The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 223: Raxuvia’s Slums

"Now, we’re getting ahead of ourselves," Soleia said with a laugh, but it came out a little more awkward than funny. "That isn’t possible."

"Did you use contraceptives?" Orion asked, raising an eyebrow. "You two are married. I highly doubt you wouldn’t have consummated in your marriage, especially since you were all over each other even before that."

"Hey!" Soleia exclaimed, slapping Orion’s upper arm, only to wince a little when her soft fingers knocked against solid muscle. "I don’t think this is a topic I should be discussing with my ex-husband."

"It is not to mock you, if that’s what you’re thinking," Orion hastily said. Right then, Soleia’s face turned green as the scent of garbage flooded through her nostrils, and she clamped her lips tightly shut to prevent herself from retching. "Look at you."

It took a while for Soleia to collect herself. She placed a hand on her chest and began to make stroking movements, and eventually, she exhaled softly.

"What about me?" she asked, scrunching her nose.

"You look just about as green as the sewage water," Orion said, nodding pointedly at the drainage next to them. "Princess or not, you’ve made it very clear back in Drakenmire that you’re made of tougher material."

"I am made of tougher material," Soleia said. "Perhaps I am just... stressed."

Orion didn’t reply. He merely raised an eyebrow and sighed, shaking his head.

"Come on," he said. "With your current state, it might be best to rest somewhere until night falls. Then we leave for the docks."

Soleia nodded, keeping her head down and her lips pinched. Orion’s words echoed through her mind, and the thought of being with child made her head giddy― unfortunately, not with joy.

Her hands moved down to her stomach. It was still flat since it hadn’t been more than two months since she first slept with Rafael. But thirty days had most definitely passed, and not a speckle of blood was seen.

They couldn’t have been so lucky, could they? Or should she say unlucky? The child would’ve been created in a loving home but born in a tattered one― the cruel irony of it all.

"Do you have a place to hide?" Soleia asked, following Orion. He seemed to know exactly where he was going, weaving in and out of clotheslines and garbage piles.

She hadn’t realized that even a utopia-like kingdom such as Raxuvia had a slum area where poverty reigned. They weren’t even far from the capital― she could see the outline of the Temporal Elderwood Tree from here, albeit covered by a layer of fog and mist.

"As a matter of fact, I do," Orion said. "The guards shouldn’t look for us here. They might assume that as a princess, you would want to be somewhere more comfortable."

"I would," Soleia said, "but beggars can’t be choosers."

Finally, they stopped right in front of a small hut. The building was already worn down by time, with missing stones in its structure and moss and fern filling the gaps. Piles of garbage surrounded the house, and something smelled like it was burning in the building.

Soleia winced, examining the conditions. They may be in the slums, but the other houses seemed to be owned by people who had already adapted to the living conditions and made the best of their situation. This house — if it could even be called that — however, looked like it was occupied by people who couldn’t take care of themselves.

Orion raised his hand and knocked on the door, patiently waiting for someone to answer. There was a crashing sound from inside, followed by incoherent screaming and loud footsteps. Then, after what seemed like forever, the door was pulled open, and out peeped a mop of fiery red hair.

Instantly, Soleia’s eyes widened with surprise. She hadn’t thought she would ever see Lucinda Elsher ever again, but as fate would have it, Lucinda turned out to be the first to greet her upon her return to the Elsher household, just like how she was the first to greet her when she first arrived at Drakenmire.

Well, at least as far as greetings went.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" she snapped. Lucinda’s eyes scanned Orion and Soleia, scorn clearly written in her features.

The months apart hadn’t been well for her. Grime and soot coated her fair skin, and her hair seemed more like a tangled ball of yarn than bouncing rings of flames that were properly maintained. Her clothes were rags with holes and scorch marks, along with unidentified stains that gave off a putrid smell that could rival the surrounding air.

More than that, dark eyebags colored her undereyes, making her look more tired and worn out than normal. And that was to be expected, Soleia thought, considering the pampered life Lucinda lived while Orion was still a duke.

Orion cleared her throat and awkwardly turned back to look at Soleia. He was trying to judge her reaction, but perhaps it was because of the mask, he couldn’t really read her features to guess what was on her mind. He turned back and sighed. After making sure there was no one suspicious around, he carefully removed his mask.

"Cousin!" Lucinda said, her eyes widening with a sparkle. "You’ve finally returned! Oh, your mother would be so excited to know!"

"Let’s speak inside," Orion suggested, and Lucinda immediately moved to one side to allow them in. Once inside, she shut the door, and Lucinda buzzed over Orion.

"How did I not recognize you?" Lucinda wondered out loud, observing Orion. Now that they were inside, there was no doubt that this was indeed Orion Elsher.

"It’s a long story," Orion said. "Is there a place for us to rest? We will leave by dusk."

Lucinda’s face fell. "So soon?"

To her credit, Lucinda seemed genuinely elated to see Orion’s return. Soleia had always wondered if her liking for Orion was merely due to the wealthy lifestyle he brought her, but it seemed to be deeper than that. She had to admit, she was impressed. Soleia wasn’t aware that Lucinda was capable of that.

But as soon as she thought that, Lucinda’s gaze fell upon her, and immediately, a sneer came to her face.

"If you’re back, I suppose that means that you’ve got what you came for," Lucinda said. She huffed, rolling her eyes as she folded her arms across her chest. "And here I thought the almighty princess would be too good for the slums. But I suppose you aren’t one anymore, are you, Soleia?"