Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 257: SHE IS AWAKE

"My lady. Open the door. Please. You should not think too much about it."

Stella’s voice trembled as she knocked again, her palm striking the wood harder this time.

Still, the door did not move. Lumina leaned her forehead against it, her fingers curled tightly around the edge of her sleeve.

Tears slid down her cheeks, dampening the collar of her nightwear.

Yes, she had agreed for him to get married but it shouldn’t have happened in her absence.

Standing alone in this room, knowing another woman had taken her place even for a moment, made her chest ache in a way she could not stop.

The moment she had woken up again to an empty bed. That alone had told her everything.

Ashen never left her side. Never. Not even when duty called or when the court demanded him.

So when she reached out and touched cold sheets, fear had wrapped around her throat and refused to loosen.

A strange terror had taken root in her heart, whispering that if she was not careful, if she faltered even once, she would lose him.

Footsteps sounded from the corridor before the voice came in.

"What is happening here?" Ashen’s voice cut through the air.

Lumina straightened instantly. Her hand flew to the latch and the door opened before Stella could react.

The moment her eyes met his, she ran.

Ashen barely had time to brace himself before she crashed into his chest.

He wrapped his arms around her at once, lifting her slightly off the ground as her fingers clutched the fabric of his robe.

"Where is your footwear?" he murmured close to her ear. "Why are you standing on the cold floor like this?"

Lumina only pressed her face against his chest, her arms tightening around his neck.

Stella and Ero both let out quiet breaths of relief, at least Ashen will be able to talk to her.

Ashen held her there, his hands firm at her back, his chin resting briefly against her hair.

He did not move until her breathing steadied.

"Has she eaten anything?" he asked without looking away.

Stella shook her head.

"You want me to say that first before you do?" Ashen barked out and

Stella quickly bowed and retreated toward the kitchen.

Ashen carried Lumina into the room, her arms still locked around him.

Ero closed the door behind them, the sound of the latch sliding into place echoing softly.

Ashen moved to set her on the bed, but her grip tightened. Her fingers dug into his collar, refusing to let go.

"Do not leave me," she whispered.

He smiled faintly and adjusted his hold instead, sitting down with her still in his arms.

"Never," he said. "We are not leaving one another."

Lumina lifted her head and stared at him, then suddenly struck his chest with her fist.

"You married her in my absence," she argued, her voice shaking. "You should have waited for me."

Ashen caught her wrist gently and pulled her closer, his other arm tightening around her waist to stop her movements.

He lowered his head and pressed his lips against her temple, then her cheek.

She went still as his mouth moved upward, brushing along her skin until his lips found hers.

The kiss started soft, lingering, his lips pressing and releasing as if testing whether she would pull away but she did not.

Lumina’s fingers slid into his hair, gripping as his mouth tilted over hers.

He kissed her deeper this time, his lower lip caught briefly between her teeth before he reclaimed it, his tongue brushing against hers in a slow, unhurried motion.

His hand moved from her waist to her back, then to her side, his palm spreading as if grounding her there against him.

He kissed her again, firmer now, unbroken, until her breath stuttered and she had to push lightly against his chest to breathe.

The door opened, making Stella freeze.

"Oh. I am sorry for intruding," she said quickly.

She placed the tray on the small table, bowed deeply with a big smile on her face, and left at once.

Ashen did not even look up. His mouth returned to Lumina’s, his thumb brushing along her jaw as he kissed her again, slower this time, controlled.

Lumina finally pushed him back, gasping softly as she caught her breath.

"You got married," she said, trying to sound firm. "You should be with your wife today."

He shook his head without hesitation.

"I do not care about another woman," he replied. "You are all that matters."

She rested her head against his chest, her fingers clutching his robe once more. Even though she felt bad for not meeting her husband give his so-called concubine love she still at the same time doesn’t care, after all he is her man.

"Come," he said quietly. "You must eat." She shook her head slowly. "I do not want to."

"You cannot refuse," he replied calmly. "I will not allow it."

Her arms wrapped around his neck again, silently telling him she was not letting go and he smiled in understanding.

"Alright, my Queen."

He pulled the table closer while keeping her in his arms and uncovered the tray.

