Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 230: NEVER TOUCH MY WOMAN AGAIN

"Thirty-seven blue... thirty-three red." the voice of the aides let out.

A hush fell so deep it felt like a veil dropped over the room.

Then the aide bowed. "Your Highness... by the nobles’ votes, Prince Alexis has won."

A mix of reactions rippled across the hall, Some nobles nodded eagerly, relieved.

While others could only whisper their doubts under their breath.

And a handful could not hide their disappointment, their eyes drifting toward Ashen who still looked completely unbothered, as if the entire outcome had been prewritten in his mind.

Queen Sephora let out a shaky breath of victory, even though she was relieved that Ashen didn’t become the crown prince. She still felt bad that it had been taken from Adam.

Rhynera’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though her grip on Adam’s arm remained tight.

But as murmurs began to rise, a noble finally stepped forward.

"Your Highness, forgive my boldness, but perhaps..." The king lifted a single hand.

Silence struck instantly, sharp and absolute.

"No one will question the decision that has been made," he said. "The vote is law anyone who dares argue will be stripped of all titles and made to kneel at the palace gate for seven days."

Several nobles paled and their mouth shut immediately.

Ashen was the first to bow, lowering Lumina gently so she could follow him. "Your decree stands unquestioned, Your Highness," he said with full respect. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Lumina followed suit, bowing deeply. "We honor the realm’s choice."

Adam and Aurelia bowed next. Then the entire noble assembly bent in unified acknowledgment.

The king nodded, satisfied.

"Then the matter is closed. Congratulations, Crown Prince Alexis."

Alexis, stunned but relieved, stood and placed a hand over his chest. "Thank you, Father. I will serve the realm diligently." The king dismissed them with a wave.

"This council is adjourned. Rest and prepare for the new season of leadership. You are all dismissed."

Nobles dispersed in murmuring clusters while guards stepped forward to escort the important families back to their chambers.

Ashen lifted Lumina into his arms again before anyone could attempt to help her. She relaxed instantly, her cheek pressing to his shoulder. "You are still warm," she whispered.

"And you are still dramatic," he murmured, brushing his lips against her hairline. "Let them think I carry you everywhere. I do not mind." She smiled faintly.

Just as they turned to leave, a voice finally spoke. "A moment, of you please." And It was King Ryker.

Lumina’s breath caught. Ashen halted and bowed slightly, keeping her securely in his arms. "Your Majesty."

Ryker descended a single step from his throne, his expression controlled but undeniably focused on his daughter.

"I wish to see her," he said. "Both my daughter... and the Crown Princess."

Rhynera, who had been arranging the folds of her gown, stiffened. "Me, Your Majesty?" she asked cautiously even though she was excited that she could finally have a word with her father.

"Yes," Ryker answered. "There are matters concerning the Celestial Realm that must be discussed with the two of you." Ashen nodded, but still had no urge to drop his wife until his father spoke.

"Ashen... I would also like to see all of you. We have some discussions with the king of Shadover." Only then did the young man who had felt isolated finally feel excited that he was noticed.

Ashen sighed and finally dropped his wife, "Alert me if anyone tries anything silly." Lumina smiled and nodded her head.

*******

Queen Mireya, King Ryker, Lumina, and Rhynera all walked toward the chambers that had been prepared for the royal parents.

The moment they entered, Queen Mireya swept Rhynera into her arms, praising her, telling her how proud she was and how brilliantly she had performed. King Ryker echoed her sentiment with a nod of approval.

Lumina watched quietly from the side, her sight still blurry. She observed them with a distant ache in her chest, until King Ryker finally turned his cold gaze toward her.

"I have heard several things about you," he said, his tone sharp enough to cut. Lumina heard it clearly, but she kept her expression carefully controlled.

"Father, I have done nothing but uphold our family’s name, exactly as you instructed." She tried to steady her voice, but Ryker seized her wrist with sudden force.

"This." His voice dropped as he stared at the bracelet on her wrist.

"My husband gave it to me," she explained. Queen Mireya stepped forward in an instant, grabbed Lumina’s hand, and tried to wrench the bracelet off.

"What are you..." Lumina began, but Queen Mireya struck her hard across the face.

Rhynera smiled faintly as she sat down, savoring the rare moment where both parents stood firmly on her side and focused their anger on Lumina.

