"Your Highness," Queen Mireya’s voice cut through the murmurs, her tone tight with disbelief.
"Isn’t this decision... too sudden? Surely, you cannot be serious about accepting a blind girl into your realm! Your royal bloodline?"
Prince Adam remained standing, his gaze fixed on Mireya as if her question was a waste of his time.
"Well the moment she walked into this hall... and I knew she was blind. Yet, I said I want her to be the Princess of the Last Son of Drakonis."
His voice rang out with a holler, "So tell me," he continued, eyes narrowing, "why do you continue to question what I have already declared as law?"
The hall fell into stunned silence.eLumina sat frozen, her breath caught in her chest, her fingers tightening around the folds of her gown. She had heard his words and understood their weight, yet her heart refused to process it.
She... a princess? Of Drakonis? But he is here for her sister. Why make her come along for his brother?
The shock was so consuming that she could barely think, let alone form the right words. She could only sit there stupidly, surrounded by stunned nobles, her own sister, and a world that had never before offered her anything but shadows.
Then finally... her voice returned.
"Your Highness..." Lumina began, her tone soft, trembling with anger.
"This is... this is a great honor. A powerful gift that anyone in the world would be blessed to receive. But..."She paused, gathering breath.
"Don’t you think this offer should be reserved for someone greater than me?" Her voice broke softly as she faced him. "I am just a blind... weak girl. One no one ever expected to become someone’s wife... let alone a prince’s."
A moment passed, and then Adam stepped down from his seat, his boots clicking softly against the floor.
Every step seemed to echo with power as he approached. King Ryker and Queen Mireya stood too, but neither dared interrupt him.
Adam stopped before her, his eyes bore into hers as if he could see beyond the blindfold and into the storm behind her calm features.
"Exactly," he said quietly. "You are blind. And yes... you are weak. But unlike others, you are aware of what it means to behave like royalty. You carry dignir car He turned his gaze to the rest of the court. "So I stand by my choice."
"Your Highness!" King Ryker finally found his voice, half-stepping forward, but the prince raised a hand commanding silence.
"If this offends your court, then prepare to send word to the High King." Adam’s voice was stoic as it also held warning. "For I will not change my mind."
Without waiting for a response, he turned, his cloak swaying behind him, and began walking away. His guards fell into place like shadows, following his lead.
The king watched him leave, mouth slightly agape in frustration. Queen Mireya looked as if she had swallowed something bitter.
Lumina slowly rose to her feet, her heart hammering beneath her ribs, she almost lost her.
Her lips parted as if to speak, but she thought better of it. There was no point. The decision had already been made.
But just as she turned to walk away, another voice rang out sharp and bitter.
"Wow! So it’s official then?" Rhynera’s voice was laced with hate. "You are going to become the Princess of the Last Son of Drakonis? Isn’t that amazing, you little slut?"
Lumina remained still as she turned her head calmly in her sister’s direction, her voice soft but piercing as ice.
"For the first time in your life, Rhynera, I think you are right," she said. "Because I never wanted to be anyone’s princess. Especially not in the Drakonis realm. But now..." she allowed a small smile to grace her lips, she leaned closer to Rhynera.
"I have no choice. And if accepting it is the only way to haunt your pride then so be it."
"You!" Rhynera screeched, her hand flying upward in preparation for a slap, but a firm voice cut through the air, stronger than thunder.
"Is this how a future Crown Princess treats those beneath her care?"
Rhynera froze mid-way, her face paling instantly. The voice came from the door. She spun around to find Adam standing there, his eyes cold and disapproving.
"My Lord you are back I... I didn’t—"
"You haven’t learned the manners befitting royalty," he said, stepping closer. "But you will... When you arrive at Drakonis, I will personally see to it."
Rhynera faltered. Even in her fear, she couldn’t help but notice how breathtaking he looked up close the power he radiated, the way he stood like the embodiment of command.
And then, as if flipping a switch, he shifted. His tone lightened, and he glanced at her with a crooked smile.
"Happy birthday," Her breath caught, speechless.
"It slipped my mind and I had recalled only to meet you in this way." she could nod her head.
"I will have your gift waiting when you arrive in the realm."
Rhynera blushed, her anger melting into awe. The prince smiled... but it didn’t reach his eyes.
With that, he turned, cloak swirling, and strode toward the exit once more.
Stella leaned toward Lumina, her voice soft and amused. "Well... that was unexpected."
Lumina said nothing. She only stood there, unmoving, her mind still reeling.
"I would take my leave now," she mumbled, and before King Ryker. Could say no more words, she walked out still in a state of shock.