Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 239: BROTHERS CONVERSATION
"You may have your seat."
Ashen gestured calmly toward the chair opposite his desk, his hand extending with authority.
Alexis did not sit immediately. Instead, he slowly turned, his gaze roaming the office as though he were committing every detail to memory.
The tall shelves lined with several records, the carved stone desk bearing the sigil of Drakonis, the dim glow of enchanted lamps that responded only to Ashen’s presence.
"I see you have taken an interest in this office of yours," Alexis said casually. "I bet you allow anyone in it..." he paused, staring at his brother.
"You hated people moving around you or your things." Ashen glanced at his brother, forcing everything in him not to lose it on his brother.
"You came for something else, brother," Ashen replied coolly. "There is no need to question matters that do not concern you."
Alexis smiled faintly and finally took the seat as instructed, leaning back with ease.
"Do you not think you have enjoyed enough freedom?" he asked. "Perhaps it is time to return to your duties." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
Ashen paused, lifting his gaze slowly to meet his brother. "And I would very much like to hear from you what those duties are."
Alexis’s brow lifted. "Must I explain that as well? You hold a high position in this realm."
Ashen studied him with an unreadable expression. "What exactly are you insinuating?"
"I gave you time," Alexis continued. "Days to remain with your wife. You spent them freely. Lavishly. You even saw fit to bring down a man’s livelihood simply because your wife was offended. Is this how you are planning to run the realm in my absence?"
Ashen’s eyes hardened at once. "Choose your words carefully. That was not what she wanted. It was what I expected, and since he didn’t meet it... he deserved it."
Alexis chuckled, Ashen still not pleased with this.
"My wife isn’t the type that tells her husband to harm others when things don’t go her way," he added.
"I do not care about the incident. What concerns me now is how you will serve as my right hand." Alexis cut him off.
"And what made you believe I want that position?" Ashen asked quietly.
"Because you have played this game longer than anyone," Alexis answered. "You know these people. You know their secrets. You know how they move."
"I am an arbiter of law," Ashen said firmly. "I will..."
"Ashen." Alexis’s voice sharpened. "Don’t forget yourself. You are a prince, also an heir to the throne."
Ashen looked at him fully then.
"Your wife has visions," Alexis added. "Has that not changed your mind?"
Ashen’s jaw tightened. "Brother, I respect you. Do not push me into disrespect."
Alexis laughed aloud, rising from his chair. "You speak boldly for someone who was imprisoned not long ago. Would you like to return there until you regain your senses?"
"Alexis.."
"I have learned more about your wife than you think," Alexis continued calmly. "Is it not time you accept that you will soon be standing against Mother and her son?"
"They are still your family," Ashen replied coldly. "Why place this burden on me?"
"Ashen," Alexis snapped, "do you think the king is ignorant of what he did before placing me on the throne? I am not long for this world. You know it. I have only a few moons left."
Ashen stiffened.
"You do not expect me to produce an heir at that time," Alexis continued. "And even if I did, the throne cannot pass to him now."
Ashen stared at him in disbelief. "Have you gone mad?"
"You are next in line," Alexis said firmly. "Do you truly not understand that?"
Ashen rose slowly from his chair. "Do not ever suggest that I step into a position I have no right to."
"And why do you believe you have no right? But then" Alexis asked, Shen ignored his gaze.
"Ashen they are not of our blood," Alexis answered sharply. "If we are careless, the wrong name will sit upon the throne, and the realm will rot under false rule."
"And why must I be the one to stop it?" Ashen demanded.
"Because only you can command the Seven Dragons at once," Alexis said quietly. "I can command only one. Who do you think they will follow?"
"Brother..."
"I see," Alexis interrupted, now standing from his seat as he stepped closer, his limp noticeable now. "The only thing that will awaken your certainty is pain." Ashen’s eyes darkened as he warned his brother.
"Do not say it."
"I could hurt her," Alexis said calmly. "Even now."
"ALEXIS!!" Ashen’s voice thundered, the room trembling. "Do not cross that line. I spared you once because we share blood."
"Or what?" Alexis cut in, standing directly before him. "Will you break my other leg now?"
He pulled his hand from his robe, revealing a fresh scar carved deep across his palm.
"Or leave me with another mark as a payback for hurting your wife?" he asked softly, pointing his hands at him.
Ashen’s fists clenched.
"If you had never touched my wife," Ashen said quietly, "this would not have happened."
"But she never lost her memory," Alexis replied. "She played you."
Ashen turned away, unable to meet his gaze.
"I accept my punishment fully though," Alexis said, resting a hand briefly on Ashen’s shoulder. "I do not blame you." Then he stepped back.
"But make sure you think carefully, and be present tomorrow." With that, he walked toward the door, then paused.
"I heard you nearly drowned the princess’s wife," Alexis added coolly.
"Nearly?" Ashen asked and Alecis chuckled out loud.
"That child she carries is his heir. Our alliance with the Celestial Realm depends on her. Do not cross that line again." With that, he opened the door and froze.
Lumina stood there, her posture straight, her eyes hidden behind her blindfold.
Alexis’s lips curved into a slow smirk watching Lumina. "It seems your wife enjoys listening behind doors."
Ashen’s head rose and moved instantly, placing himself between them. "Stay away from her."
He turned to Lumina, concerned about flooding his voice. "My queen, why are you here? I thought you were asleep." She lifted her face toward him, then toward Alexis now ignoring her husband she spoke.
"Grant full law," Lumina said clearly, her voice steady, powerful. "Allow Enchanters to live freely within the realm." Both brothers went still hearing this.
"I need to awaken my powers," she continued. "I must rise as Coven Leader, and control from within."
Silence swallowed the room at once and Alexis’s smile widened slowly.
