The Hidden King's Stolen Wife

"Are you sure you won’t want to come with us to the palace?" Prince Ricard asked with an overexaggerated pout. "We’ve got a much better mode of transport―" he gestured to the carriage behind them, waiting out on the road, "―and the loveliest sort of company." He then placed a hand on his own chest.

Even Prince Raziel rolled his eyes at that statement, slightly shaking his head.

"Yes, I am sure," Soleia firmly said, mustering what she thought was a firm but polite smile, when in reality, she looked as though she had just bitten into a moldy lemon. "My husband and I just got married yesterday. We would like to take some time off to just... relax."

"The palace can be quite relaxing," Ricard immediately said without missing a beat, only for Soleia to bark out in laughter.

"With all due respect, Your Highness, we both know that’s far from the truth," Soleia answered. Her eyes went to look at Prince Raziel, lingering for a second too long before her gaze returned to Ricard. "I am not sure if the other princes and princesses would be too elated to have guests around."

Ricard raised an eyebrow in amusement, pausing for a brief while before he said, "Some might be." He then tried to peer behind Soleia, asking, "Speaking of which, where is that husband of yours?"

"In bed," Soleia said. "Asleep."

Thanks to his late-night escapade, Ralph was completely knocked out. Either that or he was purposely pretending to be asleep so that he need not send the two princes off. Soleia had tried to wake him up earlier when she rose out of bed, but he barely even acknowledged her attempts. She gave up shortly after.

There was no point trying to wake up a person who was pretending to be asleep.