The class had just ended and Lumina walked beside Stella quietly, her mind still buried in the lessons.
She was tired, but she kept her posture straight as always. Her long gown swept the floor behind her as they found their way back to the chambers.
The hallway was unusually noisy and Lumina didn't miss how the maids lingered near the walls, whispering on and on. Stella would shoot them some stares and their eyes darted in all directions like they were speaking about them.
Stella was about to guide Lumina past them, but one voice came through the murmurs..
"Prince Ashen is being whipped… fifty strokes… for disrespecting the Queen." Lumina stopped at once and the murres began finding their way out.
"Stop!" Lumina's voice echoed, with her face tilting slightly toward the sound.
The lady who had made the statement stopped and turned around, her face calm but her voice firm. "What did you say?"
She tried to look away, but Stella took a step forward.
