Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 227: BREATHLESS

Ashen finally walked into his father’s chambers, he had barely crossed the threshold when thunder cracked through the chamber.

The sound was so violent it forced him to halt mid-step, boots scraping faintly against the floor. The air itself seemed to recoil, flames flaring briefly along the carved dragon pillars as the King’s fury filled the room.

"So you finally decide it is time to grace my chambers," King Aden’s voice boomed, hoarse yet commanding. "After I sent for you yesterday. After I lay between life and death. Is it only when it suits you that you remember your father exists?"

Ashen lowered his head, shoulders squared, hands clenched at his sides. He said nothing.

The silence only fed the rage.

"I am speaking to you," the King roared. "Have you lost your tongue as well, or is arrogance now all that remains of you?"

Another violent cough tore through him, deep and painful. Alexis moved instantly, steadying his father, guiding him back into his seat with care, murmuring soothing words beneath his breath.

Across the chamber, Adam leaned back beside his mother, a smug curve to his lips, eyes glittering with satisfaction.

"Father, truly," Adam said lightly. "You should not waste your strength on him. A useless son like that hardly deserves your breath."

The room shifted instantly.

King Aden’s head snapped toward Adam, his eyes blazing with a fury colder than fire.

"I did not give you permission to speak," he said slowly. "Do not mistake my illness for weakness. You and I have far more to discuss than you realize."

Adam’s smirk vanished. His throat bobbed as he swallowed.

"Father... I do not understand what you mean."

"You understand perfectly," the King snapped. "Do not insult me further."

Queen Sephora straightened. "Your Highness, surely...."

"Shut the hell up."

The words struck like a whip. Both mother and son stiffened, stunned into silence.

"You thought because I was unconscious you could sit on my throne," King Aden continued, his voice low and lethal. "You occupied my seat while I still breathed." Adam’s legs gave way.

He dropped to his knees with a sharp gasp, hands pressing to the floor. "Your Highness, I beg you, forgive me. I lost control for a moment, but I never intended to seize the throne. I only..."

Laughter cut him off, the laugh was bitter and sharp, ending in another coughing fit.

"You do not need to explain," the King said once it passed. "I know exactly who you are."Then his gaze shifted and landed on Ashen.

"And you," he said. "Do you intend to remain silent forever? Where were you when I regained consciousness? Why did I have to ask for you twice?"

Ashen lifted his head slightly. His voice, when it came, was calm but stripped bare.

"My wife was ill. She needed me."

The King laughed again, louder this time, pain threading through every breath.

"So you stayed with her," he said. "While I lay here uncertain if I would wake again."

"Your Highness," Alexis interjected quickly, stepping forward. "It is not as simple as that." King Aden raised a hand, then paused. "Speak."

"Ashen was also unconscious not long before you fell ill," Alexis continued. "And his wife was thrown into the dungeon for opposing your... intentions."The chamber went deathly still and King Aden froze.

"What did you say?" His voice dropped.

Alexis nodded once. "It is true."

The King turned back to Ashen slowly. "You were imprisoned," he said. "Before I lost consciousness. And yet you said nothing." Ashen met his gaze fully now.

"You are standing," he said evenly. "You are alive. As I am. I see no reason to dig into the past when the future demands attention." Fire exploded at once.

Flames shot from the King’s hand, slamming into the ground inches from Ashen’s feet. Heat scorched the air, sparks flying.

"You insolent wretch!" King Aden bellowed. "How can you stand there without a shred of concern for your father?"

Ashen did not flinch.

Instead, he looked straight at him and asked quietly, "Have you ever shown concern as a father?" The words cut deeper than any blade.

"Father," Alexis said sharply, stepping between them. "This is enough."

His eyes flicked toward Ashen, stern but conflicted. "You are weak right now. You need rest. I will deal with my younger brother myself."

Ashen did not miss the tension beneath his brother’s words. He saw it clearly. The guilt and fear. The desperate wish to reclaim something already broken.

King Aden coughed again, long and wet.

"I have one meeting," he said hoarsely. "Before my strength fades entirely." Alexis stiffened. "Father—"

"I have summoned the King of the Celestial Realm," King Aden continued. "And the ruler of Shadover."

Alexis’s brows shot up. "Father..."

