The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 63: Unconsummated Marriage

Chapter 63: Unconsummated Marriage

Before she could clarify things with her sisters, Celestina scrutinized her from head to toe and frowned.

"You look a lot thinner than before. And what happened to your hands? They’re so much rougher than I remember!" Celestina added critically. "This won’t do. How will you get pregnant like this? You have to take care of your body!"

Soleia choked. "Sister, that’s a bit too forward―"

"Has your husband been ill-treating you? If so, I will have words with him!" Bellaflor looked similarly displeased, and then she caught sight of the man trailing behind her sister. Judging by his watchful demeanor and the way he hovered over her protectively, this must be her new husband.

The sisters’ eyes raked over him. He was decently fair-looking, as the rumors had suggested. Tall, broad-shouldered, and he looked weathered by the years on the battlefield with his rippling muscles.

But there was no bloodlust in his eyes from the way the rumors often suggested. If anything, the way he looked at Soleia was as though he was gazing upon the most precious jewel of the lands. His brown eyes shone with blatant, undeniable affection.

It was touching to see her sister so loved by the man, but sometimes, love wasn’t enough. He wasn’t dressed like a duke― scratch that. He was dressed like he hadn’t seen a gold coin before in his life.

Bellaflor’s lips curled in distaste. Was Drankenmire truly so destitute that its ruler had to wear clothes that a poor landed knight would wear? Wasn’t he supposed to be a famous general?

Come to think of it, her sister was also very poorly dressed. Soleia’s dress was dirty and torn. While Soleia had never been one for vanity, she would have never let herself wear such an unsightly outfit, especially when meeting with their father. Not to mention the smell... Bellaflor’s nostrils flared at the smell of sweat.

Drat. Her sister had married a penniless man! This was a fate worse than death! She discreetly elbowed Celestina, who also noticed the issues in Soleia’s attire. She let out a displeased hiss.

"It’s fine, really," Soleia said quickly, trying not to burst into tears at her sisters’ display of concern. Truly, absence makes the heart grow fonder. They barely got along before they went their separate way, but now, her sisters were showering her with care.

"It’s just a minor inconvenience―"

"Mommy, this lady is stinky. Did she not bathe?" Her son Desmond asked in what he thought was a whisper, but it was actually loud enough to be overheard by everyone. Soleia’s face colored at her nephew’s innocent words, and she immediately sprung back, humiliated.

"Shush, Desmond, what did we say about inside thoughts?" Bellaflor scolded her young son, who stared up at her with innocent blue eyes. "Apologise to your aunt at once! How can you be so rude?"

"I’m sorry," Desmond said obediently. "But lying is wrong, and you are stinky. Did you roll in the mud?"

Bellaflor glowered at her son, and young Desmond snapped his mouth shut and went to hide behind her skirts.

"Don’t scold him for pointing out the truth," Soleia said with a sigh. "I did not have time to wash up before seeing you."

"How sweaty could you be riding in a carriage?" Celestina pointed out. "It’s not as though you walked here. Is your commoner husband telling you not to bathe?"

Bellaflor huffed and turned her ire on the man behind her. "You there! I presume you must be Orion, yes? What is the meaning of this? Why is my sister dressed in rags?"

Soleia’s eyes widened when she realized who Bellaflor was pointing at. "Sister, that’s not my husband. That’s his best friend, Sir Ralph Byrone. He is my escort."

"Oh thank the gods," Celestina did not even bother to hide her tone of relief. "He is handsome enough, but he’s definitely not good enough for you. Look at his clothes!"

Rafael kept a placid smile on his face at their words. At least his looks had passed, fake as they were. Once he brought Soleia to Raxivua, she would be clad in riches beyond compare.

"Then where is that husband of yours?" Bellaflor asked, increasingly confused. "Is he not here to see Father regarding your wedding?"

Soleia bit her lip, wondering how she could even begin to explain this mess to her sisters. "Well... actually... this isn’t my wedding."

"What?!" Simultaneous shrieks echoed through the corridor, and both her sisters turned their fiery eyes in her direction.

Soleia gulped. This was similar to how they would grill her when they found out she accidentally decapitated some of their dolls for her experiments.

"My husband has decided to take in a concubine," Soleia said. "A woman by the name of Elowyn, who he met when he was fighting at the borders. She is pregnant with his child. I’m organizing the wedding for her. He initially wanted to divorce me, but Father disagreed. So I shall still remain his duchess."

"By the gods!" Bellaflor fanned herself and nearly swayed where she stood. The bombardment of information made her feel ill."What is this nonsense I’m hearing? Father agreed to this?!"

"And you?" Celestina’s hand came to rest on Soleia’s flat belly. "Are you with child? Please say so."

"If I claim I’m with child, then I’m lying, and young Desmond and I both know lying is wrong," Soleia said wryly. "Besides, it’s near impossible for me to have a child with him, since he seems to detest my very presence. He bit my lip during our wedding kiss and went off to the borders immediately after. We’ve never even consummated our marriage."

Soleia paused, letting her words sink in.

Her sisters stared at her, dumbfounded with shock. This was a lot worse than they expected! An unconsummated marriage was as good as no marriage at all!

"Somehow, I’m starting to believe Sir Ralph might have been a better choice for your husband," Celestina said faintly. "At least he looks like he’s willing to spend time with you."

Soleia could only let out a weak chuckle.

Rafael couldn’t help but speak up. "I am very happy to spend time with Princess Soleia indeed. She’s an incredible woman."

The back of Soleia’s neck burned at Sir Ralph’s honest praise.

"I need to speak to your husband," Bellaflor decided. "This is entirely outrageous! How could he be so irresponsible! Is he incapable? Did the wars chop off his manhood?"

"My manhood is perfectly capable." A familiar voice came ringing through the corridor.

Soleia whirled around, only to catch a glimpse of Orion’s stormy blue eyes as he marched towards her, anger evident in his eyes. He grabbed her hand and tugged Soleia roughly, causing her to stumble to his side.

"My marriage is my business. Stay out of it."

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