"I want to leave this palace! It's my birthday, and I am not even enjoying it!" Rhynera cried out, her voice shaking with fury, her body trembling if not for her powers she wouldn't be able to stand.
Her mother had made sure she was thrown in the dungeon but it had come with a great warning not to mess up.
Rhynera had spent months planning her birthday day. The flowers, the silk drapes, the song that would play as she descended the grand staircase.
Everything was meant to shine for her… yet now, it had all crumbled. And it was all because of that scheming sister.
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she hurled a jeweled comb across the room, then nearly tossed a porcelain vase at the door only stopping when it creaked open.
"My Lady! My Lady!" Rhynera handmaiden gasped, rushing in breathlessly. "The Drakonis crown prince… they've arrived!"
Rhynera froze, still gripping the vase not moving for a while.
"What… what do you mean?"
"They are here, Princess! To discuss your marriage! Just like they promised on your eighteenth birthday!"
Her handmaiden was beaming, eyes wide with excitement. The vase slipped from Rhynera's hand and shattered on the marble floor.
"I… I will be the Drakonis Crown Princess?" Rhynera asked not believing herself.
The handmaiden nodded eagerly. "Yes, Princess! It's finally happening!"
Rhynera's heart raced, but a flicker of unease crept in. "But… why so suddenly?"
The maid hesitated. "There are whispers, all over the pack… Princess… someone left their quarters. The Kraken was nearly killed."
"What?!" Rhynera's eyes widened in horror. "That would bring a curse to the realm! If the Kraken falls, the border between realms weakens and chaos will follow!"
"Exactly, Princess. I believe that's why they want to seal the alliance immediately through your marriage."
Rhynera's shock shifted into satisfaction. "Yes! Once I become Crown Princess, I will make sure that little scheming blind bitch pays for everything she's done to me!"
She stomped her foot and threw herself onto the bed in a tantrum only to let out a wheezing sound.
Her back has still not healed completely from the punishment, just then they hear the door creak open again.
"Speak of the devil!" she spat, glaring still in pain. "Who gave you the right to enter my chambers?" she yelled.
Lumina stepped inside calmly, her cane tapping lightly against the floor.
"Happy birthday, little sister," she said softly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Save it. Isn't it your birthday too? Why not give yourself instead?" she fired at her.
Lumina placed a hand over her heart in mock hurt.
"Oh… it pains me that my own sister doesn't even know the day we were both born."
Rhynera narrowed her eyes. "We… We share a birthday?"
"Twins do tend to do that." Lumina chuckled dryly as Stella stepped forward, placing a wrapped box in the handmaid's arms.
"It's not much. But I still wanted to honor the day for you."
Rhynera scoffed. "Are you trying to charm me again? Hoping I will forget I'm becoming the Crown Princess?"
Lumina tilted her head, a smile never faltering. "I only came to wish you well. I truly hope you don't behave like a spoiled brat and ruin the engagement."
"You…!" Rhynera yelled pointing at her but the pain was too much.
The door swung open again, cutting Rhynera's rage short. The Queen entered, elegant and cold, her gaze sweeping across the room.
Everyone except Rhynera bowed.
"My Queen," Lumina and the handmaidens chorused.
"Mother!" Rhynera cried, rushing toward her. "She is bullying me again!"
The Queen glanced once at Lumina, then at her daughter.
"She's a blind, weak little thing. How could she possibly bully you?"
"Mum!" Rhynera's voice cracked. "Why won't you believe me? She's not as innocent as she looks, she hides behind her blindness, but she's full of tricks!" Rhynera complained.
"Still disrespectful!"
The thunder of Rymer's voice shook the walls, and instantly, everyone dropped to their knees.
"Welcome… my King!" the room echoed.
"Dad!" Rhynera cried out, face lighting up only to be met with her father's sharp glare.
"The crown of Drakonis is here and still, you haven't learned a shred of proper etiquette?"
"Maybe the crown should learn to expect ethics in your presence," He muttered bitterly.
The King turned to Lumina. "Your sister understands when to speak and when to show respect. She calls me 'My King' and knows when to act with dignity."
"My King," the Queen interjected, her voice soft. "Don't you think you are being too strict? She's only trying to grow close to you. Let her draw near instead of pushing her away."
The King's frown deepened. "You have said this since she was a child, and what has she done? She lacks courtesy. No respect. No control."
He turned his gaze on Rhynera. "Your sister is only a few days older than you, and yet you are nothing like her. I have spoiled you too much."
"My King," the Queen tried again, "I promise you Rhynera knows the etiquette. She won't disappoint you."
The King scoffed, eyes narrowing. "If Lumina weren't blind, she would have been the one I introduced to the prince instead."
"Dad!" Rhynera gasped, clutching her chest as if the words had pierced her.
"We will see," he said coldly. "If you ruin this marriage alliance, if you destroy everything I have built, I promise you will pay for it."
"My King, I promise she won't," the Queen said quickly, glancing at her daughter with warning eyes.
The King looked toward Lumina, his expression softening only slightly.
"Lumina, I want you to be present at the meeting. You are clever. Your presence might soften your sister's behavior when needed."
Lumina gave a small, respectful nod. "Yes, My King."
He left the room in silence, his heavy steps echoing behind him.
The moment the door shut, the Queen spun around, her voice sharp.
"Don't you dare show up there?"
Lumina blinked but kept her posture straight. "But My Queen… the King requested it himself. Are you trying to make me disobey him?"
"Are you talking back to me?"
"No, My Queen. I only ask that you allow me the opportunity to obey his command."Lumina stepped closer to Rhynera, reaching for her hand gently.
"I only wanted to wish you well. You're the one becoming a princess. I just wanted to support you."
Rhynera shoved her back. "Don't touch me, you slutty thing." Lumina caught her balance, steadying herself with her cane.
"I only hoped to witness a marriage for once… I don't think I will be marrying anytime soon."
"Fine. I hope everything goes well for my daughter.. make sure to control her."
The Queen's voice dropped into a murmur as she stepped close to Lumina. She reached out, her fingers gripping Lumina's neck harshly.
The handmaidens turned away, pretending not to notice, it has always been this way… Once Lumian gets bullied and hurt they turn their eyes away.
The Queen's grip burned. Her nails dug into sensitive skin, leaving a hot sting in their wake. Still, Lumina made no sound. She stood frozen, refusing to cry.
"Know this," the Queen hissed, "I am not sparing you out of pity. I am letting you go only because the King requested it. One mistake from your end… and you will regret it."
Lumina nodded slowly, and Stella rushed to her side, helping her stand upright once the Queen finally released her.
"Get out!" the Queen barked.
Lumina exited quietly, moving with practiced grace. The moment she entered her own chambers, she slammed the door shut and pressed her hand to her aching neck.
Her breath trembled. Her fingertips brushed over the fresh burn, one more mark among many.
She had always been punished like this. Slaps, burns, isolation. The Queen and Rhynera never spared her. This wasn't new.
This was exactly what had pushed her to stop playing innocent.
If she didn't learn to scheme, she would end up like her mother, dead and forgotten.
"My lady," Stella said gently, fetching a small vial of balm. "The burn might take time to fade."
Lumina gave a weak smile. "That's fine. Just put some concealer over it… leave the rest to me."
Stella smiled back. She admired her lady's strength. Her lady isn't the type that fights immediately but when she does it with quiet, dangerous patience.
She might not strike today big one day she would definitely do so.