Chapter 11: A Changed Man
"No," Orion said. He brought Elowyn's hand to his lips, leaving a kiss on the back of her hand. "Not anymore, now that you're here."
Elowyn's lower lip wobbled as she batted her eyes. Soleia watched on, incredulous, as the smallest teardrop formed at the corner of Eloywn's eyes, balancing precariously on the edge of her eyelashes, threatening to roll down her cheeks.
"But I wish to share your burden," Elowyn confessed tearfully. She lifted a hand and stroked Orion's cheek tenderly. "You are my beloved. I would do anything to help you sleep better at night."
Soleia couldn't help the tiniest snort from escaping her lips. God. This woman was wasted in this deserted wasteland of a fief. She should have been packed off on the nearest caravan to the capital city so she could join the theater troupes, where she could captivate a larger audience with her acting abilities.
Her tiny snort did not go unheard. Lucinda immediately whirled around and pointed a demanding finger at Soleia.
"Do you have something to say? Spit it out and stop snickering like a coward!"
"I wasn't snickering," Soleia said with a raised eyebrow. "But if Miss Elowyn does want to help with the household, I certainly won't object. That's more than anyone has offered me so far."
Of course, that jab was fully meant for her dear mother-in-law and Lucinda herself. Surely Orion would see the sense in her words. Lucinda had shown herself to be an utter spendthrift in their earlier conversation― hopefully, he would corral his wayward relatives.
However, his next words made Soleia's heart sink with disappointment.