The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 237: Beneath the Mask

Tears rolled down Soleia’s cheeks as she stared at Rafael, her lips trembling with disbelief. Soleia’s eyes seemed to blur, and for a second, she could hardly see the clear features of the man in front of her. But his eyes, clear and green as they were, remained just as she remembered. He stared at her with such vibrant intensity that her heart fluttered and her breath shook.

Soleia raised a hand, her finger grazing the helmet the soldier wore. Now that she could have a better look at him without having to worry about Ricard, she could see the features she loved. She was sure that it was Rafael, and judging by the slight amusement in his eyes, she knew he was suppressing a smile of his own.

"I thought you wouldn’t be too happy to see me," Rafael said, his voice slightly muffled by the helmet he wore. "I have to admit that I am quite touched you would cry for me still."

Soleia’s fingers continued to trace the outline of the helmet before gently lifting it. But she stopped all of a sudden when she remembered they were not alone. Warily, Soleia cast a look behind Rafael, where the other two soldiers stood. However, they had their backs facing them, standing guard and keeping a weathered eye out to make sure they weren’t noticed.

"Wait..." she said but was cut off by Rafael’s laughter.

"Don’t worry about them," Rafael said. His next words confirmed her suspicions. "Those two are my men."

As though they heard him, the two soldiers briefly turned back. Now that she was actively keeping an eye out for familiar faces, Soleia could vaguely recognize Oliver under one of the helmets. The other man she didn’t remember too clearly, but she recalled seeing him a couple of times when she and Rafael stayed in that small town.

"How are you here?" Soleia asked, turning back to face Rafael. She clutched his upper arms as panic flared through her chest. "Prince Ricard would notice that we aren’t following them back to the palace. And Orion―" She paused, her eyes widening to the size of saucers. "Orion! He’s still in the middle of the ocean!"

Rafael’s eyes darkened for a split second at the mention of another man’s name from his beloved wife’s lips. Jealously flared through him for a short moment, but it quickly disappeared as he ran a hand through her hair.

The look in Soleia’s eyes wasn’t that of worry for a man she romantically loved― it was for a friend. But even with that, he still exhaled loudly.

"Based on our years of friendship, I can safely tell you that Orion Elsher will unfortunately not die in the waters, with or without a jade with him," Rafael said. "Especially if he’s fighting Raziel. My idiot of a brother is great at many things, but he isn’t a swimmer."

Soleia pursed her lips. That was what Ricard said, too, and Rafael had basically confirmed it.

"He will be fine if he uses his brains," Rafael continued. "Right now, we need to get you somewhere safe. Preferably out of Raxuvia."

Rafael then turned and called out, "Oliver, come."

His loyal subordinate quickly tottered over, and Rafael gently let go of Soleia.

"Take the Princess to the eastern border. I will meet you guys there."

"Wait," Soleia called out. "What about you? You aren’t coming with us?" freewebnoveℓ.com

"I have to deal with Ricard and my dear old father at the palace first," Rafael said. He straightened up and made his way closer to the main street. "Raxuvia’s throne will rot in either of their hands."

"You’ve still not given up on the throne?" Soleia asked. She swallowed the bile in her throat. Then again, she hadn’t found it any bit surprising.

Rafael offered her a pained smile. "I cannot say that I do not have selfish desires to rule," he said. "But I also cannot offer you ample protection without the crown."

"And you think that you will be able to get the crown so easily?"

Rafael and Soleia turned their heads right at that moment, just in time to see Landon’s body fall to the ground with a thud. Ricard stepped right over his body, casually flicking Landon’s blood off of his sword with a swipe of the weapon. Splotches of red splashed onto the stone walls next to him, and his shadow loomed ominously.

Instantly, Oliver drew his weapon and stood in front of Rafael and Soleia. Likewise, Rafael shielded Soleia behind him, his carnelian pendant growing in preparation.

Soleia frowned, her hands digging into her pocket while tucked away from view. She searched for her pouch, reaching in a blind attempt to find a selenite block she could use.

"I figured there would be blocks in the road," Rafael idly commented, shrugging. "Nothing I can’t handle."

"Touching," Ricard said. "Ever so confident about your abilities."

"Of course," Rafael replied without missing a beat. "I have to impress my wife."

Soleia’s lips twitched into a small smile when Rafael turned back and cast a look at her.

"What a coincidence," Ricard said with a crooked grin. "I do too. Men!"

A roar came from behind Ricard as soldiers filed into the tiny alley. Oliver’s sword was brandished, slicing through the air and cutting through soldiers. The moment blood was spilled, a mist of red gathered at Rafael’s fingertips. Magic swirled around the air as a blood whip was formed, creating a protective circle around Soleia.

"Oliver!" Rafael commanded. "Get Soleia out of here. Now!"

"Yes, Sir!" Oliver yelled. He cut down the two men who were trying to attack him before using their falling bodies to propel him back. "Pardon me, Your Highness."

Without another word of warning, his arm wrapped around Soleia’s waist, pulling her into the air with him as he used the shoulders of Ricard’s men to bring him and Soleia up and over the wall.

Ricard watched as they easily escaped, and his eyes met with Soleia’s for a split second before she completely disappeared from view.

"Deal with this bastard prince," Ricard growled, his eyes glowing with bloodlust as he instructed his men. He uncorked the waterskin he carried, allowing a stream of blood to flow from it. "I have a runaway bride to catch."