Chapter 250: Soaked in Petals*
Soleia rolled her eyes with a short laugh as she went over to the couch. Sighing, she dropped onto the cushioned seat, leaning her head back against the backrest before sighing loudly.
She was exhausted after everything that had happened, and now that they were back in the palace, she ironically felt way more at peace and relaxed than outside, despite her initial plans to escape.
"I seem to recall you were readily agreeable to marry her when your father initially asked," Soleia said, keeping her eyes shut. Rafael stilled. "That was the condition he set forth for you to become the crown prince, was it not?"
"Well, yes, it was," Rafael said with a frown. "But―"
"And when you agreed to marry her, it would already mean that your father expected you to consummate the marriage with her."
"I’ve already expressed that it wouldn’t be the case―"
"Just," Soleia said. Her eyes slowly opened. "You’ve said it only just. Not before."
Rafael kept his mouth shut and his head low. Soleia let out a small scoff, her point made.
"I’ve not said it before," Rafael muttered, "but I was never going to go through with it."
She continued to stare at him, watching as he peeped up at her like a puppy that realized it had caused trouble. Her lips began to twitch.
"Then who says you have to go through with it this time?" she said. "This is just to keep her hopeful."