The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 176: I Do

"We are!" Soleia insisted, even as her heart sank to her toes in utter dismay. She hurriedly glanced at Ralph, hoping his glib tongue would be able to resolve this situation before they were homeless for good.

Sir Ralph frowned. "This is a very serious accusation you are making, Duke Kinsley. Leia and I have been nothing but honest. We are a married couple."

"The lack of documentation regarding your marriage says otherwise," Duke Kinsley said, and Soleia’s eyes widened in horror. That was one thing she and Ralph had overlooked!

"You checked?" Sir Ralph exclaimed, his eyes bugging out in shock. "Why would you? Who gave you this idea?"

Soleia wanted to kick him. They were the ones in the wrong! How could he still question Duke Kinsley as though he was the criminal?

"That is not important," Duke Kinsley said severely. He shook his head. "I am very disappointed in you, Ralph. To think that you would take advantage of my trust in you to blatantly lie to my face. Not only that, you have roped in an innocent woman with your lies and roped her into your schemes! Miss Leia, I would advise you to reconsider your relationship with this man."

Sir Ralph’s face seemed to darken, but Duke Kinsley stood his ground. The situation was getting tense, and Soleia was half-afraid they might come to blows with each other. She quickly cleared her throat and apologized.

"Duke Kinsley, we are very sorry for misleading you," Soleia said, clutching her hands tightly together. "But the circumstances were dire. We would not have done it if we had any other choice."

A tear beaded at the corner of her eyes as she thought of the circumstances that led her here.

Elowyn’s presence, Orion’s relatives. Her ruined wedding, the decimation of Orion’s household, Florian as her future husband, and Reitan’s disappearance. Ever since she had married Orion, her life had undergone incredible hardship and unnecessary turmoil.

"If you toss us outside, there’s nowhere we could go," Soleia said, her lower lip trembling. She realized that if she left Ralph, she would have no way of making a living in this place.

More importantly, she didn’t want to leave him. He had sacrificed so much for her. Even if he lied to Duke Kinsley about their marital status, Soleia was sure his feelings for her were true.

Duke Kinsley sighed heavily. "It’s not as though I can’t understand your hardships. But everyone has hardships. It doesn’t make lying the right thing to do."

Soleia nodded, sniffling. Duke Kinsley had a point. She was disappointed in herself.

"What if we made it the truth?" Sir Ralph suddenly said, his voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere. "That way, you can’t toss us out."

Duke Kinsley’s mouth fell open, and he sounded completely appalled when he spoke. "Sir Ralph, are you proposing to marry Miss Leia here for housing, and not out of any love or affection for her? That’s very mercenary of you."

Rafael’s eyebrow twitched heavily. While he had given Oliver some feedback about making his acting more believable, he had not expected him to purposely use this opportunity to air out all his grievances about Rafael’s behavior! Did he want this courtship to succeed or not?

Duke Kinsley met his eyes and gave him a wink. It looked more like he suffered a spasm on one side of his face. Rafael groaned internally.

"I agree to this marriage proposal," Soleia said suddenly, startling the two men. Her eyes were firm with resolve. She had thought things over. Since the situation had already gotten to this point, there was no use in dragging her feet any longer.

They’ve shared a home for the past few weeks, and Soleia was pleased to know that he did not have any odious habits, like overly indulging himself in wine and spirits. Sir Ralph also did not have annoying family members. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

As far as conditions were concerned, Sir Ralph was already a better husband than Orion. At least he wasn’t going to be sent to war anytime soon, and the chances of him returning with a mistress were awfully low.

Most importantly, she knew her own heart. Her eyes instinctively sought out Ralph when she entered a new room, as though she was a compass seeking the North star. Whenever he spoke to her, she felt peace. When their fingers touched, it felt like coming home. There was nothing she wanted more than to wake up to see his face, and to fall asleep to the sound of his humming.

She loved Sir Ralph, and he loved her in return. What more could she ask for?

"Duke Kinsley, where is the nearest church?"

Duke Kinsley choked. "Excuse me? Miss Leia, are you serious?"

Beside her, Sir Ralph looked similarly gobsmacked. He quickly pulled her to the side to discreetly whisper in her ear.

"Princess, are you certain? While this house is lovely, I do not wish to burden you with me―"

Soleia covered his lips with her palm, cutting him off. "The only reason why I would change my mind would be if your feelings for me were false. Are they?"

Ralph pulled her hand away and threaded his fingers through hers, his eyes fever-bright. "They are not," Ralph promised fervently. "I love you most ardently, my dear."

"Then I see no problem with this marriage," Soleia said, her lips curving into a girlish smile as joy threatened to bubble out of her. Instinctively, she tugged his hand, causing Sir Ralph to stumble forward.

"What―"

Soleia didn’t want to fight her instincts. She leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss onto his lips. The pulse of her beating heart was thundering in her ears, drowning out all other sounds save for the touch of their lips. She quickly stepped back, as Sir Ralph didn’t respond. It felt like she had kissed a block of wood, and shame curdled her features.

Maybe she was a terrible kisser and Sir Ralph didn’t want to tell her, for fear of hurting her feelings.

Or maybe he didn’t love her as much as she loved him.

Soleia’s thoughts immediately started running wild.

Rafael’s mind had snapped at the sensation of her soft plump lips on his own. He couldn’t help but note that this was the first time Soleia had initiated a kiss of her own accord in the presence of a stranger, and she chose his lips to kiss!

Then she moved away. Rafael let out a wounded cry and quickly swept her up into his arms, the same way Soleia carried Coco.

"Ralph!"

"Let’s get married," Rafael said, and he kissed her passionately. He would have continued kissing her, if not for Oliver clearing his throat loudly.

"Should I escort you to the church?"