Chapter 39: Small Obstacle
"Well played, Your Highness," Rafael said lowly into her ear as he quickly helped her up the horse. In one quick motion, he leaped up and wrapped his arms around her own, allowing her to rest against his chest.
It would have been more appropriate for him to sit in front, and for Soleia to be holding his waist, but Rafael didn’t care about propriety. Soleia had effectively been humiliated by Orion’s mistress, and his so-called best friend merely sat by and watched it happen.
While his heart ached for Soleia, the opportunist in him wasn’t going to deny himself the chance to get even closer to her, to show her that he was the much better choice of husband. He gently reached out a hand to pry her shaking hands away from the reins.
"Princess, you’re going to spook the horse," he chided gently. "Let me do the guiding, alright?"
There was only a slow, shuddering breath from Soleia, who resolutely kept her grip on the leather straps. Ralph chanced a look at her face and was shocked to see a tiny tear nestled at her lower lash.
"Come on Princess Soleia," Ralph said, purposely making his tone lighter and cheerier so that Orion and his little pet wouldn’t sense her distress. "Let’s have a fun wintertime ride, shall we?"
Soleia gave a sharp, jerky nod, and Rafael gently nudged the horse along its flank, purposely creating a large distance between them and the carriage so that they would not be overheard.
"...Thank you, sir Ralph," Soleia said with a tiny sniffle as she quickly wiped at her eyes with her gloved hands. She coughed lightly, clearing her throat. "I’m sorry that you’ve been pulled into this mess."
"Mess? All I see is a fun adventure," Rafael replied.