The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 182: Her Husband

"Are you ready?" Rafael called out from outside as he waited for Soleia to appear. He was dressed in Oliver’s best festive outfit, a clean brown tunic embroidered with green leafy patterns. He purposely folded down the collar so that everyone could spot the marks Soleia left on him.

After their intense consummation, their bodies were sticky with sweat. Rafael had no qualms in strutting outside with his birthday suit, flaunting Soleia’s marks on him like a badge of honor, but his new wife only shot him a horrified and disgusted glance before dragging him into the bathroom to bathe.

And then they got distracted when washing up. A simple wash had taken forever, because Rafael was intent on making Soleia come in their tiny bathtub, and got a few disgruntled smacks for his efforts afterward, after Soleia had finished clenching on his fingers.

They were already pressed for time to begin with, and if they dawdled any longer they wouldn’t even need to attend the dance! So Rafael was forced to douse himself in water and stand outside while Soleia cleaned herself up, because when Rafael entered the bathroom, getting clean was not on his priority list.

But he wasn’t sorry for his actions. He was only human, a mere mortal. How was he supposed to resist the tantalizing image of Soleia’s body glistening wet with water that ran down her every curve, highlighting her pert breasts, swollen nipples, and the curve of her thighs?

Just the very memory of Soleia was causing his lower half to twitch. His cock began to stand at attention, forming a tent in Oliver’s pants. Rafael groaned and hastily diverted his blood to other parts of his body by imagining a torrid scene of Soleia’s old father having intercourse with his father.

His tent deflated, just in time for Soleia’s voice to echo through the house.

"Yes, I’m coming now!" Soleia said. Before Rafael could make a crude joke, she opened the bathroom door. She had changed out of her wedding dress and styled her hair artfully to conceal the litany of marks Rafael had left on her neck and shoulders.

His new wife was truly very smart.

Soleia gave a little twirl in her new spring dress, pleased with how the fabric shifted. The skirt was adorned with intricate lace details and subtle embroidery of pink blossoming flowers to pay tribute to the season. Ralph had actually gotten it commissioned for her the moment he arrived, as a gift for her to celebrate the Spring Fair.

Soleia was initially against it, as she didn’t want to waste an extra penny on a new outfit, but Rafael was adamant about getting her something new from the seamstress. This was a new start for both of them― and he’d be damned if he let Soleia wear a hand-me-down dress for all her days. He wanted everyone in this tiny town to know how lovely Soleia was.

"How do I look?" Soleia asked hopefully.

Rafael’s eyes widened, and his mouth curled into a smile. "You put every bloom to shame," he said, leaning to press a kiss on the back of her hand. In Rafael’s opinion, Soleia had no need for such finery as her natural beauty could make even the most deformed sack beautiful.

But she couldn’t go out nude unless Rafael ripped out the eyes of everyone in Raxuvia.

"Flatterer," Soleia said with no heat behind it. But the lobes of her ears and the apples of her cheeks turned a fetching red, reminding Rafael of cherries. He wanted a nibble. Rafael wet his lips. His mouth suddenly felt dry again, wanting a repeat of earlier. But sadly, this wasn’t the time or place for it.

"Do you have everything? Are the musicians there yet?" Soleia asked worriedly. "Oh, we are horrendously late now―"

"Yes, Your Highness. Have some faith in Duke Kinsley’s organization skills." Rafael had shot Oliver a quick message via sodalite while Soleia was still getting ready. He easily laced his fingers with hers. "And we’re not late, royalty is never late. The rest of the party is merely waiting for you."

Soleia snorted. "I’m not royalty now," she said, as she all but pulled her new husband so that they could make their way to the town square.

Thankfully, the townspeople had already set up plenty of booths, featuring a variety of flower-themed snacks, and there were also several booths of fun carnival games.

Soleia smiled when she saw the string quartet she hired was already set up. On the ground were several clear quartz crystals she had helpfully arranged the night before, to ensure that everyone could hear the music.

Every inch of the town seemed to be decorated with blooming flowers, and there were plenty of lanterns set up to allow everyone enough light to see.

And every eye was on them. There were a couple of hoots and hollers, and plenty of saucy smirks were shot in their direction. Soleia could only smile awkwardly, holding her head up high despite the embarrassment. Everyone knew what they were doing before they arrived― and even if they hadn’t attended the wedding ceremony, they would certainly know after seeing Ralph’s neck.

Soleia’s face burned. God. She mauled him as though she was an animal!

Meanwhile, Rafael merely preened and stood taller. Just as he predicted, Soleia was the most lovely woman in the entire town. Not a single person with a pair of working eyes could turn away from his wife― she was the epitome of a spring goddess in her soft silk dress.

Under the wavering lantern light, the pastel green highlighted the emeralds in Soleia’s eyes. With her golden hair delicately curled into ringlets, she was nothing less than an angel on earth.

"I told you the dress was a good idea," Rafael couldn’t help but point out smugly, as he saw a few village boys gawk with red faces. He purposely pulled Soleia closer to him.

"Yes, yes, whatever you say," Soleia replied good-naturedly, rolling her eyes at his possessiveness, before realizing that now, Ralph had every right to be possessive.

He was her husband. That very thought sent a shuddery feeling of pleasure welling through her, and she gave his hand a squeeze.

"Wife?" Ralph asked, whispering in her ear. "Are you scared?"

"Only of you stomping all over my feet, dear husband," Soleia said cheekily, and Ralph shot her an affronted look.

"Hmph," Ralph scowled playfully. "Let’s make a bet. If I go through the dance without stepping on your feet once, you’ll... do me a favor. Within reason, of course."