The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 122: Seen, Not Heard

Chapter 122: Seen, Not Heard

"Father!" Soleia stilled. A lifetime of obedience under her father’s domineering thumb was not so quickly extinguished, but her mind was wracked with worry for Reitan’s situation. With every passing second, Orion’s back grew smaller in the distance, until he was swallowed by the tall trees.

Soleia felt her heart sink. Her husband didn’t even give her a backward glance. Orion had not heard her call for him.

Despondent, she couldn’t help but recall the scene of his return three years ago. So much has changed, but some things remained the same. Back then, he and his men had also rode into Drankenmire without a care.

Now, Soleia could only hope that Orion would keep his promise. Reitan was a weak rider; perhaps he could catch up with him. Perhaps Orion was riding so quickly so he could find him sooner.

That thought made Soleia calm slightly. She had to trust him. What was a marriage without trust? They had already come so far from their disastrous start.

"I just wished to speak to my husband," Soleia said, addressing her father politely, mindful of her sisters milling closely behind, and the other women waiting merely a short distance away. "I wanted to wish him the best of luck, and to remind him to keep an eye out for Reitan."

Her father scoffed dismissively at Soleia’s words. "Stop cursing your husband. If you want him to have luck, you would not want him near Reitan at all. That useless little brat can’t do anything but snivel and weep into his sleeves. Hopefully, he would not be trampled over by a horse."

"That useless little brat is your son, Father," Soleia couldn’t help but retort, her heart aching at her father’s cavalier words. Back then, her father still had a modicum of patience and kindness left for Reitan, but now that her father had Florian as an heir, Reitan was treated like a cold afterthought.

"A fact I rue every day." King Godwin’s lips twisted into a sneer. "Now, shut your mouth while I’m still in a good enough mood to tolerate your nonsensical babbling. Women should be seen and not heard. All you need to do is do your duty as his wife; keep your mouth shut and your legs open when he comes back."

Soleia’s mouth fell open at the crude implications of her father’s words. Even in her shock, it didn’t escape her notice that her father treated her markedly better when Orion was around. "Father, you..."

"Sit back down and don’t embarrass me," King Godwin continued. "The other foreign princesses are here."

Soleia could only return to her seat glumly. Sir Ralph immediately pulled a chair out for her and held out a fan for her to hold. "Princess, it’s going to get warmer later." Then he caught sight of her forlorn expression. "I’m guessing King Godwin doesn’t care much about Prince Reitan’s survival?"

"If I were a betting woman, I’d think he wanted Retian dead," Soleia confessed quietly. "How could he allow Reitan to enter the forest with Florian? It’s practically handing his head to Florian onto a silver platter!"

"Maybe things aren’t as dire," Ralph said, trying to reassure her. "They aren’t completely alone, and most men would frown on the outright murder of a younger sibling, especially one as... weak as Prince Reitan."

Soleia bit her lip. "So... I have to hope that their sympathy for him incites their chivalry?"

"That’s a nicer way to put it," Ralph said. "Juice?"

Soleia took a sip of the fruit juice offered morosely.

Celestina cleared her throat. "Sir Ralph, may I have some juice too? I find myself a tad bit parched."

"I would like a glass too!" Bellaflor chimed in.

"Of course, right away," Ralph said, hurrying off before Soleia could stop him. This wasn’t his duty at all― they had servers and maids for that!

"Sisters, Sir Ralph is not a maid," Soleia frowned. "You shouldn’t be ordering him like this."

"If I don’t, his head will be on a pike," Celestina said simply. "Don’t forget Father is nearby, watching. Sir Ralph favors you too much, and he’s not even doing it consciously."

"It’s dangerous," Bellaflor added. "If he does favors for Celestina and I, one could argue he’s a loyal family servant instead."

Soleia fell silent, understanding their point. Soon, Sir Ralph returned with four glasses of fresh fruit juice― he had brought an extra glass for Desmond, who was now staring up at him with glowing eyes, his hands outstretched.

"Thank you," her sisters chorused, and Soleia could only shoot him an apologetic look. But Sir Ralph smiled and shrugged, wordlessly telling her not to worry.

Unfortunately, Soleia was right to worry. An unwelcome visitor arrived at their side, bringing along more people that Soleia was comfortable with.

"Princess Soleia," Elowyn said, her simpering voice immediately causing Soleia to clench her fingers around her glass. She purposely stroked her swelling belly and let out a tired sigh, shifting her weight between her feet. "Might I have a seat?"

Soleia’s eyebrow twitched. "There are plenty of other seats in the stands. You can sit there." In fact, she had been sitting there to begin with.

"But that area isn’t sheltered," Elowyn said pitifully, tilting her head so that everyone could see the beads of sweat that gathered at her temples. She shivered theatrically as a strong breeze blew in their direction.

Vramid was slowly entering spring, and with it came warmer weather and plenty of wind. Falling snow was slowly turning into a watery slush.

Soleia and her sisters had huge tents over their seats, shielding them from the worst of the elements and so did the other foreign princesses.

Elowyn, who was only a mistress, did not get such consideration. Soleia wasn’t in charge of organizing this event, but she wouldn’t be surprised if her father stuffed her in some corner of the field so that she couldn’t bother anyone.

Well, he didn’t know Elowyn well enough. Not only did she come to bother Soleia, but she also brought guests!

"The wind and sun are not good for the child. I’m afraid I’d have to trouble you for assistance."

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