The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 117: Interloper In His Marriage

Chapter 117: Interloper In His Marriage

It was Orion, and he sounded none too happy about being left out of the revelry. Rafael opened the door to welcome him in. He strode in with an unhappy look on his face.

Not only was he forced to endure the rest of dinner alone without Soleia’s presence, but Prince Florian had made all sorts of unkind jibes about his leadership and skills when Orion recounted the harrowing war campaign, to the point that Orion wanted to draw his blade and show him how a proper gutting looked like.

Thankfully, Soleia’s older sisters had managed to dispel such a disaster. If not, Orion would have once again found himself on the chopping block even before dessert was served. When the dinner was over, he all but darted out of the dining hall, hoping to find someone to commiserate with. Ralph was his first choice, but he couldn’t find him...

Only to hear his laughter, along with his wife’s, coming from Soleia’s room. Orion was surprised by the overwhelming jealousy he felt when he realized the both of them were spending time together behind a closed door.

Even the most tolerant of men would be suspicious!

However, whatever anger Orion felt immediately gave way to befuddlement when he caught sight of the state that the room was in. Ice covered the majority of the room, causing it to be as warm as the winter streets outside.

"What on earth happened here?"

Soleia sighed and repeated the same story she told Ralph. But she didn’t tell him about her part to play in removing the ice. It was simply too risky to let more people know about it― even telling Ralph was pushing it.

Orion’s frown grew deeper and more pronounced with every word that emerged from her mouth.

"Was that why you were laughing so loudly?" Orion asked.

Maybe the both of them realized how incredulous the situation was and could only deal with it by laughing. Perhaps it reminded them of how it felt to sleep on the cold winter ground, all thanks to Orion’s own incompetence.

"Oh no, it wasn’t because of that," Ralph said, patting his shoulder. He looked at Orion with all seriousness and asked, "Orion, do you poop?"

Soleia accidentally let out the loudest cackle of laughter, before biting her lip at Orion’s glare. "My apologies."

"Of course I poop." Orion turned back to Ralph and smacked his arm in distaste for bringing up this topic in front of Soleia. "You’re the one that’s full of shit. I told you not to drink so much. But did you listen to me? Where were you when you promised to lead training?"

"I was tired!" Ralph complained, every inch the aggrieved spouse. "Your mistress is a real pain to keep away!"

Somehow, Soleia had the feeling that Orion was Ralph’s actual wife. She and Elowyn were both add-ons. She snorted― perhaps Orion would be happier if he did marry Ralph instead of her to begin with, but alas, these were the cards they were dealt.

After Orion nagged enough at his best friend, he turned his eyes to Soleia. Soleia took a wary step back.

"What is it? My bowels are very healthy, unlike Sir Ralph’s," Soleia said, easily throwing him under the metaphorical carriage wheels. Ralph shot her a look of absolute betrayal.

"Do you intend to sleep here?" Orion asked instead. Soleia blinked in surprise.

"Where else would I sleep?" Soleia asked. She pointed to her bed which was blessedly free of ice. "I can sleep here."

"Definitely not. You’re sleeping with me," Orion said in a tone that brooked no argument. Two pairs of stunned eyes met Orion’s.

"I am?" Soleia exclaimed.

"She’s sleeping... with you?" Ralph asked.

"Of course she is," Orion said stonily in response to Ralph’s inane question. "Who else would she be sleeping with? You?"

"That would be highly improper," Ralph agreed. All rationality could not stop the bitter tangy taste of jealousy from welling up in his throat.

"So you do know that it’s improper," Orion said evenly. He turned back to Soleia. "Pack your things. You’ll be moving into my room."

Soleia’s mouth opened. "But what about Elowyn? Wait― aren’t you already sleeping with her?" At least, Soleia had assumed so. Now that she had vacated her spot, Elowyn should have jumped at the chance to swim back into Orion’s good graces like the slippery eel she was.

Orion stared back at her flatly, unimpressed.

"Do you think I would invite someone like her back into my bed, after all she had done to me? I’ve been trying not to approach her, as much as necessary."

He had made sure that any contact they had was chaste, chaperoned by servants, and he could flee at any given time. It was cowardly, but when it came to dealing with Elowyn, he was mentally mapping escape route after escape route.

Soleia could only laugh awkwardly and then turn around to gather her things. Orion couldn’t help but notice it was so different from the carefree laughter he heard earlier, and his face became gloomy.

Ralph immediately went over to help Soleia drag her trunk and pack, while Orion stood there uselessly like a block of wood. He wanted to offer his assistance, but he felt like an interloper in his own marriage.

Soleia had everything in hand. She barely needed anything from him. She didn’t even need him to carry her trunk― her trunk had goddamn wheels attached to the end, and she could pull it alongside like it was a puppy.

He didn’t even notice this ingenious invention of hers. He had a lot to make up for. He hadn’t even held her hand without her overbearing father looming over them casting judgemental glances at them both, while Ralph was piggybacking her all over the snow weeks ago. No wonder Soleia’s sisters assumed Ralph was her husband.

Orion held his breath and held out his hand.

"What?" Soleia asked suspiciously.

"Holdmyhand."

"What?" Soleia cocked her head. "I couldn’t catch that."

"Do you want to..." Orion paused with gritted teeth, "hold hands?"