"I'm truly sorry for their behavior. I'll let your maid through now," Jerome said, embarrassed by the behavior of his masters. Soleia followed him to the gates, where poor Lily was waiting with a frantic expression on her face.

"Princess! Are you alright?"

Jerome quickly stepped forward, wanting to help Lily with the trunk, but Soleia stopped him.

"It's alright, I can pull it along like this."

"You can... what?" Jerome asked, befuddled.

"Wheel it," Soleia said, as she pulled her trunk up vertically. She pointed to the bottom of the trunk, where there were apparently miniature wheels made of clay attached to the bottom, joined together by a wooden pole. "I made this because I got tired of doing nothing on the route here."

"How ingenious!" Jerome praised, his face beaming with delight. Perhaps this new duchess was just what the estate needed to thrive. As they made their way back, Jerome began to inform Soleia about the estate's multiple issues.

Long story short, they had no money. This territory was not considered important by the King, which meant that it didn't get any support from the royal family.

Multiple generations ago, it was considered a stronghold for Vramid, but in the eyes of the current ruling family, it was nothing more than a dumping ground for troublesome court members who made too much noise. As such, no one wanted to lend a helping hand to save the crumbling estate from ruin. Doing so might draw the ire of the current King!

It was simply too much risk for too little reward.

The only thing Drakenmire could boast about was its beautiful scenery, but pretty sights couldn't feed a man. Soleia could only sigh; perhaps she would take a look at the accounts later to see what she could do.

But deep down, she knew the real trouble was going to be dealing with her new family members. Never before had she seen such a group of shameless people!

As Jerome showed her around the pitiful estate, they eventually came to a stop right in front of a door.

"This is the master bedroom where the Duke resides," Jerome said.

"Thank you," Soleia said, but before she and Lily could move another step, a familiar redhead came rushing over.

"Hold it!" Lucinda snapped, using her body to block the path. "What do you think you're doing? Who said you could move into this room?" She then turned to Jerome and reprimanded, "Jerome, this is my cousin's bedchambers. Not anyone and everyone could stay here."

"This is my husband's chambers," Soleia replied evenly. "Why can't I stay here?"

Lucinda scoffed, glaring at Soleia's luggage with disdain. "Either stay in the servants' quarters or scram," she said. "We have no room for a worthless princess. Funds are tight and there are mouths to feed, stomachs to fill. Feel free to leave if you're unhappy about it. Otherwise, pay up."

Soleia gritted her teeth tightly together, suppressing her anger as best as she could. It had been a long, tiring day. If she left, there wouldn't be anywhere she could rest her head for the night other than in the bellies of the monsters.

Going back to the palace wasn't an option either. Her father would simply cart her right back half-alive.

"Fine," Soleia spat out. "I'll chip in to provide for the family. At least until my husband's return."

Lucinda's lips slowly stretched into a broad, sinister smile.

"That's more like it."

Two years later...

Soleia pored over the account books under the candlelight, her quill scratching against the yellowing parchment. Unfortunately, no matter how she balanced the sums, there was still not enough money to buy grain for the estate. Her mother-in-law needed medicine, the horses needed to be fed...

Once again, she would have to dig through her own meager savings to supplement the budget.

Thankfully, Lily had packed all her jewelry so she wasn't completely destitute. Otherwise, she wouldn't have even made it through the first week here in this crumbling, god-forsaken place.

Soleia sighed. Perhaps it was time for her to sell yet another invention.

Previously she had sold a recipe for a thick cream that could protect the skin from cold winds, but the gold coins were slowly running out. She would have earned more if she had produced and sold it herself, but her husband's estate was simply too inconvenient!

"My lady!" Lily knocked quickly on the door. "I've got big news!"

"What is it?" Soleia yawned. "Did Lucinda demand another hot bath? Tell her we have no more hot water to spare!"

"No! It's Duke Elsher! He's returning from the war!"

Soleia immediately shot up from her seat.

"Come again?"

"It's the Duke, Your Highness," Lily repeated. "He's come back―"

Soleia didn't wait for Lily to finish her sentence before she darted off. With her skirts in her hands, Soleia raced through the halls to the front door of the estate. It wasn't a huge building, unlike the palace she grew up in, and it took her no time to arrive at the gates.

She was just in time too.

Winter was much colder here in the northern territory of Vramid, and after the sun had set, fog had quickly gathered in the woods that surrounded the Duke's estate. However, even from a distance, Soleia could see the men on horses marching back in with torches in their hands, Vramid's flag raised high in the air.

An excited breath of air escaped her lips as she descended the steps. After two whole years of guarding the nest alone, her husband had finally returned. She finally wouldn't have to deal with those insufferable relatives of his alone ever again―

Soleia stopped in her tracks when she realized there was someone else leading the troops. Duke Elsher was not on the horse at the front. He was walking right beside it, leading the horse while someone else sat on the animal's back.

