The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 216: Savior I

"Soleia." Her name emerged from Orion’s lips in a breathy whisper. "You’re here. I made it in time."

Soleia froze, half-wondering if perhaps one of the prisoners had powers to cause hallucinations because Orion could not possibly be standing right in front of her right now, holding a bloodied sword in his hand, his eyes staring at her with barely concealed relief. He then marched over to her and grabbed her by her wrist.

"We need to go now. Time is running out."

His grip was firm yet gentle, unlike those times when he had grabbed her in anger and irritation under Elinora’s influence. He tugged her out of the dungeons without explaining further, causing Soleia to splutter in confusion as she hastily followed his footsteps, still wondering if she had somehow stumbled into a dream.

"Orion, what are you doing― how are you even here?" Soleia asked. "You were supposed to be in Nedour! With Reitan! Wait, how is Reitan― is he alright―"

"I came to look for you," Orion said simply. He turned to glance at her, and his bright blue eyes stared at her with undeniable sincerity. "It was the least I could do to make up for my mistakes. Come with me back to Nedour."

Soleia’s heart skipped a beat in sheer shock. But Orion wasn’t done. He quickly took in a deep breath, as if steeling himself for Soleia’s rejection.

"I know you have no reason to leave this place with me, but I need to tell you something. Ralph― Rafael is not a good man. Princess Nessa and I believe he just wants to use you to get the throne. The longer you stay here, the greater the risk to your life."

He gave Soleia another careful glance, as though he expected her to break down into incoherent sobs or start screaming in denial. When her only response was an impassive blink, he took a worried step back.

"Soleia? Are you... alright?"

His caution was so ludicrous that Soleia wanted to snort at the incredulity of it all. Orion seemed like he actually cared about hurting her feelings, and he wanted to ensure she was fine.

What a strange turn of events. The guilt from their failed wedding must have been eating him up inside. A wedding that wouldn’t have failed, if not for Rafael deliberately hiding Nessa’s warning from them.

Just the very thought made her upset again. It wasn’t only her life that was ruined by Rafael’s selfishness. Orion had lost nearly everything, from his riches to his good name.

He turned from a renowned general to titled duke to being branded as a traitor, and he was also a wanted man to boot.

"I know. You don’t have to worry about my emotions," Soleia said simply in response. "I found out he was a prince weeks ago. That’s why he brought me to the palace. He couldn’t hide it anymore. The Sir Ralph we both knew... actually didn’t exist."

Orion’s face clouded over, and Soleia knew that he, out of everyone else, understood her in that moment. After all, Rafael had fought beside him for years.

"I’m sorry for everything," Orion said quietly.

"What for?" Soleia asked wryly. "It wasn’t you who knowingly lied to me. And let’s walk while talking. Time is not on our side."

Orion nodded and hastened his footsteps, all while keeping a hand on her wrist.

"I’m sorry that I could not manage to find you earlier," Orion continued. "I left Nedour the moment I got the news of his true identity, but it was still too late. If I had traveled faster, I would have found you―"

"You would not be able to." Soleia shook her head. She was highly certain of that.

The only reason why Rafael’s brothers found him as they stayed in a remote town was because they had the same amount of resources to play this little game of hide-and-seek. Orion, no matter how persistent, was only one man in a foreign land. He wouldn’t know where to even begin. Rafael would have made him run around in circles until he died or gave up.

Knowing Orion’s persistence, death would be the more likely outcome.

Which meant that Orion had to have some outside help to lead him here. There were a few suspects on top of a very short list, and one of them had direct access to the imprisoned magical users.

"How did you know I was in the palace?" Soleia asked. "How did you know I was in the dungeons to begin with today?"

"There’s gossip in the taverns, claiming that Prince Rafael’s new wife had golden hair and green eyes. I knew it could only be you," Orion said. "And I’ve been lurking around the palace for the past few days. I overheard the princes’ men talking about how you’ve been coming down often for your experiments. So I waited."

"And you came because you realized I entered alone," Soleia continued, understanding in her voice. Orion would not risk a confrontation with Raziel now because his priority was getting her out.

"Yes. I thought we’d be able to talk in relative privacy," Orion said. "But I didn’t expect that you would be attacked. Weren’t the prisoners supposed to be imprisoned, to begin with? How could security be so lax!"

"That makes the both of us," Soleia said. This little scheme had Prince Raziel’s doing written all over it, but she was sure Prince Ricard must have also had a part to play. He needed Soleia out of the way before Rafael returned in glory, cementing his position as Crown Prince once and for all.

They emerged from the dungeons. Thankfully, the sounds of Orion’s carnage had attracted undue attention, and they were blessedly left alone.

In the light of day, Soleia could finally get a look at Orion. He didn’t look much like the man she remembered seeing on her wedding day.

His hair had grown long enough that it curled at the nape of his neck, almost long enough for a mini ponytail. His cheekbones were more pronounced, and he looked noticeably thinner and more haggard than before. There was stubble lining the underside of his jaw, a sharp contrast to the bright blue of his eyes.

Had he not been eating or sleeping at all in an attempt to find her? Soleia bit her lip. She couldn’t afford to waste this chance. Judging by Orion’s outfit, Nessa must have provided him with some resources.

"We need to go to the docks," Soleia decided. "I have gold. We’ll get on the fastest ship to Nedour."

Orion agreed with a nod. "That’s an easier plan than the one I made. I was planning to steal a boat and row us back to Nedour, the same way I came here."

Soleia choked. "What on earth? That is ridiculous. Did Princess Nessa not provide you with any gold or resources to rescue me?"

Suddenly, she doubted if it was the right idea to go to Nedour. If this rescue mission wasn’t sanctioned by Nessa, didn’t it mean that Nedour wouldn’t welcome her?

"I left before she could," Orion said with a shrug, but now there was a slight hint of embarrassment that crept into his voice. "I was pressed for time!"

"Dear god..." Soleia raised her head to the heavens and sighed.

It seemed that separation had not improved Orion’s wits or his head for strategy. No wonder this man had looked so haggard and worn. He had no money for food, and brute forced his way straight to Raxuvia to find her.

"Okay, that’s fine. I have enough gold for the both of us many times over. Let’s go."

***

"Your Highness, we need to hurry. If we miss crossing the mountain pass in daylight, we’ll have to delay our trip by a day," Oliver chastened as he watched his liege suddenly stop on his horse. His men were following behind him, and their entire party came to a halt without warning. "Is there something wrong, Your Highness?"

"Wait," Rafael said, his voice pained. That was all the warning he gave his men before he suddenly bowed over with a hiss.

"Your Highness!" Oliver cried out in surprise. The men around him were similarly panicked. "Landon, hurry and examine His Highness! He might be poisoned."

Oliver then moved to help him down his horse, but Rafael held out his hand to stop him. He gritted his teeth and sat back properly on his horse.

"No need. I’m not the sick one." His eyes darted back down to his fingers, where a ring of blood sat innocently. This was the ring he had made for himself to match the one Soleia had on her.

The very same ring on Soleia was informing him that his precious wife was in trouble. He had to turn back now, mission be damned. He should have known that his brothers or Elinora would strike when his back was turned!

"I’m returning to the palace."