Annulment

"A wedding?" Soleia echoed, stepping forward. She pushed past Ralph and stopped in front of Orion, who met her gaze unflinchingly. "What wedding?"

Soleia felt her blood boil as she thought back to her own wedding with the Duke. It had been so rushed, organized the very same day her father, the King, had proposed the Duke take her hand in marriage.

Even to this day, Soleia could remember the cold reluctance in Orion Elsher's eyes when they spoke their vows. He was ever so unwilling, claiming he would only marry for love, not knowing that this marriage was the only reason why Soleia's father hadn't killed him or his loved ones yet.

"Have you forgotten that you're already married, General?" Soleia asked, anger quickly bubbling in her chest. She glared hard at the woman — Elowyn, they said her name was — before returning her eyes to Orion. "Or are you now no better than a goldfish?"

"I understand you must be confused, My Lady, but that's no way to speak to your husband, much less a duke," Elowyn piped up, her voice small and fragile. 

When Soleia glared at her, she squeaked and hid further behind Orion, who stepped forward to shield her as though Soleia would soon start breathing fire like the dragon he slayed with his blade.

"I don't need you to tell me how I should speak to my husband," Soleia seethed, gripping her skirt so tight that wrinkles started to form on the rough fabric. 

She had suffered for two long years in this god-forsaken place, scraping by every last penny to keep this tattered estate and its residents afloat. The servants were few and nary, and most of the housework had been done by Lily and Soleia herself. Most days, they even had to serve Orion's ungrateful relatives who ordered them around as though they were slaves.

If it weren't for Elowyn's appearance, Soleia might've even forgotten who she was. Soleia had been so engrossed with her task given by her father to please Orion Elsher and his family that she had forgotten― she was still a princess.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Soleia continued, her body visibly quaking as she tried to suppress her anger.

"My Lady―"

"It's 'Your Highness' to you," Soleia said, practically spitting out the words.

"That's enough!" Orion finally bellowed, gaining the attention of both women.

Soleia gaped. "Orion…"

"Do not speak my name," the man lowly hissed. He took a step forward, wrapping his hand tightly around her throat.

Soleia immediately gasped, her hands flying to her throat as she tried to claw her way out. Dark spots began to cloud her vision. Her fingernails dug into his skin, enough to draw blood. However, the more pain he felt, the more the jade ear studs glowed.

Orion fed off the injury, his strength glowing the more Soleia resisted.

"Orion, that's enough!"

Soleia hadn't even realized she had been picked up off the ground until the moment she collapsed in a heap. She hacked and coughed, her hands wrapped around her neck. Her fingertips were cold, perfect to help soothe the burning pain Orion left on her skin.

Orion was suddenly pushed back, and a pair of worn leather boots entered her vision, blocking her from view.

"Are you insane?" Ralph questioned. "I know you've suffered some injuries, but that's uncalled for!"

"I do not need an outsider in my home," Orion coldly replied.

"An outsider?" Ralph echoed. "Did you not hear anything that was said just now? That's Princess Soleia― your lawfully wedded wife! She is the true duchess of Drakenmire."

"Well then," Orion said. "As of today, she is no longer the Duchess. I am annulling this marriage."

All in one instant, Soleia completely forgot how to breathe despite her lungs begging for a breath of air. She felt as though she had been punched as she stared at the floor, her blood chilling in her veins.

They couldn't divorce. Her father would kill her.

"I will only marry Elowyn," he said. "We have already exchanged our vows. There is no changing this fact."

"There was no officiant to your play-wedding," Ralph said through gritted teeth; even Soleia could hear the frustration in his voice. "Meanwhile, your wedding with Her Highness was witnessed by hundreds of guests and the King himself. Do you understand what will happen if you annul this marriage?"

Silence befell the four of them for a moment. Then, Ralph spoke again.

"King Godwin will have you killed," Ralph spat out. 

"So be it," came Orion's reply.

"Oh, it's not so simple," Ralph said with a sarcastic, cold laugh. "With his temper, he will also have your mother and sister killed alongside you. And when he finds out that Miss Elowyn is the reason why you decided to divorce his daughter…"

Ralph trailed off, but it was enough for the intention of his sentence to go through.

It wasn't just Orion who would face punishment for disrespecting the royal family. The King would make sure that all of Orion's loved ones would accompany him to the grave. And that was if he was feeling generous enough to not feed their corpses to the monsters in the surrounding forests.

"Orion…" Elowyn's meek voice said, cloyingly sweet. "It's fine. I don't need a title." 

There was a pregnant pause as Ralph stepped aside and helped Soleia back up to her feet. She numbly took his hand, slowly standing back up to her full height, despite still feeling as though she had been dipped in the frozen lakes of Vramid and chucked outside in the blizzard.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Ralph whispered, bending down slightly so that he could reach Soleia's eye level.

She pursed her lips and gave one weak nod just as Elowyn continued to speak.

"As long as I get to be by your side, that is enough for me," she said to Orion. "I don't need to be the Duchess, or even your wife or concubine." 

Then, her hand gently held Orion's, leading his larger ones to caress her lower stomach.

"As long as our child can grow up by your side, I am content."