Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 251: TIED SOUL

Ashen sat in the room looking exhausted, his head resting against Lumina’s shoulder. His weight leaned into her more than usual, and that alone terrified her. Ashen had never been like this before.

Lumina trembled lightly under his weight, her fingers clutching the fabric of his robe as if afraid he might slip away from her grasp.

"Lord Drex..." she called softly, her voice shaking despite her effort to stay calm. "What... what should we expect? Please... this won’t affect him, will it?"

Lord Drex’s gaze moved from Ashen to Lumina and back again. His brows knit slightly, not in fear, but in confusion.

Truthfully, nothing was wrong with Ashen.

He was born of fire blood. Fire recognized him as kin. An attack like that should not have harmed him in the slightest, besides his father would never think of hurting him.

Yet, here he was, drained, unusually quiet, leaning on his wife as though she were the only thing keeping him upright.

Lumina had sent for Drex in panic, fear written into every word of her summons.

"My lady..." Drex began slowly.

Ashen lifted his head from Lumina’s shoulder at that moment, meeting Drex’s eyes. He shook his head faintly and added a small wink.

Drex understood instantly.

"My lady," he said gently, turning fully to Lumina. "Everything is going to be okay. You don’t have to worry. Perhaps caring for him... staying close to him... that may be all he needs."

Lumina stared at him, confused and unconvinced.

"Lord Drex, but..." her voice dropped as she glanced down at Ashen. "He is weak."

Before Drex could respond, Ashen reached for her hands, lacing his fingers with hers. He smiled softly, reassuring despite the exhaustion in his eyes.

"You don’t have to worry," he whispered. "I told you already."

The words barely left his lips before Lumina pushed him away in a rush of panic. She did not mean to use force, but Ashen was unprepared. His footing slipped, and he stumbled back, his body hitting the wooden bed with a dull sound.

"Awwwe," he groaned.

Lumina gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

"I am sorry, I didn’t mean that," she cried, rushing to him. Fear flooded her eyes as she grabbed his shoulders and pulled him closer.

Ashen chuckled weakly, earning a small frown from her.

"It hurts," he muttered, then wrapped his arms around her. "Only your embrace would calm me."

Her breath hitched as she held him tighter. Lord Drex smiled quietly, turning toward the door.

"I will take my leave," he said softly, and moments later, the chamber was silent again.

"I am sorry," Lumina whispered against Ashen’s chest. "You should have just accepted whatever he wanted. You shouldn’t have argued with him. Look at you now... you’re so weak." Ashen smiled faintly.

"I am going to be fine," he said. "See? I am with you, and I am doing fine."

She smacked his back lightly.

"Ash—!"

"Aww," he groaned dramatically.

Lumina scoffed, then tightened her arms around him, pressing herself close as if afraid to let go.

"I am sorry," she said again, her voice breaking. "I am the one who pushed you to refuse the concubine. I’m scared, Ashen. I don’t want you to look at another woman. I don’t want you to be for someone else. I..."

Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him.

"Aside from my aunt and Stella, you are the only one I can call mine. I hate sharing what’s mine. I..."

Her voice cracked completely.

Ashen gently pulled back, lifting her chin. His thumb brushed away her tears as he stared into her eyes, pain flashing across his face at the sight of them.

"I told you," he said softly. "I will sort things out. You are the only one who will ever be in my heart." She shook her head, tears falling faster.

"It’s hard," she sobbed. "I don’t want to lose you."

"You won’t," he promised. "I already told you." But she continued to cry, burying her face against his chest.

Ashen smiled faintly, holding her close. Having someone love him this deeply was all he had ever prayed for.

"I promise," he whispered. "My love... my queen."

She did not answer, only cried until exhaustion claimed her. He felt her breathing grow heavy against his chest and sighed softly.

He tried to guide her head onto his legs, but she refused to let go. So he stayed where he was, gently stroking her hair, pressing soft kisses to her forehead as her earlier cries echoed in his mind.

There was no way he would allow any other woman this close to him.

"I will only love you," he murmured.

Hours later, he carefully laid her on the bed. She stirred but did not wake. Ashen placed several soft kisses on her forehead before standing.

The moment he got outside, Ero waited.

"My lord," Ero bowed. "Prince Adam wishes to see you." Ashen’s eyes narrowed.

He raised a finger to his lips, glancing back toward the chamber door.

"She’s sensitive right now," he murmured. "She must not wake."

