The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 173: Song & Dance I

Soleia hurried over with a platter of biscuits and two cups of tea. It was a paltry selection for a duke, since her other visitors had all but decimated their pantry. Soleia could have been harsher, but she didn’t have it in her to refuse the young children and their bright eager eyes as they stared at her biscuits.

They reminded her of Reitan when he was younger, clinging at her skirts with hopeful eyes as he asked to play with her. Just the very thought made her heart ache. But Soleia reminded herself that no news was good news. As long as no one told her, beyond all doubt, that Reitan was dead, then Reitan was alive.

"Duke Kinsley, here’s some tea and snacks for you," Soleia said. "My apologies for the lack of variety."

Duke Kinsley shook his head and shoved a biscuit in his mouth. He chewed and crumbs littered all over the floor. He must have been starving. Soleia wondered if she should at least bring out some of the cured meat for him to eat.

"No, it’s fine. Biscuits are enough. Are your food stocks running low?" Duke Kinsley asked, his brow furrowing in concern. His eyes darted to Sir Ralph, who was still standing at the side with an impressive glower on his face.

Soleia cleared her throat, trying to hint at him to look more approachable. Duke Kinsley was an honored guest, the reason why they had a roof over their heads. Sir Ralph had to be on his best behavior, no matter how late the hour!

Sir Ralph reluctantly pasted a smile on his face. Since Soleia’s attention was on Ralph, she failed to notice how Duke Kinsley shivered at that expression of happiness.

"You said you were coming over to discuss the Spring Fair?" Sir Ralph prompted, and Soleia groaned internally. If anyone walked into this scene, they’d think Ralph was the lord and Duke Kinsley the servant!

To his credit, Duke Kinsley did not seem offended by Ralph’s tone. He merely smiled awkwardly and spoke, choosing to look at Soleia instead.

"I need to know what your plans are for the Spring Fair," Duke Kinsley said. "It’s happening next week."

Duke Kinsley paused, and Soleia’s mouth opened and shut wordlessly. Plans for the Spring Fair? She hadn’t had any idea. She chanced a quick look at Ralph, who looked similarly shocked.

"If the both of you have no plans, I suggest you start thinking. I’ve already set aside a certain budget for your household to use." Duke Kinsley handed Soleia a sealed envelope, and she took it from him with shaking hands.

"While there are no... punishments for a failed celebration, it is my greatest hope that the both of you will work together as husband and wife to ensure this festival is a success."

"We won’t let you down," Soleia promised, even though she had no idea where she could even begin.

"I’ll be looking forward to it," Duke Kinsley said, and he finished his tea. After that, he stood up to leave. Soleia and Sir Ralph sent him out.

Rafael huffed. Finally, Oliver was gone, and he could finish what he started. But just as he leaned over, intent on continuing where he left off with Soleia, Soleia pushed him aside with one palm, going to her study.

"Soleia, maybe we can think of it tomorrow―" Rafael began, trying to convince Soleia that kissing was a much better use of their time, but his words fell on deaf ears. Soleia was a woman on a mission.

"I can’t believe we left it so late! We need to start planning already," she declared, a frenzied gleam in her eyes. "Ralph, stop messing around and help me think of ideas!"

Rafael groaned. The money Oliver handed to Soleia was nothing more than an extra allowance for them to lead a comfortable life, but he couldn’t say that to her. Soleia would also not accept it without a good reason.

With one last resigned sigh, he walked over to Soleia’s desk. The faster he finished helping her with the plans, the faster they’d get back to what actually mattered― kissing!

***

Unfortunately for Rafael, there was no kissing to be had. Not for the lack of trying― Soleia had merely been too preoccupied with festival preparations to entertain his affections. She didn’t flinch from his kisses, but she certainly wasn’t returning them with equal fervor― not in the way he wanted her to.

Darn this festival for taking up all her attention. Rafael complained to himself. Once he became king, he’d ban this festival. But since he was nothing more than a noble’s bastard son, steward of Duke Kinsley, he held his tongue.

Thankfully, a higher power up had decided to finally throw poor Rafael a bone. Soleia, in her infinite wisdom, decided there was no better way to celebrate spring and the town community than to encourage love in the air. And the best way for love to bloom was through music and dance.

"You want to make the townspeople dance?" Rafael asked, just in case he heard wrongly.

"I want to encourage them to dance, if the weather permits," Soleia corrected him. "It’s a good opportunity! And having music does wonders for improving the atmosphere of any event. More importantly, I want to give everyone in this town the opportunity to confess to their loved one," Soleia said, her voice turning hesitant at the end. "Do you... not think it’s a good idea?"

Sir Ralph had known the townspeople for a longer time after all. Perhaps they had a secret deep-rooted hatred of song and dance.

"I think it’s a marvelous idea," Rafael said, because he would have agreed with whatever Soleia recommended anyway. Even if she wanted to hang pigs on trees for a change in scenery, he would be the first one climbing the trunk to secure them. Besides, no one hated music and dancing, unless the music was horrifically terrible.

"But you are neglecting one very important factor."

"What is it?" Soleia asked worriedly.

"What if all the ladies want to dance with me?" Rafael asked, his voice serious. "Will you be able to accept that your husband has lines of women hoping to twirl with him around the town square?"