The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 149: Out the Window

Chapter 149: Out the Window

Soleia blinked in surprise. "Are you sure you aren’t lying to me because you felt guilty for your own lack of action? You should have picked another person."

Princess Nessa spluttered. "Why I’d never― I told him about it, days before the wedding! If you don’t believe me, feel free to question him. He’s now a dying man, I highly doubt he’d lie to you. More importantly, you shouldn’t trust men so easily. They lie as often as they breathe."

"And I suppose trusting women is better," Soleia couldn’t help but retort, "Since they would never lie to you, isn’t that right?"

Nessa’s cheeks colored at the reminder of her past faith in Elowyn. "Fine, then we shall not trust anyone. Happy?"

Soleia pursed her lips. Princess Nessa’s words didn’t make any reasonable sense. It was simply impossible that Sir Ralph wouldn’t have told her about something so important, especially when the both of them were already on the lookout for traces of Elowyn’s magic in Orion’s body. Sir Ralph knew how important it was that the wedding proceed without any hiccups.

Even if he loved her more than life itself, he couldn’t possibly risk the lives of his best friend, his entire household, and his own head for the sake of love. It was simply nonsensical. Soleia refused to believe it. Princess Nessa had to be lying.

But still, the faintest tendril of doubt began to creep in as she recalled the fervent devotion in Sir Ralph’s voice as he proposed that they elope.

Could he have already known about Orion’s condition?

No, no, she couldn’t believe that about him.

Either way, she couldn’t stay in her room any longer. She had to see Sir Ralph, to verify the truth― and to make sure he was alright. She didn’t know how she could save him from the chopping block, but she’d be damned if she didn’t try.

Soleia gestured to Florian’s unconscious body. "Help me carry him."

"To where?" Princess Nessa pulled a face, as though the very thought of touching Florian with her hands would cause her to erupt in hives.

Soleia couldn’t fault her; he was an odious sack of trash masquerading as a human being.

And trash needed to be thrown out.

"The window. We’re flinging him away," Soleia said.

An incredulous grin crossed Princess Nessa’s face and her eyes lit up with delight. She gave Soleia an approving glance. "Excellent idea."

Soleia hurriedly opened her window, and the cool night breeze fanned her cheeks. Together, she and Princess Nessa worked together to drag Florian to the side, his feet catching on the carpets due to their lack of height. Soleia chanced a glance at Nessa and quickly touched Florian’s skin. A pulse of magic rushed through her, and as quickly as she felt it, she immediately withdrew her direct touch.

Finally, they managed to get him on the window sill. On the count of three, both of them pitched him overboard with all the strength they could muster, watching as his body plummeted down, cracking every branch that had the misfortune to be in his way.

"Good riddance!" Princess Nessa cheered as she wiped her hands. She peered down for a closer look. "Ah, but it’s a pity the bushes cushioned his fall. I would have liked to see his skull broken to pieces."

"He wouldn’t die from this height anyway." Soleia sighed wistfully. "I’m not that lucky. Thank you for your help. You can leave now."

"What? Just like that?" Nessa squawked in protest. "Surely you’re not planning to go back to sleep, right?"

"Of course not. I’m heading to the dungeons. You should head back to your rooms before someone realizes you’re missing." It would be terrible to drag Nessa into even more trouble than she already was in. If Florian recognized the part she played in stopping him, there would be hell to play.

"Don’t be ridiculous. I’m going with you," Nessa decided. She had to make amends for her mistakes, and what better way than to escort Princess Soleia to save her husband?

Upon catching Soleia’s wary glance, she hastily justified herself. "It’s not like I care so much about your well-being, but I need to clear my name! I did tell Sir Ralph about Elowyn!"

"Uh-huh, whatever you say," Soleia said as she ran out, darting for the dungeons. Nessa chased her faithfully like a guard dog.

"Believe me! I did tell him!"

***

They arrived in the dungeons. Nessa thought she would need to use her powers to knock out the guards, but to her surprise, all of them were lying on the floor, fast asleep.

"Is this level of security usual for prisoners in your kingdom?" Nessa asked curiously. The royal guards seemed to be very sure that no one would be escaping, judging from the way they could sleep at work.

"No," came Soleia’s reply. She winced. "It’s not."

Soleia wanted to gag at the coppery tang of blood that seemed to permeate the entire area. She gingerly stepped closer to take a look at the occupants of the cells. Most of them were filled with Orion’s men with injuries littered all over their bodies. They groaned listlessly in pain, their eyes glassy with fever. Soleia pursed her lips when she spotted the pus on the wounds.

They weren’t going to live long without medical attention. Princess Nessa also fell quiet when she realized that execution might be a better outcome for most of them. Soleia forced herself to look away and look for Sir Ralph.

But Sir Ralph was nowhere to be found. There was an empty cell with broken cuffs, and the cell gate simply swung open noiselessly when she pushed it. Soleia examined the cuffs carefully and found the reddish tinge of dried blood coating the insides of the keyhole.

Sir Ralph must have escaped! The corners of her lips rose, unbidden. Sir Ralph would escape tomorrow’s execution.

"Princess Soleia," Nessa whispered hurriedly and jabbed a finger at one of the cells. "You’ll want to see this. I’ve found your husband."

Soleia frowned and made her way to Nessa’s side. If Sir Ralph had escaped, surely he would take his best friend with him. But her eyes did not lie― her mouth fell when she caught sight of Orion’s broken form, lying on the floor of the dungeon as though he were nothing more than a corpse.

Dried blood stained his pristine white suit an ugly maroon, and his arms were completely encased in ice. His lips were deathly pale. If she didn’t do something, he’d be dead before morning!

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