Chapter 208: Practice
Rafael seemed to be at war with himself. He stared at the stash of gold coins, glittering in his hands, before he eventually sighed.
"What do you even need money for? Or the bag, at that?" Rafael asked. "I can bring you whatever you desire. You need only ask. Besides, you’re never going to use this."
"Because I won’t leave the palace, is that it?" Soleia said. Her gaze darkened as she looked away from Rafael.
Instantly, Rafael’s eyes widened as he realized what his words just implied.
"No! No, that’s not what I meant!" he quickly tried to say. He placed the coins back into the pouch and set it aside. With his hands freed up, he gently held Soleia by her upper arms, leaning down so that he could meet her eye. "I just mean that it’s my duty as your husband to provide for you. I want you to be able to depend on me."
Her eyes flickered, sparing him a second before glancing away once more.
"I don’t want to have to depend on you all the time," Soleia said. Her voice sounded a little hoarse, even. "I have my own pride, Rafael, and I have managed Orion’s finances for a long time before you two returned from war. I know my way around numbers."
"And I am not doubting that," Rafael said. "It’s just..."
"Just what?" Soleia snapped. Hurt danced through her eyes. "Just admit it. I am a prisoner here, aren’t I? I... I’m waiting for you to work things out with Elinora and your father, and waiting for our marriage to be true, but all you’re planning to keep me around for is to be your filthy, unwanted concubine who will never see the light of day―"