"You think we are unaware?" Queen Mireya hissed. "You think we do not hear what you have been doing? You were sent here to be the wife of the last prince, yet you caused chaos... You even took positions that were meant for your sister. How dare you?"

Lumina let out a soft scoff, a bitter sound. "Father, you finally show your true colors."

"What colors have I ever hidden from you?" Ryker shot back.

"This was your sister’s only chance to become Crown Princess," Ryker continued. "And I am certain you had a hand in getting the Crown Prince out of the way."

"Excuse me?" Lumina stepped back, but he dragged her closer and tightened his grip on her wrist.

"This bracelet is protecting you, isn’t it?" he asked, testing its strength. He tried to pull it off, but this time Lumina yanked her wrist away.

"Let me go, Father. I will not stand here and watch you tear it off," she shouted, but he simply smirked, shoved her hard, and forced her to the floor. The bracelet slipped off into his hand.

"I have always tried to be proud of you," Ryker said, his voice trembling with fury. "I fought everyone who wanted you dead. I tried to believe you would not turn out like your mother. But you? You are useless. You became the coven leader, you awakened her cursed legacy, and now you dare try to bring back your mother’s power."

Queen Mireya stepped forward, pointing at Lumina. "I told you to kill her long ago. I warned you she would be a danger. Now look! What do you think the High King will say when he finds out about her? Do not hesitate anymore. Do what must be done."

For a moment, Rhynera watched in confusion. Her parents had been strict with Lumina before, but never like this. She struggled to understand the sudden intensity of their hatred.

Lumina’s throat tightened with emotion as tears spilled down her cheeks. "You are all monsters," she whispered.

Ryker lunged at her and seized her by the neck. "You need to learn your place." His voice was low, dangerous. Lumina froze, understanding instantly how real the threat was.

"You have become so weak you depend on him for everything," he continued. "If you had at least won the Crown Princess title, I would have tolerated you. But you are nothing and you will always be nothing." He released her with a shove, sending her crashing to the ground again.

He walked toward her once more and grabbed her wrist. His eyes narrowed.

"You have not been attacked or bullied all this time... this explains why the poison has not fully circulated."

Lumina’s eyes widened. "Father..."

"You share my blood, yes," he said. "But I never wanted you alive in the first place."

He placed his thumb against her wrist. A burst of light glowed under his touch. Lumina cried out as pain surged through her, her body weakening rapidly.

Even when she struggled, he did not let go until she could barely sit upright.

"You still do not have your full powers," he muttered, shocked as the light went off. He turned to Mireya.

"We cannot be fooled this time," Mireya argued.

"We felt her powers," Mireya insisted, gripping Ryker’s arm. "Do not hesitate. Do what you must. If you let her live, she will doom us all."

Lumina lifted her trembling hand to the necklace resting on her chest. She looked up at her father with glassy eyes.

"I wanted to believe you were a better man," she whispered. "I did not want to believe you poisoned me. I refused to accept that you hated me despite how hard you claimed to try to be nice. I wanted to stop fighting and live a simple life with my husband and forget everything." Her voice shifted, with pain. "But I see now... I was wrong." And she pressed the hidden clasp.

The door burst open instantly, slamming against the wall as Ashen stormed inside.

His gaze locked on Lumina curled weakly on the floor, and in a heartbeat he was at her side, gathering her into his arms.

"Lumina," he breathed, holding her close. "What happened?"

She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. "They hurt me, Ashen... all of them." Her voice trembled. "The poison is circulating again, take me to Stella."

Ashen didn’t ask another question. He lifted her effortlessly, but before he could leave, King Ryker stepped in his path.

"Enough." Ryker raised a hand. "You have cared for her long enough. Give her back. Divorce her, and your life will return to peace. Refuse, and your cursed existence will only grow worse."

Ashen stopped. Slowly, he turned his head, fixing Ryker with a look so cold it made the room darken.

"Peace?" Ashen repeated softly. Ryker swallowed hard.

"Cursed?" Ashen’s voice dropped to a chilling calm. "She has never been my curse. She has been my light from the first day. She is the one who completes my life and she always will be."

He turned to leave, but the moment he stepped through the threshold, a sudden flame erupted from behind him, blasting toward Ryker.

The king barely had time to raise a shield before the force threw him backward, slamming him into the floor.

Ashen glanced over his shoulder once, eyes burning with lethal warning.

"Never touch my woman again."