Chapter 3: Victorious Return
"Your Grace―" Soleia raised her voice, trying to catch her husband's attention, but his head didn't even turn. The troops continued forward through the gates, forcing her to dodge out of the way with a squeak.
What was the Duke thinking? Did he want his men to trample her to death?
She stumbled in the snow, her feet catching on the hem of her skirts. Thankfully, a pair of strong arms caught her before she fell face-first into a pile of snow.
"Careful, Your Highness," an amused voice said.
Soleia turned to look at the person who had caught her. She squinted at the familiar face before her eyes widened in realization, and she scrambled back to her feet.
"Thank you, Sir Byrone," Soleia said.
He was none other than Duke Elsher's right-hand man. His feats weren't any lesser than Orion Elsher himself and was rumored to be the Duke's best friend. As such, Soleia was surprised he would stop for her.
After all, her own husband didn't even stop for her. It was as though she didn't exist.
Sir Byrone merely chuckled, light twinkling playfully in his eyes. "Please, Princess," he said, "Call me Ralph."