The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 44: Light Faded

"Ride to the palace?" Orion echoed after her, looking more and more confused by the second. "To see your father with regards to permission to marry Elowyn?"

"And make her your new duchess," Soleia added, smacking her lips together before nodding a few times sarcastically. "Can’t forget that. Lady Elowyn would be utterly furious if you did."

Orion’s eyebrows wrinkled so much that lines began to form between his brows. "She never said anything to imply that she would be angered."

Soleia coldly laughed. "She doesn’t need to."

Just the look in Elowyn’s eyes told Soleia more than words ever could. Elowyn might have a sweet and innocent act, but the menace in her eyes glittered brighter than the North Star. It became especially clear after Soleia realized that Orion might be under some sort of spell.

That woman had a lot more tucked under that virtuous act of hers.

"I distinctly remember telling you and Ralph to stop me if I did something like that," Orion said with a frown.

Soleia gestured exasperatedly at the scattered thornhound carcasses, every single one of which had a nasty red gash through them somewhere.

"You didn’t even need magic to cut down a whole pack of beasts!" Soleia said. "How was I going to stop you if you put your mind to it? I am not seeking to be cut down where I stood, and I imagine Sir Ralph wouldn’t want that too."

Soleia shuddered just from the very thought. She could still feel the ghost of Orion’s fingers wrapped around her throat, choking the living daylights out of her when she dared to insult his beloved Elowyn.

As much as she resented her predicament, she wouldn’t so needlessly court death like that.

Orion couldn’t resist the urge to roll his eyes. "Ralph is capable of more than you might imagine."

Oh, Soleia was very sure of what he was capable of. She had witnessed firsthand how he cut himself open without even batting an eyelid just so he could use his blood for magic. Not to mention, there must be a reason why he was the second in command― no weak-willed, powerless fool would’ve been able to climb so far up.

"If there are thornhounds, we mustn’t be far yet," Orion said. "Most of their numbers congregate around the northern areas of the kingdom."

"We’re only about a day’s ride away from the estate," Soleia said. "There’s still a long bit of the journey left ahead of us."

She paused for a second before carefully observing Orion’s expression. He seemed troubled, but there was nothing else she could read from him.

"So... what now?" she asked. "Do we head back?"

Subconsciously, her fingers twisted the torn fabric of her dress as she anxiously awaited Orion’s reply. A part of her wished he would suggest they head back to the estate. After all, she was a mess― her dress was torn, she had no supplies, and the last thing she wanted to do was face her father and sisters again, especially considering the motive behind the visit.

Even the horrible servants’ quarters with their broken windows and dusty rooms sounded much more appealing.

Alas, her prayers went unanswered. Orion shook his head, and Soleia’s heart quickly fell to her stomach.

"The child is innocent, even if its mother might not be," Orion said. "No matter the circumstances, it is the inevitable truth that Elowyn is carrying my child. I must take responsibility for that."

Even as the sigh left her lips, Soleia nodded with partial understanding. This was indeed a pit he dug for himself.

He couldn’t control his own animalistic desires and had left his seed in someone else’s garden. This child was now his responsibility whether he liked it or not, and given Soleia’s understanding of Orion’s oddly romantic personality, she knew it would be impossible to convince him to abandon his own flesh and blood.

"But she will not be my duchess," Orion said, causing Soleia’s head to snap back up so that her eyes could meet his. She widened them in surprise as he continued, "You’re the rightful duchess of Drakenmire. There’s no need for a replacement when you have handled your responsibilities well thus far."

Soleia’s chest felt a little warm. Just a little. But she felt the metaphorical splash of cold water as quickly as that warmth came.

"Elowyn will not like that," Soleia muttered defeatedly under her breath.

"Elowyn wouldn’t say anything," Orion firmly said. "And even if she did, she won’t have a say."

"It’s not that," Soleia said. "Your Grace, I was doing a little bit of... research just yesterday. I think that Lady Elowyn might be using a―"

"Orion?"

Both Soleia and Orion stilled and stiffened when they heard Elowyn’s sugary voice drift through the woods. True enough, she emerged from behind the trees soon after, her huge doe eyes batting as she looked back and forth between Orion and Soleia.

"You were gone for so long," she said as she came over, easily avoiding the dead thornhounds without so much as a second look at them. Elowyn slipped her hand into Orion’s, and just like that, the light in Orion’s eyes visibly faded. "Is everything alright? You were gone for so long that I got a little worried."

"Everything is alright, my love," Orion said, his voice instantly softening as he leaned in, pressing a kiss to Elowyn’s cheek. "Why did you come out? It’s cold. You should’ve waited for me in the carriage."

"Like I said, I was worried," Elowyn replied with a charming giggle. She turned and glanced at Soleia, her smile remaining on her lips as she said, "Although, I am glad to see that everything is alright. Lady Soleia sounded so afraid." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Then, she gasped.

"Oh dear!" she exclaimed. "What happened to her dress?"

"Don’t bother yourself with her," Orion said, completely ignoring Soleia as he bent down and effortlessly carried Elowyn into his arms.

He began to make his way back in the direction of their camp, and as he walked, Soleia could see him bend down close to Elowyn and whisper something in her ear. She tittered and lightly slapped his shoulder, earning her another passionate kiss while still in Orion’s embrace.

Soleia watched, rooted to the spot. She needed a selenite for Orion before it was too late. But how was she going to sneak it past Elowyn and into Orion’s hands?