"On that note," Rafael added, "I also will not be consummating my marriage with Lady Elinora. Her title as my concubine will only be such― a title."
"A marriage without consummation is as good as none," King Recaldo said with a sneer, slamming his clenched fist against the armrest of his throne.
However, Rafael didn’t even flinch. He stood there unwaveringly, his expression cool as he stared at his father, completely ignoring the way Elinora turned her gaze back and forth between King Recaldo and Rafael. Finally, her eyes landed on Soleia, and her anger finally boiled to its highest point.
She clenched her fists by her side, her teeth gritted so tightly together that it was close to cracking. Hatred bled from her eyes, and the longer she stared at Soleia, the more heat Soleia felt on her skin.
The latter knew all too well that Elinora was staring daggers right into her skull, but she couldn’t be arsed to even return her a look. Instead, she took the opportunity, knowing Elinora had her eyes on them.
Soleia moved even closer to Rafael, looping her arm with Rafael’s before slotting her hand into his. The second Rafael felt Soleia’s body heat, his expression lted as though frost had been hit by the first warmth of spring. He smiled gently down upon her, and she up at him, and it was as though they had forgotten for a second that they were in the presence of so many others.
"My wife is currently pregnant," Rafael said, leaning in and rubbing his nose against Soleia’s, who giggled in response. "It is of utmost importance that her mood remains stable for the safety of the child she’s carrying."
Then, Rafael finally tore himself away from Soleia, almost a little too unwillingly. He glanced at his father again, the joy in his eyes dimming, reverting back to its emotionless expression.
"I believe it’s your wish as well to see Soleia birth a healthy grandchild for you, isn’t that right?"
Rafael’s eyes all but glimred while King Recaldo’s narrowed. The forr knew too perfectly what his father wanted― a child who could beco a magical prodigy. Rafael couldn’t be exactly sure that their child would indeed be born as such, but at the very least, the illusion and expectation would allow them the upper hand for many years.
By then, Rafael would already have the throne, and King Recaldo would have no political power to say anything otherwise.
"You might as well have beco a nun," Elinora snapped, taking a step closer to Rafael and Soleia.
Instantly, Orion drew his sword. The steel blade that bore Raxuvia’s royal crest — courtesy of one of the fallen knights — was pointed right at Elinora’s throat, daring her to co a step closer.
The mont he drew his weapon, so did the knights who stood guard to protect the king. They ca closer, drawing their weapons as well, but Orion didn’t flinch. He said nothing and didn’t even bat an eyelid. Instead, his gaze was entirely fixated on Elinora.
However, it held none of the love and adoration that he had looked at her with when he was under her spell.
Elinora pursed her lips tightly together, taking a step back as she slowly exhaled. At the sa ti, King Recaldo finally spoke.
"If she is to beco your bride, concubine or not, you must consummate the marriage," King Recaldo said. "That is non-negotiable. Princess Soleia will just have to deal with her husband bedding his concubine once at the very least."
He stood up from the throne, glaring at the couple.
"As the wife of a soon-to-be king, she will need to learn to be magnanimous. Otherwise, how can she be the mother of a nation?"
Hearing the King’s words, Elinora’s shoulders slackened with relief. A slow smile stretched across her lips as she straightened her posture, almost like a peacock showcasing its feathers. She smirked cockily at Soleia, but when she finally caught Soleia’s attention, she froze.
For the first ti, Soleia stared at her as though she were looking at an inconsequential insect placed right beneath her boot. Her gaze was cold, and if anything, it was almost as though she was mocking Elinora for celebrating such a small win.
Elinora shivered, taking a small step back. Even after everything that had happened between them while they were both Orion’s wives, this had never happened before. Soleia had always been underneath, and Elinora had always been on top.
As such, Elinora couldn’t understand why this ti, their positions were switched.
Her fingers went to her necklace. Actually, scratch that, she did understand why. Because this ti, their shared husband’s love was with Soleia, not Elinora. However, that could be easily arranged.
"Only one night," Soleia spoke up, turning her gaze to et King Recaldo’s eyes. "I will not tolerate more than one."
"Done," King Recaldo agreed. "n, escort the three of them to their chambers!"
As Rafael, Soleia, and Orion were being escorted out, Elinora’s eyes pulsed with a little bit of magic before it faded. She wasn’t close enough to enchant them, but that was fine. She was allowed one night, and one night was all she needed to make sure Rafael would fall under her spell.
Then, she would just have to make sure that Rafael would never want to feel Soleia’s touch ever again.
Elinora grinned. If they were to stay apart, Soleia would not be able to nullify the enchantnt. Then, it would be all too easy for Elinora to beco the queen of Raxuvia.
***
"She will be staying with ," Rafael said when they arrived at Rafael’s chambers. The two knights who were escorting them nodded and bowed before gesturing for Orion to follow them.
"Your chambers will be down the hall," one of them said to Orion.
Orion turned to look at Rafael and Soleia, and when they nodded, he finally turned on his heel and followed the two knights to where he would rest for the night.
Finally left alone, Rafael opened the door and allowed Soleia to step in. Once they were inside and the door was locked, his collected expression quickly fell.
"One night?!" he asked, devastated. "My love, are you pimping out now?"
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