Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 237: THE CAKE

"Yay. I love this one," Lumina shrieked, clapping her hands in delight.

Ashen was quick to lean down and seal her lips with a gentle kiss.

"Shhh," he murmured. "They do not know who we are, my queen. Do not draw attention."

She only laughed, slipping another piece of candy into her mouth as she waited eagerly for her cake to finish baking.

The joy in Lumina was impossible to miss as she moved freely around the shop, her steps light and unrestrained.

For once, no one was holding her hand or guiding her path. She explored on her own, delight shining in every movement.

Ashen, on the other hand, wore a dark half-mask that concealed the upper part of his face.

Lumina’s face was also discreetly hidden, a fine silk veil drawn from the bridge of her nose downward, soft and translucent enough to breathe through yet concealing her identity. Few had ever seen the blind Celestial princess in person. The outer realm knew her only by rumor and whispers, never by sight. No one here could guess who she truly was.

Ashen remained seated, watching quietly as his wife examined the paintings lining the walls, her silver hair catching the light as it shimmered with every turn of her head.

Then a small bell chimed indicating the cake was ready.

"The cake is ready."

Before Ashen could even rise from his seat, Lumina was already hurrying toward the counter.

"That one is mine," she said brightly to the master baker, the man who had prepared it.

"Oh, thank you," she added, reaching for it.

Just as her fingers were about to touch the plate, another hand shot forward and snatched it away.

"How much is this?" a sharp female voice asked.

Lumina froze and turned toward the voice, her brows knitting together.

There was something familiar about the girl standing there, though she could not place where or how.

Still, Lumina was certain she had seen her before, most likely among the noble ladies who frequently visited the palace for lessons.

The girl was dressed elegantly, her gown crafted from fine fabric in soft ivory and gold.

Delicate embroidery traced the hem, and a pearl clasp fastened her cloak at the collar. Her posture was proud, her chin lifted slightly, the unmistakable confidence of nobility written in every gesture.

"Excuse me," Lumina said calmly. "That cake was meant for me. I have been waiting for it."

The girl snorted and glanced back at the baker. "Well? Are you going to sell it, or will you stand there and let us argue?"

The man hesitated and he looked from Lumina to the girl, clearly recognizing the noblewoman. Disrespecting her was not a risk he wished to take.

Turning back to Lumina, he forced an apologetic smile. "I am sorry, ma’am, but I will need to bake another one for you. Please allow me to give this to her."

"Excuse me?" Lumina’s voice hardened instantly.

"I have been waiting for hours," she said, anger slipping through her composure. "And now you want to give it to someone who just arrived?"

"Well," the girl said smugly, lifting her chin, "I am the daughter of Lord Carlo. Would you rather I wait here, or should I report you to my father so you can learn how to behave properly?"

At that, a slow smile spread across Lumina’s face. So that was it. She finally remembered.

"Mireya," Lumina called softly.

The girl stiffened and spun toward her. "How dare you call me by that name?"

As if her suspicion was confirmed, Lumina turned back to the baker.

"If you do not wish to lose your shop," she said calmly, "hand me my cake."

The man scoffed at her. "You are nobody," he replied coldly. "And you are already causing trouble. I do not care what you threaten. This cake is not yours. In fact, I will not be baking another one for you at all."

Lumina’s fists clenched, tears threatening to spill. She turned instinctively toward where Ashen had been sitting.

He was gone and realization struck her like a slap.

"So you are giving her the cake because I am a nobody?" she asked quietly.

The man smirked and turned back to Mireya. "My lady, that will be fifty gold coins."

Mireya smiled triumphantly and glanced at Lumina. "For doing the right thing at the right time," she said sweetly, "I will add fifty more, pack it up."

She tossed the coins onto the counter. The baker beamed, wrapped the cake carefully, and handed it to her.

Lumina stared at it, her chest burning, "If I won’t eat that cake then no one will."

Suddenly, the cake slipped from Mireya’s hands and crashed onto the floor.

Before Mireya could speak, Lumina turned sharply and stormed out of the shop.

"Come back here, you little devil," Mireya shouted but Lumina did not stop.

Outside, she nearly collided with Ashen, who was just heading back inside.

"My queen," he said softly. "Have you finished eating?" Her answer was to grab his hand and slap it angrily.

"Where were you when I needed you?" she cried. "My cake is ruined because of you. If you had been there, it would have been mine. But you walked away."

Ashen stared at her, confused. "What are you talking about?"

She broke down then, tears spilling freely, leaving him stunned.

"Lord Carlo’s daughter came," Lumina sobbed. "Because of how I am dressed and because of this veil, they treated me like nobody. I waited for that cake for hours."

Ashen frowned. "But the baker knew you came first. Why would he give it away?"

"Because she was dressed better than I," Lumina snapped. "Do you not understand? If you were there, you would have fought for me. Instead, you walked off. Where did you even go?"

"I am sorry," Ashen said quietly.

"I am angry," she replied through tears. "Do not apologize. I will not forgive you unless you take me somewhere that will cool my mind."

Ashen smiled gently and pulled her into his arms.

"I promise," he murmured, "I will make him regret how he treated you. But for now, come with me."

She pouted, then finally nodded, allowing him to lead her away.