The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 201: Political Power

Soleia adjusted her skirt before sitting back down, smoothing it as she wore a calm expression. She needn’t even turn to look at Rafael to know that he was staring at her― she could feel the heat of his gaze, along with that of his siblings. Even Elinora was probably curious to know what Soleia could do, especially after she had foiled her plans so many times.

"With all due respect," Soleia slowly said, "what am I here for, Your Majesty?"

Her question caused the two princesses to suck in a breath of air through their teeth. They looked back and forth between each other, their lips trembling as they watched their father’s expression.

"I am not a simple guest, am I?" Soleia continued when she was met with King Recaldo’s silence.

Slowly, King Recaldo’s lips stretched into a patronizing smile. If she hadn’t known any better, she would’ve even thought it was kind.

"You are currently a wanted criminal in Vramid," King Recaldo said. "There’s currently a notice of arrest out for you, Your Highness, and every neighboring kingdom has been told to hand you over if you are found or risk going to war with Vramid."

Soleia swallowed the bile in her throat. She hadn’t expected anything less from her father. However, she was surprised that he had pulled out all the stops to bring her back, and not just Orion Elsher.

"As Vramid’s neighboring kingdom, Raxuvia should hand you over to the Vramidian authorities," King Recaldo continued. "After all, we’re risking war right at our doorstep."

"Is this the last supper, then?" Soleia asked. Her expression did not change.

King Recaldo merely laughed.

"No," he said, "of course not. Or at least, it needn’t be."

When his laughter ceased, so did the friendly light in his eyes. It was now replaced with a dark glint as he stared at Soleia, and she felt her hairs stand at the back of her neck.

"As a king, you cannot blame me for wanting the best for my kingdom and my people," King Recaldo said. "As such, on all accounts, it will be better to hand you back to your father and your rumored fiancé before they come marching into Raxuvia. There is no reason I should send my soldiers to die for you when you are nothing to Raxuvia."

Across the table, Prince Ricard’s smile grew wide. Even Prince Raziel had looked up from his plate, looking at his father from the corner of his eyes.

"I was under the impression that I would become Prince Rafael’s concubine," Soleia said.

"That would be if Elinora here is willing to accept you into the household," King Recaldo said, holding out his hand to gesture to Elinora. "After all, she is to be Rafael’s official wife."

Under the table where no one could see, Soleia clenched her fist tightly around her skirt, crumpling the fabric. Her nails would’ve dug into her palms if it weren’t for the fabric, and even with that, it did little to shield the pressure.

"As long as Prince Rafael understands his loyalties, I have no qualms about sharing my husband," Elinora smoothly interjected. Soleia refused to turn to face her, but she could still hear the gleeful, smug smirk in her voice. "After all, it is normal for a man to have multiple women to please him. Wouldn’t you agree, Princess Soleia?"

When Soleia didn’t reply, King Recaldo said, "You are very generous, Elinora, but even then, being a mere concubine for a prince isn’t enough to warrant a war. She is not the queen, nor will she ever be."

With every sentence that left King Recaldo’s lips, Soleia felt as though there was a pail of dung water splashed over her head. She bit down on her inner lip to stop herself from bursting out in rage and to rein in her temper. While she didn’t want to stay in Raxuvia, she didn’t want to return to Vramid to become Florian’s wife either.

"But," King Recaldo said, "you can be useful to Raxuvia― someone the kingdom will willingly protect."

Soleia’s eyes narrowed. "And how might that be?"

"By joining our army," King Recaldo said. He leaned back in his seat. "Why would you want to lower yourself to become a concubine, Princess Soleia? No matter what, you are still a member of royalty. Is it not an insult to you to become the concubine, second to a mere duke’s daughter, when your sisters are marrying proper princes?"

As the King talked, Soleia kept her lips pursed tightly together, trying her best not to show her emotions. Yes, it was insulting. But she didn’t have plans of becoming anyone’s concubine, ultimately, so King Recaldo’s words did not strike any chords within her.

"I can offer you, instead, a position in my court," King Recaldo continued. "And eventually, in Rafael’s court, when he succeeds the throne. That way, there is no need for you to marry my illegitimate son."

"Father!" Rafael jumped from his seat, standing to his full height. "That was not what we discussed."

King Recaldo completely ignored him, keeping his eyes entirely glued onto Soleia. frёewebnoѵēl.com

"You will have your own political power in Raxuvia if you become a minister― the first female minister in the kingdom, might I add," he said. "With that sort of power, you will be entirely safe here in Raxuvia. You can change your name, your identity, and completely disappear from your father and fiancé’s sight to start afresh."

Soleia exhaled slowly. Then, she met King Recaldo’s eyes.

"I have no interest in political power," she said.

She tried her best to soften the look in her eyes, her entire body relaxing as she practically melted in the direction of Rafael’s body. Rafael, noticing that, quickly sat back down to support her, holding her in his arms.

Soleia reduced herself into nothing more than a ragdoll, lying pliantly in his embrace as she leaned against his chest for support. Over his shoulder and from the corner of her eyes, she could see Elinora’s gaze darken, and Soleia resisted the urge to smirk.

Oh, how the tables have turned.