Transmigrated Into A Women Dominated World-Chapter 227: When meditation meets mayhem

The palace corridors were quiet this early, filled with the kind of silence that felt intentional rather than accidental. Viora's boots clicked against polished marble as she made her way through the east wing, still dressed in her training gear from the morning session.

She hadn't bothered changing; the sweat drying on her skin felt more honest than the silk she'd be forced into later, all because she was royalty and they had dress codes.

She pushed through the heavy doors into the family dining hall. The low murmur of conversation snagged and stopped just long enough for everyone to register her arrival.

The room was smaller than the formal state dining room, designed for intimacy rather than political theater, but the air was still thick with the weight of the Lumina name. Tall windows let in the morning light, and the table was already half-full.

Calyra sat at the head of the table occupying the space left by the Queen's absence with a calm, effortless authority, because of course she could.

To her right, Princess Valerie looked like a living sculpture in a dress that made her stand out even among insanely beautiful women of the lumina family. Across from her sat Aphrodite, looking perfectly poised, her hair catching the morning light as if it were a choreographed effect.

Beside Aphrodite was Erythea. She and Aphrodite were leaned in close, their heads tilted together, laughing at something private. Erythea had that particular Lumina beauty sharp cheekbones and piercing eyes but she wore it with a relaxed, social grace that made her feel approachable, yet dangerous in her own way.

Standing near the window was Andrea, Erythea's sister. There was only a 3 year gap in age between the sisters. And Andrea was the oldest at 33 years of age.

She was tall, even for their bloodline, she watched Viora's entrance with the cool, analytical gaze of a predator tracking a familiar rival. Her silver hair shimmered as she tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"And she lives," Andrea said, her voice carrying easily.

Viora stopped, raising an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I?"

Erythea glanced up, her expression shifting to something playful. "One word: Star Beasts, little cousin."

"Little cousin?" Viora's tone was flat.

"Yes, you're my little cousin." Erythea's grin widened. "I'm older than you by two whole years. Therefore, little cousin."

Viora ignored her, moving to the serving table.

"Also training accidents," Aphrodite added, her tone surprisingly light a rare moment where the usual condescension gave way to something resembling genuine concern. "You do have a habit of pushing yourself too hard."

"A death training incident is the second most likely cause of death," Valerie chimed in, her eyes wide. "What happens if the Healer is a second too slow? You wouldn't just be injured you'd... vanish."

Viora ignored the bait, walking to the table and loading a plate with fruit and bread, pointedly ignoring the servant who stepped forward to assist. "The chances are low. I'm still here."

Viora slid into the chair next to Calyra. As the others returned to their own cross-table banter about palace gossip and frontline reports, Calyra leaned in slightly. Her voice was a mere breath, barely audible over the clink of silverware.

"When did you get back?" Calyra whispered, her eyes fixed on her coffee. "Did you actually meet him?"

Viora nodded, her hand pausing over her plate. A small, genuine smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, a ghost of the warmth she'd felt in that small house in Sector Seven. "I did. Last night. And I have to say, he surprised me, a lot."

Calyra's eyebrows flickered upward. "And? How did he surprise you?"

"He's just... the opposite of what I thought he would be," Viora murmured, her mind flashing back to the firm hug and the way he'd stood his ground in the arena. "I expected him to validate my fear about what a threat he is to our family. " She paused, "In the end I ended up feeling like a cruel person, because he's the opposite of that. He's... a Noctis."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I feel guilty, cause I was so cold towards him when I first saw him, believing he will be some kind of way, only for him to be the exact opposite,"

Calyra's eyes widened a little, this was the first time she was hearing viora speak like this. She sounded regretful, which said a lot about her meeting with Zaeryn.

Calyra's expression softened, though she kept her gaze focused. "You'll have to tell me everything about the journey. But later," she flicked her eyes toward the other four women at the table. "When we're alone."

"Something interesting, Viora?"

The voice cut through their bubble like a blade. Andrea was leaning back in her chair, her silver hair catching the light as she stared directly at them.

"Whatever you two are whispering about, it's incredibly rude," Andrea continued, a sharp, mischievous glint in her eyes. She looked around the table at Aphrodite and Erythea. "And wow I never thought our stoic Princess Viora was the gossiping type. Is the warrior finally developing a personality, or did you just find a secret you're too afraid to share with the rest of the class?"

