Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 228: THE CHANGE

Lumina sat quietly before the mirror as Stella moved around her, the soft clinking of jewelry filling the chamber.

Gold and silk brushed against her skin, but even through the warmth of the fabric, she looked fragile. Her cheeks were pale, and her body felt light, almost weightless as though part of her still lived between dream and waking.

Since her sight had returned, her strength had not. Each minute she woke weaker than the one before, and though her vision was improving slowly, her body seemed to pay the price for the miracle.

"Please, my lady," Stella pleaded softly, adjusting the thin golden chain around her neck. "My Lord has been waiting since morning. Just for a short while, you can rest later."

Lumina lowered her gaze, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her sleeve. She didn’t want to leave the room. Every time she opened her eyes, the light stung.

"I don’t want to go..." she murmured under her breath.

Ashen, who had been leaning silently near the window, turned his head toward her. The morning light caught the red in his eyes, and for a moment, his entire expression softened.

He crossed the room, kneeling beside her. "My love," he said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, "you do not have to do anything you don’t wish to do. I will tell them you need rest."

But when she met his eyes still learning to adjust, still fighting the blur she shook her head faintly. "If you’re going... I want to go too."

He smiled then, a faint curve of his lips that carried more warmth than the sunlight spilling through the window.

"Stubborn," he whispered.

"You made me this way," she replied, resting her forehead lightly against his shoulder.

He chuckled lowly. "I will take that as a compliment."

By the time Stella finished, Lumina looked radiant. Her long silver hair had been braided with small glass beads that glimmered like captured stars, and her gown pale gold with hints of white flowed softly around her frame. Yet beneath all that beauty, she still clung to him like a shadow refusing to fade.

When Stella turned to fix the last pin, Lumina had already nestled against Ashen, her head resting

on his gentle chest. It had become her favorite place since she could remember.

Every time her eyes opened from sleep, she sought him first. She could not help it his presence felt like the only thing steady in her newly changing world.

Ashen had told Lord Drex and Aria not to utter a single word about her sight, he wanted the secret protected until he understood what the miracle meant. Stella remained blissfully unaware, assuming her lady’s eyes were still blind and that her new stillness was simply fatigue.

"Will you carry me?" Lumina whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ashen smiled. He would never admit it aloud, but he adored this side of her, the clinginess, the childlike dependence that made him feel like he was needed in a way nothing else ever could.

"Of course, my love."

She smiled faintly, resting her head on his shoulder as he lifted her from the chair. The weight of her body in his arms felt natural, like she belonged nowhere else but there.

They left the room, and Aria stood waiting at the doorway, bowing slightly.

"How is he?" Ashen asked quietly.

"The physician is with him. He’s being treated," she said calmly, referring to Ero.

Ashen nodded as he adjusted Lumina in his arms. . "And the chambers?" Aria asked again.

"Keep them sealed," he instructed. "No one enters until I return from the palace. We will decide afterward what must be done."

She bowed again, her face solemn.

As they walked through the long corridors toward the great hall, Lumina lifted her head weakly. "Ero... he’s fine?" she asked, her voice small.

Ashen looked down at her. "Yes, he is resting now."

"And the maids?"

He paused briefly, his steps slowing. "They were killed... by Adam," he said quietly, his voice tightening at the name. "I will make him pay for every drop of blood he’s spilled. For now, let the matter rest, it will become one of the many reasons I destroy him."

Lumina’s fingers clutched the front of his tunic. She closed her eyes and pressed her face into his chest. The man she loved was the same one who had lifted her curse, the same one her mother had trusted even when the world doubted him.

She could feel tears sting behind her eyelids, but she held them back. Her mother had been right.

Ashen was the only light strong enough to cut through her darkness.

They reached the tall palace doors just as Aurelia appeared from the opposite corridor. Her brother’s arms were still full of his wife, and Lumina’s head rested neatly on his shoulder.

Aurelia frowned immediately. "You are going before the king like that? Carrying her as though she were a child?"

Ashen turned slowly to face her. "I see no reason why that should concern you," he said evenly, though there was an edge to his tone that made the guards shift uncomfortably.

She blinked in disbelief. "You... did you just speak to me that way?"

