The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 10: Low Funds

Both Soleia and Orion turned their gazes to the door, their eyes wide as Lucinda stood by the doorway. Her eyes were equally as round, holding out a hand as she pointed back and forth between Orion and Soleia.

Surprise morphed into outrage as Lucinda stormed into the study, her arms immediately reaching for Soleia to pull her away from Orion.

"What do you think you're doing, you hussy!" Lucinda screeched, her voice reverberating through the air, enough that there was no doubt everyone in the estate had heard her. "Get away from my cousin!"

"Excuse me? Hussy?" Soleia's mouth fell open in shock at the audacity of Lucinda's words. "I am his wife!"

"Oh ho," Lucinda said with a huff. "But you're not going to be his wife for much longer! I have heard about it all."

Pushing Soleia to one side, Lucinda came over to Orion, practically clinging onto his arm as she fluttered her long eyelashes with great interest.

"I've heard that my dear cousin has found a new bride," she said, puffing her chest proudly. "Isn't that right, Cousin Orion?"

Orion stared at her with round eyes, so much so that it almost seemed to Soleia he had completely forgotten about Elowyn for a second there despite the huge commotion they caused when he returned with her. However, that state of surprise only lasted for a second. When Orion blinked again, it was gone.

He pursed his lips into a fine line, choosing not to address this issue. Instead, he said, "Where were you?" Slowly, he pulled his arm free from Lucinda's grip. "And where is Mother?"

"We were out, of course," Lucinda said with a huff. She flipped her hair, throwing her long curls over her shoulder. Taking a step back, she twirled around and showed off her dress. "Isn't this gorgeous? Apparently, the famous designer from Nedour is here for the winter holidays. He set up shop in Drakenmire and will be returning in a few days―"

"So you bought a new dress?" Orion asked, disapproval clear in his tone. "What are you even wearing? In the middle of winter, at that."

Similarly, Soleia eyed the clothes with distaste. It was too revealing and showed off too much skin, especially in the thick of winter. The people of Nedour always had rather bold fashion choices, especially since their kingdom was in the tropics.

If this was all Lucinda was wearing, Soleia could only wish Lucinda had bought the dress earlier. Maybe that way, she would freeze to death. That would be one less mouth to feed.

"Soleia mentioned that funds are low," Orion continued. His eyebrows furrowed as his gaze darkened, causing Lucinda to stop her movements. She gulped, taking a step back and away from her cousin. "Shouldn't you be saving money in that case?"

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"I mean... But... Well..."

"Orion! My son!" Elisa suddenly barged into the study, her arms held out as she made a beeline for Orion. She pushed everyone out of the way, causing Soleia and Lucinda to stagger a little on their feet before catching themselves.

The moment Elisa entered the study, she pulled Orion down into a massive embrace. For a little woman like her, she had great strength in her arms. The hug she gave squeezed oxygen out of Orion's lungs, causing him to cough a little in surprise.

"Mother," Soleia called out, raising an eyebrow as she cleared her throat. "I thought you were unwell. Shouldn't you be resting in bed rather than out shopping in the cold?"

"Who are you to order me around?" Elisa Elsher said with a scowl. "My son is finally home after two long years. Can't I celebrate his victorious return?"

"Of course you can," Soleia said with a fake smile. "I was merely worried for your health."

"Worried for my health?" Elisa rolled her eyes. "You were worried about our money, more likely!"

"Mother," Orion said disapprovingly. "She is right. If funds are low, we should be saving for the winter, not spending it needlessly. Besides, night has already fallen. It's cold outside."

Surprising everyone, he came over to Soleia's side, standing in between her and the other two women. Everyone stared at him as though he had grown a second head― Lucinda and Elisa had heard from the others the way Orion had treated Soleia upon his return. They didn't think he would actually speak up for her.

"Needlessly?" Elisa echoed, rolling her eyes as she threw her hands into the air. "Since when have clothing ever been needless? Furthermore, ever since you have been gone, everyone has been bossed around and worked tirelessly day and night to serve this princess!" She gestured at Soleia, causing the latter's eyes to nearly pop out of her skull.

Was Soleia hearing things? Maybe she was hallucinating the utter cow dung that this woman was spewing forth from her lips.

"We deserve to treat ourselves just a little, especially if she is unwilling to show us any gratitude."

"Excuse me?" Soleia asked, her jaw agape. She couldn't believe her ears. "On the contrary, I remember quite the opposite."

Elisa scoffed, batting the matter off. "Well. Have no fear, that will not be a problem for you to care about for much longer."

She smirked, her lips stretching into a taut line before she waved at the door, beckoning someone in.

"Come in, my dear, come in!"

Once she was cued, a meek voice spoke up. "Orion?"

Orion immediately turned on his heel. Soleia watched as his eyes quickly glazed over, a cloud forming over his clear sky-blue eyes. His shoulders relaxed, as though just the sight of Elowyn was enough to chase all his troubles away.

Without laying his eyes on anything or anyone else, Orion crossed the room, nearly bowling Soleia over as he did so, all to get to Elowyn.

"Why didn't you call for me?" he asked, his voice barely even above a whisper. He bent down, grabbed a shawl that had been thrown over the armchair, and used it to wrap around Elowyn's shoulders. "You need to keep warm."

"I heard the commotion and wanted to see what was going on," Elowyn said, gently placing her hand on Orion's.

She then slowly turned her gaze to Soleia. Her next words might not be addressed to her, but Soleia felt a shiver run up her spine as Elowyn continued to stare. There was something viperous and hypnotic about her gaze, causing Soleia's heart to race for unknown reasons.

"Is there something wrong?"