A woman.

"Your Grace―" Soleia raised her voice, trying to catch her husband's attention, but his head didn't even turn. The troops continued forward through the gates, forcing her to dodge out of the way with a squeak.

What was the Duke thinking? Did he want his men to trample her to death?

She stumbled in the snow, her feet catching on the hem of her skirts. Thankfully, a pair of strong arms caught her before she fell face-first into a pile of snow.

"Careful, Your Highness," an amused voice said.

Soleia turned to look at the person who had caught her. She squinted at the familiar face before her eyes widened in realization, and she scrambled back to her feet.

"Thank you, Sir Byrone," Soleia said.

He was none other than Duke Elsher's right-hand man. His feats weren't any lesser than Orion Elsher himself and was rumored to be the Duke's best friend. As such, Soleia was surprised he would stop for her.

After all, her own husband didn't even stop for her. It was as though she didn't exist.

Sir Byrone merely chuckled, light twinkling playfully in his eyes. "Please, Princess," he said, "Call me Ralph."

He placed a hand on his chest before bowing to Soleia. Her cheeks naturally blushed, and Soleia wasn't sure if it was out of embarrassment or due to the cold winter air. It had been two years since anyone other than Lily had called her by her title.

But her attention was quickly diverted back to the rest of the troops, most of which had already walked past them.

She looked back at Ralph and said, "Please excuse me," before hastily running off after the Duke.

Most of the troops had disbanded to their resting quarters by the time Soleia caught up with them, leaving just Orion Elsher there with the fair maiden he brought home. When Soleia entered, the woman was busy brushing snow off of Duke Elsher's shoulders while he looked down tenderly upon her.

"You should take a hot bath," Orion said softly, just barely loud enough for Soleia to catch his words. "Drakenmire is a cold region, the coldest in Vramid. I will have the servants find something warm for you to dress in."

"Oh, don't worry about me, Your Grace―"

"Orion," he corrected, holding the woman's hand which was on his face, pulling it to his lips so that he could place a kiss right in the palm of it. "I want to hear you speak my name."

The woman giggled, and Orion's other hand came to her chin. Slowly and gently, he pulled her close and tilted his head just slightly. She did the same, her eyes fluttering close as she awaited the kiss that was to come.

Soleia cleared her throat, finally gathering the attention of the two people.

How dare they? And who was this woman?!

Soleia clenched her fists by her side as she glared daggers at the couple. No matter whether or not this marriage was political or for love, she was still the Duke's lawfully wedded wife, the Duchess of Drakenmire, and - more importantly - the Princess of Vramid.

He, after all Soleia had done for him, had not only returned with a mistress but had brought his affair home with no regard for her reputation.

They turned to look at her and broke apart in surprise. The woman wore a look of shock while Orion looked impassive.

"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. His hand moved to the hilt of the sword strapped at his waist, causing Soleia to back off, alarmed.

"Oh," the other woman said, placing her hand on her chest in surprise. "I was just wondering where the servants were. No one has come to greet you since your return." She then turned to Soleia and began walking toward her. "Could you please help us bring―"

She was tugged back by Orion, who protectively held 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 placed on his chest to steady herself. "What's the matter?"

"That's not a servant," was all he said.

In one swift motion, he threw the sword out at Soleia, causing her to gasp in surprise.

If it weren't for the fact that a sudden streak of red stopped the sword mid-air, it would've rammed straight through Soleia's skull.

Soleia released a shaky breath as she met the tip of the blade, resting just inches away from her eyes. Then, just like that, the sword was tossed back in Orion's direction, which he caught effortlessly.

Red droplets landed on the ground, accompanied by a jarring coppery smell. Soleia touched her forehead but saw no blood.

"Calm down, Your Grace," Ralph said as he sauntered forward, using his body to partially block Soleia from Orion.

That was when Soleia noticed the trail of blood that dripped behind Ralph, originating from the long red line on his palm, accompanied by the flash of red that glowed on his chest.

"That's not how you should treat your own duchess."

"My duchess?" Orion echoed. "My duchess is Elowyn. Did you forget about the wedding I mentioned earlier?"

Soleia's heart immediately dropped upon hearing those words.

"A wedding?" Soleia echoed, stepping forward. She pushed past Ralph and stopped in front of Orion, who met her gaze unflinchingly. "What wedding?"

Soleia felt her blood boil as she thought back to her own wedding with the Duke. It had been so rushed, organized the very same day her father, the King, had proposed the Duke take her hand in marriage.

