The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 207: Low Bar

"Are you so terribly bored that you’re propositioning a twice-married woman?" Soleia barely hid the faint expression of disgust that crossed her face at Prince Ricard’s words. "Kindly leave my room this instant."

She pointed a finger to the door. Prince Ricard sighed dramatically and threw his hands up in the air.

"What does my brother have that I do not? I know you’re not staying with him, but still. I believe I deserve a chance, at the very least. Surely we are on par in terms of looks, relative skill―"

"My ears hurt when I hear you talk," Soleia said flatly. She purposely added one more sentence in a louder voice, just in case Rafael was within hearing distance. "And you are sorely mistaken. I love your brother so ardently. I would never leave him."

"Princess, there’s no one here but us. Stop pretending." Prince Ricard leaned closer in an attempt to whisper in her ear, but she only let out an irritable scoff before moving further away, as though he was an idiotic puppy that peed on her shoes.

He had made sure no servants were loitering when he made his little visit, but clearly, he underestimated the way Princess Soleia had his younger brother wrapped around his pinky finger.

Ricard sensed an ominous presence approaching, and loud footsteps echoed through the room as Prince Rafael barged in through the open door, a bloody whip aimed right at his face.

It must have been the power of love, or some supernatural coincidence.

He ducked. Strands of his hair fell to the floor. Ricard scowled. His brother had messed up his haircut.

"Rafael!" Soleia called out, relief palpable in her voice. "You’re here! I missed you!"

"Soleia! Are you alright?" He rushed towards her and stood in front of her protectively, glaring at Ricard with hatred in his eyes. If Ricard had any love to spare Rafael, he would have told him Soleia was not a woman he should adore.

But since Ricard bore the same amount of hatred for Rafael that Rafael had for him, he held his tongue and merely smirked at his face. Retribution would be slow, but it would be exquisite. His brother thought he had both the crown and his lover in his grasp, unaware that they were made out of sand, slowly slipping through his fingers.

"I’m fine, Rafael," Soleia said reassuringly. "Other than my ears, because your brother simply refuses to keep quiet."

"His tongue is a blight among humanity," Rafael agreed. The blood whipped danced menacingly in the air, as though it was a snake deciding on how best to attack its prey. "Removing it would bring everyone peace."

"He is right here, and he can hear every word you say," Prince Ricard added, a tad bit peevishly.

"He can go then; nothing is stopping him," Soleia said innocently, but behind Rafael’s protective back, she shot him a scornful glance. "If he can walk in with his own legs, he can walk out just fine."

"I understand that I’m not welcomed," Prince Ricard sniffed haughtily. "But if you change your mind, Princess Soleia, my arms are always open for you." He then gave a jaunty wave as he turned around to walk out, whistling a jolly tune.

Rafael lunged for his back, but Soleia grabbed him by the arm, shaking her head. "Don’t do it. He’s not worth ruining my research notes."

"What did he want with you?" Rafael demanded. "What offer did he make?"

"What else? He wanted me to marry him," Soleia said with a shrug.

Rafael’s face turned so red, Soleia thought he was going to burst into an apoplectic fit. She rubbed his wrist to soothe him.

"I, of course, refused him because he is still the most annoying, insufferable man I have had the misfortune to meet." She paused for a moment before shooting Rafael a wry smile. "Oh wait, that’s not entirely true. I also know Florian. So I guess Prince Ricard is not the worst man, but that’s a low bar to clear."

Rafael, seeing that Soleia could still have the peace of mind to joke about Ricard’s presence, calmed down slightly. "My apologies for leaving you alone," Rafael said. "I’ll make sure someone is by your side at all times. My brother might make future attempts."

That was exactly what Soleia did not want.

"That’s unnecessary, I can look after myself," she said quickly. " Don’t forget, I have my own abilities." She gestured to her selenite earrings. "If he tries anything, I can nullify his abilities. I’ll treat it as extra practice."

Come to think of it, she had a few things she needed Rafael to clarify. Raxuvia’s royal family only boasted blood magic and the occasional healing. No matter what Soleia did, she would only be able to absorb this specific ability.

Where was she going to other magical users to practice with?

"Rafael, I need to know― how is your father going to get me practice partners? All of you have roughly the same ability... there’s no way I can test my nullification abilities for anyone else."

"About that..." Rafael suddenly seemed hesitant, and Soleia grew worried.

"What is it? Is this a plot by your father to make sure I fail?"

"No! It’s in his best interest if you’re successful," Rafael said. "We... do have people for you to practice on. Do you want to meet them?"

"Of course," Soleia said, grabbing her bag of gems. Thankfully, Rafael couldn’t tell that her stash had been halved. However, Rafael’s eyes were attracted to another item on her desk.

It was another expanding bag. He grabbed the bag and reached inside it, pulling out a handful of gold coins. His gaze darkened.

"Soleia, what is the meaning of this?"

"Prince Ricard decided to woo me with gold," Soleia said without blinking. "Since he’s so kind as to give us money, I see no reason not to accept it― especially when it came in such a valuable bag." She chanced a quick look at Rafael’s face. He was still glaring at the bag as though it had killed his entire family― wait, that wasn’t right. He would probably be more welcoming if said bag killed Ricard.

Soleia continued. "If you wish for me to return the money, that is fine, but I would really like to keep the bag..."