Chapter 139: Sunk Her Claws
It was a tiny thing, but the thud it made as it clattered to the floor seemed to echo through the church. Soleia winced.
There was a brief moment of awkward silence as the pastor spluttered, wondering if he should pause the ceremony for Soleia to pick up the fallen accessory, but Soleia remained standing, motionless, simply because she highly doubted she could gracefully pick up something so small with her obscured vision.
Not to mention her hands were occupied with that heavy bouquet. It wasn’t as though she could shove it into Orion’s arms.
Speaking of Orion, he hadn’t moved an inch to offer his help. Soleia narrowed her eyes. This was... strange.
Reitan hurriedly rushed over, intent on helping her pick it up before the ceremony could be delayed further, but it was Sir Ralph who bent low and picked up the fallen earring. He now stood closer to her than before, taking his place in between the gap that existed between Soleia and Orion. Even through the hazy veil, Soleia sensed that his eyes were full of countless unsaid words.
It seemed like Sir Ralph was warring with himself.
"Princess," Sir Ralph said in a low quiet voice that seemed to reverberate in her ears. "Since your hands are occupied, I’ll keep this for now."
With one last wry, pained grin, he stepped back to stand behind Orion, leaving Soleia feeling strangely bereft. Her hands trembled, causing the bouquet to shift.
The pastor cleared his throat loudly, and as if nothing was wrong, he continued his spiel, but he decided to cut out some parts in the middle to hasten the process since the King’s face was looking blacker by the minute.