Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 105: Brunch

Chapter 105: Brunch

In the end, Daphne did not find the courage within her to open that door. She sat there with her back leaning against the wood, listening to Atticus as he spoke to himself. The entire time, she didn’t answer.

And he didn’t persist.

"I’ll have Sirona swap rooms with me tonight," he said. Defeat laced every word of the sentence, his voice sounding much heavier than usual. "Good night, Daphne."

Only after Daphne was sure that Atticus had left did she finally unlock the door and retreated to bed. Sirona entered nearly an hour later but by then, Daphne had already curled under the covers, refusing to raise her head even though she clearly heard Sirona enter.

She didn’t need to either. Sirona was fully aware that Daphne was in no mood to talk and she simply silently arranged her pillows and covers on the couch before lying down to rest for the night. Daphne lay on her bed, awake and alert even as she heard Sirona’s soft snores pierce through the empty room.

By the time the sun rose, Daphne felt as though she hadn’t slept a wink. Whenever she got close enough to dream, mocking laughter would surface in her mind, jolting her awake. In the end, she only managed to doze off a couple of times when her mind worked itself to exhaustion, but it wasn’t nearly enough to feel well-rested.

The movement of the trees barely made a sound throughout the night as the hours changed. Yet, once the sun had risen, every hour was signaled by a loud crackle that would tear through the heavens. It was what had woken her up.

Along with a knock on the door.

"Princess Daphne?" The call was followed by three successive knocks. "Are you still in there?"

Daphne groaned as she peeped out from under her covers. Sirona was gone from her spot on the sofa, her covers and pillows neatly arranged and placed out of the way. She was left alone in the room with an unwanted visitor at her door.

Yet, she was in no position to refuse the host’s visitation.

"Just a minute!" she replied before hurrying off the bed.

She quickly washed up with the basin of warm water Sirona must’ve prepared for her, changed her clothes into something a little more presentable, and opened the door.

There, Prince Nathaniel stood patiently waiting. When he realized that Daphne had opened the door for him, he smiled.

What a sight for sore eyes. Unfortunately, Daphne was in no mood to talk to people, even very attractive ones. Was the prince here to kick her out of his palace after the mess she made yesterday?

"Prince Nathaniel." Her voice was breathy with surprise. Daphne suddenly felt incredibly aware that she hadn’t brushed her hair. "Good morning. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Good morning, Princess Daphne," he greeted fairly. "And on the contrary, no. It’s just that the tenth shower had already passed and yet you didn’t join us for breakfast. I just wanted to check if you were alright after what happened last night."

"Oh!" At the memory of the events that had transpired, Daphne moved a little further back into her room. Her hands itched to shut the door directly in Prince Nathaniel’s face but her upbringing kept her still. "I’m fine. I just... didn’t feel like eating. I’m not hungry."

In an act of complete utter betrayal, her stomach growled loudly. She hadn’t had anything to eat last night after everything spilled and she dashed off without grabbing supper. Paired with a missed breakfast, Daphne was absolutely famished. Yet, for what she was embarrassed to admit to Prince Nathaniel, her stomach apparently was not.

Where it should’ve been awkward now that Daphne had been caught in her own lie, Nathaniel merely smiled.

"I had my presumptions," he said a little teasingly. "Actually, I’ve arranged for a brunch, if you would like to join."

"I don’t feel very comfortable with going down to the dining hall," Daphne said. Especially when her siblings and other guests might be around, more than eager to gossip about the scandal she had been pulled into last night.

Although Daphne didn’t say that out loud, her expression must’ve been vivid enough to tell what was on her mind for Prince Nathaniel shook his head.

"No worries about that." Prince Nathaniel explained, "It’s in the palace courtyard and none of the other guests will be present. I was actually hoping to get to know you better, Your Highness."

Daphne was about to reply when Sirona’s familiar voice cut into the conversation.

"With all due respect, Your Highness." Sirona swerved protectively in between Daphne and Nathaniel, almost shielding her queen behind her back. "With all that happened last night, it might be unwise for my queen to be seen dining alone with a man who was supposed to be her ex-fiancé."

Although Sirona’s words were less than polite, Nathaniel didn’t seem any bit offended. Instead, he looked to be amused, chuckling a little as light danced across his eyes.

"In that case, Healer Sirona, you are definitely welcome to join us."

***

Just one sentence. That was enough to have both Daphne and Sirona seated at a pavilion in the courtyard with all sorts of pastries and snacks in front of them. Servants bustled around and poured tea, a light fragrance filling the air.

As the host, Prince Nathaniel sat at the head of the table, with Daphne on his right. Sirona sat on Daphne’s right, a significant amount of distance placed between them. Yet, despite her status as a mere member of staff, she was still allowed at the table.

That was something Sirona secretly applauded― this man was so determined to have brunch with Daphne that he no longer cared for any of the previously established formalities.

"First off," Prince Nathaniel said as he placed down the teaspoon he had previously used to mix a few sugar cubes into his tea, "allow me to apologize for the upheaval last night. As the host, I should’ve worked a little more promptly to ensure all of our guests’ comfort."

"Please, Prince Nathaniel." Daphne sat a little straighter, her eyebrows furrowed. "It was my fault. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I must’ve made a complete fool of myself. As usual. Nothing new there." Daphne finished with a self-deprecating smile.

Now it was Prince Nathaniel’s turn to frown. Daphne never thought she would see that day. Even though she had only met this ex-fiancé of hers yesterday, she naturally assumed him to be a man who only knew positive expressions and emotions.

"Princess Daphne, what your brother and sister did was uncalled for." Nathaniel’s hand was clenched into a fist on the table, his displeasure written all over his face. "Even if King Atticus and you hadn’t exchanged rings, it was not their place as outsiders of the relationship to make such loud comments and broadcast this news for everyone to hear."

His expression turned sympathetic.

"I hope I am not intruding with this question but..." He hesitated before eventually saying, "Is this how it normally is for you? For your voice to be trampled over by others so easily?"

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