The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 262: An Invitation From the King II

"It’s a trick," Orion muttered immediately.

Soleia was inclined to agree― the chances of King Recaldo making a personal trip to visit her in her room were too ludicrous for anyone to believe. Elinora and her family must have found a way to disguise a common guard’s voice as King Recaldo.

Perhaps that was the reason they could amass so much political might that even the King himself had to pay them close attention. If they could imitate his voice, there would be no telling what they might be able to copy next.

"I’ll open the door anyway," Soleia said. She hauled herself out of the bed and carefully stepped over the legs of the unconscious guards before speaking in a louder voice.

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, I am simply unwell to receive visitors at the moment," Soleia said.

Just like before, Orion opened the door, and his fist flew. However, unlike before, where it easily broke a man’s nose and caused them to faint, this time, it met strong steel at the other end. Soleia’s eyes widened as she caught sight of plenty of armed soldiers lining her corridor. Two of them had blocked the blow for King Recaldo, stumbling back from the strength of Orion’s fist. Their swords were bent, but there were plenty more ready to take their place.

"I see why all my summons have been unanswered," King Recaldo said with a cold snort as he stared down at Orion and Soleia, unimpressed by that little display of force. "A loyal hound has been swallowing all the invites."

"Your Majesty," Soleia did her best to keep her voice steady, "I wasn’t expecting your visit."

"Clearly." King Recaldo’s upper lip curled in derision, and he turned to cast a disparaging glance at Orion. "You claim to be unwell, yet you keep company with this man alone in your room?"

If Soleia were more suicidal, she would helpfully point out that there were three more men in her room, completely passed out. But that would send her to the dungeons and Orion to hell, so she held her tongue and changed her words.

"Orion is here to protect me," Soleia said calmly as she observed King Recaldo’s expressions. "Just hours ago, I had nearly miscarried after I ingested a tonic I thought came from my husband."

With King Recaldo’s focus on her unborn child’s well-being, surely he would at least be more understanding of her current situation. However, King Recaldo only gave her a look of contempt.

"With such close company you keep with Orion Elsher, I doubt this child might even belong to my son," King Recaldo replied coldly, and Soleia’s heart sank as she caught the slightest shimmer of purple in the king’s eyes. Her blood grew cold― somehow, Elinora had sunk her claws into the king.

And it wasn’t as though Soleia could touch him without losing a hand.

"This child is indeed Rafael’s," Orion said, growling with anger.

"Oh, the dog can speak," King Recaldo scoffed. He nicked his own finger, and Soleia watched with wide eyes as blood flew straight into his mouth like a makeshift gag. Orion coughed and spluttered, trying to spit out his new gag, but it was futile.

"Your Majesty, is there a reason you’ve come all this way to see me?" Soleia asked. "Since you seem quite cavalier about the life of my unborn child and are casting aspirations on their parentage, I assume it’s not concern that brings you to my door."

"Hmph. At least you have sense when you speak, unlike some." With one final derogatory glance at Orion, King Recaldo wordlessly gestured for Soleia to follow him.

Soleia could only obey, casting a worried look at Orion. She twisted the ring on her finger, hoping that somehow, somewhere, Rafael could realize they were in trouble.

She was led to the throne room where she was forced onto her knees. Orion was in a similar state― he had tried to resist on the journey, causing King Recaldo to use more of his blood to restrain him. Now, he resembled less of a free man and more like the soldiers he had used Soleia’s bedsheets to bundle up.

If the circumstances weren’t so dire, Soleia would have appreciated the irony.

Then, to her surprise, King Recaldo ordered his guards to leave the throne room. There were a few hesitant glances, but King Recaldo cleared his throat in warning, and they scampered off quickly. The king then made his way down the steps right in front of Soleia, grabbing her by the chin. Orion made an aborted motion to reach for her, but King Recaldo easily sent him rolling to the other side of the room with his powers.

Meanwhile, his fingers dug straight into her soft cheeks, and his gaze pierced through her very soul. Soleia tried to nullify Elinora’s influence, but her earlier poisoning had left her weakened, so she couldn’t focus.

"I heard that you can amplify magic," King Recaldo said, his words were nothing more than a whisper, but it sent goosebumps skittering down Soleia’s spine. Now she understood why she had been dragged out to face him, and why he had sent all the other soldiers away.

King Recaldo wanted her to boost his magical abilities. He would not let her leave — or live — otherwise.

"I don’t understand," Soleia said, purposely widening her eyes, pretending that she had never heard of such a thing in her life. "That’s simply an impossible feat, Your Majesty."

"Exactly. It is as impossible as Rafael killing both Raziel and Ricard." King Recaldo narrowed his eyes. "But he has managed it, and witness accounts mention both of you... holding hands. Touching. If you were a mere nullifier, the son that died would be Rafael, and not his brothers."

Soleia swallowed weakly as her mouth ran dry. "Your Majesty, my condolences for your loss, but Raziel died by drowning. I had nothing to do with it."

Not to mention, Orion was the one who contributed to that, but she didn’t want to draw King Recaldo’s attention to him. He might just kill him out of vengeance.

"Oh, did he? I doubt your words." King Recaldo’s eyes flashed as they continued to bore down at her. "If you do not wish to amplify my magic, you’ll simply find your little... companion here losing a limb or two."

A muffled hiss came from Orion, as his bloody gag came off and transformed into a blade pressing threateningly against his neck.

"Of course, his head will be the first to go," King Recaldo added. "Princess Soleia, do we have an agreement?" ƒгeewebnovёl.com