The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 64: Unfit Husband

Chapter 64: Unfit Husband

"You have some nerve!" Bellaflor was the first to react, her eyebrows furrowed as she stepped forward. "Soleia may be your wife, but she is still a princess. Where are your manners?"

Orion’s gaze slowly turned to the two other princesses, coldly scanning over them.

"Princess Bellaflor, Princess Celestina," he greeted. Although polite, his tone held no warmth. "With all due respect, this is a private matter of my own household. Please do not interfere, especially if you are unclear of the full picture."

"What full picture is needed, General?" Celestina scathingly said, folding her arms across her chest. She narrowed her eyes at Orion, sneering. "My dear sister has been married to you for two years, yet your marriage has not been consummated. Instead, you have abandoned her and left her to take care of your fief for two years, choosing to return with a harlot!"

Instantly, Orion’s expression darkened, causing Soleia’s stomach to drop. Orion had not let go of Soleia’s hand quite yet, but he took a step closer to Princess Celestina, causing the latter to back away due to the sheer presence of the man.

Celestina’s chin was tilted high, but deep inside, both she and Bellaflor could feel their hearts thundering inside their rib cages. This man... He most definitely had the fabled bloodlust that Sir Ralph Byrone lacked!

Instinctively, Celestina’s hand came forward to protect her swollen stomach, while Bellaflor positioned herself in front of her younger sister and son. Although, if it really called for it, she wasn’t sure how much that would do to a man who could kill a dragon with his bare hands.

Orion merely scoffed. The way he looked at the two princesses was akin to how he would look at a pathetic baby rabbit.

"Your father has allowed the marriage between me and Elowyn for she was my savior," Orion said. "Even if your sister holds the title of both princess and duchess, as you said, I am still her husband. Her well-being in Drakenmire will be entirely dependent on how much I favor her."

He sneered at them.

"It would be unfortunate if she is mistreated because of some unruly things her sisters have said, wouldn’t it?"

At his words, Bellaflor and Celestina’s eyes widened.

"You dare threaten us?" Bellaflor said, breathy with disbelief.

Orion said nothing in reply. But the look that he offered them was enough― yes. He absolutely dared to. There were few things Orion Elsher wasn’t capable of, and it did not include silencing three measly little unfavored princesses, consequences be damned.

"Orion, that is enough," Soleia said through gritted teeth, trying to worm her way out of his grip but failing miserably. "My sisters are just worried for me. You would be the same if Lucinda was treated the same way, wouldn’t you?"

He turned and looked at Soleia, causing Soleia to swallow. She could not read his expression to guess what he had in his mind. If anything, Orion’s eyes were blank as he stared at her.

"His Majesty was the one who gave the orders for Soleia to manage your wedding," Ralph quickly said, stepping in. "It has been a long day. The Princess needs her rest, especially if she is to make sure your wedding to Lady Elowyn is planned to perfection."

As he spoke, Ralph reached forward, wishing to pull Soleia’s hand free from Orion’s grip, but Orion reacted faster than anyone would’ve thought. He stepped back, holding Soleia’s hand out of Ralph’s immediate reach, using his body to block her away from anyone else.

He didn’t even spare Ralph a glance before he turned on his heel and left, tugging Soleia along with him.

Rafael could only watch shell-shocked as the two quickly disappeared around the corner, with Soleia stumbling behind Orion in an attempt to keep up with his long strides.

"What an absolute brute!" Bellaflor said the moment Orion and Soleia had disappeared. "What was Father thinking, marrying Soleia off to this man?"

"He will be useful for the kingdom, Bella," Celestina said with a sigh. "But that unfortunately means our dear sister’s life would be traded for this great strength."

"Father could’ve chosen someone else," Bellaflor said with a roll of her eyes. "What of the Raxuvian princes?"

Rafael stiffened when he heard the familiar name of his own kingdom.

"They have plenty of princes, and the royal family boasts great power. I heard that the princes will be invited to attend the upcoming wedding; maybe there will be one suitable for Soleia. We could convince Father to allow her to remarry."

"What use is this strength if Vramid cannot control it?" Celestina replied. "Father would never agree."

She then looked at Rafael, shaking her head. "Apologies, Sir Ralph, for you to have to be in this mess. Thank you for taking care of Soleia."

"It is no trouble," Rafael said with a smile. But it was this smile that caused Celestina’s eyes to narrow. She squinted at Rafael, taking a step forward, causing Rafael to move back in response.

"Say..." Celestina trailed off. "Underneath the grime and destitution, you look rather interesting. Sister, wouldn’t you say that Sir Ralph here looks rather oddly familiar?"

Bellaflor stepped forward, studying Rafael as well. Her eyes widened with a flash of recognition.

"Now that you’ve mentioned it," Bellaflor said, "I have seen the portraits of Raxuvia’s princes before. Sir Ralph, you look like you could be a distant relative! Are you sure you’re born here in Vramid?"

Rafael could only chuckle. It seemed like all this time spent with Soleia had caused some rather unfortunate developments to the spell he had placed over his features. They weren’t masking him up as effectively as he hoped any longer.

"Very sure," Rafael said, "and for many generations." He then bowed. "Please excuse me, Your Highnesses, but I must check in on Princess Soleia and His Grace."

With that said, Rafael hurried away.

This was bad. This was very bad. If his brothers were coming to Vramid, Rafael’s entire charade could crumble in an instant. He needed to steer clear of his family. But more importantly, he needed to make sure his brothers would remain far far away from the bride.

***

"Let go of me!" Soleia yelled, hammering against Orion’s back as hard as she could. However, she was doing more damage to her own fists than she was to the man.

He ignored her as though she was no more than a gust of wind, stopping only when he reached one of the spare rooms emptied out to accommodate them.

Opening the door, Orion pushed Soleia in, causing her to fall against the fainting couch that was placed inside. When she looked up, Orion shut the door behind him, locking it in place.

He stepped forward, causing Soleia to scramble up as quickly as she could. But it still wasn’t quick enough. Orion’s arms came down and cornered her against the couch, one arm on each side, his face mere inches from hers.

His eyes were like two orbs that trapped lightning, so bright that it seemed to be able to illuminate the entire room even without candles around.

"What have you said to the King for him to make such an arrangement?"

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.