"They should arrive shortly," the King said. "There is no time for further argument." His gaze slid back to Ashen.

"You are needed." Ashen inhaled slowly.

"My wife has not recovered fully," he said. "Permit me to bring her myself."

The King studied him for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Finally, he nodded.

"Go."

Ashen bowed briefly and turned to leave.

Before he could cross the doorway, Queen Sephora’s voice rang out, sweet and sharp as poison.

"Your Highness," she said. "To grace this moment, perhaps it is time to announce that the Crown Princess is with a child. In fact, not one, but two." Ashen scoffed softly, his steps never slowing.

"That is wonderful news," King Aden said, forcing a smile. "It seems I will become a grandfather soon."

Adam beamed, pride glowing across his face.

"I wish both your wife and your concubine would be present at the meeting," the King added, even though everyone could tell he didn’t care about this news. "Let the entire court witness this joy."

He turned toward the door Ashen had just exited through. Regret weighed heavily on his chest. He felt frustrated at how he was the one who had pushed his last son farther away.

Ashen reached his chambers with his mind still burning from the confrontation with his father. The corridor was quiet, torchlight flickering gently along the stone walls. He lifted a hand toward the door and a sound cut through the silence.

A sharp gasp followed by a scrape of fabric against stone. The unmistakable sound of someone struggling to breathe.

Ashen froze as his instincts flared instantly.

He turned just as a presence rushed him from behind. Steel sliced through the air, aimed straight for his spine.

Ashen pivoted on his heel, flames bursting from his palm in a violent arc. The fire struck with brutal force, hurling the attacker across the corridor.

The body slammed into the wall with a sickening crack.

Ashen stepped forward slowly, fire licking along his fingers, eyes glowing with restrained fury.

Then the torchlight revealed the face.

"Cyres."The name left Ashen’s lips like a curse.

Rage surged as he crossed the distance in a blink, fist driving upward into Cyres’ windpipe.

The sound that followed was wet and broken. Cyres collapsed to his knees, clutching his throat, choking violently.

Ashen did not stop as he went ahead and seized Cyres by the collar and slammed him back against the wall. The stone cracked beneath the impact. A blade flashed into Ashen’s hand, and without hesitation, he plunged it into Cyres’ right chest.

Cyres screamed as blood soaked into his robes. Ashen leaned closer, voice cold and lethal.

"Tell me where Ero is." Cyres wheezed, eyes wild, shaking his head desperately.

Ashen twisted the blade, his scream that followed echoed down the corridor.

"Speak," Ashen growled. "Or I take your heart next."

Cyres coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth. His body sagged, strength failing. Ashen drove the blade in again, sharper this time, precise and merciless.

"Adam’s private dungeon," Cyres gasped. "He is in Adam’s private dungeon." Ashen withdrew the blade and stepped back.

At that moment, movement caught his attention.

Aria stood at the end of the corridor, frozen, eyes wide as she took in the scene. Blood on the floor. Cyres collapsing. Ashen standing amid flickering fire.

His gaze snapped to her, colder than steel. "How did you allow him to escape?"

Aria dropped to one knee instantly. "My lord, I failed. I take full responsibility." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Ashen did not respond immediately. He turned back to Cyres, watching him struggle to breathe, then spoke without looking away.

"Go," he said. "Retrieve Ero."Aria lifted her head.

"This is an order from the Arbiter of Law," Ashen continued. "Kill on sight any who interfere."

A sharp smile crossed Aria’s face. She bowed deeply. "As you command." She vanished down the corridor.

Ashen turned back to Cyres.

"And you," he said quietly.

He crouched, grabbing Cyres by the hair and yanking his head up. Cyres whimpered, fear overtaking pain.

Ashen’s palm pressed flat against his chest. Heat surged, not burning flesh but sinking deeper, invading veins and marrow. Cyres screamed as something invisible was ripped from him.

"What are you doing?" Cyres cried, thrashing weakly.

"She could not strip you of all your power," Ashen said calmly. "So I will."

Cyres’ eyes widened in horror as the strength drained from his body. The glow faded from his skin. His screams turned hoarse, then silent. His limbs trembled uncontrollably as he collapsed onto the floor, gasping, powerless.

Ashen rose slowly, fire extinguishing around him.

He stepped over Cyres without another glance and pushed open his chamber door.