The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 36: Long Meandering Route

Soleia furrowed her brows as she tried to recall past events.

"I got kidnapped, woke up in the sewers... you rescued me and we found the secret entrance back to her store. And we took a lot of her gems," Soleia said, her lips lifting at the reminder of the precious gems that were nestled on her very body.

Then just to check that Sir Ralph still had his gems, she shifted her thighs to press against his own. There was something sharp and pointy jabbing her, which made her feel more at ease.

Rafael Biroumand stopped moving. Did Soleia try to fondle his thigh with her own? How forward of her! A pleased grin crossed his face, but he continued to remain calm.

"Princess, is something the matter?"

"Nothing, just checking if you still have the precious jewels," Soleia said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"You could have just asked," Rafael pointed out so matter-of-factly that Soleia felt embarrassed. "Of course, if you’re talking about my family jewels, I can assure you that they are present, and in great working condition."

"Family jewels... That’s not what I care about!" Soleia’s face colored as she realized what he was referring to, and she smacked his back in irritation.

However, to Rafael, her blows were so light that they were nothing more than the batting of a kitten’s paw to him. With her flushed face, messy hair, and his hands on her thighs, Rafael’s mind easily went straight into the gutter and made its home there.

He swallowed thickly and shifted his legs wider. How ironic; there was no room in his pants for his own family jewels. His voice grew hoarse.

"You should care about them. Remember, you promised that if they were damaged in any way, you’d divorce Orion and marry me instead."

Soleia wanted to cross her arms, but her position made it impossible. "Well, since you can still joke about it, I’m guessing that the garnets I stuffed in your pants did not catch fire," Soleia said huffily. "But the day is not over yet."

"You don’t have to sound so disappointed," Rafael said. "I’ve been told that my family jewels are very pleasing to many. You shouldn’t curse a man’s prowess, Princess."

"Did you employ those people by any chance? Like... from a brothel?" Soleia couldn’t help but ask. "Their opinions might not be honest."

"So hurtful. I never needed to pay for such services. What’s more, to think I went all this way to rescue you, to haul you on my back in the torrid flurry of snow―"

"You can put me down," Soleia interrupted, feeling slightly guilty. "I’m feeling a lot better now."

"No can do," Rafael said. He wanted to hold her for just a little while longer, and he even purposely took the long meandering route to the estate so that they could be alone. "I can’t risk you falling into the snow after you fainted in the store."

"I fainted?" Soleia repeated with a frown as she tried to recall the scene. She remembered Ralph holding her hand tightly, and them being discovered as they tried to sneak out.

There was a lot of commotion, and she vaguely recalled a man’s voice. But the words were lost to her.

"Yes. That old woman’s crystals affected you too badly, but thankfully, I managed to subdue her and her little helper. However, all her merchandise fell and caused a huge commotion that drew a lot of unwanted attention."

"Did you call the guards?" Soleia asked, worried. "Does this mean my father will learn about this? He can’t― he’ll have everyone executed―"

"Relax, Princess Soleia, I managed to subdue her and her henchmen alone," Ralph said.

"You?" Soleia gave him a doubtful glance.

"Always the tone of surprise. First you doubt my family jewels, then you insult my combat abilities... Is there truly no justice in this world?" Rafael lamented good-naturedly, tilting his head to the heavens.

Soleia let out an outraged squawk and resisted the urge to tear out his hair even though it was right in front of her, begging to be scalped.

"And before you ask, we’re on the way back to the estate," Rafael added.

"But the path..." It didn’t look like any path she recognized.

"I had to take a longer way around to lose our pursuers. The black market is none too happy about losing one of their precious shops. The king is going to be furious when I report this―"

"Don’t report this to him," Soleia ordered in a breathy whisper.

In her anxiousness, her fingers had gone to his neck and squeezed. It was too light to be a threat, but Rafael felt a shuddery pleasure course through him all the same. Princess Soleia was going to be the death of him.

"Please. You don’t know my father’s temper. The townspeople don’t deserve to die for the crimes of a few. And..." Soleia hesitated as her husband’s face floated in her mind.

"So would Orion’s, since this land is under his jurisdiction," Rafael continued, following her train of thought. "I’m surprised you care so much about him, even though he has continuously let you down."

If there was a tiny note of bitterness in his voice, Soleia did not detect it.

"Well, I don’t like him, but I don’t want him to be killed because of this either," Soleia grumbled to herself. "Besides, if you report this, we’d have to surrender all of our precious gems to my father. I’ve been through too much to give them up now. Think about your poor pants!"

"I can’t argue with that logic," Rafael said, sounding more cheery. "Fair enough, Princess, I’ll keep your secret― only if you promise me a royal favor later. After all, if your father finds out I hid this from him, my head will roll too."

King Godwin would take flight like a bird before he could lay a single hand on Rafael Biroumand, but Soleia didn’t need to know that. He might as well milk this for all it was worth.

After all, don’t all husbands act pathetic to gain favors from their wives?