The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 140: Bold Proclamation of Love

Chapter 140: Bold Proclamation of Love

This was too much for a simple priest to handle. He cowered in upon himself when he noticed the Princess toss up her veil as though it was hair in her face, and her eyes narrowed as she stared at her groom.

Good heavens. The priest started to pray, hoping that someone — anyone — could stop this mess. But of course, his prayers went unanswered.

"He’s enchanted," Soleia cried out. A mix of anger and frustration quickly overwhelmed her as rationality slipped from her mind.

This was ridiculous. Elowyn had somehow gotten her hands on an amethyst again, and between that time and now, had caused Orion to slip back into her ridiculous spell. With both of them so busy with the wedding preparations and hosting of guests, Soleia hadn’t met Orion since she had moved out of his chamber. She had failed to notice it all until now.

"He only has one woman in his heart because he has been enchanted by Lady Elowyn," Soleia declared, increasingly getting annoyed the more Orion frowned.

To hell with her finding out. It was time to expose her for good.

"What a bold declaration, Princess Soleia," Prince Ricard’s voice came from the crowd.

Soleia turned in the direction of his voice, glaring hard. If looks could kill, he would be six feet under, and Raxuvia would’ve declared war against Vramid.

"How can you prove that he is spelled?" Ricard continued, spreading his arms out wide. "The Duke has claimed so fervently his love for his mistress, with whom he already exchanged vows. Under the eyes of God, they are already husband and wife."

"In Vramid, the first wife will need to permit that," Soleia said with a low growl. She then pointed right into Orion’s face. "Look at his eyes! Orion has blue eyes, but they’re purple now!"

"Don’t be ridiculous," Orion said, swatting her hand away with a look of disdain. "I have never loved you. Our marriage had always been arranged by His Majesty― no, forced by the King. I’ve said it since the very first time I met you. If I marry, it will be for love."

"And yet you still said your vows the first time we wedded," Soleia hissed.

Without care, she reached forward and clasped her hands around Orion. She purposely poised their bodies so that it looked like she was begging him, using her body to cover their hands.

"What are you doing―" Orion said, frowning, but Soleia shut her eyes and began to concentrate. She could dispel it. She could get rid of Elowyn’s magic. She just needed a second―

A sharp gasp left Soleia’s lips as she was pushed aside with more force than necessary. She tumbled to the floor as the guests gasped, some of them even rising to their feet in shock when they saw the Princess fall.

Soleia’s ankle prickled with a sharp pain, and she winced as she reached for her tender foot. However, that was the least of her worries. Her magic hadn’t worked, and she had failed to nullify the spell. But... why?

Then, her fingers reached for her ears, where they met one empty earlobe. That’s right. Her selenite earring was still with Ralph. Perhaps she needed both the crystals in order to perform magic, considering they weren’t of the highest grade nor the largest size.

"Sir Ralph," she said. "My earring. I need them―"

Orion came forward and sandwiched himself between her and Ralph, and instantly, Ralph’s body was shielded from Soleia’s view. She could only stare up at Orion as the latter glared down at her with murderous intent. His fists were clenched at his side, and while Soleia was missing her full set of earrings, Orion, unfortunately, was not.

His jade ear studs began to glow, and magic quickly gathered in his fists, causing Soleia to back away in fear. She thought back to all those times Orion had laid his hands on her, his ear studs were glowing too. He had used his magically enhanced strength on her. The one reason she survived a slap that would’ve killed or at least heavily injured a dragon was because she had nullified his magic, albeit unknowingly back then.

But now... Soleia gulped. She didn’t have her stones, and hence, no magic to save her from harm’s way. If he truly decided to resort to violence, this wouldn’t be a wedding, but a funeral.

Soleia never thought she would say this, but relief flooded through her when she heard Elowyn’s voice echo through the church. The doors burst open, and there the lady stood, dressed in an equally white gown, albeit not as extravagant or elaborate as a wedding gown should be.

But in white, Elowyn was the picture of angelic innocence. The sunlight streamed in from behind her, and even though Soleia was at an elevated platform that looked down upon her, Elowyn shone with much more radiance than her at the moment.

"Orion..." Elowyn said, standing at the entrance. The room’s acoustics greatly amplified her voice, and instantly, Orion turned to look at the door.

"Elowyn..." he said, his voice breathy. The green mist of magic that had gathered at his hands quickly faded, and he took a step forward and past Soleia.

Elowyn was much quicker, though. She quickly raced across the room, past the guests, and scaled the steps to arrive at the top where they were. Instantly, Orion captured her into his arms, and the two passionately locked their lips as though there was no one else left in the room to watch, and the world was about to end.

"I heard," Elowyn said. "I heard what you said. Oh, Orion, my love..."

"Guards!" King Godwin called out, pointing a finger in their direction. "Seize that woman immediately!"

Hearing his order, several knights in service to the palace stepped forward, their weapons pointed at Orion and Elowyn. In response, Orion stood in front and gently guided Elowyn to hide behind him. He frowned at the knights who closed in on the stage and blocked off their only way of escape, before raising his hand to his lips and letting out a sharp whistle.

Instantly, a group of soldiers barged in, a greater number than the royal knights present in service to the King.