"Ashen!" King Aden's voice thundered across the royal dining hall. He slammed a hand on the table as he stood.
"The very tradition you're dismissing has just been upheld by your older brother… Not even his official wife has ever dared to question tradition. And yet, you… of all people want to bend it?"
Ashen snickered and set his cup down with a clink on the table. His silver eyes gleamed, and Lumina could sense the change in environment.
Ashen was about to stand but she quickly reached for his hand under the table, her fingers warm and firm.
"Your Highness," Lumina said softly, turning her blindfolded eyes toward the King, "I am truly sorry for his reaction. He was only worried that it might harm me. I will drink it now."
Ashen stiffened under her touch, his jaw tightening, but he didn't move.
King Aden was stunned. His son, the one always ready to snap, stood silent now, held back by a blind girl's hand.
