The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 286: Adam's Rage

Cindy's POV:

Morning sunlight spilled across the corridor, but it did little to cool the lingering heat coiled low in my chest.

Inside the room, Adam stood while several male attendants helped him into the elaborate court uniform.

His movements were a little stiff. Now and then, he cleared his throat in a way that wasn't entirely natural—proof that last night's indulgence had taken its toll.

Next door, Jewel was helping me dress.

"Ms. Spencer, you look radiant today," she whispered while shaping my brows, her cheeks flushed with barely contained laughter. "His Highness must have taken very good care of you."

I shot her a look. But when I saw my reflection—rosy skin, bright eyes, a softness that hadn't been there before—I felt heat creep up my own face.

"Enough teasing. Where's Astra?"

"Still asleep," Jewel replied in a lowered voice. "The front courtyard was noisy last night, and later ... well." She coughed lightly. "But he slept through it. Beth is watching him. Don't worry."

Jewel had trained a capable group of maids over the past months. Beth was one of her best.

Knowing Astra was safe eased something tight inside me.

When I stepped out, Adam was already fully dressed.

The black-and-gold princely uniform framed his broad shoulders and narrow waist perfectly. Authority clung to him like a second skin.

He looked up. His eyes lit instantly.

I wore a pale gold court gown today, the Goldfang Medal pinned at my chest—dignified, restrained, unmistakably ducal.

Our gazes met. The heart-pounding images of last night resurfaced, but they were immediately replaced by a deeper, more profound understanding.

The awkwardness had vanished, replaced by an unspoken intimacy.

Adam extended his hand naturally.

I placed my gloved fingers into his palm.

Our fingers interlaced.

"Come, my Princess Consort," he murmured, his thumb brushing gently over the back of my hand.

We smiled at each other and walked forward together.

Behind us, Jewel discreetly wiped her eyes, clearly moved by the sight of our intertwined silhouettes.

But the warmth didn't last.

The moment we stepped into the front courtyard, Julian approached at once. He didn't even bother with a formal bow. His face was tight, controlled—and furious beneath the surface.

"Your Highness. Princess Consort." His voice was low. "There's a problem."

Adam's brow furrowed. "What is it?"

"This morning, during inventory of last night's wedding gifts..." Julian glanced around before leaning close to Adam. "The red dragon ruby ... is missing."

Adam's expression darkened instantly.

"Missing? What the hell happened? Wasn't it secured properly?"

"It was." Julian's jaw clenched. "I didn't raise an alarm last night to avoid disrupting the wedding. But the guards witnessed it clearly. Her Majesty entered the side hall with her attendant, Martha ... and removed the ruby.

"Furthermore..." Julian paused, his tone becoming even more strained. "I have already investigated. That ruby ... is already in the hands of Princess Margaret."

Boom—

Adam's aura dropped sharply. His golden pupils narrowed into vertical slits as violent anger surged from him. Servants nearby instinctively fell to their knees.

"Has she lost her mind?!"

His voice was a low, dangerous growl. His fists clenched so hard the leather of his gloves creaked. "That was your dowry gift! A public tribute from the mercenary company! She not only steals from her daughter-in-law on her wedding night—she hands it over to that scheming viper?

"I know my mother.

"She isn't greedy. She's vain. Desperately so. And foolish."

"She's always tried to curry favor with Margaret's faction, desperate to blend into the so-called 'old-money nobility,' yet she gets played like a fool every single time—repaying their insults with fawning smiles!

"This time, to please Margaret, she actually stooped to this shameless, disgraceful act!

"I'm going to retrieve it right now. I will not let her trample on you like this."

"Stop."

I caught his arm before he could storm off.