The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 135: Jealous

Chapter 135: Jealous

Rafael jolted, nearly slamming his leg against the side of Elinora’s bed. "You’re done? What did the physician say?"

He didn’t even flinch, his eyes solely fixated on Soleia as she all but stormed over. Closing the distance between them, Soleia leaned in close to him, causing Rafael’s breath to hitch as her face was practically up against his. If he just moved forward, he could easily close the distance between them, and their lips would touch in a kiss.

Soleia, on the other hand, hadn’t even noticed that they were now the ones pressed up against each other. She squinted, searching his eyes for any purple traces, only to find none. Then, she reached for Ralph’s hands, squeezing it as she tried to feel for any foreign pulses of magic.

Clean.

"My my," Elowyn said, her voice sickly high-pitched. "This may be the royal palace, Princess Soleia, but you are still the Duke’s woman, not just the King’s daughter. Don’t you think it’s rather inappropriate to hold some other man’s hand so blatantly under the light of day?"

With Elowyn’s kind reminder, Soleia snapped out of it as though she was previously in a trance. She dropped Ralph’s hand, and instantly, he felt his palm cooling down, greatly missing Soleia’s warmth.

Since they were largely alone, Elowyn had indeed dropped the act. Her smile was much more wicked, albeit still just a little sweet and gullible-looking, but compared to before, Soleia could clearly see her wicked intentions.

"Impure eyes see impure intentions," Soleia evenly retorted. "I could say the same for you, Lady Elowyn. Is there a reason you must lean so closely into a guard?"

"I was merely requesting the support of Sir Ralph, Your Highness," Elowyn replied. "I am a pregnant woman, after all, and my growing belly has been raising some problems as the days pass."

To rub salt further into the wound, Elowyn rubbed her stomach, pressing the fabric in so that her baby bump could be seen clearer than before. She smiled tenderly at her unborn child, the picture of motherly love.

"If you ever become a mother, I am sure you will understand as well, Your Highness," Elowyn said, her eyes twinkling. "Motherhood can be a wondrous but strenuous thing."

So this was the true tone and attitude of Elowyn Golsyn― sharp-tongued, rude, and an all-round bitch. How wonderful. Now if only Soleia could find a way to record her behavior and broadcast it to the rest of the world, especially people like Princess Nessa, who readily bought Elowyn’s meek pity party pretense.

"Princess," Rafael said, slipping himself in between the two women so that Soleia wouldn’t directly meet Elowyn’s challenging gaze. "Did the physician point out anything that we should take note of?"

Even though his words were caring, Soleia couldn’t be arsed to care about what he had to say. She scowled at Sir Ralph before she turned on her heel and stormed out of the infirmary.

Men. Even when he knew of the danger that Elowyn posed, Ralph was still so ready to put himself in her arm’s reach. If Elowyn had an amethyst, or if she figured out a different way to enchant people, Sir Ralph would’ve turned into her newest victim before Soleia could do anything about it.

She wasn’t sure why it riled her so much, but the thought of Ralph falling under Elowyn’s spell was even more distressing to Soleia than if Orion returned to being Elowyn’s flesh puppet.

"Looks like she’s angry," Elowyn said, her voice sing-song. "You might wish to coax her soon―" her eyes darted to eye the physician, who was clearly busy with his work on the other side of the room and paid them no mind, "―Your Highness."

She may have whispered the last two words, but Rafael instinctively stiffened. He shot Elowyn a glare before he darted out of the infirmary in chase of Soleia, to find her a distance ahead. Rafael all too easily closed the distance between them, but Soleia didn’t stop for him.

Hell, she did not even spare him a glance.

"Princess," Ralph said, trying to catch her eye, but she stubbornly looked ahead and away from him. "Nothing happened between us―"

"There is no need for you to explain anything to me, Sir Ralph," Soleia said, her tone distant and cold. "I would be overstepping the professional boundary to dictate who you wish to court."

"Court?" Rafael echoed, shaking his head. He didn’t know whether he should cry or laugh. "Princess, are you jealous?"

"Why should I be?" Soleia retorted. "Are you my husband? Are you my lover? My fiancé?"

"No, but―"

"Exactly, Sir Ralph, our fates are not tied," Soleia said. "There is no reason to be jealous. But considering the experiences we’ve had, a friendly word of advice, you might not wish to let Duke Elsher know that you are now chasing after his mistress."

Soleia turned a corner and they entered a rather secluded hallway. Rafael had to jog a few steps to keep up due to the fact that he had faltered when he nearly rammed straight into a maid. The further they got down the hallway, the more apparent it was that Soleia wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.

Rafael exhaled before he reached forward and grabbed Soleia’s arm, causing her to gasp in surprise. Then, he pushed the nearest door open and tugged her into the room, shutting the door and locking it behind them. She was pressed against the door, and Rafael’s arms cornered her, keeping her in place.

"What do you think you’re doing―"

"I would rather die than have anything to do with that woman," Ralph said, effectively cutting her words off. "She is planning something. I just wanted to know what it was."

Soleia swallowed. Her heart was thundering against her ribcage, and she clawed and fisted at the fabric of her own skirt. They were so close, close enough that even in this dim room, where even sunlight didn’t grace, Soleia could still see Ralph’s green eyes glowing in the dark.

Green, free of any traces of purple. Free of Elowyn.

"I think we know very well between the both of us that if Orion was to wring my neck for falling for one of his women," Ralph said, his lips parting slightly, "it would be for you."

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