The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 136: His Confession

Chapter 136: His Confession

"Would you like me to propose again, Princess Soleia?" Ralph asked. "I would, you know. Ten times, a hundred, hell, even until you possibly agree to make me the happiest man alive and marry me."

"Do you know what you are saying?" Soleia said. There was no one in the room other than the two of them, but her voice was no higher than a murmur. It was hushed, hiding the scandalizing topic as much as she could. "My wedding is to happen soon. I am married to your best friend and commanding officer―"

"We can run away to a different kingdom," Ralph suggested. "I can quit my post as the lieutenant general. I don’t have to stay here in Vramid. We can move to somewhere warm, somewhere greener―"

"And run for the rest of my life while my father and husband hunt me down?" Soleia said. It felt like someone had stabbed their hand right through her chest, took hold of her heart, and squeezed so tightly that she found it difficult to even breathe. "I am a princess. I have duties to my people. You, on the other hand, are an eligible bachelor who will eventually meet a fair share of women, one of which will become your wife."

She placed her hand on his chest with the intention of pushing him back and away.

"You will forget about me," she said. Her breath, however, was caught in her throat when Ralph placed his hand over hers.

He didn’t even sway, her strength seemingly having no effect on him. Instead, he remained rooted to his spot, clutching Soleia’s hand tightly against his chest.

"I cannot," Ralph said. "You may think this is an infatuation, Princess, but I must admit. I have fallen in love with you. Everything about you is like your name― you’re like a warm ray of sunlight that has brightened my world of eternal winter. Like a flower, I crave your warmth."

Soleia’s eyes widened. She had seen her fair share of bold proclamations of love — mostly in novels and words of gossip — but she had never been told of them. Even her husband had been so quick to leave her side, and when he returned, she was given the cold shoulder for most of the time.

This was her first. And Sir Ralph had been the first of many things for her.

She was jealous. She feared for his safety when he leaned too close to Elowyn. She was worried that she would lose him to Elowyn’s magic.

The realization felt like a stone that crushed her. Soleia already knew she was harboring thoughts she should not have, but this may be even deeper and darker than she had previously imagined.

She might be in love with Ralph Byrone.

"You have no love for Orion," Ralph said. "If he can have another lover and choose to neglect you, can’t you have one as well?"

"Two wrongs do not make a right," Soleia said.

Her mouth felt intensely dry, as though she had just swallowed a mouthful of sand. This feeling was eating at her morals, and Soleia’s head soon began to pound excruciatingly.

"Orion was under a spell," Soleia tried to argue. "He wouldn’t have done those things if Elowyn hadn’t used the amethyst against him―"

"He did not love you when you two first got married," Ralph said. "He told me that much himself. He willingly submitted to the King’s command, offering himself to the possibility of death, just to get away from this marriage. Yet you think so highly of him."

"Maybe in another lifetime," Soleia said. "My father controls my life for every second I am in Vramid. Not only that, he knows he can control me by threatening Reitan’s wellbeing. I cannot put my brother in any danger, not when my sisters aren’t enough to vouch for him."

"You’ve lived your entire life for other people," Ralph said. Soleia could spot red lines crawling in the whites of his eyes, and his eyes were quickly turning moist, but not yet crying. "You lived and breathed to please your father, then married Orion to save his sorry arse from getting killed by the King. Now, you have to bear him an heir and stay in a loveless marriage as well."

He leaned forward, resting his forehead against Soleia’s shoulder. At the first contact, she stiffened, but eventually, Soleia’s body relaxed when she felt something cold soak into her clothing. Even in the dark, she could faintly make out the outline of Ralph’s shoulder lifting and falling a little too quickly.

"Ralph..." she trailed off. Her hands were raised, wishing for nothing more than to console him, but after much deliberation, they fell back down to her sides.

"We can have our own place away from the world, surrounded by gardens and lush trees," Ralph murmured, his voice not more than a whisper. "You could work on your inventions, while I make a living for us outside. We could be happy."

Soleia could only nod once. Ralph slowly lifted his head. Two clear streaks glistened against his cheek, and this time, Soleia couldn’t resist. She lifted her hand, her thumbs brushing those tear tracks away as Ralph leaned into her touch.

"Orion Elsher is one fucking lucky bastard," he said, his eyes gazing into hers as though he was trying to unravel every secret she hid within her soul. "If I had known that killing the dragon would gift me your hand in marriage, I would’ve landed the killing blow myself instead."

Underneath her skin, Soleia’s guts were tied into knots. She hadn’t even realized she was crying herself until Ralph’s hands slowly cupped her cheeks. His palm was filled with callouses after the years spent in battle and training, yet, his touch was as gentle as silk. Just like she had previously done, his thumb brushed the skin under her eyes, collecting the tears and wiping them away.

He said nothing, but his eyes darted down to look at her lips, and Soleia felt her breath hitch. A fire roared deep inside her body, and she felt her brain slowly melting into incertitude.

Before she could fully comprehend, Ralph had leaned in, and Soleia met his lips in a kiss. It started out slow, hesitant, but quickly evolved and deepened. He cupped the back of her neck, drawing her as physically close to himself as possible, and Soleia relished in the taste of him against her tongue.

"Soleia..."

As quickly as the magic started, it disappeared.

Soleia’s eyes shot open and she pushed Ralph away. This time, he stumbled a few steps back in surprise as she had caught him off guard. She panted, her chest rising and falling as she locked eyes with Ralph, seeing the look of hurt and confusion written across her face.

Without another word, Soleia pulled the door open and ran out, ignoring Ralph’s calls for her. She ran without care straight for her and Orion’s chambers, her hand covering her lips as guilt quickly flooded through her.

What did she just do?!

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