The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 169: Kissing Practice

The days passed peacefully.

In the blink of an eye, Soleia had found herself settled in this little town for over a week. The town knew her as Leia from Vramid, and she and Ralph played the role of a deeply loving couple so well that she could almost believe this man was her first and only husband.

Majority of the townspeople were welcoming; they often dropped by without prior warning with food or gossip to share. Soleia had never found herself so popular in her life.

But it also meant that Soleia had to behave extra-lovingly with Sir Ralph, even in the privacy of their own home. She was getting used to their hand-holding, but whenever Sir Ralph leaned closer to press a kiss to her cheek, she would instinctively duck away, her heart racing so quickly. Her whole face would feel like it was on fire.

"Princess Soleia," Sir Ralph said gravely as they sent away their guests. "I fear that I might have bad news."

"What is it?" Soleia’s heart shuddered in her chest, and her mind immediately imagined the worst-case scenario. "Did you get news about Reitan from Nessa? What happened?"

"No, no― I misspoke, I didn’t mean to scare you," Sir Ralph said quickly, squeezing her hand to comfort her. "It’s not that serious. I just needed to inform you that Duke Kinsley might be paying us more visits, now that the Spring Fair is right around the corner. He needs to show his face, even though he’s not organizing any of it."

"Oh." Soleia released the breath she was holding. "That’s not bad news. What is the Spring Fair?"

"The Spring Fair is a festival that is celebrated in Raxuvia, but each town tends to celebrate it a little differently from one another depending on what the locals like," Sir Ralph explained. "In this town, there will be a lot of picking flowers, song and dance, and general light-hearted revelry. The decorations we saw earlier in town were in preparation for it."

"That sounds fun," Soleia said. "And I’m guessing we’re in charge of organizing it with the Duke’s resources?"

"Exactly," Sir Ralph nodded. "But since you’ve already had experience organizing events―" Soleia had to wince― surely Sir Ralph wasn’t referring to the disaster that was her wedding, "―I have every faith that we will make this Spring Festival one to remember. That wasn’t my worry at all."

"Then what are you worried about?" Soleia asked.

"I’m worried about our relationship," Sir Ralph said frankly. "If Duke Kinsley comes over to visit us more often, he might realize we’re not actually a couple."

Soleia spluttered weakly. "But how could he tell? We are already holding hands the moment we step outside the house!"

"That’s not enough," Sir Ralph said with a furrow between his eyebrows. "You act too... stiffly whenever I display a gesture of affection. For instance, you flinch and twitch when I try to kiss you on the cheek. That’s simply too strange― Duke Kinsley would find it suspicious, especially because we’re a supposedly loving married couple. "

"I..." Soleia’s face burned as she recalled her past behavior. "I’m sorry. I will try to do better in the future."

"I’m not blaming you," Sir Ralph said ruefully. "I understand that this must be new territory for you, especially because you haven’t shared much affection with Orion before. If you’re open to suggestions, I might have a way to help make us act more natural in front of Duke Kinsley."

"How so?" Soleia asked, curious.

"With a lot of practice," Sir Ralph said determinedly, a boyish glint in his eyes. freёweɓnovel.com

"Practice?" Soleia squeaked.

Sir Ralph nodded. "Surely you can see the wisdom of this plan. You are nervous because you are not used to my gestures of affection. As such, we should keep practicing until you get used to them."

He stepped closer to her, and Soleia’s heart began to beat rapidly again. "For instance, if I lean down to kiss your cheek now, can you try your best not to hide from me?"

Soleia nodded mutely because she could not find the words. Sir Ralph’s logic was irrefutable, but she doubted her heart would survive such practice. She held her breath as she watched Sir Ralph lean down, his hand reaching to tilt her head in his direction.

His lips drew closer, and Soleia closed her eyes as she felt them press against the soft skin of her cheek. A tiny squeak escaped her lips. Her entire face burned, and her legs seemed to be frozen to the ground.

Oh dear, this was terrible. If she was going to be kissed by Ralph in such a manner, she might die before the festival even happened.

"This wouldn’t do," Sir Ralph said with disappointment in his voice. "Soleia, you’re acting like I’m holding you hostage."

"I am?" Soleia asked. "But I didn’t flinch. How am I supposed to be acting?"

"Like you are happy to be kissed by me," Sir Ralph said patiently. "For instance, when I peck your cheek, you could lean in closer?

Soleia nodded and steeled herself. She tilted her head up at Sir Ralph, tucking her hair behind her ear to give him unhindered access to her cheek. She would close her eyes and lean in closer.

"Let’s try it again."

"Of course," Rafael agreed easily, only because this was his plan from the very beginning. The Spring Festival was simply an excuse that Rafael used to encourage Soleia to accept more gestures of affection from him.

While it was cute to see her flush and stammer at a surprise kiss, Rafael wanted Soleia to crave his touches, the same way he craved hers like a man dying of thirst.

Rafael leaned in. But just as he was about to press another kiss to Soleia’s cheek, Soleia stepped closer, accidentally headbutting him in the chin. Rafael felt blood fill his mouth as he accidentally bit his tongue.

"Ouch!"

"Oh no, I’m so sorry," Soleia exclaimed as she grabbed Sir Ralph’s collar for a closer look. "Did I hurt you?"

"Not irreparably," Rafael said. He could heal his own tongue in no time at all, but he also wanted to be fussed over by Soleia. "My mouth hurts though. Maybe you could kiss it better?"