Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 125: Mangled Bird

Chapter 125: Mangled Bird

Everyone gathered at the dining hall for lunch. Once again, they were separated by gender, but this time, Atticus wasn’t worried. Not only was Drusilla stuck with the Raxuvian healers, public opinion of Daphne’s character had also been changed for the better.

Atticus and Daphne had found themselves fielding numerous compliments as they walked back to the castle. Atticus, for his incredible archery skills, and Daphne, for her impressive courage during the archery contest.

Daphne was amused to note that Cordelia’s earlier rant about the importance of Daphne’s wedding ring had spread throughout their peers. In their eyes, Daphne had gone from the poor unwanted wife of a powerful king to someone so beloved in his eyes that he was willing to scour the land for a ring worthy of displaying his love.

The display of trust and courage shown by the couple in the contest made them believe this was a couple brought by nothing else but true love! How could they have the guts to be rude to Daphne afterward? She would be ruling Vramid by Atticus’s side.

Daphne, ironically, soon found herself overwhelmed and tired of the practiced flattery. All these people who were insulting her a few nights ago had changed their tunes too quickly for her liking.

Ironically enough, there was only one person who had been honest with her from the very start. Daphne smiled and decided to sit next to the one person she never thought she would like.

"What are you sitting here for?" Cordelia demanded through a mouthful of fish. On her plate was enough food to feed an army, and no one dared to sit next to her for fear of interrupting her meal. "Go somewhere else. There are empty seats everywhere."

"Well, I want to sit here," Daphne said primly with a smile. "May I?"

"You’ve already sat down, haven’t you?" Cordelia retorted, briefly rolling her eyes. "Do what you want."

They continued to eat in silence. Most of the women dared not approach Cordelia, since they didn’t know her well enough. Their first impression of her was hearing her call Daphne and Drusilla stupid!

Also, Cordelia glared at anyone else who dared interrupt her meal. As such, even Daphne got to eat peacefully, undisturbed by the rest.

Eventually, Cordelia polished off the last bits of food on her plate and then focused her attention on Daphne.

"What do you want?" Cordelia asked suspiciously, crossing her arms.

"I’d like to thank you," Daphne said simply. "For standing up for me."

If Cordelia had not interrupted Princess Aurelia, Daphne might truly have to endure her own older brother shooting arrows at her! Knowing him, he might miss the apple on purpose just to hurt her.

"...I did?" Cordelia paused, finally recalling her own words. "Well, don’t take this the wrong way, but I wasn’t actually focused on helping you. I was just trying to get rid of your sister. She just pisses me off."

"Fair enough, but still, I should thank you anyway," Daphne said. "You gave her a taste of her own medicine."

Cordelia shook her head. "It’s a pity she only got a scratch from the arrow. I was hoping she lost her ear. Even a tiny piece would have been enough."

"You’ve certainly gotten more bloodthirsty since we last met," Daphne commented, recalling how Cordelia tried to drown her on dry land right in front of Atticus. It displayed a certain level of foolhardy courage she found strangely appealing.

"Please, I don’t like you because you have gotten King Atticus’s love and attention, hence derailing my plans for world domination, but I straight up hate your sister," Cordelia said frankly.

"Would you believe me if I told you she was my favorite sibling?"

Cordelia scoffed, a faint smirk forming on her face. "In that case, I would hate to meet your least favorite. Is it your pompous brother?"

"...Yes," Daphne admitted.

Speaking of the devil, Drusilla entered the dining hall with Alistair on her arm, a bandage around her head. She saw Daphne and Cordelia seated with each other and promptly decided to sit with the other ladies. They fussed over her injury and she lapped up their sympathy, milking it further by describing loudly how terrifying it was and how painful the arrow felt.

Eventually, she made her way towards them. Cordelia made a face of utter disgust, but Drusilla was unbothered, choosing to simper at Daphne instead.

"Congratulations on your victory, Sister," Drusilla said sweetly, making sure to show her injured ear to Daphne.

Daphne pointedly ignored the hint, merely nodding in acknowledgment. Not deterred by this icy response, Drusilla continued to talk.

"You’re so brave, Sister, surely you’re joining King Atticus’s party for the hunting event! Sadly, this injury means I can’t help our dear brother even the odds."

Cordelia let out a loud snort.

"Excuse me, Princess Cordelia? Do you have something to say?"

She rolled her eyes. "Your brother would probably do better without you there being a deadweight," Cordelia said frankly. "Who was it that claimed he could shoot two arrows to begin with?"

Drusilla’s face reddened in anger and embarrassment, but she held her tongue, remembering the previous scolding she received.

"Then will you be participating in the event?" Drusilla asked.

"Of course, I saw too little bloodshed today," Cordelia said meaningfully, looking at the bandaged ear. "Not even some mangled flesh from a chattering bird."

Drusilla bit her lips in outrage but then decided to turn back to Daphne. "Dear sister, I guess we’ll be spending time together then! You definitely aren’t taking part in this event, since you don’t have any powers. I’m sure you don’t want to be a deadweight for King Atticus!"

"I’m participating with Atticus," Daphne decided quickly. She didn’t know what perils awaited her, but she would take being mauled by ferocious beasts over spending more time with Drusilla.

Besides, Drusilla didn’t know that she wasn’t completely powerless.

"Well, I never! Sister, what has gotten into you?" Drusilla exclaimed, seemingly upset. But there was a wicked glint in her eye as she heard Daphne’s reply. Perhaps this was her chance to get rid of Daphne, without even needing to participate. "Why are you so intent on putting yourself in danger? I would never!"

"Princess Drusilla, are you letting a simple scratch stop you from participating?" Princess Cordelia interrupted loudly, disdain in her eyes. "Everyone knows your sister is powerless, but she has more courage in her pinky finger than you have in your entire body. Aren’t you embarrassed to be whining at your age?"

Daphne bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at the look on Drusilla’s face.

"Besides," Cordelia added, "competitors aren’t allowed to use magic in the hunting grounds for fairness sake. If they did, King Atticus would easily take home the crown, especially with his advantage."

Drusilla’s eyes swiveled between Cordelia and Daphne, as though suspecting them of colluding against her.

"Fine. I shall participate too," Drusilla said with a haughty sniff. "I hope you forgive me in advance when my brother and I take down the largest prey. I show no mercy to my competitors."

With that final parting shot, she flounced off to the men’s table, presumably to tell her brother about her decision. Prince Alistair’s eyes widened with shock. At the other end of the table, Atticus narrowed his eyes and turned to Daphne, a wordless question on his lips.

Daphne could only give him a sheepish smile. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be too mad at her for this!