The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 59: The Mysterious Elowyn

Chapter 59: The Mysterious Elowyn

"...What do you want," Rafael said with gritted teeth, as Elowyn smirked in front of him like a cat that caught a canary. And he was nothing more than a bird pinned under her claws, flapping its wings desperately trying to escape.

He clenched his fists, wondering if he could get away with murdering her while Orion slept on, oblivious.

"Before you try to decapitate me, just know that I’m now your greatest ally. We need each other to achieve our goals." Elowyn beamed, holding her hands up in a placating gesture.

Rafael made sure to stay clear of her bare hands. Elowyn noticed his cautiousness and laughed lightly.

"Get me an amethyst, and I’ll keep your secret safe." Elowyn mimed, zipping her lips. "But if you don’t want to help..." Her voice trailed off on purpose, letting Rafael fill in the blanks of all the gory details.

"Why do you want an amethyst? Isn’t Orion completely under your thrall?" Rafael pointed out, narrowing his eyes. "Or are you simply unconfident in your skills?"

Was her enchantment on him fading?

"Hmph," Elowyn sniffed none too politely. "You wouldn’t understand. Everyone needs a backup plan. Besides, if Orion snaps out of his infatuation with me, Soleia will never be yours. She’d be his wife for the rest of her days, and you, his loyal dog sleeping at the edge of their bed."

After all, Orion Elsher was a fair and just man. Elowyn would not forget the shock she felt when Orion told her Soleia would remain as Drankenmire’s duchess due to her past efforts. If left alone, Elowyn truly believed Soleia would have fallen in love with Orion, and vice versa. She recalled how difficult it was to hold Orion’s attention whenever Soleia came into the picture.

That was why she needed Soleia gone as soon as possible.

Elowyn continued. "Besides, how do you think Princess Soleia would react when she finds out you’ve been lying to her about everything thus far? Knowing her attitude, she will never want to see you again."

Elowyn sighed, letting her words sink in. She stared at Orion’s sleeping figure.

"It’s a common trait they unfortunately share― the way they prefer honesty, even when it’s brutal."

A pinched expression crossed Rafael’s face as the truth of Elowyn’s words hit him hard. He had seen how strongly they were drawn to each other, despite claiming to hate each other’s guts. Their personalities were a good fit.

Rafael was confident in his skills, but love was unpredictable. He needed every advantage he could get, even if it meant making a deal with the devil.

"Fine, I’ll get you your amethyst," Rafael growled out. "You better keep your end of the bargain. Make sure Orion divorces Soleia when we get to the palace."

"Of course, but only if you deliver the crystal within three days," Elowyn added cheerily. "And it has to be of a high enough quality. I’m not accepting a shoddy gem that breaks after a single use. Ah, I find myself tired now. Goodnight... Sir Ralph." Elowyn’s tone turned mocking as she addressed him by his alias, and Rafael gnashed his teeth as he watched her crawl back under the covers with Orion next to her.

Yet what else could he do, but agree for now?

Unknown to him, Elowyn’s eyes were still wide open as she watched him scamper off like a little rat. A derisive smile crossed her face.

"Rafael Biroumand... it’s time for you to experience every suffering you inflicted upon me!"

***

"Your Highness, welcome back." Oliver and his men bowed when he returned.

"Anything new to report?" Rafael asked tiredly.

"No. Princess Soleia has not left the shelter. Some of the men have returned with blankets for her," Oliver replied. "Do you have any other orders?"

"Continue to keep an eye on Elowyn. That woman is not who she claims she is," Rafael ordered solemnly. "This is of utmost priority. Do you understand me?"

His men nodded and split without delay.

When Rafael was making his way back, he had the time to think and sort out his thoughts. He couldn’t avoid the pressing issue― who the fuck was Elowyn, and why did she know about him?

His identity was not known to many royals, due to his illegitimacy. Even when he was introduced, people tended to forget him. His powers were even less well-known, deadly as they were since the king didn’t like him to show up his trueborn children. That was why he could successfully hide in Vramid for so long without being discovered.

Not to mention that he was also using magic to disguise his hair and eye color.

So how on earth could Elowyn have figured it out? Was she a royal? Or someone ridiculously well-connected to one that they could get their hands on such private knowledge?

The pool of possible suspects had shrunk so small, that Rafael couldn’t begin to guess. Now, all he could do was to dig through his private stash of crystals to give her the worst amethyst he could find. He could only thank himself for his foresight, that he had kept most of them on his own person rather than the saddlebags of their horse.

Soleia stirred as she felt the energies shift in the shelter. She opened a bleary eye.

"Sir Ralph? What are you doing?"

"Just checking our stock of crystals," Rafael said, keeping his voice low and soothing. "Sorry to disturb you. Go back to sleep."

Soleia pulled herself awake and tried to help, only to be surprised when she found a blanket covering her.

"Where did this come from?" she asked, and Rafael coughed.

"I managed to barter for this while hunting. We have two rabbits for breakfast tomorrow," Rafael said, and Soleia’s face fell. Sir Ralph must have bartered away a crystal for the sake of this blanket and the rabbits. It was a terrible trade, but they didn’t have many options.

"I’m sorry," Soleia said, feeling wretched. While she slept, Sir Ralph had been awake trying to find solutions for their predicament. She was so useless!

"It’s because of me that you’re suffering now," Soleia continued. "I’ll never be able to repay you. If you left me, you could still catch up with Orion and the rest..."

"Don’t be ridiculous!" Rafael shook his head. "But if you’re serious about repaying me, I have a... favor to ask."

"What is it?"

"If your father indeed grants you a divorce from Orion, would you marry me instead?"