The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 78: Shades of Green II

Chapter 78: Shades of Green II

Rafael’s breath quickened, and he fought the instinctive reaction to clutch at his face.

His eyes were supposed to be brown― at least in their eyes. Not green.

He made sure to strengthen the enchantment for his disguise today since he expected to be meeting more of Soleia’s relatives. It was bad enough that her sisters’ husbands found him familiar, but it was easy enough for him to explain away.

But how could a mere child see through his disguise? It was impossible! Unless... Reitan also had the ability to nullify magic. From what he heard of Soleia’s younger brother, he hadn’t shown any signs of magical ability despite the horrific abuse inflicted upon him by his father.

He had to be careful with this young boy.

Yet, Rafael kept his voice even as he addressed Reitan, "It’s alright, you don’t have to use green. You can use brown instead― my eye color isn’t important."

Reitan might be the only one who knew his real eye color, and he wanted it to remain that way.

Reitan opened his mouth as if to argue.

Rafael quickly added, "Besides, it’s more important for you to get Princess Soleia’s hair and eye color correct. I’m just a boring tree in comparison to the flower that’s your sister."

Soleia choked, her face reddening at his blatant praise for her looks. "That’s exaggerating matters."

"It’s not. You’re a sight for sore eyes," Rafael said with all sincerity. Soleia huffed, the back of her ears turning red.

"I’m not even in this painting," Soleia grumbled good-naturedly. "Just focus on yourself."

"Well, then you can come over and sit next to me," Rafael jibed, shifting over and patting the ground next to him. "Then Prince Reitan can draw the both of us in the same frame."

That didn’t sound right. Reitan lifted his head, and slowly stared at his sister, before turning his suspicious gaze onto Rafael. Only couples had their portraits drawn together. Even his father and mother did not have a single shared picture together, despite being married.

He steeled his tiny jaw. This man was in love with his sister! Then, Reitan’s face paled further when he remembered Sir Ralph sneaking out of his sister’s room in the wee hours of the morning.

What was he doing there? Reitan’s hand began to shake as horror filled his eyes. Did his sister knowingly invite him in, or did he sneak in, bullying his poor older sister when she was asleep and defenseless?

Suddenly, he wanted to draw Sir Ralph as a gigantic snake speared by a stake. He shot his sister a desperate glance, but she only patted his hair.

"Don’t be scared. Sir Ralph isn’t going to tear up your work if he doesn’t like it." Soleia squeezed his trembling hand, before moving over to sit beside Ralph.

Perhaps having a familiar subject to paint would settle his nerves. Who knows what her poor brother had endured without her encouragement and support?

Meanwhile, Reitan was even more appalled at his sister’s actions. Did this mean she liked Sir Ralph as well?!

This was too much. Reitan decided to hurry and finish their picture so that he could worm his way between them. They were sitting too closely for his comfort.

The room fell into silence as Reitan worked. Eventually, he came out with a realistic sketch of both of them. However, before he could continue filling it with color, a sharp knock at the door distracted them. Immediately, Reitan flew into a panic, tearing off the parchment from the easel and scrunching it into a ball, his breath coming out in sharp pants.

"What is it?" Soleia called out authoritatively, even as she hurriedly pushed his materials under the bed.

Rafael’s focus was on the portrait― he gently but firmly pried it away from Reitan’s clammy hands, folding it precisely as though it was a priceless gift before tucking it into his pocket.

That was what caught Reitan’s attention. It was just a sketch, hardly worthy of such care. But maybe it wasn’t as much as the fact that it was a drawing, but who it included.

Sir Ralph truly loved his sister.

"Princess Soleia, the king wishes to see Prince Reitan for his lessons," the guard outside spoke, and Reitan’s heart sank.

Soleia cleared her throat and opened the door, staring down at the guard. It was Sir Penrose, who was in charge of the palace’s security. To think her father was using him to run errands like these.

"Sir Penrose, that will not be possible. I will be bringing Prince Reitan with me as I meet the wedding specialists and vendors."

"Excuse me?" Sir Penrose exclaimed before he caught himself. "I mean, that’s highly unwise, Princess. Prince Reitan is weak. He will only be a burden to you if you bring him out of the palace. And the king will not accept―"

"I will speak to my father later," Soleia interrupted firmly. "It is important for Reitan to learn about this event since there will be a lot of foreign royalty visiting."

"But―" Sir Penrose didn’t know when Princess Soleia became this stubborn. She had never created trouble when she was here. How did marriage change her so quickly?

"Sir Ralph is coming with us," Reitan spoke up, his fists planted beside his body. Only Rafael caught sight of how he trembled as he spoke up. "We will be safe."

"Yes. Precisely." Soleia smiled proudly at her brother, wanting to ruffle his hair. "Now, we must be on our way. We have many vendors to meet."

So Sir Penrose could only watch, gobsmacked, as Princess Soleia all but marched her younger brother out of his room. Sir Ralph patted his shoulder and smiled, but Sir Penrose failed to see the humor in the situation.

King Godwin was going to lose his head!

***

"Won’t Father be angry?" Reitan asked worriedly as they left the palace to visit the city square.

It was bustling with so many people that no one looked twice at their tiny party of three. Soleia made sure to bundle her brother up in furs to keep him warm. She found herself handling the cold a lot easier since she had endured worse weather at Drankenmire.

"Since when is he not?" Soleia pointed out. Even if she was terrified of her father’s wrath, she wasn’t going to throw her brother to the wolves.

"Maybe we should go back," Reitan said, turning back to stare at the palace walls.

"We’re already here at the first vendor though," Soleia said, stopping her feet at the biggest florist in the city. "And I can get you some paints later. How about it?"

Reitan nodded reluctantly.

"Welcome! My, what a perfect little family the three of you make!" The storekeeper gushed as they walked into the store.

A verifiable buffet of scents entered Soleia’s nose, and she fought the urge to sneeze. It was surprising that there were so many flowers still blooming in winter.

"May I interest you in one of our newly imported winter blooms― the Raxuvia rose? It’s perfect to celebrate a blossoming love! Why, even Princess Soleia is buying this for her impending nuptials!"

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