Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 161: Third, Fourth, Fifth Wheels

Chapter 161: Third, Fourth, Fifth Wheels

Draped in the finest fabrics, Prince Nathaniel had changed into a robe crafted from delicate silk, adorned with intricate patterns reminiscent of delicate forest leaves and swirling vines. The colors were a combination of deep greens and earthy browns, accentuating his — and his kingdom’s connection — with nature.

A golden belt with intricate engravings cinched his waist, showcasing his royal lineage. Embroidery of silver thread embellished his cuffs and collar, capturing the glimmer of sunlight through the trees overhead them.

His leather boots barely made a sound as he crossed the courtyard to where the rest of them stood. Only Daphne greeted him with a smile. The rest of them wore equally dark expressions, each worse than the rest.

Prince Nathaniel had smiled, but then his eyes flickered to the rest of her companions. He had hoped that it would just be the two of them — after he found some way to get rid of that pesky king — but now, it seemed like that dream was done and dusted.

Her knight and healer were present, but they didn’t provide any real obstacles.

The core issue was her husband.

"What an awfully big party," Prince Nathaniel commented, observing the crowd, his smile a practiced politician’s tool.

"We are but the king and queen’s humble assistants," Jonah said dryly with a bow. "We go wherever we’re beckoned."

"How loyal," Prince Nathaniel dryly. "But why is there a need for a healer to be present?"

"The last few times Her Highness went out on her own, it didn’t end too great," Sirona answered, her tone equally as deadpan as Jonah’s was. "It will be much safer if I follow along."

"Perhaps Princess Daphne just needs a more responsible husband," he snidely commented. That earned him a glare from King Atticus, nothing Nathaniel hadn’t already predicted.

"Maybe she needs to be in a safer kingdom," King Atticus retorted, "This never happened back when she was in Vramid." A blatant lie, but Prince Nathaniel wouldn’t know the truth.

Prince Nathaniel snorted. "I have a feeling that isn’t what exactly happened," he said. "Vramid is famous for having rather vicious criminals and equally harsh streets. Especially in the lower slums."

That caused Atticus to squint his eyes. "If you have anything to say, say it to my face. No need for the underhanded jabs."

"None intended," Prince Nathaniel answered cheerily.

He turned to look at Daphne, who looked every bit as troubled by the seemingly constant arguments that surrounded them whenever her husband was near Prince Nathaniel.

"My princess, what sort of sights might you be interested in seeing in Raxuvia? We have the main town square that is always filled with life, or I could bring you to the royal theater― they’re putting on a ballet this evening. There is also a very beautiful spot by the lake where we can have a late picnic and watch the sunset."

At the mention of a scenic spot by the lake, Daphne’s eyes practically sparkled. She could watch the ballet anywhere in the world but Raxuvia was most famous for its natural sights. Who knew when she might have the chance to travel out of Vramid again after she returned from Raxuvia?

"A picnic sounds lovely!" She cooed in delight, turning to her husband. "Don’t you think, Atticus? I bet the view would be gorgeous."

"Anything that interests you the most, sunshine," Atticus said. The smile he directed at her was softer than dawn’s first light. "After all, you’re the best view there is."

While Daphne blushed scarlet, the other three present all made disgusted expressions with varying degrees. Jonah looked mildly numb to it all while Prince Nathaniel looked just about ready to hurl.

However, he refused to break his perfectly mastered expression for too long. In a second, he returned to his practiced smile, nodding as if he had already guessed Daphne’s answer.

"I had guessed you would choose that," he said.

He raised a hand, beckoning a few members of staff to come over. They brought along a few baskets filled with what Daphne assumed to be picnic snacks and drinks, handing them over to Jonah and Sirona.

"Heavenly Glade is the perfect picnic spot. We can see the willow trees there. Some rare flowers have also started to bloom this time of year," he said.

The clicking of horse hooves soon drew their attention to the pavement where two carriages now awaited them. Prince Nathaniel acted quickly, gesturing to the first carriage. He walked up and held open the door for Daphne.

"After you, Your Highness," he said.

Daphne gratefully stepped in.

However, Prince Nathaniel did not extend that courtesy to King Atticus and his staff. He simply gestured to the second carriage, equally as grand as the first, and then said, "The five of us wouldn’t be able to fit into one carriage, King Atticus. Perhaps you, Sir Jonah, and Healer Sirona would like to take the second carriage instead."

He did not wait to hear Atticus’s inevitable rebuttal and instead, he quickly hopped into the carriage, closing the door behind himself. The coachman drove away once Prince Nathaniel was seated, leaving Atticus in the dust, Sirona and Jonah behind him with their jaws hanging agape.

"Did he just run off with your wife?" Jonah asked, flabbergasted. "Can someone even do that?"

"That slimy fox," King Atticus cursed through gritted teeth, hissing the words out venomously. "Get in. We can’t leave them alone for too long."

The three of them scrambled into the second carriage, urging the poor coachman to drive faster in order to catch up.

Meanwhile, Daphne had been stunned silly when she noticed the door closing immediately behind Prince Nathaniel. She looked out the window just in time to meet Atticus’s frantic expression before he was quickly left behind.

"Are they not coming along?" she asked unsurely, trying to peer outside the window, but their carriage had already begun moving.

"The carriage wouldn’t fit us all," Prince Nathaniel explained. "It would’ve been fine if it was just the three of us but with Sir Jonah and Healer Sirona present, five would be too much of a squeeze."

Daphne nodded slowly, seemingly understanding. She didn’t say much but subconsciously reached up to caress her garnet earrings. If Prince Nathaniel tried anything funny, at least she wouldn’t be completely helpless.

Thank goodness Atticus thought ahead and gave her the earrings.

She didn’t fail to notice Prince Nathaniel’s intense gaze that never quite seemed to have left her ever since they started moving. At first, Daphne squirmed, uncomfortable with how long he was looking at her. He didn’t leer nor was the way he looked at her pervy in the slightest, but as his gaze had never left, it was starting to bring her some unease.

"Is there something on my face, Prince Nathaniel?" she eventually asked, unable to sit still any longer.

"Oh!" Prince Nathaniel jerked a little as if he had been pulled out of a trance. He shook his head, averting his gaze. "No, it’s nothing like that." He paused for a moment before sighing, then reaching into his pockets. "Actually, there is something."

Prince Nathaniel held out his hand.

"I have something for you, Princess Daphne."

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