The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 158: One Gift

"Could you make a boat out of blood?" Soleia asked, holding her skirt up as she tried to move in the direction of the dock. "Maybe we can catch up with them―"

"Soleia, we need to leave," Ralph said, holding her back.

As soon as he spoke, the sound of footsteps could be heard once more. The initial horde of guards who were sent to stop them were all but replaced by a backup team. It seemed like King Godwin would spare no expense to get them back.

"Your father is sending more men after us," Ralph said. "If we don’t leave now, we might not get the chance."

"But Reitan and Orion―"

"There’s no one there," Ralph said, gesturing to the dock where they had last seen Nessa with Orion’s unconscious body. True enough, Orion was gone. He wasn’t left behind, albeit they couldn’t say for certain whether or not his body was hidden, taken, or thrown into the sea.

"We can get a sodalite once we’re safe and make a call to the Princess of Nedour," Ralph suggested.

He looked up and his frown darkened. The traces of blood on the dirt beneath his feet quickly rose again to form a sword, and his fingers clenched around the hilt. The second wave of royal guards sent by King Godwin had arrived, their figures clearly seen in the distance. This time, some of them were on horseback, the thundering sound of hooves hitting the ground echoing through the morning sky.

"This way," he said.

Without waiting for Soleia to reply, he clutched her hand and tugged her out of the dirt path and straight into the forest. If there was any overgrown shrubbery, they were quickly cut down by him to create a safe path through.

The forest floor was uneven, but Ralph turned back to make sure Soleia was alright every few seconds, and to make sure that the guards were not following them. He could hear the sound of their voices and the neighing of the horses, but the noises eventually got softer and softer the deeper they entered the forest.

Once they reached a small clearing, Ralph slowed down to a stop. Soleia stood next to him, her eyes downcast as she panted for her breath. Her hand was clammy, perspiration clinging onto her palm and her forehead as she swallowed, looking up at Ralph.

"If we can’t go to Nedour," Soleia softly said, "where shall we go? There is no place for us left in Vramid. My father... he will kill you. And I... I will have to marry..."

Florian may have been thrown overboard, but who knew if he had managed to swim up to the surface shortly after. For a man who survived falling out of the window without so much as a broken arm or leg, Soleia had a feeling he would be just fine, unfortunately.

If she returned to the palace — voluntarily or forcefully — there was only one thing left for her. With how much trouble she had caused him, her married life with Orion would be considered a fairytale in comparison.

"I have friends in high places in Raxuvia," Rafael slowly said, carefully watching Soleia’s expression. "It will be the safest place for us to hide. If you don’t like it there, the kingdom has access to many safe routes that lead to other kingdoms― including Nedour."

Soleia pursed her lips tightly together before sighing with a nod. She looked up, her eyes meeting Ralph’s with determination.

"Raxuvia it is, then," she said. She reached down and clutched the small pouch she brought with her. If she had known this was the last time she was going to ever step in the palace, she would’ve brought all her inventions and notes with her.

"I have a sodalite for the palace," Ralph said, pulling the stone out of his pocket. "Princess Celestina handed it to me. It should be good for one last call."

The small blue stone was jagged at the edges, a clear rough cut. Judging by the luster, Ralph hadn’t been exaggerating. It was most likely that this would be her last call to her sisters with this specific piece of crystal.

"If you have anything you need to instruct―"

Before Rafael could finish his sentence, Soleia activated the stone. It crackled with energy for a couple of seconds before Celestina’s voice came in through from the other side.

"Hello?" There was a brief pause before she followed up with a soft whisper. "Soleia? Is it you?"

"I need a favor," Soleia said. If she couldn’t have them with her, she would be damned if her father made use of the blueprints. "Everything that is in my chambers right now. I need you to burn it. Burn them all."

***

"It is most unfortunate that we couldn’t witness the hanging," Prince Ricard said with a pleasant smile. By his side, Prince Raziel looked a little more bored, glancing out of the window with disinterest. "Our father is expecting our return soon."

"Please allow me to apologize in place of His Majesty for the... tomfoolery that had happened," Aldous said, laughing a little awkwardly. "We thank you for your time, nevertheless."

"Oh, nonsense," Ricard replied. "I have witnessed many spectacular events during my stay here in Vramid. What a quaint little kingdom this is."

A vein in Aldous’s forehead twitched at Prince Ricard’s words. It was a good thing that King Godwin wasn’t present, or he would’ve no doubt exploded at that comment.

"His Majesty has promised to allow one gift to every royal visitor who has visited this week," Aldous said. "Is there anything Your Highnesses would like?"

Ricard’s eyes shone with interest.

"Anything?"

"Anything."

"In that case," Raziel said, finally turning his attention to Aldous. Ricard turned, smiling knowingly at his younger brother. "I would like to have someone."

"Someone?" Aldous repeated, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "May I know who has caught Your Highness’s fancy?"

Raziel’s expression did not change one bit, remaining ever as cold and emotionless.

"Elowyn Golsyn."