They moved quietly to the hall, where Adam and Rhynera were already seated. Ashen stopped before them and let out a small snicker.

"I wonder what could be so important that the high couple had to come here."

Rhynera let out a scoff and rose slowly.

"My Lord.."

"Ash..." Adam paused, then corrected himself. "Prince Ashen." Ashen smiled faintly. "Call me that. I wouldn’t want you using those silly titles."

Adam smirked. "Little brother... I see you’re finally getting used to respect."

Ashen glanced away briefly, Alexis’s words echoing in his mind. He remembered how hard he had tried to please Adam, just to be acknowledged as his brother. Now he understood why Adam had never looked back.

"If you intend to speak that way in my chambers," Ashen said calmly, "then you should leave."

Rhynera smiled thinly.

"Prince Ashen, that is rude. Even if he has fallen, that doesn’t give you the right to look down on him."

Ashen’s hands rested comfortably behind his back, his posture relaxed, almost lazy, yet there was nothing casual about the cold edge in his eyes.

"The last time I checked," he said evenly, his voice calm but sharp enough to cut, "this has always been the way I address him. So you don’t have to make it obvious that he has fallen if you truly care about him."

"Ashen!"

Adam’s voice cracked through the room, loud and offended.

"Adam."

Ashen called his name back without raising his voice.

The single word hit harder than any shout making Adam freeze.

Shock rippled through him as he stared at his younger brother. They had never been close. But this was different. This was the first time Ashen had ever looked at him like this, without restraint, without forced respect, without the faint hesitation that once existed.

There was no brotherly warmth in his eyes.No matter how intense their arguments had been in the past, Ashen had always controlled himself. But now?

Adam swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. His chest felt tight as he drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to regain composure.

"Well..." he said after a moment, his tone deliberately calmer. "We don’t have to fight. I didn’t come here for that."

He studied Ashen carefully, as if hoping to find a trace of the brother he once knew.

"I came here because I need to speak with you." After a brief pause, Adam sat back down.

Rhynera moved to take her seat as well, but before she could sit, Ashen lifted his hand slightly and gestured toward Stella.

"Help her."

Stella’s eyes narrowed instantly.

Her gaze snapped to Ashen, sharp and displeased. His gaze met hers head-on, unyielding. Stella let out a quiet snort through her nose but obeyed. She dragged the chair out slowly, her movements stiff and clearly reluctant.

Rhynera sat down, a faint, bitter smile touching her lips.

As she glanced sideways, resentment flickered in her eyes. Even now, despite her status, despite carrying a royal child, the bastard prince could not be bothered to assign her a proper handmaiden. Not even the courtesy of pretending to care.

"Stella," Ashen said calmly, "bring in some drinks." Stella rolled her eyes openly and walked away.

Adam had been watching closely. His gaze shifted back to Ashen, brows knitting together.

"Don’t you think," Adam said, "you’re giving her too much freedom to disrespect you?"

Ashen glanced briefly in Stella’s direction before smiling faintly, almost amused.

"I simply asked her to assist another lady aside from her own," he replied. "I understand her reaction."

Then he paused and turned fully toward Adam, his expression sharpening.

"After all," he added coolly, "you don’t get to tell me how to manage my household."

Adam snorted in response, irritation flashing across his face.

Ashen smirked. "Hit the nail."

Adam inhaled deeply, visibly steadying himself.

"Mum is extremely sick," he said at last.

His voice lowered, the weight of the words settling heavily in the room.

"And..." he hesitated, "your wife has the power to make her feel better."

Ashen’s expression shifted instantly.

"Excuse me?" His voice sharpened. "What does my wife have to do with her?"Adam hesitated again, clearly choosing his words.

"Because your wife tied Mum’s soul to hers," he said carefully. "And now that Mum is sick... Your wife might be..." Ashen shot to his feet.

"What?" The word tore from him.

"Are you telling me," he demanded, his voice tight with fear and disbelief, "that anything that happens to mother happens to my wife?"

Adam lifted the cup Stella had brought, his grip tense, jaw clenched.

"Little brother," he said, trying to sound calm, "relax. All you have to do is save Mum and..." Ashen didn’t let him finish.

He turned abruptly and stormed toward the door.

"Send them out of my chambers!" he barked at Ero as he passed.

Ero stiffened and bowed at once.

Ashen moved fast, dread clawing violently at his chest. As he pushed into his private chambers, his heart dropped.