The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 254: Fourth Time’s the Charm

"Aren’t you two already married?" Elinora asked, exasperated.

Everyone in the room could see that she was one last straw away from snapping entirely. Her elegant façade was quickly wearing down, and she was one eye twitch away from throwing herself into a cat fight with Soleia.

"You’ve been running around boasting about how Princess Soleia is your wife," Elinora continued. "You’re just wasting time."

"My darling brothers have been very kind to remind me previously that I wasn’t officially married to Soleia, since we were wed under a pseudonym," Rafael cooly said, refusing to spare Elinora even one glance. "I think it’s only right that the mother of my child should be my first wife. What will people say when they realize that we aren’t officially wedded?"

Then, Rafael stared directly at his father.

"We wouldn’t want people to doubt the royal blood of the child in Soleia’s womb, now, would we?" he said. "Vramid could otherwise contest for the child, especially when they are born with incredible magic."

Mentioning the kingdom of Soleia’s birth was just another sore spot for King Recaldo. There had been too many changes there― Prince Florian was slowly gaining power in Vramid, and rumor on the street was that he was still tirelessly searching for Princess Soleia, the bride he had his eyes set on.

The concubines and countless bed-warmers he had found did not last very long, and all of them had an uncanny resemblance to the Princess. There were still search warrants up everywhere, and if it weren’t for the fact that Soleia was now an important and valuable source of power, it would’ve been a perfect chance to send her back and build a relationship between both kingdoms.

King Recaldo scoffed as his eyes turned to Soleia. What this woman had, he would never understand. She was beautiful, yes, but not enough for so many men — including his idiotic sons — to desire her.

To top it off, Prince Florian didn’t even know of Soleia’s magical abilities, as far as King Recaldo understood! He was simply a lustful man.

"You will have your groom, Lady Elinora," King Recaldo said. "Haven’t I always taught you that patience is a virtue?"

Elinora could only bite down on her bottom lip. It was hard enough to draw blood. She stared begrudgingly at Soleia and Rafael, of whom the latter finally spared her a glance. However, it was only to gloat, for the smile on his face was genuine and genuinely cocky.

"I am also alright with not having any fanfare," Soleia said. She meekly came forward, and copying the way Elinora once spoke when she was still Elowyn, she said, "As long as I have you, I am content." freёwebnoѵel.com

Her tone of voice made Elinora’s eyes twitch. Even Orion felt shivers go up and down his spine as he was reminded of his many interactions with ’Elowyn’.

Rafael, on the other hand, was elated. He happily waved the priest to come over, clutching tightly onto Soleia’s hands as though he was afraid she would regret her words as soon as he let go.

"Come on now," he urged. "We haven’t got all day."

The old priest could only stand there, flabbergasted. The Prince’s preference was obvious enough. While he was so reluctant and found every excuse under the sun to delay his marriage with Lady Elinora, he couldn’t even spare a second to wait to be wedded to Princess Soleia.

But this wasn’t something the priest had to meddle in, nor was it his business to know too much about the matters of the royal family. He came forward, cleared his throat, and started the ceremony.

"Prince Rafael Biroumand, do you―"

"Skip. Yes, I do," Rafael said. He then looked expectantly at Soleia, who blinked twice in silence before giving him a look. "What?" Rafael asked.

She merely rolled her eyes and sighed, all while smiling. Truth to be told, she had heard enough vows to last three lifetimes. She didn’t need to listen to the same lines again yet another time, and thus, did as Rafael prompted.

"I do," she said.

"Uh..." the priest muttered, looking back and forth between Rafael and Soleia, and even sneaked a quick peek at the King.

King Recaldo was unflinching, not even a tad bit surprised by his son’s antics. As such, the priest had no choice but to clear his throat and straighten his posture.

"In that case, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride―"

Rafael didn’t have the time to wait for permission to be given. He closed the distance between him and Soleia, grabbed her by the waist, and connected their lips. She met his enthusiasm, wrapping her arms around his neck as she stood on the tips of her toes to meet his height.

In fact, they remained connected for so long that King Recaldo himself had to clear his throat. Only then did the couple break apart, with Rafael’s lips red and Soleia’s cheeks redder.

"Now that they’re wedded, I believe it’s my turn?" Elinora said. She stepped forward, practically shoving Soleia out of the way as she did so.

Soleia stumbled back in surprise, falling into Orion’s outstretched arms, while Elinora happily took her place and stood at the same spot. She failed to notice King Recaldo’s expression darkening when Soleia fell back, and instead, Elinora focused all her attention on Rafael.

"Well, hurry along," Elinora urged, almost snapping at the poor old man.

"Y-Yes..." the priest said. He scrambled forward and began to speak. "Prince Rafael Biroumand, do you take Lady Elinora Wynsler as your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life?"

The more the priest spoke, the more crumpled Rafael’s face became.

He didn’t. He really didn’t. All of the promises the priest brought up were none he could morally promise to keep, knowing he wouldn’t. His lips twitched in annoyance.

Then, he said, "I don’t."