Concubine

At Elowyn's words, Orion's expression quickly softened. He gently touched Elowyn's belly before pulling her in by her waist, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. She giggled, all but melting into his hold. There was basically honey connecting their gazes, making it all the more sickening for Soleia to watch.

She felt her stomach turn and gurgle as she watched the exchange, her heart racing like a horse set free in the wild plains.

"What is this about a child now?" she asked softly, unable to muster enough strength to go louder than that.

Only after she spoke did Elowyn and Orion seem to recall there was another woman present there with them, and it was none other than Orion's actual spouse.

Elowyn immediately moved back, wanting to step away from Orion so as to create some respectable distance between them, but Orion's grip on her was firm. He made sure that she wouldn't be able to back away, holding her firmly against his body as she squeaked in surprise.

Every little noise that left Elowyn's lips just made Soleia more and more murderous.

"Your Highness…" Ralph said slowly, casting a glance between Soleia, then at Orion and Elowyn, repeating the movement a couple of times. "Erm… It's just that… Well…"

"There's no need to explain anything to her, Ralph," Orion coldly said. He then glanced at Elowyn once more, his gaze softening. "As for my beloved Elowyn, she cannot be without a title. If I cannot separate from Princess Soleia, then see to it that Elowyn will also be added to the family register."

"You're not suggesting taking a concubine, are you, Your Grace?" Soleia asked through gritted teeth.

In Vramid, even if the man was a noble, he would need to seek permission from his first wife before he could marry another as a concubine. The only one exempt from this rule was the King himself.

Duke Elsher was a mere commoner before he rose to the position of General, then to Duke. He, especially with his peasantry background, was not allowed to take more than one wife― not to mention his first wife was already the Princess!

"Of course not," Orion said. Soleia immediately breathed out the gasp of air she didn't realize she was holding. However, before she could be properly relieved, he continued, "I am taking a new wife. You will be the concubine."

Soleia's jaw immediately fell agape, her head ringing as though someone had clapped a pair of cymbals over her ears.

"You're… demoting me?" Soleia asked in shock.

"Is there a problem?" Orion asked evenly, unflinching.

"With all due respect, the King was the one who personally arranged this marriage between you and Princess Soleia," Ralph said, speaking to Orion. "If you take another woman as your duchess, that will be directly going against the wishes of His Majesty."

"I will personally speak to His Majesty about this," Orion said with resolution. "Elowyn will not hold the position of concubine, not when she is the one I love― the only one I love."

He coldly glared at Soleia, but his words remained addressed to Ralph.

Orion said, "If my marriage with Princess Soleia has been arranged by the King as you said, then it is a political marriage. I see no need for her to hold the position of duchess in that case."

With that said, Orion turned, his cape fluttering behind him as he gently led Elowyn away and up the stairs.

"Careful," Soleia heard Orion say to Elowyn, followed by Elowyn's demure reply.

"Will Lady Soleia be alright?" she asked meekly. Orion didn't even turn back to look at Soleia― he only had eyes for Elowyn.

"Never mind about her."

Soleia's eyes remained firmly fixated on Orion and Elowyn. Soon enough, her vision started to blur with tears. In its haze, she could see Elowyn turn back and look at her. Perhaps she was hallucinating it, but Soleia caught just the slightest curve of Elowyn's lips. But it was gone before she could take a better look.

"Please do not be upset, Your Highness," Ralph said, coming over. His words pulled Soleia out of her thoughts as she haphazardly brushed her tears away.

"I am not upset," Soleia stubbornly said. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. "Duke Elsher is right― there is no love in this marriage."

"But he disrespected you," Ralph pointed out softly. Soleia pursed her lips and remained silent.

"It could be worse," Soleia said.

A lot worse. Her father could have them killed. And this time, if Orion was so determined to have his lover become the Duchess of Drakenmire instead, then by all means, Soleia wasn't going to risk her neck a second time to plead for him.

She had already done it once when he outright refused to take her hand in front of everyone. If she hadn't spoken up then, King Godwin would've beheaded Duke Elsher on the spot.

But it seemed like because she had spoken up then, a seed of hatred had been planted in the Duke.

"Please do not blame the Duke," Ralph suddenly said.

Soleia looked at him. "I do not."

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but you're an atrociously, remarkably, horrible liar," Ralph said with a deadpan.

This time, Soleia merely looked away and at the little corner where Orion and Elowyn had disappeared.

"Why then shouldn't I hold a grudge against him?" Soleia asked.

While he was gone for two years, Soleia had burned her life away taking care of his territory. Whatever little funds left behind by his dukedom were useless. Everything depended on the money Soleia managed to make off her inventions. Otherwise, there wouldn't even be a fief for Duke Elsher to return to.

Yet, he had brought another woman back to warm his bed in this cold winter. Soleia couldn't help but wonder if all the letters she had sent had been burned as fuel to keep the fire going for them.

"Because the Duke was badly injured in battle," Ralph said, causing Soleia to raise an eyebrow. "He has lost his memories. That's why he doesn't remember being married to you."