The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 259: Foiled Plans

"I drank the tonic," Soleia said weakly, pointing to the empty bowl sitting innocently at the table. Rafael narrowed his eyes as he followed her gaze, and he used his blood to carry it over to the bed. He could have walked over and picked it up with his bare hands, but he didn’t want to leave Soleia’s side unnecessarily.

The bowl was deposited on his lap, where it bounced harmlessly against his muscles. Rafael picked it up and examined it carefully. There were traces of a thick, slightly iridescent residue clinging to the edges, and when he brought it closer to his nose, he caught the faint scent of something sickly sweet masking something far more sinister.

His eyes darkened.

"Sindor root," Rafael muttered under his breath, his jaw clenching. "There’s also... dracelle dust and maybe even an extract of kyrrin bark."

Soleia blinked blearily at him. "What does that mean?"

Rafael’s voice was sharp as a blade when he answered. "It means someone tried to kill our child."

Her breath caught, and she instinctively brought a trembling hand to her abdomen. "But... I thought you sent it. You said when you left... You mentioned you’d have the kitchen send something. I thought―" Her voice broke off, guilt and confusion tightening her throat.

Rafael’s expression crumpled. "I did say that." He stared at her, self-loathing rising fast and hard in his chest. "And that’s exactly why you drank it. Shit, Soleia, I― this is my fault."

"No," Soleia said, shaking her head even though her limbs still trembled. "You didn’t poison me, Rafael. You’re the one who saved me. If anything... it’s a miracle you felt it through the ring and came back in time."

He took her hand, kissing the knuckles as he tried to steady his breathing. The worst of the poison was behind them, but Rafael’s mind was spinning. Someone had acted quickly — too quickly — to get that tonic into her hands.

It was subtle enough that no servant would question it. Subtle enough that someone with influence had to have orchestrated it.

"Elinora," Rafael growled under his breath.

Soleia closed her eyes, exhausted, but a small frown tugged at her lips. "You really think she would go this far?" Then, she wrinkled her lips. Right. Why was she giving Elinora the benefit of doubt? She would be willing to raze the world to the ground in order to get what she wanted, if it really came down to it.

"She wants the throne. She wants me. And now, she sees you as the obstacle standing in her way." Rafael stood slowly from the bed, placing the empty bowl on the nightstand. "She has the means, the connections, and a severe lack of morals."

Soleia opened her eyes again, studying him. "She would know pretty soon that she failed this time and would probably try again."

He didn’t answer immediately. His carnelian crystal gleamed with a faint pulse at his neck, catching the light like a drop of blood.

"Rest for now. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, Princess," Rafael said, his voice low and promising. "I’ll take care of it."

***

Elinora expected to see her coming, but she didn’t think it would be so soon. She fanned herself leisurely, her eyes kept on the maid who was scuttling through the crowd.

"Elinora? Darling, are you even listening to me?"

Elinora snapped her attention back to her mother, a trained smile on her lips.

"Of course, Mother," Elinora said, batting her eyelashes.

"Alright then," Cecelia Wynsler said, raising an eyebrow. "What did I say?"

"To co-exist with the queen-to-be," Elinora said. "Charm the crown prince and bear a son to inherit the throne."

"So close, yet so far," Cecelia said with a tut. "Why are you settling for co-existing, Elinora? Have I not taught you better?"

"Because, Mother," Elinora said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "She is not a woman I can simply enchant and chuck to one side. Have you not heard of the rumors? Or has King Recaldo not informed you of why the promise of making me the future queen has been broken?"

"Oh, I’ve heard," Cecelia said. "I simply thought that you were smarter than this. All she can do is nullify whatever you have done. Aren’t you able to use other methods?"

"Mother!" Elinora exclaimed, placing a hand on her chest as though she was thoroughly aghast by what Cecelia had to suggest. "Do you even hear what you’re suggesting?"

"You are a Wynsler," Cecelia said, her voice low. "And Wynslers are meant to rule. Don’t forget that. Now hurry along before you end up ruined and tossed aside as a dirty old hag, unloved and untouched by her own husband."

She gestured around her.

"Do you even know where your husband is? He’s not even here with you, nor paying respects to the late Prince Ricard and Prince Raziel!" Cecelia said. In a much more hushed tone, with her eyes darkening, she said, "Don’t bring shame to the family name."

With her warning said, Cecelia Wynsler huffed and left her daughter’s side. Elinora watched as her mother slowly walked away, stopping only to give false niceties to other nobles who had come to pay respect to the late princes.

Elinora’s smile slowly faded into a sneer, hidden by her fan. Her mother’s words rang in her ear, and only then did she look around.

It seemed like Cecelia Wynsler was right. Rafael Biroumand was nowhere to be seen. Just a moment ago, Elinora swore she still saw him speaking with several other noblemen, most likely attempting to build his inner circle for his upcoming ascension to the throne.

However, she was quickly distracted by her mother and had lost sight of him since.

"My Lady!" the maid panted heavily as she came to Elinora’s side. The latter frowned, eyeing the maid with distaste. With how heavily she was breathing into her face, Elinora could smell the remains of breakfast still clinging to the maid’s teeth.

She made a face, her fan batting much faster.

"Well?" she snapped. "Have you done what I’ve asked of you?"

"M-My Lady..." the maid said, stuttering. She wrung the apron on her skirt. "I... I’m afraid..."

"Well?" Elinora frowned. Her eyebrows furrowed as anger slowly began to rise in her body. "Spit it out!"

"I’m afraid Prince Rafael has foiled our plans," the maid said. "He has returned to his chambers."