The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 107: Keep Your Distance

Chapter 107: Keep Your Distance

The days seemed to fly by in a flash. Once King Godwin realized that Soleia had recovered from her sudden illness, he attempted to shift the wedding date forward, as though he was afraid Orion might wake up one morning and decide his daughter wasn’t worth the hassle.

It took an entire council of pleading officers before he finally reconsidered the insanity of such an order― and in the end, what changed his mind was the knowledge that the visiting royalty would not make it before the new date.

Soleia could only internally heave a sigh of relief. One rushed wedding was enough for a lifetime.

Now, the only thing that worried her was Reitan’s emotional state. Her younger brother had been too overcome with guilt to see her whenever she could actually spare time to visit. He was also afraid of Florian, and since Florian was stalking around the palace hissing and spitting like an outraged animal, Reitan had holed himself up in his room.

Only Sir Ralph and her other sisters could visit him, and none could stay for long. Now, Sir Ralph was relaxing in her rooms, making tutting noises and judging the sketches for her wedding dress.

"This one... no, you’ll look like a chiffon cake. And this― are you wearing curtains? God, pardon me for saying so, Princess, but these are hideous." Sir Ralph pulled a face. "I know this is technically your second wedding, but you don’t have to settle!"

"You’re forgiven, because these are Elowyn’s chosen designs," Soleia said, her lips twitching in amusement.

"Oh, that explains it," Sir Ralph snorted. "She wants to hide the baby bump, hence the monstrosities. What a waste of fabric."

Due to the tight deadline, the seamstresses were working themselves to the bone to design a dress that would please the Princess. Soleia didn’t want to trouble them, but she and Elowyn had vastly different ideas on what made a beautiful wedding dress. She didn’t want to wear Elowyn’s chosen design.

It was her wedding, and she didn’t want to be reminded of Elowyn’s presence, just for that one day.

"How is Reitan today? Is he feeling calmer?" Soleia asked.

She couldn’t help but put the ones Sir Ralph liked on top of the pile. Part of her was unreasonably smug that Sir Ralph took her side, and she was pleased to note they seemed to have similar tastes in wedding dresses.

Sir Ralph scratched his nose.

"Well, he is now very shocked you’re marrying Orion and thinks it’s also his fault. In fact, your brother seems to think he’s responsible for every single ill this kingdom has suffered since its creation. I’m this close―" Sir Ralph pinched two of his fingers, "to knocking him out until your wedding. Or just feeding him some good whiskey. I’ve never met such a high-strung child before!"

"Don’t do that," Soleia scolded, crossing her arms. "I’ll talk to him. I need to tell him he’s coming with us."

"I’ve already let him know, but he’s not too keen. That poor boy believes he’s going to be a burden on you. Maybe you’ll have better luck convincing him. Want me to sneak you in?" Ralph offered. "I could fling you through the window―"

A knock at the door interrupted them, and Ralph strode back so that he was a respectful distance away from Soleia, the very image of a dedicated knight. Soleia blinked; she hadn’t even noticed that he was so close to her.

"Sister, are you decent?"

It was Celestina.

"Yes, why?" Soleia asked, and Sir Ralph quickly opened the door.

Celestina’s eyes darted to Sir Ralph and she frowned. Now that her sister’s engagement was on track, this man shouldn’t be hovering around her alone, especially behind a locked door.

"Father wants all of us present for dinner," Celestina said. "It’s to celebrate your new engagement."

"...Everyone?" Soleia’s stomach dropped. "You mean..."

"Yes." Celestina’s mouth twisted. "Even Florian, that annoying swine, is invited, as are Reitan and Bellaflor’s son. I predict we’ll finish the first course with at least one meltdown and potatoes in my hair."

"They wouldn’t dare do anything in front of Father," Soleia said, but it sounded like a weak hope. She didn’t trust Florian not to needle Reitan in company. "But I understand, I’ll be there."

"With your husband," Celestina added, and Soleia nodded obediently. But Celestina wasn’t done. "Sister, forgive me for speaking so bluntly, but you should not be alone with another man." She tilted her head in Sir Ralph’s direction. "Tongues will wag."

"But Sir Ralph is my friend," Soleia protested, but it felt weak to her own ears.

"If you are indeed my sister’s bosom friend, then I’d advise you to keep your distance," Celestina said quietly as she addressed Ralph. Her eyes were firm. "If you have any care for her reputation, you’d understand why."

Soleia watched Sir Ralph’s face fall slightly, but he only bowed. "I’ll take my leave then. Princess Soleia, do let Orion see the wedding dress sketches. He’s your husband; his opinion matters more."

"Sir Ralph―" Soleia tried to stop him, but Sir Ralph all but ran out through the corridor. She turned back to Celestina and pleaded, "Sister, it’s really not what you think..."

"It doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what everyone else thinks," Celestina reminded her, her voice pitched low enough to be a whisper. "And you can’t fool me. I know you are more fond of him than you are of your husband. If you want to have an affair, wait until you have a son with Orion first!"

Soleia spluttered. "I’m not― I would never betray―"

"I’m just saying, you cannot afford to carry on as you usually have before," Celestina said, a hint of sympathy in her voice. "I heard the accusations levied on you by Florian, thanks to Reitan’s words. Do you think your reputation will survive another blow?"

Soleia held her tongue. Celestina’s words were harsh, but not untrue. If not for Orion’s sudden change of heart, her head would be hanging off a spike for all to gawk at.

Who was she kidding? She had already emotionally betrayed her and Orion’s marriage. Her heart wasn’t in this union even if her chastity was intact.

"Now, let me see what you’re wearing for dinner," Celestina said, entering the room.

"What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?" Soleia complained. Her dress was simple, but it was clean. Technically it was a family dinner, admittedly with a lot of family.

"Not good enough," Celestina’s nostrils flared. "Go and pick out something for yourself and your husband. Remember to match colors. You need to show Florian he can’t mess with you."

"Yes, Sister," Soleia said obediently.

In the end, she settled for a light blue velvet dress with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, and Celestina helped her put on a delicate aquamarine necklace she pulled out from her own pocket. The gem was carved into the shape of a teardrop, and there were diamonds flanking it.

"Sister, this is yours!" Soleia exclaimed, trying to tug it off. "Why are you giving this to me? I can’t use it."

"Are you sure about that? Because Reitan told me an awfully interesting story when I visited him a few days ago."