The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 103: Breakfast With The King

Chapter 103: Breakfast With The King

"I see, thank you for letting me know," Soleia replied evenly, because the alternative was to hurl the contents of her already empty stomach onto Sir Penrose’s pristine shoes, and she wasn’t about to disgrace herself so terribly in front of him.

No, her disgrace would be saved for her dearest father. Her stomach twisted in anxiety at the thought of sharing a breakfast table with him. She had not had that particular honor ever since she had failed to manifest any sort of magical ability after his torturous training.

Her stomach twisted again, more furiously at the reminder. Had he somehow gotten wind of her using ice magic against Florian, and thus wanted to restart her training?

"Please give me some time to freshen up," Soleia added, barely managing to keep herself calm.

Her father was already displeased with her; a little delay would not make a dent in his disgust. But showing up in her nightdress with her hair mussed would undoubtedly send him on a roaring tirade about her inadequacies as a princess.

She dressed and tidied herself in record time. But to her surprise, there was one more person waiting outside her door to escort her.

Orion Elsher had on his best dress, with his hair artfully styled to highlight his strong features. He was leaning on the wall as he waited, but he stood to attention the moment he saw her emerge from the room.

Soleia’s heart unwillingly skipped a beat. "What are you doing here?"

"I’m cleaning the walls," Orion said dryly, and Soleia rolled her eyes. Was Orion learning the art of sarcasm now?

"They seem awfully filthy to me," she retorted evenly. "Perhaps you might need to lean on them more."

"I’ll do it after I escort you for breakfast," Orion said. He held out his arm expectantly, waiting for Soleia to slide her own arm through.

"What?" Soleia asked, wondering if she had misheard again. She stared at his outstretched arm as though he held out a live snake for her to hold. "You’re going to breakfast... with me?"

"I need to eat," Orion said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I’m hungry."

Before Soleia could even respond to his inane reply, Sir Penrose cleared his throat. "Princess, Duke Elsher, it would be unwise to keep His Majesty waiting."

So Soleia slid her arm in his, and they made their way to the private dining hall. She couldn’t help but glance at Orion from the corner of her eyes with suspicion. Why had he suddenly decided to escort her, when she had seen no heads nor tails of him at every breakfast? Surely not out of the goodness of his heart.

Perhaps he wanted to seek an address with her father, and this was his way of ensuring he would get an audience. Soleia frowned at the realization, and she recalled yesterday’s conversation with him. Was he going to ask her father for permission to raise Elowyn’s child as his heir?

Subconsciously, she tightened the grip on his arm. Orion blinked at the sudden increase in pressure and squeezed her hand with his other one.

"Don’t be nervous," Orion said as he stared at her intensely. Soleia guessed this was his attempt at supportiveness. "I’m with you."

She coughed at his attempt at reassuring her. It was precisely because of Orion that she was feeling more nervous!

He was a variable that could worsen an already volatile situation. Orion had made no secret about his disdain for royalty from their very first meeting, and now Soleia had a new worry that Orion would open his mouth and rain unfathomable insults on her father’s head.

They entered the dining hall, where Soleia’s father sat alone at the head of the table. Soleia had expected many things― for her father to throw cutlery at her for daring to make him wait, for him to scream at her for concealing her magical abilities, for him to demand Soleia kneel for some imagined slight...

But never did she expect to see him raise a goblet in her direction, as though he was toasting her, with a satisfied smile on his lips. His gaze focused on their linked arms, and a glint of what might have been approval entered his eyes.

"Excellent."

"Father?" Soleia asked hesitantly, wondering if she had heard wrongly.

Her father seemed almost happy to see her, which was impossible. He was never happy with her. Soleia doubted he was ever happy to begin with.

"Our apologies for the delay. I was not expecting to dine with you for breakfast," Soleia said.

"Plans change. Take your seats," King Godwin said, with surprising calmness that sent alarm bells ringing through Soleia’s head.

Servants hurriedly pulled out their chairs for them and began to serve them their dishes. Soleia stared at her father uncomprehendingly, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Meanwhile, Orion seemed to have no fear. He began to help himself to the food. When he realized his wife wasn’t moving to eat, he scooped some food for her.

"Why aren’t you eating?" Orion asked. "You used up a lot of energy yesterday."

Somehow, her father seemed even more pleased with Orion’s words. He nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Soleia. Please eat well. If you have any cravings, do let the kitchen staff know. You’re no longer a child; you know you will require nourishment to fulfill your matrimonial duties to the Duke."

Now, both Soleia and Orion had red faces at the implications of her father’s words. Oh god, he thought they were too hungry after bedroom activities. That would also explain why he was so obliging about their late arrival― he assumed they were too exhausted.

Soleia’s face burned red. "Father, that’s not what―"

King Godwin addressed Orion instead. "Do you still wish for your wedding to be with my daughter? You do realize that prior arrangements have already been made for your previous bride?"

Orion nodded without hesitation. "Very much so. I apologize for any inconvenience, but I would like to give Soleia a proper wedding to ensure that everyone recognizes her as my rightful wife and Drakenmire’s duchess. I’ve checked, and the wedding invites did not specify the name of my bride. I would like Princess Soleia to be the woman I marry. Has Your Majesty made a decision?"

Soleia’s head whipped around so quickly that she nearly gave herself whiplash. Her mouth fell open inelegantly, but she didn’t care.

This man actually had the guts to ask her father to change his bride?

"Excuse me, my dear husband," Soleia said with a gritted smile. "Do you mind telling me when this conversation was raised?"