Chapter 88: Destitute Whore
"A destitute―" Soleia wrinkled her nose as she stared at her father in horror. "What... Father, with all due respect, what is it that you’re referring to?"
"How dare you play innocent!" King Godwin roared with fury. "It is no wonder you have failed at your task of playing a simple wife. Are you truly so pathetically desperate that you require another man to sow his seed in your bed? Just so that you can bear an heir?"
"You would think Duke Elsher would at least be smart enough to know whether or not he had fornicated with a woman," Florian said with a snicker. "How could your baby possibly be of the Duke’s seed, Princess Soleia? If he had never slept with you."
"I don’t know where you have heard this from but I have not slept with a man who isn’t my husband!" Soleia shot back.
Her fists were clenched tightly at her sides. Sure, she had slept on the same bed as another man, but she knew that was hardly the sort of thing her father and Prince Florian were hinting at.
"From where did you get such a ludicrous idea?"
By her side, Reitan’s grip merely tightened on Soleia’s skirt, tugging at the fabric. Originally, Soleia ignored his movements, but the tugging became a lot harder and more frequent. She looked down, sparing the boy a glance at last, only to see that he was looking at her with watery eyes.
"Sister Soleia..." Reitan muttered, his voice choked with tears. "I am sorry, Sister. I..."
Soleia’s heart sank. Her heart throbbed painfully, and she pursed her lips, trying to ignore the sudden jolt of pain that shot through her body.