The classroom was quiet now. The sll of ink and perfu still hung in the air, though the other noble ladies had already left.
Lumina was the only one still inside. Lady Freya had given them all a task, to show the aning of keeping themselves pure for marriage.
Each girl was told to sew a small white cloth, a sign of a maiden’s virtue.
While the others are done with their Lumina it stays behind, careful with her work because of her lack of sight.
Her fingers moved slowly, pulling the needle through the cloth again and again.
At last, she tied the final knot and lifted the little piece of linen. The sunlight from the high windows touched it, making it look almost holy in her hands.
"My lady... It’s done." Stella clapped her hands excitedly and a smile appeared on her face.
Just as she was about to rise from her seat, Freya’s voice cut through the silence.
"Princess Lumina," Freya called out.
Lumina stopped and turned toward her calmly. Freya stood near the carved podium, hands behind her back, chin high as if delivering a judgnt.
"I had once believed you were the kind of girl prepared to bear the weight of a crown," she said coldly.
"But now I see you rely too heavily on others to fight your battle or more like on a man’s favor,
Lumina’s lips curled into a soft smile. She took a step forward.
"I never told Prince Ashen anything, Lady Freya," Lumina said gently, her.
"But he is a man who listens with more than his ears. He sees what others choose to ignore." Freya’s jaw tightened.
"Then he’s a fool, too."
Lumina moved closer, stopping just a breath away. Her voice dropped to a whisper, low and unsettling.
"The only reason you still hold your place," she said, "is because I honor the role of a teacher. But if you test that boundary again, I cannot promise to keep honoring it."
Freya stepped back, her confidence shaken instantly as she recalled what Lumina had done to her the first day they had t.
But Lumina didn’t wait for her response. She turned and carefully walked out of the chamber with graceful calm while Stella snorted, sticking out her tongue.
"You!" Freya called out but she was already behind her lady.
Lumina finally got her to their chambers, and she moved to the outer chamber.
She lowered herself onto her favorite cushioned seat, though her back remained stiff, and she managed the pain.
"My lady, welco." Lumina smiled, hearing Eros’ voice with the thought of Ashen being close by.
"The prince told to deliver your ceremonial garnts. He requests that you try them before night falls in case of any andnt."
Her brow lifted slightly, and the faintest curve touched her lips. "So soon..."
Ero’s tone carried a smile. "My Lords want you to stand out... so... he had..." he paused midway, recalling Ashen had warned him never to tell Lumina about how hard he had worked to get the material used to create the outfits.
Lumina only snorted and then told him. "Bring them,"
Imdiately two attendants walked in standing behind him, their arms laden with folded cloth.
They laid the garnts carefully upon a long seat. Silks, velvets, and fine satins were set down one after another.
"Take it inside.." She ordered and then Stella helped her up following them to her inner chambers.
The ladies laid them down carefully and Stella was dumbstruck with the beauty of these dresses.
"My lady... this is not a single gown. It is a queen’s treasury."
Lumina moved forward, her fingers searching across the fabric. She traced threads raised by embroidery, beads smooth beneath her touch.
"They are beautiful..." Lumina wishes she could see this outfit that got Stella swooning. She recalled she had told him she wanted the best out if I guess he went out of his way to get them for her.
"You should try it on my lady." Stella let out and guided her toward the wooden gown stand when another knock ca.
"My lady," a maid said softly,
"Princess Rhynera seeks an audience."
Lumina was still confused, "Rhynera?"
"Yes, my lady."
Stella’s face tightened. "Shall I refuse her?"
Lumina’s hands closed together. "No. Let her in."
She straightened her back and returned to the outer chamber, one hand resting lightly upon the carved arm of a chair.
Rhynera entered slowly, her gown of pale lavender swept behind her, and in her hands she bore a small casket. l
"Sister," she said warmly, stepping nearer. "You look well. There is color in your cheeks... Prince Ashen must treat you with care."
Lumina turned her face slightly toward the sound of her voice. Her expression was calm, though her lips pressed together faintly. "You did not co only to speak of my health and besides we are not that close to complinting one another."
Rhynera sighed and sat on the chair opposite her. "Well, I was invited to the ball. I thought it would be bad not to invite you also... so you don’t get punishnt from Lady Freya."
"What?" Lumina asked, a bit confused.
"There’s a Moonlight Ball tonight. It is a custom that the soon-to-be bride attends... so as not to get on the queen’s bad side."
Lumina’s brow furrowed. "Moonlight Ball? I was told nothing of this."
Rhynera leaned nearer, her tone low, coaxing. "It is a gathering of ladies, to honor our union, Lady Freya didn’t tell you so you would get in trouble."
Lumina was silent as her fingers tightened against the chair’s arm, though her face betrayed little.
"I shall consider it." She finally said.
Rhynera’s smile deepened, though her words remained soft. "Then I will expect you, dearest sister... but first."
She snapped her finger and Mia ca forward, "This is the outfit we are all putting on." Stella collected it from Mia and Thynera smiled.
"I would be expecting you there sister."
With that, she turned to leave but she paused and turned back to Lumina, "Rember only ladies are invited... don’t do things to get on the queen’s wrong side."
When the door closed, Stella leaned close to Lumina, her voice laced with unease. "Why was this kept from you? Why plan such a gathering in secret?"
Lumina placed her hands on the box Stella held and her breath ca slowly, but her heart had begun to quicken. "Because it is no simple ball," she whispered.
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