saltedpepper

When powerless, unfavoured Princess Soleia was arranged to marry the newly titled Duke Orion Elsher, she assumed they would find love eventually.

Who knew that her father would send off her husband mere hours later to fight a war?

Soleia was left alone to deal with an impoverished fief, a crumbling estate, and spiteful, vindictive relatives of the Duke who all wished to see her gone. 

She couldn’t leave― there was nowhere else to go. Soleia desperately wanted her husband to return so he could offer her a helping hand. However, when he did, he returned with Elowyn, a woman he claimed was his true love. 

A woman hellbent on taking her place as the rightful Duchess, no matter what she had to do to get Soleia out of the way. 

Mistreated, misunderstood, and miserable, Soleia was eventually thrown out of the estate she helped build.

Fortunately, when one door closes, another one opens. Unknown to Soleia, a man more powerful than her husband had been watching her, waiting for the right time to snatch her into his gilded cage. Duke Elsher had been foolish to let go― but the crown prince of Raxuvia wouldn’t make the same mistake.

***

[Excerpt]

After two long years, Soleia's husband had finally returned home. But he was not alone.

“Your Grace,” Soleia said, trying her best to maintain a calm tone, “welcome home. How were your travels?”

The man remained silent as he stared at her. 

“Oh,” the woman that Soleia's husband had brought back said. “I was just wondering where the servants were. No one has come to greet you since your return. Could you please help us bring―”

Orion tugged the woman back, protectively holding her in his embrace. His eyebrows furrowed as he glared at Soleia, his sudden action causing the woman to look confused at him.

“Orion?” she asked, her hands on his chest to steady herself. “What’s the matter?”

“That’s not a servant."  In one swift motion, he threw the sword out at Soleia, only to be stopped by a flash of scarlet and the coppery scent of blood.

***

Prequel to Stolen by the Rebel King.

The Hidden King's Stolen Wife

"Father, Princess Soleia is here," Ricard announced as the servants opened the door to let them stride through.

Soleia walked into the dining hall with her heart in her throat, only to be faced with King Recaldo's impassive expression. Prince Raziel was already sitting in his seat, and he nodded when he saw them arrive. There were also a few women she did not recognize at the same table, all of them shooting her various degrees of curious looks.

Unfortunately, Elinora was also seated at the table. Soleia swallowed the sigh that was threatening to emerge. She had bigger concerns, and one of them just opened his mouth to address her.

"Princess Soleia." King Recaldo's face broke into a smile the moment he met her eyes, and Soleia had to pause. With his smile, he suddenly seemed more genial and less imposing. She realized this man would probably be how Rafael looked once he hit middle age and beyond.

Blood Spilled