The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 87: Distasteful Man

Chapter 87: Distasteful Man

"Oliver, I didn’t take you to be a liar." Rafael raised an eyebrow. His expression was cavalier, but his eyes were cold as he stared down at his most trusted subordinate. "You disappoint me. How could you spin such a tall tale to get out of trouble?"

"Your Highness, I swear on my life, and the lives of my entire family, I know what my eyes saw," Oliver said, his voice deathly serious as he gazed up at Rafael.

"That man Florian tried to attack Princess Soleia, but before I could step in, she grabbed his ring. He got his men to attack her instead, but then Princess Soleia conjured ice and shot it in his direction. If you do not believe me, you can question his guards."

"Presumptuous of you to give me orders. Rise." Rafael frowned to himself as Oliver scrambled to his feet with a low grateful bow. "Go and keep an eye on Elowyn. She’s actually Lady Elinora Wynsler, and she has ties with my brother."

Oliver’s mouth fell open in shock, but he hurriedly saluted and rushed away.

Meanwhile, Rafael needed a moment to collect himself. Truthfully, he had been venting his anger by scolding Oliver. He knew that man wasn’t prone to lying, but what Oliver was saying was simply too much for him to accept immediately.

Was Soleia capable of cryomancy? Impossible! He had spent so much time in close quarters with her. Short of her ability to nullify and amplify magic, Rafael had spotted no other hint of magic.

Did Princess Soleia develop it because her life was threatened? Or did it happen because of her protectiveness for Reitan? Strong emotions could lead to breakthroughs, rare as they were.

In any case, it was all his own fault. He had been so preoccupied with Elowyn that he wasn’t there for Soleia when she needed him the most.

He would not fail again. Rafael vowed to himself. He had wasted enough time as it was― he had to hurry over to her side.

As if to emphasize this point, a familiar ache course through him.

Soleia was still in trouble!

***

Reitan stirred in Soleia’s arms. "Sister?"

"Everything is fine now, Reitan," Soleia said reassuringly, rubbing circles around his back. "We’re back at the palace, and I’ll tell Father about what Florian did today. He will not get away with his actions."

Reitan began to shiver and he shook his head frantically. "Sister... I’m sorry... this is all my fault..."

"No, no," Soleia shushed him. "Florian was the one that hurt you. You have nothing to apologize for."

However, it seemed that Reitan cried louder at her words. Soleia could only rock him helplessly, as though she was a mother with a wailing infant that could not be reasoned with. She guessed that he was finally registering the terror he had felt earlier. Her poor brother was bound to have nightmares after this incident. Just the thought made her gnash her teeth.

Florian had to pay.

Just as she was about to storm through the castle doors to ask for an audience with her father, Sir Penrose greeted her.

"Princess Soleia. I’m glad I’ve found you. Your father wishes to seek your attendance in his quarters. I’ll take the young prince back to his room now." Sir Penrose raised his arms, ready to pull Reitan away, but Reitan tightened his grip around Soleia’s body and let out a sob so great his entire body shook.

"Reitan will come with me," Soleia decided. She wanted her father to see the effect of Florian’s deplorable behavior on his own son. Florian must have returned to the castle first to poison her father’s ears.

Even so, Soleia would not back down. She suppressed a cough that was threatening to emerge and straightened her back, striding in.

"Are you alright, Princess Soleia? Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but you look awfully pale," Sir Penrose said worriedly. In fact, there was a slight blue tinge on Princess Soleia’s lips, and she looked like she was one sharp breeze away from keeling over.

His Majesty was already furious with her. She wouldn’t survive his wrath like this! He could only offer to help her by carrying Prince Reitan, but that boy still refused to budge, with hot tears and snot running down his face.

"I’m fine," Princess Soleia insisted, so Sir Penrose could only announce her arrival to the king.

She walked into the room, only to be faced with her father’s thunderous expression. Unsurprisingly, Florian was already kneeling before him, but he had a wicked glint in his eyes as he turned to stare at her.

He had arrived a step earlier. Soleia’s lower lip curled in derision. What an utterly distasteful man.

"Father," Soleia said, turning her gaze back to her father as she shifted Reitan in her arms. "Why have you called for me?"

King Godwin’s nostrils seemed to flare in anger.

"How dare you hold your head up so high?" He roared, his voice echoing through the cavernous room. "You refuse to kneel in front of your king!"

"Apparently Princess Soleia only kneels down for a certain type of man," Florian chimed in, delighting in how his uncle’s hand began to tremble from sheer unadulterated rage.

"What are you implying, Florian?" Soleia exclaimed with disgust. "Don’t try to change the subject. I haven’t told Father what you’ve done to poor Reitan!"

Reitan, seeing that their father was right in front of them, quickly leaped out from Soleia’s arms to kneel on the floor. But one of his hands still reached out to grip the fabric of Soleia’s skirts.

"Reitan pays his respects to Father," Reitan said shakily, nearly slamming his head against the floor in fear. When he raised his head, one could spot bruises and dried blood stains all over his face. It was a pitiful sight, but King Godwin wasn’t moved at all. He barely spared Reitan a second glance before turning back to Soleia.

"How dare you spread your legs for a common guard! Are you a princess, or a destitute whore?"

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