The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 104: A Satisfied King

Chapter 104: A Satisfied King

"This morning," Orion said simply. "I wanted to wake you, but you were fast asleep, so I asked your father instead. I am a man of my word."

Soleia’s mouth fell open at his audacity, even as her face flamed at his words.

Oh, Orion certainly was a man of his word― he said he would speak to her father about this, but never in Soleia’s wildest dreams did she think Orion would speak to him about it the very next morning! He truly didn’t waste any time!

And with her father in attendance, it wasn’t as though she could make a fuss. Not when he smiled at every word that emerged from Orion’s lips like it was music to his ears.

"I approve of your request. Far be it from me to stop a man as distinguished as yourself from loving my daughter. It is needless to say that my daughter deserves the best," King Godwin said as though he did not give Soleia a haphazard wedding and packed her off to Drankenmire in the dead of the night as though she was an exiled criminal.

If Soleia were less polite, she would have rolled her eyes at the dining table.

"Thank you, King Godwin." Orion stood up and bowed to her father, causing a triumphant smile to form on her father’s face. After all, King Godwin was a proud man. There was nothing he liked more than making powerful people bow to him and beg for his approval.

Meanwhile, Soleia turned her gaze back to her plate. It wasn’t as though this entire matter needed her input.

But then she remembered Reitan’s issue. She cleared her throat. "Father, I have a favor to ask."

"Speak," King Godwin said. He sounded so indulgent that Soleia felt shivers crawl up her spine. She would have no better opportunity.

"Might I bring Reitan over to Drankenmire after our wedding? A change of scenery would be helpful in his development," Soleia said. Immediately, her father’s face blackened, and she knew she had made a mistake.

"Reitan? Why would you want an extra useless mouth to feed? What can you provide for Reitan that the palace cannot?" King Godwin retorted, pointing at Orion. "Do you think your husband will want to support extra baggage? You should be actively trying for your own child― Reitan would be nothing but an obstacle. I do not approve."

King Godwin had plenty of more unkind words he wanted to spit at his insipid daughter, but he held his tongue. Now that Duke Orion Elsher was wrapped around his daughter’s little finger, he didn’t see the need to insult her and attract his ire.

Besides, what if his words suddenly made Duke Orion remember what a useless princess he actually married, and he tossed Soleia aside again? It was a risk he didn’t want to take. He had no faith in his daughter’s ability to keep the affections of this hard-headed military man outside of the bedroom.

"I do not have a problem with this, Your Majesty," Orion said firmly, attracting their attention. He stared evenly at King Godwin without flinching. "It’s not surprising that my wife would want her family to live with her. In addition, it would do young Reitan good to have friends his own age. I have cousins he can play with."

Then, as though he had not said anything special, he turned to address Soleia.

"If you believe that Reitan can adapt to Drankenmire’s conditions, I see no reason to refuse. Drankenmire has enough room to raise one more child, and I trust you can manage the accounts to support him."

Warmth flooded Soleia’s heart. Suddenly, it felt like sprouts of green were finally emerging through the wintry frost of the past years. Orion Elsher was actively supporting her decisions, despite her father’s disapproval.

Perhaps this marriage could actually bear fruit.

Soleia turned to stare at her father, whose eyebrow was twitching violently at Orion’s polite rebuttal. But eventually, he plastered a smile on his face in response to her expectant expression.

"Since your husband has made no objection, I see no reason to refuse." King Godwin smiled nastily. "Make sure to take good care of your younger brother. He is awfully delicate for his age."

No matter what, Reitan was a prince, weak and worthless as he was. If he met with any mishap while residing in Duke Elsher’s estate, King Godwin could easily use that as an excuse to execute Duke Elsher’s entire family and rid himself of the thorn on his side. It was tantamount to hitting two birds with one stone!

Meanwhile, Soleia could barely restrain herself from leaping up in joy and relief. She flung her arms around Orion’s shoulders and buried her face in his neck.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you..." she muttered fervently in gratitude. "I’ll take care of everything, I promise, he won’t bring you any trouble..."

Orion blinked owlishly as the back of his ears slowly began to heat up. He had never seen her smile so radiantly at him before― he had never given her any reason to smile at him before, and now he could only wonder why he had never bothered to try. Her smile seemed to invigorate his very being, and Orion felt his heart beating frantically in his ribcage, as though it was trying to break free.

Suddenly, he wanted to give her a reason to smile like this every day. He wanted to be the reason she smiled every day. Orion raised his arms, and slowly but surely embraced his wife, relishing in her presence.

Eventually, Soleia froze when she realized where exactly she was. She hurriedly pulled away, only to find her father downing an entire glass of wine.

"My apologies, Father. I forgot myself," Soleia said meekly.

King Godwin waved off her apology, relishing in the dumbfounded look on Duke Elsher’s face. Excellent, his daughter had charmed him enough with her fair face that this idiot was chasing after her like a dog with a bone.

The rest of the breakfast was spent in silence, but Orion kept piling Soleia’s plate with food, the physician’s warnings ringing in his ears. He had to make sure Soleia ate well, to make up for the months of mistreatment. With every food scooped to her plate, King Godwin grew more and more satisfied.

"May your union be fruitful," King Godwin said, raising his hand for a toast. Then, he finally left the room, and Soleia sank into her chair, nearly slouching in relief.

"Wow, Princess, who knew you were capable of sitting like a worm?" A familiar voice jibed cheerfully. Soleia whirled around to see Ralph enter the room.

"Ralph! Where have you been?"

Meanwhile, Rafael had to do a double-take at the sight of Soleia and Orion, sitting so closely together for breakfast. There was no bloodshed, despite both of them having fairly red faces.

"What did you say about the King? He looked so happy walking out, I almost wanted to call for an exorcist," Rafael joked, only because it distracted him from the jealousy coiling in his gut.

"You’re not the only one who found it weird," Soleia said wryly, deliberately trying to squash the flutter of delight when Ralph appeared. It felt almost unfaithful, that she was so happy to see a man that wasn’t her husband. She tried to convince herself that it was because she hadn’t seen him for so long.

Unknowingly, she started to shift slightly away from Orion, but who knew that Orion would actually grab her hand tightly and raise it up to Ralph’s eyes.

"Soleia and I are getting married."

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