The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 137: Other Than The Groom

Chapter 137: Other Than The Groom

"Sister? Sister?" Bellaflor frowned as she waved a hand in front of Soleia’s face. "Are you even listening to me?"

"What?" Soleia startled. "I mean yes, we should definitely have the musicians play the wedding march."

"Well yes, but that wasn’t what I was asking," Bellaflor said, shooting her a concerned expression.

Next to her, Celestina was equally worried, and she raised a hand to touch Soleia’s forehead. Soleia flinched at the touch, shying away. Her sisters exchanged glances.

"I was asking if you would be willing to let Reitan be the ring bearer," Bellaflor said, "But it seems that I’ve been talking to air this whole time. What’s the matter with you, Soleia? I never thought you’d be so distracted when the wedding is literally tomorrow!"

Tomorrow. Soleia gulped. After that disastrous, dangerous, desperate kiss she shared with Sir Ralph, Soleia’s thoughts were so frazzled that she could barely keep track of the time. Dark circles formed under her eyes as her sleep grew restless.

She tossed and turned so often in bed that she found herself thankful that Orion was sleeping in his own chamber while she had returned to hers, if not he would have definitely woken up in displeasure.

And she had taken great pains to avoid being in Ralph’s general vicinity. It felt like slow torture, as though she was attempting to pluck out her own teeth.

Of course her sisters noticed. How could they not? Their precious younger sister had gone from an intelligent young woman to an absent-minded girl who twitched at every passing shadow after she escaped the forest.

"Nothing’s the matter with me," Soleia said, but it sounded weak to her own ears. Her sisters stared at her, unimpressed.

"You are clearly not in your right mind," Celestina said firmly. "Did the howlers traumatize you so badly?"

"I’m fine," Soleia insisted. "I’m just... tired. From wedding planning."

They stared at her, unconvinced.

"And maybe... I’m... unsure," Soleia offered hesitantly. She remembered the press of Sir Ralph’s lips on hers, and her face colored unknowingly. Bellaflor raised her eyebrow.

"You’re already married to him," Celestina pointed out. "What’s there to be unsure of?"

"It’s different," Soleia could only say. Before, she hadn’t realized she was in love with Ralph, her husband’s best friend. She hadn’t kissed him and felt her heart rejoice in jubilation before reality came crashing into her.

Whatever Orion had with Elowyn was due to her magic, but Soleia had fallen in love with Ralph out of her own free will.

Wasn’t that a damning proclamation of her character? What right did she have to throw stones at Orion’s past behavior? She had betrayed Orion when he was ready to start anew with her.

"I think... it’s just starting to sink in," Soleia confessed quietly. "We will be spending their whole lives together. He won’t be going off to war." And Sir Ralph would be right next to him, providing him with support as his best friend.

Soleia didn’t have enough mind space to think about how Elowyn would fit in this mess.

Bellaflor patted her hand sympathetically. "I know it’s a change, but it will be an improvement. Now, you will be his duchess, and that woman wouldn’t dare to take your place."

"Get Sir Ralph to kick her off a balcony if things get dire," Celestina suggested with all seriousness. "Do it after you get pregnant."

Soleia’s face colored at the mention of Ralph’s name. That did not go unnoticed by her sisters, who exchanged another heavy glance.

"Love will come with time. Whatever feelings you have for Sir Ralph, it’s time to lay them to rest," Celestina said. "The both of you come from different worlds."

Soleia froze. "How did you..."

"Regrets are the norm when it comes to royal marriages," Bellaflor said apologetically with a tiny, rueful shrug. "You have to find joy in the little things. For what it’s worth, I sense that Duke Elsher is making the effort to mend the bridge between the both of you. It’s time for you to meet him halfway. You can still be happy, Sister."

Soleia nodded glumly. In her mind, she knew her sisters were right. But her heart refused to accept it.

"Now let’s finalize the wedding preparations, shall we? We can’t have anything going wrong on your special day, especially since you managed to get a second chance," Celestina said firmly.

And what could Soleia do but try her best to be enthusiastic about her upcoming wedding? She tried to think of the good― her sisters were supportive, Reitan would be part of it, her father was pleased, and this wedding venue was designed to her wishes...

Everything was perfect, except for the identity of the groom.

***

Princess Nessa twisted her fingers in her dress. She had spent the past few days hovering around the other invited royalty, trying to forget the scene she had stumbled upon in the infirmary. She didn’t know what to do. Confronting Elowyn was dangerous, now that Nessa knew the depths this seemingly fragile woman would go to sink her claws into Orion Elsher’s hide.

A purple glow usually implied the use of amethysts. One so bright could muddle the mind.

The right thing to do would be to warn Princess Soleia. But what would she even say?

’Hi, my apologies for my past behavior towards you, but I saw this woman possibly use magic on your husband?’

It was implausible! If their positions had been reversed, Nessa would have snorted so hard that food would come out of her nose.

Besides, Orion Elsher did not seem to behave any differently from before. He still spent time training the men at arms, spent time with Prince Reitan and his best friend and Princess Soleia.

Nessa bit her lip. What if her accusations backfired on her again?

There were more reasons for a purple glow. Perhaps Elowyn was merely making sure Orion Elsher would have a good night’s sleep, through the use of lepidolite. Purple morganite also had a beautiful purple glow to its magic. But that thought sounded weak to her.

Then, a new idea dawned on her as she saw Sir Ralph walk to the courtyard. She might not be able to approach Princess Soleia directly with her suspicions, but surely Sir Ralph would be a safer ear. After all, he was Duke Orion’s best friend, and he was Princess Soleia’s protector. If there was anyone who wanted this wedding to go smoothly without a hitch, it was him.

With that in mind, she made her way to Sir Ralph.