Chapter 51: Disastrously Small
The young girl’s voice trailed off, and she looked so utterly miserable, that Soleia stuffed the rebuke that was threatening to emerge back down her throat. It wasn’t her fault for making assumptions― in this tiny town, hardly anyone knew of her existence despite knowing that Duke Elsher married someone.
And from the way Orion had been treating her, no one with a working pair of eyes would believe she was his beloved wife. That honor went to Elowyn, without a doubt.
"It’s alright," Soleia sighed instead, trying to smile but not quite succeeding. "You’re not the first person to have such an impression."
The girl looked even more wretched. "I’m so sorry! I... understand if you might not want to stay..."
Rafael wanted nothing more than to share a bed with Soleia, but he knew he couldn’t be the one to propose such an idea.
"It’s alright, there’s still room for one person." He gestured to Soleia, "In that case, might I trouble you to get Duchess Soleia settled first?"
"What about you?" Soleia asked, worried. "Where are you going to sleep?"
Rafael shot her a wry grin. "Worst-case scenario, I can make another shelter outside. I’m not too bothered. I’ll join you for breakfast tomorrow!"
Before Soleia could say anything, the door to the inn swung open, revealing a beefy man with snowflakes buried in his bristly beard. "Penny, I’m home! Oh, do we have guests?"