The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 111: Interrupted

Chapter 111: Interrupted

"The Raxuvian princes?" Bellaflor echoed, her eyes wide. "But they’re not due until next week."

Everyone’s expressions were grave. Most of the royalty weren’t due to arrive until a week later, and with the Raxuvian princes here, they would need to find a place to house them.

"Who has come?" King Godwin asked, and Sir Penrose quickly replied.

"Prince Ricard, Your Majesty," he said. "And Prince Raziel. They have brought their men with them to Vramid, but they’re now staying at a local inn in town. Only Prince Ricard and Prince Raziel have arrived at the palace."

"Go greet them," King Godwin commanded, and Prince Florian immediately rose from his seat.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" he said, giddily excited as he hurried to the door, only to be stopped by Godwin’s command.

"Not you," the King said. He turned to look at Soleia, and in a kinder tone, said, "Soleia, do entertain our guests. After all, they are here to attend your wedding. You ought to play a good host to these foreign visitors, especially the princes of Raxuvia."

Prince Florian’s gloating expression quickly fell.

"Your Majesty?" Florian spluttered.

"Y-Yes, Father!" Soleia said, jerkily standing up the moment she was called.

She was filled with as much surprise as Florian was, her eyes equally wide. When Soleia exchanged a look with Florian, the latter’s expression quickly twisted into a sneer, tucked just right out of view from the King. However, everyone else in the room could see the jealousy that turned Florian’s face green.

After all, out of all the guests who were attending, the Raxuvian princes were the guests that Florian most wanted to rub shoulders with. Raxuvia was a thriving kingdom with powerful magic, stellar in both offensive and defensive. Their expansive land also meant that they had a great deal of people who were capable.

More importantly, the King of Raxuvia was now in search of an heir to place on the throne. One of the princes in attendance could very well be the next monarch, and gaining their friendship could aid Florian’s ascend to the throne greatly.

However, this opportunity had been given to Soleia instead, a useless princess who wasn’t even marrying — or married — to royalty. Florian’s hands were clenched into fists as he watched Soleia scuttle out of the dining room.

"I will keep her company―"

"Sit back down, Duke Elsher," King Godwin said. "Let Soleia do it. She ought to see the world for herself sometimes." He reached for his goblet of wine, sipping it as he looked at Orion from the corner of his eye. "It builds character."

Orion frowned slightly, looking at the door where Soleia had disappeared behind. Likewise, so did Florian. But he was quickly called back into his seat.

"Sit back down, Prince Florian," King Godwin said. "You have much to learn. How about you ask how Duke Elsher managed to lead his army to victory against the Levielens? Their people are savages with highly advanced magical abilities, and yet, Duke Elsher managed to wipe them all out with not even a single survivor. Isn’t that interesting?"

At first, Florian said nothing. He merely clenched his fists even harder as he stared in the direction of Orion Elsher, but when King Godwin gave him a pointed look, Florian shivered. The murderous intent in the older man’s eyes sent shivers down his spine, and Florian could only begrudgingly return to his seat.

"Yes," Florian said through gritted teeth. "Do indulge us with your glorious battle tales, General."

***

"Hello, brother."

Rafael cursed in his head, shutting his eyes for a split second as he took in a long breath before exhaling. Collecting himself, he turned and beamed, his eyes bright and his smile brighter as he looked at the two men who stood before him.

Only one of the two men offered a smile. Raziel nodded once at Rafael, and then promptly turned to Ricard, urging him to do the same.

Prince Ricard did as prompted, but his smile was an awful lot less genuine. His grin was too wide, resembling a beast snarling at him in the dark rather than a friendly greeting.

"What a surprise it was to see you here," Ricard said. "My, don’t you look different. Your eyes are so... boring." His own bright green eyes twinkled, shining like a well-cut emerald, a trait of the Raxuvian royal family. "Have you forgotten the pride and joy of the Raxuvian royalty’s eyes? That was how we found you, wasn’t it?"

"Good evening, Prince Ricard, Prince Raziel," Rafael greeted. His smile was just about as genuine as theirs. "I didn’t know you were going to arrive so early. Please excuse me, I will inform His Majesty of your early arrival―"

"There’s no need to pretend," Ricard said with a wave of his hand. "Your darling fiancée has already informed us of everything. A measly soldier by the name of Ralph Byrone, a man of unknown origins, but capable of everything a royalty is capable of."

"Your Highnesses, I am afraid―"

His words were cut short when Raziel brought out a selenite. Without warning, he pressed the stone against Rafael’s face, and his disguise flickered and faded in and out of existence. Rafael felt the disguise wavering, and he stepped back and away from the stone. Only then did the disguise disappear, and Raziel quickly kept the stone.

"A weak disguise," Ricard said. "And a weaker excuse."

Rafael pursed his lips. It truly was a weak disguise, one so easily dispelled by selenite. He had been lucky that no one else had ever thought of trying it against him, considering how anyone — magic practitioner or not — could use it against him.

Such were the woes and wonders of selenite. Common enough that even non-magical people could use it, but so powerful in the hands of nullifiers like Soleia who could use it against greater feats of magic.

Soleia. Rafael gritted his teeth. His brothers mustn’t find out about her powers.

"You’re early," Rafael said, his polite smile instantly vanishing the moment his brothers called him out. There was no use in pretending any longer. "You aren’t due for another week."

"Your fiancée called for help," Ricard said. "Said that she was getting bullied by her lover. We thought to take a look. Younger Brother, it’s not good to mistreat your future bride like that, especially when you will eventually be sharing a bed together."

"I have no fiancée," Rafael returned evenly. "Besides, she is marrying the Duke of Drakenmire. Haven’t you heard?"

"Oh, I have," Ricard said with a laugh. "But she isn’t the bride of this wedding, now, is she?" He looked up and gestured behind Rafael, prompting him to turn back and look. The moment he did, his face paled. "Instead, that one’s the bride."