Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 226: SHE CAN SEE

"I can see..." Those three words ring in his head several times.

Ashen stared at her, every muscle in his body frozen as if time itself had stopped moving. His heartbeat roared in his chest, in disbelief, and yet all he could see was Lumina shaking, crying, blinking against the water, as if she were trying to be sure she wasn’t kidding.

For a moment, he thought he had imagined it. That perhaps her words were born of shock or delirium.

But then she blinked again, slowly and her lips parted in another trembling gasp.

Her fingers hovered in front of her face as though she couldn’t believe they were real, and when she turned toward him, one could see her pure white eyes were now having a lovely hazel eye ball that showed she could see, those eyes added turned pure white the moment her mother made her go blind until now.

"My Lady..." Ashen whispered, his voice barely holding together. "Say it again."

Her lips quivered as she repeated her words filled with emotion. "I said I can not see Ashen clearly but it’s different. I can see light..."

He inhaled sharply, his throat tightening painfully.

Instantly he pulled her towards him and reached out to touch her face, his hands shaking, and when his thumb brushed the wet line of her cheek, she didn’t only feel it.

She saw it.

Her eyes widened again, filling with tears that caught the faint light reflecting from the water.

"Ashen..." she whispered, her voice cracking with disbelief. "I can see you... not fully but... I see you... Finally, I would get to see you!"

He froze, staring into those eyes that had always been blind and searching, now shimmering with tears and the fragile glimmer of sight. "You... see me?" he asked, his words barely escaping his throat.

Her head bobbed in a trembling nod. "You’re... blurry, but... I can see your outline, your shoulders, the shape of your face..." her voice broke on a sob, "th... the light behind you."

Ashen’s breath faltered. He swallowed hard, his jaw tightening as the weight of it hit him all at once. "Lumina..." he murmured again, like her name was the only thing keeping him from collapsing.

His hands cupped her face as though he feared the moment might slip away if he didn’t hold it still.

Lumina blinked furiously, as if afraid to lose the miracle if she stopped.

The water trembled around them with each small movement she made, rippling softly as she tried to take in everything her eyes could grasp.

Ashen pulled up his hands and right in front of her placed them taking it to the side and her eyes even though still blurry followed it, he did it to the left and she did the same

Lumina couldn’t contain her joy as she screamed out, "Ashen... after ten years of blindness I can see again.." She broke and Ashen’s heart broke open completely.

Ashen’s arms closed around her with a force that nearly stole her breath, water sloshing around them as her bare skin pressed against his chest. His hold trembled, overwhelming.

His forehead rested briefly against her hair as though grounding himself in her presence.

He drew her out of the water without hesitation, excitement radiating from him in restless movements and hurried steps.

It was not desire that lit his eyes but relief so profound it bordered on disbelief.

Her fingers clung to his neck even as her strength waned. The warmth that had filled her moments ago began to drain, leaving a dull heaviness behind. Her body sagged against him.

"Ashen..." Her voice slipped out weakly, barely more than breath. "I am tired..."

Before the words had fully settled in the air, he was already moving.

He carried her swiftly, her arms refusing to let go as everywhere had begun to blur.

He paused inside the chamber, he paused, studying her face. Her lashes fluttered, eyes unfocused yet alert.

"You can still see," he murmured, searching for her expression.

She nodded faintly.

Only then did he lay her down, rushing to the wardrobe with urgency that bordered on panic.

Though her vision swam, she sensed him rather than saw him, the breadth of his shoulders, the strength in his movements. When he returned, warmth enveloped her as soft robes were drawn over her trembling form.

A shiver passed through her, and he slowed, easing her back against the bed, his hands lingering just long enough to steady her.

The door opened sharply.

Aria rushed in first, dropping into a bow, Lord Drex following close behind with a solemn air that set Lumina’s pulse racing.

The moment she sensed him, her fingers tightened around Ashen’s hand, nails biting into his skin.

Her voice wavered. "I do not trust him..."

Ashen squeezed her hand in silent reassurance, leaning closer so she could feel the steadiness of his breathing. His presence anchored her.

He treated her with some antidote he had prepared for her poison, explaining that she was getting weak because of the poison.

When it finally ended, her strength collapsed completely.

She curled into Ashen, shaking, with her face hidden against his neck as tears soaked into his skin.

