The Hidden King's Stolen Wife-Chapter 245: Deaths On Her Conscience

"Yes. He was," Rafael said solemnly.

They slowly walked towards Oliver’s body, and Soleia sucked in a breath as she finally saw him. Oliver’s eyes were still wide open, as though he had died scared. Or maybe he kept his eyes open, trying to look for her even in the last moments of his life. Soleia recalled Oliver screaming for her to remain hidden, and a sob escaped her throat.

This man didn’t deserve to die. She sniffled helplessly as tears began to form.

Rafael squeezed her hand quietly before he crouched down. With a gentle hand, he closed Oliver’s eyes. He then took out his handkerchief to wipe Oliver’s face clean.

Now he looked like he had merely fallen asleep on watch, if one didn’t spot the huge gaping wound on his chest, and caught the way his tunic was stained blood red. Even if he had arrived right at the very moment Ricaard stabbed him, Rafael would not have been able to save him.

Rafael’s heart ached at the loss; Oliver had been his most loyal, most trusted subordinate. In fact, he might be considered the closest thing Rafael had to a friend, or a brother from another mother. His own brothers treated him with disdain and cruelty, while Oliver had welcomed him with open arms.

Ever since Rafael had stumbled upon him trying to sneak in extra practice from under the knight’s noses, Oliver had followed him faithfully like a puppy. No matter how much Rafael had criticized him for his lack of skills or complained, Oliver only nodded and promised to do better so that he could stay by his side and protect him.

His nose soured, and he felt himself sniffle.

Stupid.

If Oliver had any sense, he should have left the moment Rafael called him an idiot. He could have lived a longer life, maybe even married a girl he liked, and raised children he could call his own. He could live a long life and then die at the ripe old age of eighty.

But he stayed with Rafael, so he was dead. Hot tears swam in Rafael’s eyes, and he wanted to scold himself for the excess sentimentality.

He had already led so many men to their deaths. What was one more? Oliver himself would be horrified if he knew Rafael was crying over his dead body. He might even crawl back from the dead in shock.

But Oliver’s body remained depressingly still, and Rafael’s heart refused to remain hardened as he remembered all those moments he spent with Oliver. He had always done his best to be there for Rafael, walking behind him, because he was always conscious of Rafael’s status, even when Rafael himself didn’t give a shit. Oliver believed that if he acted overly friendly with Rafael in front of others, his brothers might claim that he was more suitable to be a commoner instead.

Soleia saw tears falling from Rafael’s face, and she hugged him tightly. He trembled in her arms like a leaf in the wind, burying his face in her shoulder, seeking comfort.

"He protected me until the very end. Even when his life was in danger, he still told me to hide―" Soleia choked out, her tears falling hard and fast. Rafael’s grief echoed her own, and she knew he must be feeling worse. She had only known him as Duke Kinsley, with his awkward yet endearing acting, while Rafael had known him for longer.

They held each other for a long moment. Eventually, Rafael raised his head.

"He did a good job," Rafael croaked out hoarsely, as he wiped his own eyes callously with his sleeve. He blew his nose. "He would be glad to know that both of us are fine. I’ll make sure his family is taken care of. We’ll hold a funeral for him and Landon."

Soleia nodded. She owed her life to Oliver, who spared no expense in protecting her. It was a sobering realization― throughout her life, she never had anyone who actually died because of her.

She didn’t want it to happen again. She clenched her jaw and stared down at her ring, and she remembered the other man who fought so hard to protect her.

"Rafael, we need to go back and help Orion. Where is he?" Soleia asked. Rafael blinked in surprise, not understanding her sudden change in focus. A tinge of jealousy slowly welled inside him.

"Probably where I left him. Near the dock," Rafael said. "Why?"

"We need to go and help him," Soleia said. She sucked in a deep breath, hoping that they wouldn’t arrive too late. "I can’t have anyone else dying for me."

Rafael immediately understood, and he realized that his earlier jealousy was so petty and inconsequential. Soleia was worried because she had finally experienced having other people’s deaths on her conscience, and with her kindhearted nature, she must be finding it hard to endure.

"As you wish," Rafael said gallantly before he scooped Soleia up in his arms, causing her to squeak in surprise.

"Rafael! Put me down!" Soleia squawked. Even if no one was watching, such a display of affection still felt pretty embarrassing and inappropriate in the aftermath of such a battlefield.

"No can do," Rafael said, holding her closer. "The ground is filthy. I won’t let your feet touch the floor."

Soleia cuddled closer to him, even as she rolled her eyes at his ridiculousness. The soles of her shoes were already soaked with blood, so that point was moot. But she wanted to be close to him. She couldn’t deny that his presence was a comforting balm to her heart. freёwebnoѵel.com

"Then you’d better move your feet quickly enough," Soleia said with an amused huff. "Or I’ll leap out of your arms."

"Perish the thought." Rafael’s hold tightened, but his tone was still calm and casual, and he purposely let out a tiny laugh. He didn’t want to seem too possessive over Soleia, for fear of scaring her away.

"Walk," Soleia ordered.

"Yes, Madam." Rafael nodded and they made their way back to the dock, only to see a pile of bodies strewn all over the ground like clothes of a passionate couple reuniting after a period of absence.

And sitting right on top of a tiny body pile, with a thoroughly exhausted look on his face and blood all over his body, was Orion.