The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 37: Crossed Paths

Unfortunately, the light-hearted peace could not last forever.

It didn’t take long before the estate quickly loomed over them from across the distance. They weren’t anywhere near the front gates yet, but Soleia could already make out the depressing turrets and eerie atmosphere. There always seemed to be fog surrounding Orion’s home, for some reason, and it only got worse after he had returned from war.

What a horrid place to return to.

"You should still put me down," Soleia said. "We’re almost at the estate and I am perfectly capable of walking myself."

"Nope," Ralph said obnoxiously, popping the ’p’. "If anything happened to you, I would be held accountable. If you die, I will unfortunately serve as your guide to hell and I am not too keen on dying before I turn old and gray."

"It is improper," Soleia said.

Her cheeks turned a little red as she thought of the intimate way she was pressed against Ralph― for goodness sake, her bosom was pressed flush against the broad of his back that she was sure he could feel everything!

"Whether I like him or not, I still have a husband which you unfortunately are not. If Orion comes out and sees this―"

"Oh, so you do remember you still have a husband?!"

The wayward screech quickly drew Soleia and Ralph’s attention as their heads whipped around to search for its source. They were surprised to see Lucinda Elsher marching straight for them, her face red with anger and steam practically blowing out of her nostrils.

As soon as she came forward, she reached out and attempted to make a grab for Soleia, possibly to yank her down and off of Ralph’s back, but he dodged Lucinda’s hand easily. He swerved out of the way, causing Lucinda to stumble forward, almost landing in the snow and dirt if she hadn’t caught her balance at the last second.

"Sir Ralph, what is the meaning of this?!" Lucinda questioned, her fists clenched tightly by her sides. "Need I remind you that you are a knight in service to my cousin? And here you are, fondling his wife in broad daylight?"

"Her Highness is injured," Ralph cooly responded, barely batting an eyelid. "I cannot in good conscience make her trek her way back on her own."

"I didn’t realize we were savages!" Lucinda yelled. "Sodalites exist― she could’ve made a call to get the carriage to fetch her back to the estate!"

"We have no funds to afford sodalites after you smashed the last one in a fit of rage," Soleia gently reminded. Then, she looked pointedly ahead. "Besides, it seems like the estate’s only available carriage is currently being used by someone else."

Just a short distance ahead was a horse-drawn carriage, slowly rolling towards them. It only stopped right next to Soleia and Ralph, and behind the glass window was none other than Elowyn and Orion. While Orion didn’t even spare them so much as a glance, Elowyn, on the other hand, peered out of the rolled-down window and offered Soleia a bright smile.

"My Lady," Elowyn greeted, holding the curtains away to have a better look. "I didn’t think we would be able to see each other on the road."

Her gaze turned to Ralph before her eyes widened, flickering to eye Orion for a brief second before sheepishly looking back at Soleia and Ralph.

"Oh my..." she said. "I hope we aren’t disturbing anything..."

"Oh Elowyn, you’re too gullible!" Lucinda chided. "The cheating whore is obviously spending time with her adulterous partner―"

"Lady Lucinda, it’s best if you shut up now," Ralph’s chilly tone suddenly cut through the air, causing Elowyn and Lucinda to look over at him in surprise.

A shiver crawled up her spine when she slowly turned and met Ralph’s eyes. This man had been working side by side with her cousin for years. And because of that, she had, too, seen him across many winters and summers. But for all those years she had known him, Lucinda had never seen him so filled with rage before.

She was sure that this was the face his victims saw before facing the blade of his sword on the battlefield. His eyes were colored by death and bloodlust.

Lucinda’s lips were apart, blankly gaping at Ralph as though she was a fish out of water. The feeling of unjustness quickly swirled within her, and jealousy quickly reared its ugly head.

"Sir Ralph―"

"Where are you headed, Orion?" Ralph asked, turning his attention to his friend, completely ignoring Lucinda, who looked upon him with watery eyes.

Orion said nothing, though his eyes barely squinted as he looked between Ralph and Soleia. It was Elowyn who answered for him.

"To the royal palace," she explained. "We’re about to ask His Majesty for permission to proceed with our wedding. After all, I am with child now..." Elowyn trailed off, stroking her stomach tenderly as if to prove a point. "We would like to hold the wedding before I start to show." fгeewebnovёl.com

Rafael instantly felt Soleia’s nails dig into his shoulders involuntarily at the mention of Elowyn and Orion’s highly possible upcoming wedding. Even though he could not see her, Rafael could feel her trembling against him, though he wasn’t sure whether it was from rage or sadness.

In the end, he assumed it was a mixture of both. He could hardly blame her.

"Since they are here, why not have them come with us to the palace, My Lord?" Elowyn asked, bouncing a little in the seat as she reached for Orion’s hands. "I am sure Lady Soleia would be thrilled to see her family again."

Only then did he finally tear his gaze away from Ralph and Soleia, turning his attention to Elowyn. His eyes softened as he held Elowyn’s hands to his lips, kissing the back of them gently.

"If it would please you," Orion said, and Elowyn quickly nodded in delight.

"There is no need," Soleia curtly responded. She glared hard at Orion, but he paid her completely no mind. "I am fine in the Duke’s estate. There is no need for me to join you at the palace."

"Oh, but you must!" Elowyn said, whining a little at the end. Her words and tone were infinitely bolder than when she first arrived at the palace. "It would be a delight if you could attend our wedding. In fact..."

She trailed off, grinning sweetly at Orion before looking at Soleia. There was a hint of gloating in her eyes that quickly disappeared as soon as Soleia spotted it.

"I was hoping you could be my maid of honor!"