He held her tightly, rocking her with slow movements, his jaw clenched as he fought the urge to tear the room apart

Lord Drex stepped back, wiping his hands. "She is to keep her blindfold on. Her eyes were fragile, overstimulated, still adjusting. Healing would take days." he told Ashen.

A vial was placed within reach, "Give her these to put on her eyes from time to time..." he told Ashen and then bowed before leaving.

Only when Lord Drex left did Ashen lift her properly, murmuring for Aria to bring food.

Stella entered moments later, an alarm flashing across her face as she rushed forward. "My Lady... how are you doing?" She yelled.

She barely crossed the threshold before a wave of force sent her flying backward. Aria reacted instantly, catching her before she struck the door.

Shock silenced the room.

Ashen’s voice cut through in anger.

"She is currently hypersensitive, so no one should touch her."

Stella nodded stiffly, fear mingling with concern as she retreated.

Ashen turned back to Lumina, coaxing her gently to eat. She resisted at first, lips pressed tight, but he did not rush her.

He whispered comfort, brushing his thumb in slow circles against her arm until she relented.

He fed her carefully, one bite at a time, followed by the antidote.

Exhaustion claimed her swiftly.

Her head slipped against his neck, breathing the evening out as sleep finally pulled her under.

He eased her down, fingers combing through her hair long after her body relaxed, long after the room fell silent.

The air thickened and instantly Ashen was at alert the moment Seraphina stepped forward, her presence bending the stillness of the chamber.

Candlelight failed to touch her face, the veil swallowing every trace of expression as she stood beside the bed.

Two fingers pressed lightly to Lumina’s wrist, counting, measuring, waiting.

Ashen rose slowly from his chair.

"What do you want now?" His voice was low, stripped of warmth.

"She will live," Seraphina said softly. "Her pulse is steady and stronger than before."

He did not answer.

Her head turned toward him. "Tell me, Ashen. How does she feel?"

"She is in pain," he replied. "But she is seeing, so that is enough."

A quiet hum escaped her, thoughtful. "And the antidote," she continued.

"How did you obtain it?"

Silence stretched between them.

Her shoulders shifted beneath the dark fabric.

"You will not answer," she said. "Then allow me to tell you what you have done."

Ashen’s jaw tightened. "I saved my wife."

"You endangered yourself," Seraphina countered calmly. "You think restoring her sight earns you mercy? It will be used against you. They will say you manipulated sacred magic. They will say you schemed for a favor."

"I do not care what they say," Ashen snapped. He turned fully toward her now, eyes blazing.

Then Seraphina smiled beneath the veil.

"The throne will not be yours because of this," she said. "In fact, this act will push it farther away."

Ashen stepped closer, his shadow cutting into hers.

"I do not want the throne. I never did. Let them keep their crowns and rot with them, as long as she is safe."

Her laughter was soft, almost fond.

"You truly believe this was about the antidote?"

He froze. "What are you saying?"

"The curse did not lift because of medicine," Seraphina said, her voice dropping. "It lifted because Lumina finally found someone who could protect her."

Ashen’s breath hitched as he thought about it.

"That antidote," she continued, "was a lie woven to destroy you. A game meant to lure you into exposure."

"Then why did it work," he demanded. "Why is she seeing?"

"For now," Seraphina answered. "Magic enjoys deception."

She stepped closer, close enough that he could sense the power coiled beneath her stillness.

"You should be gathering allies. The days ahead will not be kind."

"I will not bleed for a throne," Ashen said coldly. "I will not kill for it. I will not become what they already believe I am." Her hand lifted slowly, reaching toward his face.

"You command seven dragons," she whispered.

"Do you truly believe you can walk away from fate?"

His hand shot out, gripping her wrist midair. The force in his hold made the candles flicker.

"Do not touch me."

Behind the veil, her smile sharpened.

"For your wife," Seraphina murmured, leaning closer despite his grip. "Take the throne. And when you do..."

His eyes darkened.

"...kill everyone who stands in your way."

"I am not bleeding for a crown," Ashen growled.

"Not for destiny. Not for prophecy."

"But it is written," she said softly. "It always was."

He released her with a harsh shove and let out a bitter laugh. "The same fate that called me cursed. The same world that cast me aside. I do not give a damn about their writing anymore."

Seraphina’s laughter followed her retreat into the shadows.

"We shall see, Dragon Prince." With that, she disappeared.