"I want cake," she let out suddenly.

He raised an eyebrow at her, wondering if she had heard him when he promised her.

"Cake and candy?" he asked again and she nodded.

"You eat this tonight," he said, "and I will get them for you tomorrow."

"No," she mumbled.

But her stomach chose that time to betray her with a soft growl.

Ashen glanced down at her. "My Queen. You have not eaten properly in days."

She sighed, still leaning against him. "Promise you will take me out tomorrow."

"I promise to take you out but not tomorrow.. You are still weak," he said. "I am not leaving you."

Only then did she finally take the spoon.

Her husband fed her himself, spoon by spoon, never once letting her sit away from him. She leaned against his chest as she ate, his arm firm around her back, his presence steady and unyielding.

When she finished, he wiped her lips with his thumb before lifting her carefully into his arms.

He carried her straight to the spring bath.

The warm mist curled around them as he stepped inside the chamber.

He could feel how light she was, how weak her body had become, and yet her fingers clung to his robe as if letting go would send her drifting away.

He did not loosen his hold for once. Only when he placed her gently into the spring water did she finally release him.

The water glowed faintly, steam rising as it embraced her skin.

She sat there for a moment, then slowly reached for the ties of her robe. The fabric slipped from her shoulders, leaving her in nothing but thin linen clinging to her form.

Ashen had turned away, focused on helping her warm the water with his powers.

"Come inside," Lumina said softly and he froze.

When he turned, his gaze caught on her figure framed by the water and rising steam.

His jaw clenched at once as he swallowed once before shaking his head.

"My Queen," he murmured, voice low, restrained, "do not make this harder than it already is." He turned his back to her again.

Behind him, Lumina smiled as she slipped the linen from her shoulders, letting it fall away inch by inch.

When he felt her fingers brush his arm, he exhaled slowly and turned back.

This time, he did not look away.

He stepped into the water with her, guiding her gently, his hands careful as he helped her bathe.

His touch was reverent, slow, as if she were something fragile and sacred.

Water slid over her skin as his fingers traced unhurried paths, his movements never rushed.

Then suddenly she turned, pressing against him, her bare skin warm against his chest.

Ashen stiffened at this but knew he needed to think before reacting.

Before he could react, she pushed him backward until he sat at the edge of the spring, water lapping against his waist.

She climbed onto him, her knees resting on either side of his thighs, her hands planted on his shoulders.

"You are not moved by this?" she asked softly.

He swallowed hard, his grip tightening on the stone beside him.

"Lumina," he called out, voice rough, "I am tempted. I am moved. But I cannot touch you tonight." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The playful curve of her lips vanished.

"Why?" she demanded. "Because you already have another woman?"

She bristled when he smiled faintly.

"Do not smile," she warned. "This is serious."

He reached out and pulled her gently back into the water, settling himself on the edge while drawing her closer until her body rested against his waist.

One arm wrapped firmly around her back, anchoring her there.

Then he guided her hand, pressing it against his already hard length just enough to make his point clear.

"See what you are doing to me," he whispered.

He leaned down, his lips brushing the curve of her neck, slow and lingering. He kissed her there, once, then again, trailing warmth along her skin, his breath hot against her pulse.

His mouth lingered, his restraint visible in the tension of his shoulders.

"If I decided to take you tonight," he murmured against her skin, "you would not be able to walk away afterward."

She shuddered, a slow smile returning to her lips.

"Yes," she whispered. "I want it."

He lifted his head, his gaze dark.

"But I will not hurt my wife."

Her hand moved daringly on his length, testing the edge of his control.

His eyes widened and he caught her wrist instantly, firm but gentle.

"Enough."

He rose in one smooth motion, lifting her with him and setting her on her feet outside the water.

The cold air hit her skin and she gasped, arms lifting instinctively.

"Cold," she whispered, clinging to him at once.

Guilt flickered across his face.

He reached for the robe he had prepared and wrapped it around her quickly, pulling her close and lifting her into his arms again.

"If you had listened," he murmured, "you would still be in the water."

She burrowed into his chest, trembling slightly, her lips pressed together.

"I hate you," she muttered. He smiled, pressing a kiss to her hair.

"I love you too, my Queen."