The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 236: Back to Shore

The lifeboat shook roughly in the waters, so much so that even the two men who were rowing the boat turned pale. The look in their eyes was desperate, and Soleia noticed that they had even subtly started to row even faster in fear that their prince would send them to their watery graves if they were any slower.

Soleia’s lips stretched into an ugly grin.

"Rather prideful of you to think that you have shown even the slightest bit of kindness," she said. "You are the most selfish, arrogant man I have ever had the misfortune to meet in my life."

Satisfaction bled into Soleia’s body as she watched Ricard’s expression turn darker and darker with every word she said. It was a statement enough to warrant a death sentence. But that was exactly what she wanted.

Soleia wished to worm under his skin, cause him so much anger and disgust that he would slip up and kill her. Death was exactly what she sought, cowardly or not. She would rather be dead than end up as Ricard’s wife, only to die like his many wives before.

Ricard’s fists clenched together, and likewise, the blood ropes around Soleia’s body tightened so much that it quickly became difficult to breathe. Even though her mind was prepared to die, her body wasn’t. She struggled against the bindings, trying desperately to fill her quickly depleted lungs.

All of a sudden, Ricard loosened his grip, and Soleia instinctively gasped for air. Her body slackened against the boat as Ricard sat back, idly resting his cheek against the back of his hand.

"I suppose Raziel was right," Ricard said. "I do need to watch my anger. It is so easily exploited by people who do not fear death."

Soleia coughed, choking on her own spit as she tried to regain steady breathing. Before she could properly gather herself, Ricard curved a finger, and Soleia went soaring towards him.

"I see what you’re doing, Princess," Ricard said with a joyless laugh. "But make no mistake― the same tricks won’t work a second time. You may not fear death, but that’s fine. I have plenty of ways to make living feel like it."

A small portion of blood split from the ropes, flattening itself before it was fixed over Soleia’s lips. Her mouth was taped shut as a result, and she made some muffled sounds against it, but nothing more.

Ricard nodded in satisfaction, finally allowing Soleia to drop back down onto the seats of the rowboat.

"There," he said. "Silent. Just as how all women should be."

Soleia could only watch in dismay as they got closer and closer to shore. Rows of soldiers had gathered at the harbor to wait for Ricard’s return. The moment the rowboat docked, a swarm of men came forward to help secure the boat and help Prince Ricard to shore.

On the other hand, Soleia was left on the boats until Ricard was standing on the wooden planks of the dock. He waved a hand, and she was brought forward, flying out of the boat and into the nearest soldier’s arms.

She looked up and hissed in pain, but when she raised her head, Soleia jolted back in surprise. The soldiers were wearing their helmets, and most of the men’s face was covered. But his eyes...

Soleia blinked. She must’ve gone mad from the rocking of the boat and the way Ricard jostled her around as though she was a ragdoll. After all, why did this random man look so much like Rafael?

"Inform my father that I’ve caught the prisoner," Ricard announced triumphantly. "We’ll have our wedding at once." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

The soldiers made some sounds of agreement, and Ricard didn’t even bother to spare Soleia a second look. He walked away with his troops following him, his shoulders squared and his back straight, gleeful pride hanging off the smile of his lips.

"Your Highness," one of the other soldiers said, "what about Prince Raziel?"

Ricard paused where he stood. He looked over his shoulder to glance at the soldier, but his smile remained.

"It is most unfortunate," Ricard said. "It seems like he has been killed by the criminal, Orion Elsher."

"Should we send a search party―"

Ricard pretended to sigh and shrug before continuing, "His remains are probably floating in the ocean. After my wedding, we will look for him. For now, we wouldn’t want to put a damper on the wedding by organizing a funeral, now, would we?"

With that said, he walked ahead of the crowd, whistling a jaunty tune, not at all upset at the fact that he had just lost the brother who had followed him dutifully like a shadow for the last few years. Soleia watched with disgust as he disappeared, several of his men marching after him as he headed straight for the palace.

Soleia remained right at the back. The knights marched after Prince Ricard, leaving just Soleia at the back, with no more than two others behind him and the knight who had a hand on her shoulder. She pinched her lips together as she cast a quick glance behind her.

It was still dark. She could sneak a hand into the pouch and grab a selenite tower. She just needed a small piece, and it would be enough to activate the powers she had stolen before. Just a little―

Her thoughts were abruptly cut short when the knight tightened his grip on her shoulder. Then, once they walked into a darker alley, she felt the bonds around her arms loosen before completely disappearing, along with the blood patch on her lips.

With her breath caught in her throat, Soleia looked down at her freed arms. She dared not raise them up too high in case the knights could see that she was now freed. In the short walk, a huge gap was now placed between her and the knights who marched ahead.

She was now left with three knights behind her, including the one who clutched her shoulder tightly.

Just as she tried to reach for her pocket where the pouch was, she was sharply yanked out of the path and into a dark alley.

"Hey―!"

Before she could exclaim, a hand was plastered against her lips, and a face loomed close. Soleia’s eyes widened when she finally recognized who it was this entire time, and her knees wobbled shakily, almost giving out under her.

"Shh," Rafael said. "It would be awfully inconvenient if Ricard heard us now, Princess."