The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 131: Stolen Her Husband I

Chapter 131: Stolen Her Husband I

"She’s with me," Ralph said, glancing at Soleia as he did.

"Why did you bring her in?" Orion asked, practically hollering into the stone. His voice scared a flock of birds from the branches where they were nesting, and Ralph had to hold the stone away from his face, wincing.

"Sir Ralph did not," Soleia said, walking over to the stone.

"Soleia?" Orion’s voice came from the other side. "Are you alright? Where are you? I’ll come find you right now―"

"I’m fine," Soleia said, cutting Orion’s frenzied questions off swiftly. She shared a look with Ralph, a crooked smile on their lips. When had Orion ever been so frantic about her safety before? "We’re headed back now."

Once Orion was reluctantly pacified, Soleia and Ralph headed straight back for the edge of the forest, Reitan cradled in Ralph’s arms. Only when they were right about to exit did Ralph place Reitan back on the ground, and the three walked through the heavy barricade of soldiers.

Most of the contestants had returned, and there was a buzz that came from one side. When Soleia looked over, she recognized quite a few faces among them, and Soleia raised a hand and waved.

On the other side, Celestina and Bellaflor quickly caught Soleia’s eyes. They waved back just as eagerly, with Celestina — not caring for the way her stomach bulged heavily with a child — lifting her skirt and darting straight for Soleia.

"Careful!" Soleia chided once Celestina was near. "Be careful of the baby!"

"You surely didn’t think that way when you ran straight into the forest without a care!" Celestina exclaimed. Then, she bent down and engulfed Reitan into her arms, her hands running up and down the young boy’s back, but her eyes remained glued onto Soleia. "You two had us worried sick!"

"Thank you, Sir Ralph, for bringing my siblings back in one piece," Bellaflor said once she neared them.

Yet, Ralph merely shook his head and stepped to one side. "It is not my credit, Your Highness."

"Well, whatever it is that you’ve done, it is certainly due for more credit than those useless princes," Celestina grunted under her breath. She stood up to her full height, throwing a scathing glare at a group of men in the distance.

Their father was nowhere to be seen, but the various princes and diplomats were huddled in a circle, arguing about something. Prince Gilbert and Prince Deacon were among them, but Prince Ricard and Prince Raziel were notably missing.

"You should let Duke Elsher know that you have returned safely," Bellaflor said. "He’s been frantically looking for you ever since your return. Had it not been for Father to have already retreated back to the palace and Duke Elsher to have been tasked with entertaining the guests, he would’ve run straight back into the forest to search for you."

"That isn’t urgent, after everything he had put Soleia through," Celestina said with a roll of her eyes. "Head over to the infirmary, Sister. We will have a talk with Duke Elsher. You shouldn’t be mingling in a crowd of dirty, sweaty men either way. Better to rest than to waste your time here waiting for the Duke."

"Father will be displeased," Soleia said with a pained smile. "I’ll be quick―"

"He will be displeased either way," Bellaflor replied fairly. "We have everything handled here, don’t you worry."

In the end, Soleia had no say in the matter but to head back. Reitan insisted on staying, and Ralph swore to protect him from the mob of older men, not to mention Celestina and Bellaflor were also around to watch over.

Her knees were indeed a little in pain, and now that they were fully out of danger, Soleia could feel her adrenaline levels surge all the way down, leaving her lethargic and shaky. She braced herself against the wall as she walked, headed for her room rather than the infirmary. There was nothing the physicians could do for her that would be better than a quick bath and a nap.

As she journeyed down the empty hallways alone, her solitude was quickly disturbed when a familiar figure appeared at the other end of the corridor. Soleia frowned, quickly recognizing the signature pale blue hair that billowed after the woman as she walked.

Great. She had neither the time nor energy to argue with Princess Nessa right now, but the latter seemed like a rampaging bull with the way she charged straight for her.

Right as Soleia was debating whether she should just turn her head down and pretend she hadn’t seen her, or if she should play a good and proper host and greet the foreign princess, Princess Nessa stopped right in front of her, leaving Soleia no other choice than confrontation.

Princess Nessa’s hands were poised on her hips, her silver larimar bangles clinking against each other when she moved.

"Princess Nessa," Soleia greeted, forcing a smile on her face. She planned on just greeting her before sidestepping her to leave, but the foreign princess did not allow it.

Princess Nessa held out a hand to prevent Soleia from stepping away, and when Soleia turned to glare at her, the former offered one back with just as much venom.

"How dare you head to the infirmary after what you have done," Princess Nessa snapped.

Instantly, Soleia frowned. "What makes you think I am headed for the infirmary?" She checked her surroundings. This was indeed the direction back to her and Orion’s room. But coincidentally, it was also the shortest way to the infirmary from where she came from.

"Did you know that Lady Elowyn nearly lost her child because of that ordeal earlier on?" Nessa continued, completely ignoring Soleia’s reply. "Whatever grudges you may have against her, she is still carrying the Duke’s firstborn and his future heir. How will you answer the Duke if she had a miscarriage?"

"Did she have a miscarriage?" Soleia asked, straightening her posture as her smile faded. This woman was utterly ridiculous.

"No," Nessa replied. "But―"

"But nothing," Soleia said. "She is fine. She was always fine, and will always be fine. Contrary to your belief, Princess Nessa, you have known Lady Elowyn for less than a day, while I have interacted with her for weeks. I know what she is like as a person, beyond a thief."

"A thief?" Nessa echoed, scoffing in disbelief. "She has stolen nothing!"

"Oh? But she did," Soleia said. "She has stolen my husband."

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