Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 260: TAKING HER TO HIS MUM

Lumina’s lips curved upward as she finished refining the last strand of the new medicine. The faint glow within the vial dimmed as she sealed it, her fingers steady, precise, as though she had done this a thousand times before.

The room was quiet Serena lowered herself onto the cushion beside her, the soft fabric rustling faintly.

For a long moment, neither of them moved. Then Serena released a breath that sounded more like a weight being set down than air leaving her lungs.

"You have not reacted since the news spread," Serena murmured at last.

Lumina tilted her head slightly, the blindfold resting elegantly over her eyes. The faintest smile lingered on her lips, calm and unreadable.

"It is improper," Serena continued, frustration slipping through, "for a concubine to be granted a position higher than the bride. How could she be given?"

Lumina’s smile deepened, "You untied the Queen’s soul from mine," Lumina interrupted quietly.

Serena stiffened. Her shoulders tensed before slowly dropping. A troubled exhale followed.

"If I had not," she admitted, "you would not have survived. Rhynera has been harming her, and..."

Lumina’s fingers curled into a tight fist as the air shifted.

"Then it is time," Lumina replied, her tone dangerously light, "to remove her as quickly as she arrived."

Serena’s eyes widened. "You..."

"I will return her to the Celestial Realm," Lumina continued, rising smoothly to her feet. "Where she belongs." A presence approached before Serena could respond and it was Lord Drex.

"Oh, Lady Lumina."

Lord Drex stepped forward, his robes brushing softly against the floor. He extended his hands politely. "If you will allow me, I should examine your condition once more."

Lumina lifted her arms without hesitation.

His fingers pressed lightly against her pulse points, his brow gradually lifting in astonishment.

"Remarkable," he muttered. "The poison remains, yet your body is resisting it far better than expected. Still, rest is necessary. Your strength has limits."

Lumina inclined her head. "I am grateful." He released her hands, smiling faintly.

"My lord," Lumina added thoughtfully, "I will require your assistance again in the future."

His expression sharpened. "For whom?"

"For another," she replied evenly. "Someone whose condition must remain undisclosed. There was a pause before Lord Drex drew in a measured breath. "As long as my duty to His Majesty remains untouched."

"That will not be disturbed," Lumina assured him and he nodded once.

Lumina offered a courteous bow before turning away. Serena followed immediately, her steps hurried.

"You are not referring to Rhynera, aren’t you?" Serena pressed. Lumina stopped abruptly.

"Serena," she asked quietly, "are you content in the place you occupy?"

Serena froze.

Lumina turned her face slightly toward her. "Do you believe it is right to endure pain for someone who fails to treasure you, even while you carry his child?"

Serena’s lips trembled into a fragile smile. "I just..."

"I know you care for him," Lumina interrupted gently. "But does he bring you peace?" and all she got was her silence.

"I do not know," Serena confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lumina released a soft scoff. "Then I hope you choose wisely, before fate does it for you."

She took a step away, then added calmly, "Whatever unfolds because of me in the future, follow along without resistance." Serena watched her leave, her expression conflicted.

Turning down the corridor, Serena nearly collided with Adam.

He looked worn, shadows hollowing his face, his hair disheveled as though he had run his hands through it one too many times. Her eyes rolled instinctively as she tried to move past him.

His hand closed around her wrist.

"Serena."

She yanked her arm back sharply. "Do not touch me."

"Are you avoiding me as well?" he pressed, desperation slipping through his tone.

She laughed bitterly. "Avoiding you? You vanished first. Now you return and pretend I am the problem?"

He swallowed. "I need you. My mother is deteriorating. I know you possess abilities beyond what others see. Please, help her."

Her palm connected with his cheek before he could finish and the sound echoed.

Tears burned behind her eyes as she spoke through clenched teeth. "Your father is a physician. You were trained from childhood... Please just help me heal her."

He staggered slightly, panic flooding his features. "Please. I am begging you." Serena inhaled sharply, then stilled as an idea surfaced.

"Very well," she responded after a pause. "I will see what I can do."

His eyes lit up. "Truly? She is in..."

"I am pregnant," she cut in coldly. "I will not climb palace stairs for you."

"I can carry you..."

"I do not require your care," she snapped. "Give me two days."

"Serena..."

