The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 252: Couldn’t Wait For Breakfast

The next morning, they were rudely awakened by a sharp knock on the door. Rafael snuggled deeper into the blankets, tightening his hold on Soleia.

This was a mere dream, a nuisance that would go away if he ignored it for long enough.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling a breath of Soleia’s sweet scent, relishing in her warmth. His nether regions stirred, hoping for a continuation of last night’s activities.

The knocking continued. He felt Soleia shift in his arms, and her voice croaked out. "What is it?"

"It’s probably nothing," Rafael mumbled into her soft skin. "Just ignore it."

The knocking refused to cease.

"It sounds important," Soleia stirred. Despite her words, she did not move an inch off the bed. Instead, she patted his arm while burying herself deeper into her pillow. "Rafael, go and see what’s the matter."

"How important could it be?" Rafael asked as he rubbed at his face irritably. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before reluctantly walking to the door. The knocking was incessant.

"What is it?" Rafael flung the door open irritably as he stared at the commander standing outside their door. "Someone better be dying!"

The commander kept his eyes on the young prince’s face. He couldn’t believe this man would actually open the door dressed in his birthday suit! What if an assassin had decided to strike?

"Your Highness, your father demands your presence in the throne room," the commander said. "It is about your marriage to Lady Elinora."

Rafael scowled. "And couldn’t this wait till after breakfast? What’s the hurry?"

"Your Highness, it’s already noon. His Majesty the King has already given you grace by letting you sleep in, on account of your feats yesterday," the commander said flatly, causing Rafael to do a double-take. Surely they weren’t so exhausted that they had slept through the morning.

Soleia, hearing the commander’s words, immediately sat up on her bed, shaking her head quickly to dispel her tiredness. She glanced at the window and felt her heart sink; the sun was high up in the sky, and the sunlight that was streaming through their bedroom windows was harsh and unforgiving.

How on earth did she sleep for so long?

"We’ll be down shortly," Soleia called out, clearing her throat to get rid of the hoarseness. She got up and hurriedly dug through her cupboards for an appropriate dress to wear. "My apologies for any inconvenience caused."

"Goodbye," Rafael continued peevishly, slamming the door shut. "Soleia, I don’t want to marry her."

"Well, whatever it is, we will have to show up anyway," Soleia said pragmatically as she strode into the bathroom. "Go and pick an outfit to change into. I’ll take a bath first."

And Rafael could only stand outside the bathroom sadly, his hopes for a tryst in the bathtub heartlessly ruined by reality. Then again, he highly doubted Soleia would be in the mood to indulge in lovemaking now when they were ruthlessly interrupted by the reminder of Elinora’s presence.

As they walked to the throne room, Soleia whispered to Rafael. "Did you check on Orion?"

"No. I was with you the whole time," Rafael pointed out. "When would I have the time?"

A frown grew on Soleia’s face. They had slept their morning away, leaving Orion alone. Elinora might have taken the time to sink her claws into him. Orion wasn’t powerless, but he was effectively in hostile territory with no one he could trust. Not to mention, Elinora was full of tricks― what if he had been drugged during breakfast by King Recaldo’s men, and Elinora made him do his bidding?

Just the very thought made her antsy. Suddenly, she needed to touch Orion to verify his condition for herself.

Rafael paused, catching her train of thought. "You think Elinora might have done something to him?"

"It wouldn’t be the first time she sank her claws into him," Soleia muttered darkly under her breath. "We should have put Orion in the same room as us."

Rafael choked, imagining Orion staring at them impassively as they made love. While Orion watching would certainly put the idea of him getting together with Soleia dead in the ground, he did not fancy having his wife’s ex-husband watching them consummate their marriage.

"Knowing Orion, he might rather die than sleep with us. Or see us fornicating like rabbits."

Now it was Soleia’s turn to choke. She smacked Rafael’s arm in retaliation for his words.

"You know what I mean. Orion only has us for support here. We shouldn’t leave him alone."

Rafael could only nod in agreement. With the majority of his own men dead or heavily injured, Orion was his most powerful bastion of support.

They entered the throne room to once again find King Recaldo sitting on his throne, with Elinora kneeling before him piously. Soleia had a severe sense of deja vu, only this time, Orion was already inside the room, but he was standing as far away from Elinora as he could.

He shot them a briefly, panicked glance. Perhaps Elinora had not enchanted him just yet, but she wanted to check him later just to be sure.

More importantly, it was impossible to miss the fact that Elinora was wearing a wedding dress. It was a white lace gown that flattered her figure and made it impossible for one not to appreciate her impressive assets.

Soleia’s fingers dug into Rafael’s arm, causing him to wince slightly. He patted her hand comfortingly before going to his father.

"Father, what a lovely afternoon we are having," Rafael said. "Might I know why you’ve summoned me and my wife today?"

"Finally," King Recaldo said with gritted teeth. "Where is that damned priest? Get him married this instant!"

"Excuse me?" Rafael exclaimed as a wizened old man that could rival Minister Goldstein for his crotchety demeanor hobbled into the throne room.

"Greetings to Your Majesty," he croaked out. "I see the bride and groom are both in attendance. I shall begin the ceremony."