Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 151: Bated Breaths III

Chapter 151: Bated Breaths III

"How convenient," Daphne said, eyeing her ring with trepidation. The blue sheen was incredibly obvious, as though telegraphing her untouched status to every single woman in the vicinity."Is there something one has to do for the test?"

Princess Aurelia raised her eyebrow. "Why? Do you wish to rig the results in your favor?"

"My conscience is clear," Daphne retorted simply. "In fact, I should be more worried about you possibly manipulating the results to slander my reputation further."

Princess Aurelia moved suddenly, as though she longed to slap Daphne but suddenly thought better of it. The threat of Atticus possibly lopping off her pretty head was too terrifying to ignore, and she forced herself to remain calm.

"You have a vivid imagination," Princess Aurelia sniffed imperiously. "But rest assured, unlike in the maze, there is no way to cheat in this test. One simply has to wear the ring and the stone will react accordingly."

Well. Daphne gazed back down at her ring and stifled a sigh at the bright blue sheen. She couldn’t help feeling slightly pitiful about herself. Atticus had gotten her this ring to prove his love, but it was proving that he didn’t love her enough, that he didn’t desire her the way a husband desired his wife.

Drusilla pouted; she would have loved to see Princess Aurelia physically slap Daphne, but for now, her words will have to do. "Sister, how can you imply such a thing? We simply want to clear up this misunderstanding."

She stepped closer to Daphne, and Daphne had to fight the urge to recoil from her poisonous smile.

"Let me take a look at your ring," Drusilla said sweetly, but she grabbed Daphne’s hand before Daphne could even reply. Cordelia snatched it back just as quickly with an angry hiss. Daphne had the strangest feeling she was a chew toy fought over by two dogs, and she quickly moved closer to Cordelia’s side.

"She hasn’t even given you permission and you’re already taking liberties? My, you’re certainly a gossipy little bugger. Do you have something to hide?"

Drusilla stepped back, venom in her gaze as she glared at Cordelia. Yet her smile never wavered. "I had to check if my sister replaced it with a dupe. After all, look at the blue sheen on her ring! That can’t be accurate now, can it? My sister is a married woman after all!"

At this, the crowd of women began tittering behind their hands, all earlier warnings of Atticus’s wrath cleanly forgotten. If King Atticus loved Queen Daphne as much as they thought he did, why would he not bed her?

Clearly, he didn’t find her attractive enough!

Even Cordelia shot her an incredulous glance. Daphne could only nod, and her mouth fell open in surprise.

"It is true, I am untouched," Daphne declared, refusing to cower in front of their judgemental eyes. She refused to be humiliated by their mocking stares.

"Oh sister, I’m so sorry to have broadcasted this to everyone!" Drusilla exclaimed, a hand over her mouth as she simpered prettily. This was going better than she thought! "I never thought King Atticus would reject a woman..."

"It is very rare for husbands not to sleep with their wives." Princess Aurelia smirked, relishing in Daphne’s social downfall.

Then she paused. Since Daphne was untouched... then wouldn’t that mean that her brother could technically swoop in and marry her if Atticus lost interest?

Daphne’s untouched status would make her an even better candidate for her brother!

She immediately stood up. "No, this cannot be! Perhaps the ring is faulty and you’re lying to everyone!"

The bevy of ladies turned to gawk at her sudden change in attitude. Drusilla stared at her, gobsmacked, but she collected herself.

"In that case, how about letting someone else try the ring for a change? Is there anyone willing to test?"

There was a stunned silence as most of the ladies avoided her eyes. No one wanted their bedroom matters — or lack of — aired to the public!

Then a dark graceful hand rose through the air. Queen Yvaine stood up imperiously and strode towards them.

"I volunteer," she said easily. "After all, I’m already married. I’ve lost my virginity even before I eloped with my husband. And we are very intimate with each other."

Around her were reddened faces at her brazen pronouncement. Daphne could only nod dumbly and remove her ring for Queen Yvaine to try on. Everyone watched with bated breath as she slipped the ring easily onto her finger, the brilliant shine a sharp contrast to her dark skin.

The blue sheen vanished almost immediately, and it was replaced with a rainbow sheen so strong that Daphne could almost see it reflected off Drusilla’s blonde hair.

"It clearly works," Queen Yvaine noted with a wry smile. She plucked it off her fingers and returned it to Daphne. "I believe that is satisfactory enough. Queen Daphne has proven that she is untouched, and all the rumors surrounding her promiscuity are simply that― rumors."

Princess Aurelia’s hands dug into the lace fabric of her dress as she glared daggers at Daphne. Next to her, Drusilla’s lips twisted into a sneer, but she hurriedly collected herself and pasted a smile on her face. Neither Cordelia nor Daphne missed the fact that it didn’t reach her eyes.

"Princess Drusilla, since you were so adamant in accusing your sister of promiscuity and infidelity, you owe her an apology. How could you spout hearsay as fact?" Princess Cordelia mentioned, stalking slowly towards Drusilla, who stumbled back.

Before Drusilla could reply, Cordelia circled her, preventing her escape. Daphne realized she was watching a lioness hunt her prey.

"I only said what I believed was true!" Drusilla claimed hotly, her eyes blinking back tears as she waited for rescue, but no one wanted to get in Cordelia’s way.

"One must wonder if you have had any personal experience with men to even come up with the filthy rumors you regaled us with earlier," Princess Cordelia mused. "No pure maiden could think of such wicked acts, wouldn’t you say?"

The crowd murmured, seeing her point. Drusilla had alluded to Daphne walking around with suspicious stains on her gown, her bruised knees, her aching throat, walking unevenly, and her screams and cries of pleasure... all sensations that only a person who had experienced it could describe.

"I―"

"How about you put on this ring then, Princess Drusilla? Prove your innocence right here. If you are untouched, I’ll kneel in front of you and beg for forgiveness," Cordelia said, throwing out an enticing wager.

Daphne raised an eyebrow; she didn’t want Drusilla anywhere near her ring, but she trusted Cordelia. She stepped closer, ready to offer her ring.

To Daphne’s surprise, Drusilla did not jump at the chance. Cordelia merely smirked and continued to speak, taunting her mercilessly.

"Are you sure you’re going to refuse? After all, it will probably be the only occasion you have to wear something so valuable. Bastard children don’t fetch such a high price. Especially if you’re found to be lacking in virtue. Why, you’ll be seen as a harlot."

Drusilla’s face purpled, but she still made no move to come closer to Daphne to take her ring. She... didn’t want to clear her name?

There was only one possible explanation for this.

"What is the meaning of this, Drusilla?" Daphne demanded. "Don’t tell me... you’ve really lost your virtue?"