"Princess Aurelia," he replied, his voice calm but firm, "my wife is unwell. That is reason enough. I would expect even you to understand that."

Aurelia’s lips parted, stunned. Her brother had never spoken to her like that. Something in her chest twisted hurt and anger tangled together and without another word, she turned and stormed toward the inner court.

Ashen sighed quietly, turning back toward the doors.

They were just about to enter when Rhynera appeared from behind a column, her gown a wave of pale lavender silk. She approached with a polite smile.

"Prince Ashen," she greeted. "You have returned."

Lumina stiffened immediately in his arms, her fingers tightening around his neck. Her voice came out sharp and cold. "Why are you so concerned that my husband is back?"

Rhynera blinked, caught off guard as she tried to hide away her joy. "I only meant I am glad to see him out of the dungeon. It is... relieving news."

Lumina scoffed and wrapped her arms tighter around Ashen’s neck.

"Ashen, take me out of here," she muttered, resting her head against him again.

He snickered softly, amused by her sudden jealousy, and nodded.

"Crown Princess," he said curtly to Rhynera, "if you will excuse us."

He didn’t wait for her answer before striding past, the air around them humming with whispers.

By the time they entered the grand courtroom, dozens of eyes turned toward them. The chamber was vast vaulted ceilings carved with dragons and stars, polished floors reflecting the golden light of countless torches.

King Ryker sat upon the high throne of the Celestial Realm, his presence as commanding as ever. To his right was Queen Mireya, on a slightly lower dais, sat the delegation of the Shadover Kingdom dark robes, silver crowns, and faces carved from stone.

And beside the king’s throne, another smaller chair gleamed under the light. That was where Adam sat, his posture proud, his expression unreadable.

Ashen could feel Lumina’s breath quicken as she sensed the familiar presence of her father among them. He bent his head slightly toward her ear.

"Did I tell you?" he whispered. "Your parents are here."

Her eyes widened beneath the blindfold she wore. Slowly, she turned her face toward the direction of the throne.

Even through the faint darkness of the cloth, she could see the faint shimmer of gold and light. But the brightness burned against her still-sensitive eyes, forcing her to shut them again. Maybe this wasn’t the right time.

When they reached the foot of the throne, Ashen set her gently on her feet. Both bowed low.

"Welcome, last prince," King Ryker’s deep voice filled the hall. "We have been waiting."

Ashen straightened, his tone respectful but steady. "I beg your forgiveness for my delay, Your Majesty. My wife has been ill, and it took some time to convince her to attend."

King Ryker’s eyes moved from his son-in-law to his daughter. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then his gaze softened ever so slightly.

"Daughter," he said finally.

Lumina stepped forward, bowing again, her voice faint but steady. "It has been a while, Father. I am grateful to see you again."

Queen Mireya’s lips curled faintly into a smirk. "Grateful indeed," she murmured, almost to herself.

The doors opened again. The herald’s voice rang out clearly. "Her Highness, Crown Princess Rhynera of the Drakonis Realm."

All eyes turned as Rhynera entered the chamber in her usual grace and Mireya was so proud to see the respect her daughter holds as she stepped inside.

As Rhynera got to the foot of the thrones above she bowed but she didn’t miss that an eye was on her.

She finally looked up and among them sat a tall man in a black mantle, the King of Shadover himself.

His piercing eyes followed Rhynera as she bowed. Their gazes met, and for a split second, her composure faltered.

Ashen caught it, the flicker of unease on her face. She turned quickly and made her way to Adam’s side, whispering something.

He only glared at her, smacking her hand away before catching it again with a forced smile.

Not quite long King Aden and Queen Sephora finally appeared with Alexis guiding the king to his seat.

Of course, there were several murmurs about Alexis’ appearance but they all couldn’t speak out but only stare until the king had his seat.

The weakness could be shown but he tried his whole best to hide it.

"Now that everyone is present," King Aden said, his voice echoing through the hall, "we shall begin."

The murmurs fell silent. Even the guards stood straighter.

Aden gaze swept over the gathered rulers and nobles. "The realms have suffered enough discord. Today, we will renew the order of power. Old titles will be stripped. New ones will be given to those worthy. From this day, balance must return to both Drakonis Celestial, and shadover."

This left everyone speechless.