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,