She hissed softly, pulling away and walking off without another glance.

Adam remained where he stood, hands trembling, fear and regret clawing through him.

From the shadows nearby, Lumina stepped forward quietly as her expression remained composed..

Watching everything fall into place.

Lumina had already turned to leave when raised voices cut through the corridor making her stop.

She shifted slightly toward the pillar, her presence melting into the shadows.

A slow curve lifted at Lumina’s lips as she felt the presence, "You walked straight into my arms." she whispered.

She stepped forward deliberately, her pace measured and light, fingers brushing the wall as though navigating by touch alone.

Her blindfold remained pristine, draped like silk over her eyes. The sound of her footsteps alerted Adam.

His gaze darted around the hallway, calculation flickering behind his eyes. He knew what she was capable of. He also thought she could not see him.

A filthy grin tugged at his mouth and before she could react, his arms shot out.

The ground vanished beneath her feet making her body jolt as cold air rushed past her ears.

Her fists slammed against his chest, palms striking blindly, nails scraping fabric. Her voice tore through the hall, sharp and furious, "Help! Who are you? Somebody save me!!" she cried out demanding release.

But he ignored her and just took her wherever he wanted to take her. The temperature dropped as he crossed into the colder wing of the palace.

He released her without warning, making her body strike the floor hard, breath ripping from her lungs.

Pain flared along her spine, sharp and bright. She pushed herself upright, fury blazing across her features as she scrambled back.

She barely had time to rise before steel kissed her throat, the dagger pressed just enough to warn.

Her breathing steadied instantly.

Adam leaned closer, the scent of fear and arrogance clinging to him. His voice slithered into her space, promising salvation for his mother in exchange for obedience. "Move and you die.." he threatened.

"This is one of the greatest mistakes you’ve ever made," she mumbled at once and her hand lifted calmly.

The movement came without warning. Her palm struck forward, precise and brutal, slamming into the center of his chest.

The impact forced the air from his lungs, throwing him backward like a broken puppet. His body hit the wall with a dull crack. Before he could recover, silver flashed.

One needle embedded itself beneath his collarbone. Another sank into his side, just below the ribs. A third pierced the hollow near his shoulder.

Each strike landed flawlessly, threading through nerves and pressure points with surgical cruelty. His muscles locked instantly. His legs buckled as his body collapsed halfway before freezing in place, breath hitching violently.

His mouth opened but no sound followed.

Lumina rose smoothly, brushing dust from her sleeves. Her expression carried boredom rather than anger. Her fingers flexed as though warming after exercise.

A slow step brought her closer to the queen as her presence alone crushed the space.

His eyes widened as realization crept in. Panic flooded his face as his chest struggled for air that refused to come.

Her head tilted slightly, curiosity glinting beneath the blindfold. A casual question slipped from her lips, light and careless, as though discussing the weather.

She dusted her hands together, turning away from him.

"It has been too long since I moved like this," she murmured, stretching her shoulders. "I should spar with my husband more often. All this pent-up energy deserves release."

He trembled as she turned back suddenly.

"You poisoned me once," her tone drifted, almost nostalgic. "That moment marked your end. I never studied medicine because of you. I chose something far more fitting."

She leaned down, her face close enough for him to feel her breath.

"Poison is honest and never pretends." His eyes screamed questions.

She straightened and stepped past him, her attention shifting to the bed where Queen Sephora lay.

The queen’s breathing labored, skin pale, lashes fluttering as if caught between worlds. Lumina paused, head tilting again.

Something tugged at her chest. Her fingers hovered above the queen’s wrist, inches away from contact.

Behind her, Adam strained, his body trembling as he attempted to warn her. "Don’t you dare touch my mother!!!" he yelled.

A needle flicked from Lumina’s fingers. It struck the side of his neck.

His body jerked violently and the effort to speak vanished entirely.

"You will lose your voice for seven days," Lumina remarked calmly. "Use that time to relearn respect."

She turned back to Queen Sephora, confusion clouding her features for the first time. A strange ache stirred beneath her ribs.

Her hand lowered on the queens and that moment the door burst open.

The room flooded with heat.

Ashen stood in the doorway, fury rolling off him in waves. His eyes locked onto Adam first, then snapped to Lumina. His voice thundered, at once.

"What did I warn you about going near Adam?"