Chapter 73: Dreadful Realization
In her defense, Soleia truly wanted to end their discussion after the clock struck midnight. However, Sir Ralph was simply an excellent sounding board for her ideas. Soleia didn’t realize how hungry she was for someone to understand her thought processes until Sir Ralph came and prodded her mind with questions while offering his own insights.
As such, the discussion lasted hours. Soleia had gone through two inkwells as she hastily scribbled their thoughts, ignoring her exhaustion until she could no longer fight the pull of sleep. She didn’t even manage to bid Sir Ralph a dignified goodnight, before face-planting in her own notes.
Rafael laughed quietly under his breath. He had known that Soleia was getting increasingly sleepy, but he didn’t expect her to simply fall asleep at her desk!
"Princess Soleia, wake up," Rafael said, shaking her shoulder lightly. "You have to sleep on your bed."
The only response was a huff, but Soleia’s eyes remained closed. Rafael sighed dotingly to himself; clearly, Princess Soleia had over-exerted herself. It had been a long day. He gently shifted her head away from the parchment, trying not to laugh out loud at the dark marks left on her cheek. The ink hadn’t dried yet, causing it to smudge on her face.
Well, there was nothing for it. Rafael easily picked up Soleia in a bridal carry, sighing at how light she was. The weeks of travel had caused her to lose weight, and he frowned at the realization that her round cheeks seemed to have shrunk.
That wouldn’t do. Rafael vowed to ensure Soleia would eat three hearty meals a day, with tiny treats in between. If he had it his way, his future wife would have finger foods at her beck and call to fatten her up.
Slowly, he moved her over to her bed, making sure to place her head right in the middle of the pillow. Soleia let out a little pleased murmur, but she didn’t wake. Instead, she instinctively turned away from him and wrapped her arms and legs around her remaining pillows.
"That’s a bad habit of yours," Rafael muttered, remembering how she had done the same to him when they shared a bed.