The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 156: Daybreak II

Chapter 156: Daybreak II

Florian had all but escaped the situation unscathed― either that, or he had been speedily healed by the physicians before he ran out here to catch them. His clothes were still tattered and torn in some places, the fabric most likely snagged when he had been thrown out of the window earlier by the branches and twigs that caught him on the way down.

Fortunately for him, those branches damaged his clothing, nothing more. He looked as healthy as ever, and if anything, as angry as ever.

He had a new ring now, snugly nested on his finger. The aquamarine stone that was set in the ring glowed as he held out a hand, creating a sword made of ice out of thin air.

Instantly, Ralph stepped forward, shielding Soleia behind him. He glared fiercely at Florian, who matched his expression.

"There is nowhere to run, Princess Soleia," Florian said, his voice strong and powerful, unobstructed with how void of life the docks were. The common folk were gone, and instead, replaced by soldiers who reacted to Florian’s command like empty husks born to serve. "Return with me at once to the palace and hand over those criminals. Otherwise, there will be consequences."

"Princess Soleia will be going nowhere with you," Nessa said, stepping forward as well. She tried to keep Orion hidden behind her, but it was difficult for her tinier body to shield a much bigger man.

"With all due respect, Princess Nessa, Vramid isn’t Nedour," Florian said. "This is a patriarchal kingdom, and as such, Princess Soleia obeys her husband’s commands." Then, just to clarify, he added, "Which will be me."

"Her husband is General Elsher," Nessa returned evenly. "There was never an official divorce."

"On the contrary," Florian said, pulling a roll of parchment from behind him. He unfurled it and allowed it to unravel, displaying the contents written. Even from a distance, Soleia could recognize her father’s obnoxious signature at the end. "There is. This is an official document declaring the separation between Princess Soleia and Orion Elsher, effective immediately."

Soleia couldn’t help but look over her shoulder and at Orion. The man who had been her husband for two years, the man she had waited for, was now no more related to her than a stranger.

"And as King Godwin, our glorious and wise leader has announced, Princess Soleia is to be wedded to me today," Florian continued with a wicked grin. "She will be my wife."

Rafael instinctively stepped forward, the red of his carnelian glowing nearly as brightly as the murderous intent in his eyes.

Before he could take a step forward, Florian clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"I thought your guard dog might have something to say about that," Florian said. "Which is why I brought a little something to... persuade you."

"Sister, no― mmph!"

Soleia’s eyes widened as she watched Florian roughly tug Reitan over. He had been hidden behind a couple of knights previously, and he only managed to make a sound when the gag that had been tucked in his mouth went loose. But the moment he cried out for her, a soldier shoved it back in, and Reitan’s tears quickly fell down his cheeks. The boy’s arms were securely tied behind his back, and the knight who brought him forward gripped his collar so tightly that it was as though he was handling a wild animal and not the son of the King.

"Reitan!" Soleia called out in horror. "Let go of him!"

"I will, of course," Florian said. "Only when you return to me and dutifully finish your vows and become my bride. By the grace of your father, you have been promised to me. As your future husband, I can indulge you in this at least."

"This isn’t an indulgence," Rafael growled. "This is a mere threat."

He took a step forward. However, he was quickly pulled back by Soleia. Rafael stopped and looked down at their hands― her smaller hands were gripping his larger one as though he was her lifeline, and when he looked at her face, her expression was pleading. Tears had started to well in her eyes even though they refused to fall, hanging stubbornly on her lower eyelashes.

When Rafael’s posture slackened ever the slightest, she let go. She stepped forward, walking past him, and Rafael clenched his teeth hard. He needed to find a way to kill off this pest without jeopardizing Prince Reitan’s safety, otherwise, Soleia would never forgive him.

However, before he could think too much about it, his eyes widened ever the slightest in surprise when he noticed a flash of blue around Soleia’s wrist. As he looked down, he noticed that water pooled around his feet, slowly darkening the wood of the docks.

"Let my brother go," Soleia said. "I will come with you."

"That’s a good girl," Florian sleazily said.

His eyes scanned her body up and down, and when she got close, he narrowed his eyes at the necklace around her neck. Once she got close enough, Florian reached out and unclasped the aquamarine necklace she wore. She gasped in surprise, but he held it out of her reach before she could snatch it back.

Florian clicked his tongue as he stared at the necklace, sighing wistfully.

"I have been told that you have quite the secret," Florian said. "I thought it was a fluke when you did it that day at the back alley, but it turns out it was more than just a lucky chance. You have cryomancy now!"

He laughed, tossing the necklace up and down in his hand to test the weight a couple of times.

"Better be safe than sorry."

Then, Florian threw the necklace straight out at the sea. Soleia could only watch helplessly as her sister’s necklace soared through the sky and disappeared into the water with a splash. It sank down quickly, disappearing beneath the waves.

Before she could spend any time to despair, Florian reached forward and tugged Soleia into his arms. His hand wrapped tightly around her waist, pinching and squeezing as she twisted uncomfortably in his embrace. He leaned in close, pressing his nose against her skin before taking in a deep breath, laughing in delight.

"Let Prince Reitan go," Rafael said through gritted teeth, trying his best to restrain himself from slaughtering everyone just then and there. "The Princess is already yours."

"Right," Florian said flippantly. "Give them the useless prince. I have no use for him anymore."

He shared a knowing smile with the knight, and Soleia watched with horror as the knight picked Reitan up and threw him off the docks the same manner her necklace had been thrown.

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