Chapter 101: Learn to Love
"No!" Orion exclaimed before drawing back, realizing how loud his voice had been. He cleared his throat, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck.
"No," he repeated, this time in a much calmer voice. "That’s not it. I... owe you a wedding. A proper one, with how hastily I departed from our first." Then, in a softer tone, he grumbled under his breath, "Albeit not by my desires."
"You sure seemed very happy with the arrangement, to leave at once," Soleia returned with a stiff glare. "You might not remember our wedding day but I do, Your Grace. I remember how happy you were to leave me there alone― thrilled, even. Pardon me if I don’t wish to reenact that day once more, especially since there will be plenty of royalty coming to Vramid from neighboring kingdoms."
With them here, Soleia would not only be the joke of the kingdom, she would have to deal with the rumors sailing across the seas as well. Her name would be spread far and wide, and it wouldn’t be for her inventions and her smarts, but for her misfortunes of having such a husband.
"What made you think I don’t remember it?" Orion asked, wrinkling his nose as he frowned.
This time, Soleia sat up in disbelief. She scoffed. This man was testing every inch of patience she had in her frail, weathered body, and soon enough, he would find out not every princess was raised with poise and elegance.
"You came storming back to Drakenmire not even acknowledging the fact that you already had a wife!" Soleia yelled, her hands tossed into the air as fury quickly took over her. Her cheeks went red with anger as Orion’s lips parted to speak, but she gave him no chance to argue. "Sir Ralph had to remind you that you already have a wife! Before that, you were insistent that Elowyn is the only woman you have married and will marry!"
"Did I... say such a thing?" Orion asked, his eyebrows crumpled together.
Soleia exhaled slowly, watching the man’s facial expressions flicker back and forth. Orion Elsher either had the acting skills of the theater’s best performer, or Elowyn’s magic had finally lost enough influence that he was starting to make more sense. She was sure she had already reminded Orion before.