Even to this day, Soleia could remember the cold reluctance in Orion Elsher's eyes when they spoke their vows. He was ever so unwilling, claiming he would only marry for love, not knowing that this marriage was the only reason why Soleia's father hadn't killed him or his loved ones yet.

"Have you forgotten that you're already married, General?" Soleia asked, anger quickly bubbling in her chest. She glared hard at the woman - Elowyn, they said her name was - before returning her eyes to Orion. "Or are you now no better than a goldfish?"

"I understand you must be confused, My Lady, but that's no way to speak to your husband, much less a duke," Elowyn piped up, her voice small and fragile.

When Soleia glared at her, she squeaked and hid further behind Orion, who stepped forward to shield her as though Soleia would soon start breathing fire like the dragon he slayed with his blade.

"I don't need you to tell me how I should speak to my husband," Soleia seethed, gripping her skirt so tight that wrinkles started to form on the rough fabric.

She had suffered for two long years in this god-forsaken place, scraping by every last penny to keep this tattered estate and its residents afloat. The servants were few and nary, and most of the housework had been done by Lily and Soleia herself. Most days, they even had to serve Orion's ungrateful relatives who ordered them around as though they were slaves.

If it weren't for Elowyn's appearance, Soleia might've even forgotten who she was. Soleia had been so engrossed with her task given by her father to please Orion Elsher and his family that she had forgotten― she was still a princess.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Soleia continued, her body visibly quaking as she tried to suppress her anger.

"My Lady―"

"It's 'Your Highness' to you," Soleia said, practically spitting out the words.

"That's enough!" Orion finally bellowed, gaining the attention of both women.

Soleia gaped. "Orion..."

"Do not speak my name," the man lowly hissed. He took a step forward, wrapping his hand tightly around her throat.

Soleia immediately gasped, her hands flying to her throat as she tried to claw her way out. Dark spots began to cloud her vision. Her fingernails dug into his skin, enough to draw blood. However, the more pain he felt, the more the jade ear studs glowed.

Orion fed off the injury, his strength glowing the more Soleia resisted.

"Orion, that's enough!"

Soleia hadn't even realized she had been picked up off the ground until the moment she collapsed in a heap. She hacked and coughed, her hands wrapped around her neck. Her fingertips were cold, perfect to help soothe the burning pain Orion left on her skin.

Orion was suddenly pushed back, and a pair of worn leather boots entered her vision, blocking her from view.

"Are you insane?" Ralph questioned. "I know you've suffered some injuries, but that's uncalled for!"

"I do not need an outsider in my home," Orion coldly replied.

"An outsider?" Ralph echoed. "Did you not hear anything that was said just now? That's Princess Soleia― your lawfully wedded wife! She is the true duchess of Drakenmire."

"Well then," Orion said. "As of today, she is no longer the Duchess. I am annulling this marriage."

All in one instant, Soleia completely forgot how to breathe despite her lungs begging for a breath of air. She felt as though she had been punched as she stared at the floor, her blood chilling in her veins.

They couldn't divorce. Her father would kill her.

"I will only marry Elowyn," he said. "We have already exchanged our vows. There is no changing this fact."

"There was no officiant to your play-wedding," Ralph said through gritted teeth; even Soleia could hear the frustration in his voice. "Meanwhile, your wedding with Her Highness was witnessed by hundreds of guests and the King himself. Do you understand what will happen if you annul this marriage?"

Silence befell the four of them for a moment. Then, Ralph spoke again.

"King Godwin will have you killed," Ralph spat out.

"So be it," came Orion's reply.

"Oh, it's not so simple," Ralph said with a sarcastic, cold laugh. "With his temper, he will also have your mother and sister killed alongside you. And when he finds out that Miss Elowyn is the reason why you decided to divorce his daughter..."

Ralph trailed off, but it was enough for the intention of his sentence to go through.

It wasn't just Orion who would face punishment for disrespecting the royal family. The King would make sure that all of Orion's loved ones would accompany him to the grave. And that was if he was feeling generous enough to not feed their corpses to the monsters in the surrounding forests.

"Orion..." Elowyn's meek voice said, cloyingly sweet. "It's fine. I don't need a title."

There was a pregnant pause as Ralph stepped aside and helped Soleia back up to her feet. She numbly took his hand, slowly standing back up to her full height, despite still feeling as though she had been dipped in the frozen lakes of Vramid and chucked outside in the blizzard.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Ralph whispered, bending down slightly so that he could reach Soleia's eye level.

She pursed her lips and gave one weak nod just as Elowyn continued to speak.

"As long as I get to be by your side, that is enough for me," she said to Orion. "I don't need to be the Duchess, or even your wife or concubine."

Then, her hand gently held Orion's, leading his larger ones to caress her lower stomach.

"As long as our child can grow up by your side, I am content."