Chapter 214: Vicious Cycle
"You know what, maybe we should just skip today," Rafael said. "I still don’t feel comfortable putting you in the same room with Raziel without supervision. Maybe I should have Oliver stay back instead."
"Right after your father praised us for a job well done?" Soleia said with a laugh. She pinched Rafael’s stomach, to which he yelped in surprise. "I don’t think that’s a good idea. We need your father to trust us, and trust that you can be a good heir to the throne. You, on the other hand, need as much help as you can get."
King Recaldo was starting to put his newly appointed heir to work. With the title of crown prince came the responsibilities of one, including being sent as the general to the northern borders to quell a rebellion that had started to rise.
However, whether or not King Recaldo cared for the success of the mission was debatable, considering he hadn’t allowed Rafael to bring any of the royal knights with him. He was entirely dependent on the men who already worked for him, and sparing even one man could mean the success or failure of the team.
Reports had mentioned that the rebellion had over five thousand members. Rafael’s team had less than ten. For anyone else, it would be as good as a suicide mission.
"What good is being the heir if you’re not safely by my side as the queen?" Rafael grumbled under his breath.
Hearing his words, Soleia’s eyebrows couldn’t help but move up in surprise. Her lips slightly parted before it melted into a smile. She placed her hand tenderly against Rafael’s cheek, and instantly, he leaned into her touch and sighed.
"He won’t do anything to me," Soleia assured. "You should worry more about yourself."
Rafael nuzzled further into her touch like an affectionate cat begging to be petted. Even when he opened his eyes, clear and bright, his gaze was filled with longing that tugged at the strings of Soleia’s heart.