The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 179: A Proper Wedding

Rafael’s eyes darkened at her bold words, and he wet his lips with the tip of his tongue. "Princess, are you sure you want to goad me in such a manner? You might not be able to handle the consequences."

Soleia’s face bloomed a bright red. She was very grateful that the sun had already set, obscuring the flush on her cheeks. Fireflies darted around them, their glowing bodies lighting up the park, casting shadows on Sir Ralph’s high cheekbones and highlighting the desire in his bright green eyes.

Soleia swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. Thankfully, she was saved from replying when the priest cleared his throat loudly, drawing their attention.

"My apologies for interrupting the tender moment," the priest began, with a smile on his face. "But we best begin the ceremony."

"Of course," Sir Ralph said, not even taking his eyes off her as he replied to the priest. "I cannot wait."

"Neither can I," Soleia added.

The priest began to speak.

"Do you, Sir Ralph Byrone, take Miss Leia..."

There was a pause as Rafael realized he and Soleia actually hadn’t created a maiden name for her to use. But his princess was great at thinking under pressure, she merely smiled and spoke up.

"Sevor. I am Leia Sevor, though not for much longer," she added with a wry tilt of her chin, her eyes shining with excitement.

The priest nodded and restarted his speech from the beginning. "Do you, Sir Ralph Byrone, take Miss Leia Sevor to be your wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life?"

Rafael’s voice was steady. "I do."

The priest nodded, and he turned to Soleia.

"Miss Leia Sevor, do you take Sir Ralph Byrone to be your husband? Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and to honor him all the days of your life?"

Soleia nodded. "I do." Sir Ralph’s answering smile made her as giddy as a child on their birthday.

After promising herself to Sir Ralph, she realized that saying ’I do’ to Sir Ralph was so easy― the words practically tripped over themselves in their haste to escape her mouth, whereas when it came to Orion, she had to steel herself to say those words, to remind herself to look at the bigger picture, to put her own feelings aside.

Now, nothing else mattered but her love for the man standing in front of her. They might go hungry in the future, but her new husband would never break her heart.

The priest smiled. "Then I shall not waste your time any longer. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Rafael did not need any encouragement. In one swift step, he strode forward until he was right in front of Soleia, picking her arm in his arms so that he could devour her lips. Soleia let out a tiny moan as the heat of his mouth and tongue easily overwhelmed her. Sir Ralph had never shown such ferocity when kissing her before!

Her poor bouquet of makeshift flowers was heartlessly crushed between their bodies, the floral scent they emitted mixing with the manly scent of Sir Ralph’s body. It made her head spin, and she could only cling onto Sir Ralph’s arms as he continued to kiss her as though his life would end if they were forced to part.

The priest cleared his throat more loudly. Seeing that the bride and groom were too wrapped up with each other, he shook his head ruefully and bid Duke Kinsley goodbye.

"I guess this is my cue to leave," the priest said and he held out a piece of parchment. He hastily scribbled Miss Leia’s surname on it, before handing it out to the duke. "Thank you for inviting me to witness such a special occasion. Here is their marriage certificate. Might I trouble you to pass it to them once they’ve... finished?"

Oliver nodded, holding that piece of parchment as though it was a priceless artifact. If anything happened to it, Prince Rafael would probably tear the Raxuvia apart, starting with every hair on Oliver’s head. Oliver wondered how legally binding such a document would be if every name on it was a false one.

Then again, maybe that was why Prince Rafael was so intent on bedding Princess Soleia. Once the deed was done, there would be no going back.

Oliver winced as he caught an eyeful of the awfully amorous couple, who were behaving more like lovesick teenagers on the verge of elopement than actual royalty. Their hands were wandering all over their bodies. While most of the townsfolk did not pay much attention to the ceremony save for Oliver, he had a duty to stop his liege from indulging in public fornication.

"Sir Ralph, Miss Leia, might I advise you to take your actions back home? You are still in the middle of town, even under the cover of darkness." Duke Kinsley’s voice rang in Soleia’s ears, causing her to squeak. It was as though someone had poured a bucket of ice water all over her head, sobering her immediately.

"Oh! Right... My apologies, Duke Kinsley. We forgot ourselves," Soleia said shamefully, her face burning as she recalled what had transpired mere moments earlier. How could she have so little decorum to devour Sir Ralph’s lips in public? She was no better than an animal in heat! Soleia lamented to herself.

Rafael let out a low growl at the untimely interruption, but he saw the wisdom in Oliver’s words. Soleia deserved better than their first night to be on the grass in the middle of a small town under the cover of darkness, with people watching as though they were circus animals.

He reluctantly pulled his lips away, only to lift Soleia up in a bridal carry, causing her to squeal in surprise.

"Ralph! Put me down! I can walk!" Soleia protested.

"Yes, but I want to carry you," Rafael beamed boyishly, but his voice was hoarse with longing. "Back to... our home."

Our home. The words echoed in Soleia’s ears. She liked the sound of that.

"And our marital bed," Rafael added mischievously, and Soleia’s entire body heated up.

"Ralph! Don’t say it out loud!"