The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 167: A Bevy of Husbands

The surge of jealousy that burst through Soleia’s body was so strong that she almost found herself recoiling from the green beast’s claws. She suddenly had the urge to pry that stupid red ring off Evangeline’s finger while flinging her down a cliff.

Then she paused and recollected herself. Such vile behavior was unbecoming of her. She had endured Elowyn’s nonsense― Evangeline was a mere infant when compared to Elowyn’s level of scheming.

But Soleia still could not help the pale ache that settled in her bones at Evangeline’s words. It wasn’t as though Ralph’s indiscretions with women were any secret. Even Duke Kinsley had mentioned it earlier.

She would never be Sir Ralph’s first love, simply because she hadn’t met him early enough.

If she was lucky, she might be his last love. However, Soleia did not know if she could captivate him for the rest of his life, the same way he had captivated her.

More depressing was the fact that Soleia knew that no matter how the dice rolled, she would never be his only love.

A bitter smile crossed her face at the realization. freёweɓnovel.com

"I didn’t!" Rafael was not proud of how high his voice went when he caught sight of the reddish ring on Evangeline’s finger.

He could bet his manhood on the fact that it had to be a false ring. He knew himself best― he would never have cut his own skin to form blood rings for any pretty maiden who batted her eyes his way. It was simply opening himself, literally, to so much unnecessary risk.

Now, he had to make Soleia believe it.

Unfortunately for him, he had caught the brief hurt that flitted across Soleia’s face when Evangeline flaunted her ring. Now, his princess was back to her composed self. She merely stared at him with a raised eyebrow, an awfully unimpressed expression on her face. In sharp contrast, Evangeline seemed very smug as she twisted her own ring for Soleia to see.

Rafael felt beads of sweat form on his temples. Never had he felt so stressed in his life.

"This is a fake, I definitely did not create it for you!" Rafael insisted. "Now tell me, which lousy vendor did you get this from? I hope you only paid three copper coins maximum for such shoddy handiwork."

"Ralph, darling, how could you insult your own handiwork?" Evangeline exclaimed as she placed a hand on her chest. "This is priceless because you crafted it with your own hands!"

As if to demonstrate her point, she pulled out her ring and held it up for everyone to admire. Her earlier antics had drawn a small crowd of nosy guests, and she eagerly lapped up their attention.

Soleia narrowed her eyes as she examined the way the sunlight shone through the curved interior of the ring.

"Yes, Ralph, how could you insult your own handiwork," Soleia parroted Evangeline’s words with a disappointed shake of her head. "If you are charging three copper coins for a ring, how will we make a living like this?"

Rafael choked. "Princ― I mean Soleia, sweetheart, this is not what it looks like," Rafael said weakly. "You have to believe me―"

But Soleia’s attention was now back on Evangeline. The petty jealousy had finally retreated enough for her to think more carefully about the circumstances of Evangeline’s ring. It was highly unlikely that Sir Ralph would be demonstrating his blood control abilities in public to random commoners, especially when such powers were a hallmark of the Raxuvia royal family.

If news got around to the royal family, Sir Ralph would have found himself hauled to the gallows or worked to death like a packhorse. She didn’t know Sir Ralph for so long, but she knew he would never choose to live such a life.

Also, the fact that this woman could so easily tug off her ring proved that it must not have been made by Sir Ralph. Either that or it showed that Sir Ralph clearly did not care for her anymore to keep the ring on her.

Could blood be even kept in the same shape, when Sir Ralph was in another kingdom for years? Soleia wondered. That was worth experimenting on later, once she handled Evangeline.

"I believe you," Soleia said, only because it looked like Sir Ralph was ready to explode right on the streets and ruin the delightful fair. She patted his hand reassuringly before turning back to Evangeline. "You have gotten a good copy of our wedding ring. Are you willing to become my wife too?"

Evangeline spluttered. "Why I never, this is outrageous―"

"Anyone else have the same ring as me and my husband?" Soleia called out, raising her voice. "I’m taking applications for new wives, and my husband could use some new husbands. Selected individuals can stay with us!"

It was hard to tell who looked more horrified. Rafael was struck dumb by Princess Soleia’s words. Oh god. He was going to be replaced by men and women! Everyone was his enemy!

The crowd began to discuss things among themselves. Rafael could hear their words, men and women alike were honestly considering Soleia’s offer, since they had a nicer house than everyone else combined, and their way of dressing proved that they had plenty of gold to fill their pockets. Who didn’t want to marry into a wealthy family?

"Soleia, you cannot be serious―" Rafael tugged at his princess’s hand, trying not to panic. "We have just gotten married. You can’t replace me so soon―"

"My wife and I have rings just like it!" A burly man exclaimed. "Look!" And lo and behold, he and his wife held out their wedding rings, which were the exact copy of Evangeline.

"Come on, Colean, you’re already married! Give others a chance," a woman complained. "I have this ring too!" True enough, in her hands was a similar ring.

More and more people mentioned seeing similar rings on their friends and family members. Then they realized that it was impossible for Sir Ralph to be giving out all of these rings. Clearly, they were bought from vendors!

Laughter began to ring through the air as they mockingly called each other Sir Ralph’s first husband, second husband, third...