The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 257: The Threads of Red I

"The King will have your head for saying that," Orion said with a frown once the door was locked.

They had safely returned to Rafael and Soleia’s chambers, and Rafael made sure to cast a quick spell to soundproof their room.

"You’re one to talk," Rafael said with a snort. "I don’t see you caring about pretend niceties when it comes to royalty, especially when talking to King Godwin."

"And that’s why I’m a wanted criminal in both Vramid and probably Nedour," Orion replied smoothly while crossing his arms over his chest. His expression didn’t change as he stared straight at his old friend. "Whether you like it or not, the throne will come with the requirement of fornicating with Elinora. She will try to enchant you under her spell."

"Over my dead body," Rafael said.

"Orion is right," Soleia said with a sigh. "You’ve promised King Recaldo as much. He will try to enforce it upon you or relieve you of your right to the throne."

"We will delay it for as long as possible," Rafael said. "He can’t bother us if I refuse to open the door for him."

"Be realistic," Orion said. "You can’t hide forever."

With his last words hanging in the air, Orion turned and left the room. The door closed behind him with a little more force than was really needed, causing Rafael and Soleia to flinch.

"What’s he upset about?" Rafael spat out with an annoyed scoff. "He’s not the one who has to canoodle with a venomous snake."

Soleia bit her lip. She agreed with Orion― they couldn’t hide from this forever. Sooner or later, King Recaldo would send knights over to knock the door down if they had to. She wouldn’t expect anything less.

However, that didn’t mean she was okay with sharing her husband. Perhaps his name, sure, but nothing more than a false title. Unlike with Orion, whom she had no love for, she was immensely possessive of Rafael and would rather snap the neck of Elinora herself if she had to.

Actually, that sounded like a decent plan.

"I need to seize the throne before my father presses for this," Rafael said.

"Or kill her," Soleia murmured under her breath, making a face.

"Soleia!" Rafael said with a gasp. "I did not take you for someone so violent!" Then, a bright smile broke out across his face. "Every day I fall more and more in love with you. Let’s kill her."

Amused by how enthusiastically Rafael had taken her morbid suggestion, Soleia spluttered out in laughter. She shook her head.

"I can’t say it’s not tempting," she said. "It really is. But that will make an enemy out of the Wynslers."

If the Wynsler house was a force strong enough to make it so that King Recaldo so desperately wanted them as in-laws, that meant that they had the sort of political power Rafael needed to rule Raxuvia. As annoying as it was to admit, that was much better than whatever Soleia could offer him as the runaway princess of Vramid.

She had no land and no power to her name, only a child growing in her belly who bore both Rafael’s blood and hers. Soleia wasn’t even sure how long her pregnancy could keep her safe.

All of a sudden, a knock echoed across the room. Soleia and Rafael turned to face the door, alarmed. Their eyebrows shot up on their foreheads as they glanced at each other warily. In the end, Soleia nodded, and Rafael made his way over.

When he twisted it open, he was surprised to see a knight there.

"Your Highness," the knight greeted. "The funeral procession for Prince Ricard and Prince Raziel will begin shortly. Your presence has been requested by the King."

He cast a glance at Soleia quickly before looking at Rafael once more.

"It is compulsory," he added. "But if Her Highness Princess Soleia is feeling unwell, she need not attend. His Majesty understands that she may have some unhappy feelings towards the late princes and has pardoned her attendance."

Rafael squinted.

"Is that so?" he asked. "One moment."

Before the knight could reply, he slammed the door shut in his face and returned to Soleia’s side.

"Go," Soleia said before Rafael could say anything. "Those are your brothers after all, and it seems like the King has planned something awfully extravagant."

She gestured out of the window, where they could see plenty of servants running everywhere. The funeral procession wasn’t held in the royal palace, but the palace staff had been deployed for the preparations.

It looked to be a grand affair, and with due right. The people of Raxuvia had mostly thought that Prince Ricard would be the crown prince, and Prince Raziel would serve as his advisor. While there was never an official announcement, that was the image many people had for many years.

Rafael’s appearance shattered everything they had prepared for.

"They might try something," Rafael said. "I’m not leaving you here alone."

A wave of nausea gurgled up Soleia’s chest. She placed a hand on her chest, pinching her lips together as though she was trying to keep something down. Every inhale seemed heavy, and it took a while before she finally calmed down.

"Orion is still around," Soleia replied, her voice a little breathy. "They wouldn’t dare."

Rafael’s jaw twitched. Finally, he sighed.

"Fine," he relented. "You need rest." He placed a hand on her stomach, caressing the surface for a bit. "Perhaps I should have the kitchen prepare a tonic for your nausea."

Then, he withdrew. In the blink of an eye, he sliced a cut into his skin, causing blood to spill forth. His carnelian glowed as he pulled a streak of crimson from his flesh, shaping it into a ring before it solidified.

Soleia’s lips parted as Rafael placed the ring in the palm of her hand.

"You can choose whether or not you would like to wear it," he said. "I’m not going to force you this time."

A smile slowly stretched across Soleia’s face. She rose to the tip of her toes to give Rafael a gentle kiss on the cheek before pulling back. Then, she immediately slipped the ring on her ring finger.

The moment it was on, it could not be removed, no matter how she pulled and tugged. But this time, Soleia had no intention of removing the ring.

"It’s our wedding ring, is it not?" Soleia said with a smile, causing Rafael to grin as well. "Of course I will wear it."

He held her hand and kissed the back of it.

"Have some rest," he said. "I’ll be back before you know it."

Soleia nodded and watched as Rafael left the room. She immediately sank into the soft mattress, staring at the door. Time ticked by quickly, and it wasn’t until the crackle of the giant tree outside that Soleia snapped back to attention.

She jerked up, looking outside. It had been nearly an hour since Rafael had left. Perhaps Soleia should get some rest before he returned. She did feel a little sleepy.

With that in mind, Soleia approached the wardrobe, planning to find something she could wear to bed. But before she could start removing her corset, the door sounded with yet another knock.