Chapter 199: Where He Couldn’t See
Rafael left with a spring in his step after exchanging a tight hug with Soleia, but the moment the door closed, Soleia let the gentle smile drop from her face.
She wanted to laugh at the incredulity of it all. Was she cursed to never have a smooth-sailing marriage? Which higher power did she offend for variations of Elowyn― no, she was Elinora Wynsler now, to wedge herself between her and her husband?
Soleia sucked in a deep breath to calm herself down. It didn’t matter. Elinora was welcome to have Rafael, once Soleia took herself out of the picture. She would not stay here for a moment longer than necessary― and Elinora’s presence and Rafael’s earlier disguise had shown her one pivotal fact.
It was possible for someone to disguise their hair color for long periods of time. It was also possible for someone to disguise their true eye color. Now, all she had to do was to figure out a way to combine both possibilities for a fool-proof disguise. She needed information and resources.
And to acquire both, she needed Rafael to believe she would stay. For him.
Soleia’s lips curled in disdain at her own actions. She hated lying, and she never thought she could be lying to the man she took as her husband. But it was Rafael who lied first. She was simply repaying him with his own coin.
With that in mind, she decided to leave her room to explore Raxuvia’s palace further. This was the first time she had been left unguarded since Rafael had hauled her here, and she’d be damned if she wasted the chance.
The corridors were empty, so Soleia chose a random path and began to walk, trying to look like she belonged in the palace. Most servants did not seem to care about the presence of another blonde nobility in their midst, busy with their own chores.
Soleia made a mental note of the fastest route out of that particular wing, and strode over to the courtyard, trying to locate the stables. It would be best if she could get her hands on a horse when she fled. She walked and walked, and soon heard the neighing of horses. She quickened her footsteps.