before parting.

The door creaked open, revealing the opulent room beyond heavy velvet drapes, a roaring fireplace, and King Aden seated on a throne-like chair carved with serpentine motifs.

He looked up as they entered, his frail frame belying the sharp intelligence in his eyes.

"Little one," he greeted, his voice gravelly but warm, gesturing for her to approach.

Lumina raised a hand, and Stella stepped forward, bowing before retreating to a corner, her presence a silent support.

Lumina advanced, her blindfold doing nothing to hide the intensity radiating from her.

She couldn’t help but note the resemblances Ashen’s father shared the same raven hair, the same piercing eyes, the same aura of latent power, like a coiled dragon.

"How come my son didn’t stress you?" the king asked, leaning forward slightly, his gnarled hands gripping the armrests.

"For a king who wants to push me out of my position... yes, giving it to me, I’m surprised you’re concerned that you never hurt me in the first place."

"Little one, don’t test my patience."

"Your Highness," she corrected, her voice dripping with mock deference, "I am sorry for being disrespectful, but you finally crossed the line. Ordering the Dragon Bind on my husband is uncalled for. He has never been a beast, and he never acts monstrous. I am surprised you called for that when both of them were fighting."

"That might be because you don’t know the real him," King Aden replied, his eyes narrowing. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Excuse me?"

"Then I would like you to tell me what exactly my husband is. Why has he been called a cursed prince all this time? Why did you make the whole realm hate him from the beginning of his lifetime, and now you feel you can control him when he finally lost interest?"

"I had no interest in him because Adam is not my real son. Alexis is too weak to take over the throne, and he’s the last resort... with a wife who has high ambition. So tell me why you would want me to leave the rules and give him the throne, knowing fully well you are his legal wife." he fired back at her.

"The last time I checked, you were the one who called for both of us to get married, and all of a sudden you regret your decision now."

"Little one... that’s because I thought you were just a blind, weak girl. Never knew you had a type, and your father never let me know that until both of you were married."

"Since you had my father in good relations, does that mean you know about my poisoning? Was that the reason why you forced my husband to get a concubine, knowing fully well he had no choice but to accept your decision?"

"Little one! You really know more than you should for your age. Are you really sure that you are blind?" Lumina smiled faintly, shaking her head.

"If I weren’t blind, you wouldn’t be on the throne anymore." King Aden stared at her, his face hardening.

"I knew you had always had an interest in the throne." Lumina let out a deep, resonant laugh that echoed off the chamber walls.

"Yes, I do have an interest in the throne, and my marriage action gave me the advantage to come into the palace because I want to control the throne but." She slowly headed toward the king.

"My husband made me lose interest I’m it... But it seems I am beginning to get it back."

"You telling me your secret, do you think this is going to be an advantage or your disadvantage?" King Aden asked, his voice low and threatening.

"I am telling you my secret not because I have no other means, but because I want to allow you to have a choice." King Aden’s eyes raised.

"I won’t hurt you for killing my mother, and you will let my husband choose whatever choice he wants, and have a peaceful life. Or you are going to make him bend to your will and get off the throne by death."

King Aden surged to his feet, his robe swirling around him like a tempest.

"Your father had told me that you’re going to show your true colors when you’re close to 20. How come you’re doing that when you’re not even 19?"

Lumina smiled serenely. "Maybe because I am tired of being sneaky."

In a blur of motion, King Aden lunged toward her, his hand outstretched as if to seize her throat, veins bulging in his neck from the effort.

Lumina swerved effortlessly, her body twisting like a willow in the wind. She landed lightly on her feet, several paces away, her posture relaxed but alert. The king halted, breathing heavily, his fist clenched in mid-air.

"I regret marrying my son to you!" he bellowed, spittle flying from his lips, his face flushed with rage.

Lumina’s smile widened, unfazed. "You have been poisoned by your second son, Adam, and I have just tied your soul to your lively queen which means whatever happens to your queen happens to you also."

King Aden’s eyes widened in shock, his hand dropping to his side as color drained from his face. "YOU!"

"I have the antidote that will save you, but I want you to send my sister back to the realm she came from."

"What!"

"You have three days... because she will soon bear the child she carries, and that will be a great disadvantage to you because that child doesn’t even belong to Adam."

The king’s knees buckled, and he gripped the throne for support, his body sagging as if the weight of empires pressed upon him.

"What?"

Lumina’s smile turned predatory. "You have a choice." She moved to walk past him, her steps deliberate and unhurried.

But Aden’s hand shot out, grabbing her arm with surprising strength for his frailty. "If I want the antidote..."

"I told you a secret already... that for disrespecting you. But for the antidote, you will find a way to drop the power you had promised the shadowver realm you will give to his sister and hand it all to me, including Rhynera’s position."

"Lumina Windsor!"

Lumina’s smile deepened, a glint of triumph in her hidden eyes. "It’s been a while since I have been called by my full name."

"Do what I want, and everything will be easy. While about the choice... think carefully. Do not dare to send anyone to my husband."

"And what? He is my son, and I will force him to.." Lumina’s free hand dipped into the pocket of her robe, emerging with a small, pulsating seed that glowed with an otherworldly crimson light, veins of fire pulsing beneath its surface.

"It’s the Drakonis heart... You don’t want to mess with me, Your Highness." King Aden’s grip weakened instantly, his hand falling away as if burned. He staggered back, eyes fixed on the soul of his realm, his face paling to the color of ash.

"You have the Drakoni’s heart with you." Lumina smiled once more, tucking it away.

"Well, now you know. You should watch every step you take toward me... killing me destroys the realm. Protecting me means protecting your realm."