The Hidden King's Stolen Wife

"I refuse."

Everyone present in the throne room collectively sucked in a gasp of air through their teeth. Their eyes were wide as they stared at the audacious man, the newly titled Duke Orion Elsher. His bright red hair shone like a halo under the lights as he stood proud and tall before the king with an unwavering gaze.

At that very moment, he seemed more like royalty than King Godwin despite his lack of noble blood.

Meanwhile, Princess Soleia could only hide a grimace at her father's reaction. Her father also had red on him, but it was all over his face, making him look like a rowdy drunkard.

"You―"

"I will not marry Princess Soleia," Duke Elsher said once more, rudely cutting in before the king could say anything. "If I marry, I will marry for love."

"General― I mean, Your Grace," the king's advisor, Aldous, said nervously. "With all due respect, this is a blessing offered by His Majesty. Princess Soleia is a fine young woman."

"If she's as fine as you claim, then I am the one unworthy of her hand," Duke Elsher said without sparing her a second glance, his voice flat with disinterest. "I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

Princess Soleia stared at Duke Elsher with a faint look of hurt in her eyes. She wasn't as beautiful as her sisters, and her lack of magical ability was common knowledge, but it was still humiliating to be rejected without a second thought.

Especially by a man who wasn't even born into nobility to begin with!

Duke Orion Elsher was previously known as General Orion Elsher. Her father had granted him the title of Duke after General Elsher had slayed an incoming dragon protecting the kingdom's borders, but his lands were poor and remote, and his coffers were empty.

Such a man should have jumped at the chance to marry a princess no matter how powerless, instead of rejecting the king's kind offer.

If everyone had been shocked before, they would have been at their wit's end. Soleia's eyes darted to her father, who seemed two seconds away from executing the newly titled duke for his blatant disrespect.

She had to stop that at all costs. If her father killed Duke Elsher, there would be no peace among the commoners.

Soleia stepped forward and stood next to the duke. This close, she could feel the heat radiating off his body. She chanced a quick look at his face, her heart racing at the sharp line of his jaw.

He was a very handsome man. It would be a shame if his head were to roll because of his impudence. Out of all the choices she had for a husband, he wasn't the worst. Besides, royal weddings took months of planning. She had time to savor her freedom.

"Father, I'm sure the Duke is simply overwhelmed with your offer and spoke without thinking," Soleia said demurely, "Duke Elsher had been used to life at the border, giving his life to fight for this kingdom. Matrimony must not have crossed his mind, but I believe that he will be glad to embrace wedding life― if not for himself, then for his loved ones."

She then turned and looked at him. "Isn't that right, Duke Elsher?"

Orion Elsher's eyebrow twitched violently, and he gnashed his teeth as he turned to glare at Princess Soleia.

Everything from her luminous skin to her blonde hair and sweet green eyes raised his hackles. This close, he could smell the sweet scent of her hair, enticing him to step closer. If they had met in other circumstances, he might have been tempted to court her.

But she was the king's daughter, one of those spoiled princesses who did nothing but embroider all day while thousands were slogging outside the castle walls. She probably never suffered a single hardship in her life. This woman was simply a tool for her father to use, in a bid to keep him obedient.

He would rather die than agree to be shackled to one for the rest of his life. He hated women like her― pretty dolls who were good for nothing but spitting out sweetly venomous words.

And her words were venomous as they were polite. She had brought up his loved ones. While Orion had long been ready to walk into hell, he would never drag his family down with him.

His ailing mother still wanted a cute grandchild to dote on, while his younger sister wanted to marry well.

With that in mind, he could only give a sharp jerky nod of acquiescence. "I had misspoken earlier. I believe Princess Soleia would be an... adequate wife."

Perhaps he would die before the royal wedding took place.

Soleia also pasted a beatific smile on her face. Adequate. Such high praise from her future husband.

King Godwin's face soon returned to its original color. "In that case, the wedding shall proceed immediately. We have wasted enough daylight. Summon the Holy Priest!"

Soleia's eyes bugged out in surprise, and Orion was equally stunned. Both of them had not expected their marriage to happen so quickly.

"Father? How could this be―!" Soleia exclaimed, but her words fell on deaf ears. She was forced to change into one of her sister's rejected wedding gowns, while her maid Lily frantically styled her hair.

In no time at all, she was ushered to the church, and in front of her stood Duke Orion, clad in a new cloak.

The Holy Priest began to speak.

"We are gathered here today to witness the joining of hearts and minds..."

Under the candlelight, Orion Elsher's harsh features almost looked softer, more tender. Perhaps this marriage wouldn't be awful, Soleia thought to herself. They had their entire lives to get to know each other. Maybe she could share some of her ideas with him...

Lost in her musings, she failed to notice when the priest prompted her.

"Princess Soleia? Princess Soleia? Do you wish to take Duke Orion Elsher as your husband?"

"...Yes, I do," Soleia said hastily, the back of her ears burning with embarrassment, shooting her new husband a sheepish smile.

Orion's eyebrow twitched with irritation.

This princess was the one who pushed for the marriage, but she couldn't even pay attention to him during their blasted wedding ceremony!

Meanwhile, uncaring of the couple's emerging turmoil, the guests erupted into boisterous cheers. Her father thudded his cane on the floor in approval.

"And now I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Soleia stepped forward. However, she subtly raised an eyebrow when she noticed that instead of matching her pace, Duke Elsher had stepped back instead. It was small enough a step to not be noticeable by those who were seated a distance away, but people who were near - such as the king - could clearly see him retreat as though she was a vicious beast.

Some snickered, hidden behind their hands and fans, while others looked on with mockery in their eyes.

Nevertheless, Soleia held her head tall. She took an even bigger step forward and cupped the back of the Duke's neck, bringing him down to her height while she stood on the tips of her toes.

As he was stunned by her brazen actions, he was surprisingly easy to move, causing the newly wedded couple's lips to meet in a kiss.

While Soleia wished some sparks flew between them much like her sisters had told her, there was none. Duke Elsher's lips were cold and unmoving. Quickly enough, Soleia felt a sharp prick on her lips, causing her to drop her hold on him and stumble back in pain.

She touched her lips gently, withdrawing them to see that there was a small red stain on her fingertips.

Blood.

Orion Elsher had bit her!