The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 52: A Warm Pillow

"Princess, it’s time to get up," a voice murmured in Soleia’s ear, and she let out a displeased groan, burying herself deeper into the blankets. Finally, she had managed to get a night of good sleep, and Lily wanted to wake her up? That was heartless of her!

"Five more minutes," she mumbled, wrapping her arms and legs around her pillow.

She was so warm and toasty underneath the covers that even moving an inch from the duvet seemed to be a herculean task. Maybe Lily would prepare breakfast first, before calling for her.

Mmmm... breakfast... Soleia licked her lips and continued to sleep.

Meanwhile, Rafael was staring at Soleia with barely concealed amusement. Princess Soleia was completely unaware of who her limbs were wrapped around. But while this was horribly entertaining, he still needed to get up, and it was nigh impossible to do so with her limbs all over him.

He decided to gently blow in her ear to wake her up. She deserved that much after she had kept him awake for half the night thanks to the warmth and strength in her limbs. If Princess Soleia had gotten a wrestling tutor, she might have been a real menace on the battlefield.

"In that case, Princess, can you let go of me first? I need to use the bathroom."

Soleia heard a man’s voice in her ear, and she shook her head irritably like a dog with waterlogged ears. She raised a hand and smacked the pillow hard, in retaliation for daring to ask her to let it go. To think pillows have the nerve to talk back now! Pillows were meant to be hugged!

Wait. Soleia paused. Pillows couldn’t talk. Pillows didn’t need to use the bathroom. They also weren’t this warm to the touch. Soleia raised a cautious hand and began to feel the contours of this pillow. Did it just... move? Was it... breathing?

Oh no.

Oh no.

This wasn’t a pillow she was sleeping on. Horror slowly but surely began to dawn on her, and she sucked in a breath and cautiously pried open her eyes.

Only to be met with Sir Ralph’s impish face, barely a hair’s breadth away from her own.

"Rise and shine, Princess Soleia―"

Soleia squeaked out loud, and she immediately sprang back in shock. Her mind was flooded with images of all that happened the night before. As far as she recalled, she made sure that she was facing the wall while she slept― how did she end up cuddled up against him as though he was her lover?

"Careful!" Rafael exclaimed, reaching out an arm to stop Soleia’s head from hitting the wall.

However, that action also caused him to fall forward, right on top of Soleia’s body. Thankfully, Rafael’s arms held firm and he didn’t fall flat on Soleia’s face. If he ruined his future wife’s looks, there would be no hell hot enough to punish him.

He stared down at Soleia’s reddening face, marveling at her beauty.

"Princess, are you alright?"

Soleia could only stare up at him dumbly, before nodding. It was unfair how good Sir Ralph looked in the morning when he had just woken up. His voice was hoarse from sleep, and hearing it so close to her ear sent a frisson of desire coursing through her.

"Good." A relieved grin formed on Sir Ralph’s face.

Then there was a sharp knock on the door.

"Breakfast is here!" Penny called out, and that was all the warning they got before she strode into the room, her hands laden full with a breakfast tray. "I hope you like buns and sausages― oh my! My apologies for disturbing you―"

If Soleia’s face was red, then Penny’s face was flaming crimson as she caught sight of the two of them in such a compromising position. They claimed they weren’t a couple, so Penny didn’t think she needed to wait long after knocking.

Who knew that she would interrupt them before they got started! Penny wanted to kick herself for making assumptions.

"I’ll be going now," Penny said, her voice trembling as she hastily took a few steps back, desperately trying to avert her eyes from this couple. The tray in her hands shook, and a bread roll fell off. "So sorry! Let me know when’s a good time for you to eat!"

"No wait! The bread― you have the wrong idea!" Soleia squawked in horror, trying to get up, but in her haste to save the fallen bread and her rapidly crumbling reputation, she accidentally slammed her head against Sir Ralph’s head. "Ouch..."

"Princess Soleia, are you alright?" Sir Ralph asked worriedly. "That sounded like a nasty bump―"

"Don’t bother about me, get the bread roll! And we have to explain things to Penny!"

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"Orion, darling, why do you look so grouchy?" Elowyn asked with a delicate moue of her lips.

She tried to come closer to him to smooth out the wrinkle on his face, but he turned his head away and stuffed a piece of ham into his mouth, chewing angrily. They were eating breakfast at the inn’s common area, and Orion’s glare had caused everyone to give them a wide berth.

"Orion..." Elowyn tried again, her voice taking on a more pleading tone as she tried to push her chest onto his arm. He huffed and tilted his body away.

For some reason, her influence on Orion had been waning. The amethyst at her chest continued to function as usual, but somehow, Orion had been less susceptible to her suggestions than before.

He had even sneaked out in the middle of the night, leaving her all alone!

Somehow, Elowyn had a feeling that Princess Soleia was to blame for the recent change in his behavior. After that heated kiss that ended in bloodshed, it seemed like he was shielded from her abilities.

That wouldn’t do. She had to find a way to get rid of Princess Soleia once and for all.

"Ah, young Penny!" the innkeeper called out, interrupting her thoughts. "Do you need more bread?"

"Yes please!" Penny nodded her head, taking out some coins. "And some of your cheese... for my two guests."

"Oh? Guess I have some competition in this business then!" The innkeeper laughed, but still took out the goods. "So how was it? Did they like the room you gave them? I know those noble folk can be picky."

Orion froze as he overheard their words. Two guests? Nobility? One room? Surely not...

Elowyn gasped theatrically into her hands. "Do you think that’s where Duchess Soleia and Sir Ralph went?"

Orion’s face darkened and he stood up and strode over to the young girl.

"Excuse me, may I know who your guests are?"