Erythea chuckled, leaning her chin on her hand. "Careful, Andrea. If Viora's gossiping, it's probably about how to kill a Vorthak in three seconds. Not exactly the kind of dirt we're used to while eating."

Viora met Andrea's gaze with icy calm, though her heart gave a small, traitorous thud. "Just discussing nothing important. Something you wouldn't find interesting."

"Try me," Andrea challenged, her smirk widening.

Viora took a deliberate bite of her bread, looking away.

It was Calyra who changed the topic. "Actually, we are more interested in hearing about your latest conquest, Andrea. Wasn't there some visiting diplomat from the northern sectors? What happened with that?"

Andrea's smirk faded, just slightly. "That's…. "

"Ooh, yes!" Erythea sat up straighter, her eyes lighting up with genuine interest. "The one with the ridiculous hat? The tall brunette? Please tell me you didn't."

"I didn't," Andrea said flatly, though her cheeks had gained the faintest hint of color. "Stop trying to misunderstand things. It was purely political."

"Purely political," Aphrodite repeated, her tone dripping with amusement. "Is that what we're calling it now? Because I saw the news, the way you were looking at her during the reception."

"That's nexus nonsense," Andrea said sharply. "One poorly angled photo and suddenly they're writing romance novels. I was being diplomatic. I don't even like her, it never crossed my mind."

"Based on what's out there, you were staring at her like she was dessert," Erythea corrected, grinning. "Don't pretend otherwise."

The conversation shifted, flowing away from Viora and Calyra like water finding a new path. Andrea tried once more to redirect back to them, but Erythea was relentless with her teasing, and eventually Andrea gave up, focusing instead on defending her dignity. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Viora finished her breakfast in relative peace.

When she finally stood, Calyra rose with her, the two of them drifting toward the door with the kind of casual synchronization that said they had something to do together.

The doors closed behind them, and the noise of the dining hall faded into blessed quiet.

They walked in silence for a while, their footsteps echoing through the corridors.

Finally, as they rounded the corner into the east gallery, Calyra spoke. "Alright, tell me about it. I'm dying with curiosity,"

"Well." Viora was about to start speaking.

"Wait. Not here, Athea will want to hear about this too, you know. So let's find her and you will fill us in together,"

Viora glanced at her. "She already knows how it went. Probably from Ysmeine. So why would she want to hear it from me?"

"Because," Calyra said simply, "she'll want to know if your opinion has changed. About him."

[SCENE TRANSITION]

Sector 7 – Ysmeine's garden.

The garden was peaceful. Genuinely peaceful. The kind of rare, perfect morning quiet that made you think the universe might actually be on your side for once.

Ravena had claimed her favorite spot beneath the cherry tree, legs crossed, eyes closed, her breathing slow and measured. She'd been meditating for the better part of an hour, and she was finally, 'finally' reaching that state of perfect calm where

CRACK.

A golden bolt of energy slammed into the stone fountain ten feet away, sending a spray of water arcing through the air.

Ravena's eyes snapped open.

"Oh, come on!" Zaeryn's voice echoed from across the garden, frustrated and entirely too loud. "That was supposed to curve!"

Ravena turned her head slowly, very slowly, to find Zaeryn standing in the middle of the lawn, hands raised, golden light flickering around his fingers.

He was practicing. Of course he was practicing. Because why would he do that literally anywhere else when there was a perfectly good garden that someone was using?

"Zaeryn," Ravena said, her voice dangerously calm. "There are approximately seven other locations in this house where you could practice. Including near the pool area. Where you usually practice."

"Yeah, but Kayla's by the pool. I'm avoiding her." Zaeryn said, not even looking at her. He raised his hands again, and another construct began to form. "Plus, the air is fresher here. Good for focus."

"You know what else is good for focus?" Ravena's eye twitched. "Silence."

The construct launched. This time it curved, badly, and took out a potted plant.

Ravena stood up, brushing grass from her pants. "That's it. I'm moving."

"Wait, don't go!" Zaeryn turned to her, grinning like he hadn't just destroyed her entire morning. "Stay. You can help me aim."

"Help you aim," Ravena repeated flatly.

"Yeah! Just, like, stand over there and use your kinetic acceleration to dodge when I tell you to."

Ravena stared at him. "You want me to be your target practice."

"Not target practice. More like... a moving reference point. I mean, your kinetic acceleration is faster than mine, so it shouldn't be a problem,"

"Absolutely not." She walked away.