Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 148: Innocence & Purity II

Chapter 148: Innocence & Purity II

To say that Daphne was shocked would be an understatement. The last she knew, Cordelia had still been mad at her― and that might’ve even been an understatement. Yet, when in front of a table of women that wanted nothing more than to see Daphne fall into the pits of hell, Cordelia was once again the only one that offered a helping hand.

A strange warmth fluttered into Daphne’s chest. Through everything that she had been through with Cordelia, she hadn’t expected she would end up liking this woman so much, especially with how they started off.

"Princess Cordelia," the first woman said. "No matter how powerful King Atticus is, in the end, he is but a man. While is ever-powerful and valiant on the battlefield, he is nothing when it comes to the women’s court. Rumors aren’t things that can be cut down by a sword and knocked over by brute force."

"On the contrary, Princess Charlotte," Cordelia retorted. "I would like to see how you would still dare to chatter fearlessly if King Atticus had his sword right by your throat."

The woman in question, Princess Charlotte, suddenly blanched white. Her hands instinctively touched the skin of her neck as though she could really feel a blade placed right there, threatening her life.

"Furthermore, need I remind you that King Atticus isn’t known for just his swordsmanship, but also his skills in magic?" Cordelia scoffed. She leaned back in her seat, folding her arms across her chest. "You would be lucky if you could escape him. That man is skilled in multiple forms and branches of sorcery. Telekinesis also happens to be what he’s best at. He doesn’t even need to be near you to kill you."

Murmurs broke through the crowd, the women looking back and forth worriedly. Even Princess Aurelia, who had been silently watching it all, suddenly felt the hairs on her skin stand to their ends. She could almost imagine a pair of golden eyes watching her every move, just waiting for her to commit an error that would grant him enough reason to take her life.

On the other hand, Daphne was more than amused. It seemed almost as though Cordelia was trying to upsell Atticus to the other women.

"My husband is a reasonable man," Daphne finally said, drawing attention to herself as the women stopped their talks to look. "Fairly reasonable, at least. Just don’t do anything too idiotic and he won’t go around needlessly harming people."

"And I don’t suppose you’re implying that what might be idiotic would be to offend you, Queen Daphne?" Princess Charlotte asked.

She laughed coldly and mockingly, looking left and right at the women around her. They, too, caught the expression she was giving and began to giggle alongside the princess.

"Who are you to your husband, Queen Daphne, if not an unloved wife? Your husband didn’t even get you a ring until everyone pointed it out!" She then repeated the words that Drusilla had mentioned prior during the earlier events. "For a last-minute accessory, I doubt it would be anything of value. The crystals might just be made of glass."

"It could very well be," the woman on her left said with a chuckle. "What’s the use of a crystal when the owner isn’t capable of magic?"

"Ladies," Princess Aurelia suddenly spoke up. She shook her head, holding her hand over her lips. Yet, it did poorly to disguise the smile that had long curved her lips. "You can’t just put a price tag on love."

"Sweetie," Cordelia piped up, "there is a price tag on love."

Daphne held up her hand and poised it right in front of her chest as though she was in shock. It was the perfect angle to show off her new ring, the moonstone, aquamarines, and diamonds shimmering under the remaining sunlight that managed to find its way into the pavilion.

"Love is apparently priced at a million gold pieces," Daphne continued from where Cordelia left off. They then shared a look, followed by a subtle smile.

"That’s not all!" Drusilla’s eyes practically had stars in them when she spoke up. She clasped her hands together dreamily, slightly swaying her body side to side as though she was in wonderland. "Sister Daphne is no stranger to expensive gifts and jewelry. I am sure King Atticus must’ve also sent her many other jewels in his attempt to court her."

"No stranger to jewels?" Princess Charlotte echoed. "You’re jesting, right, Princess Drusilla? It is common knowledge that there is a particular princess in Reaweth that isn’t favored by the king and queen. Or anyone in the royal family, really. You’re the only one nice enough to care for the forgotten princess. How can Princess Daphne have ever seen jewels before becoming the queen of Vramid?"

That question was what Drusilla had been waiting for. She placed on an award-winning performance, appearing as naively innocent as she could be. Nevertheless, the sheer joy and excitement that lit up her eyes wasn’t something that needed to be faked.

Drusilla was indeed excited about yet another social downfall of her sister.

"Sister Daphne always had a lot of admirers," Drusilla said. Then, as though she had just remembered something utterly devastating, her excitable mood turned downcast. She lost all of the luster in her eyes, even almost slouching in her seat.

Princess Aurelia, who had heard of Drusilla recounting multiple tales, suddenly felt her heart clench in both pity and unjust. She had an inkling about what Drusilla might say and sure enough, the next few words that Drusilla uttered had her mentally shaking her head at the unfairness of it all.

"Even though people might think that Sister Daphne doesn’t head out of the palace very often, my sister wasn’t particularly unliked or anything like that. That was a misconception!" Drusilla tried to brave a smile but there wasn’t any bit of joy that reached her eyes.

"By ’admirers’, did you mean..." Princess Charlotte trailed off, her eyes widening in surprise. She and the other women all leaned a little bit more forward in their seats as if that subtle action would help them catch the gossip better.

Drusilla nodded sadly.

"There were always many men that were interested in Sister Daphne," Drusilla revealed.