Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 186: Threats in Plain Sight I

Chapter 186: Threats in Plain Sight I

After Prince Nathaniel’s generous donation, Daphne’s float was shaping up beautifully. The sight of so many bright orange blooms in one sitting drew appreciative glances from the servants Atticus assigned to work on her float.

Even Jonah was impressed when he visited after his meeting with Atticus to escort Daphne back, whistling when he saw the design of flames come to fruition.

"Nice, your float looks like it depicts a flying phoenix," Jonah said. "If you don’t win this, everyone is blind."

"Lady Francessa has many supporters though," Daphne countered, frowning at her float. It was beautiful, but was it enough to sway the civilians and nobility that were against her?

"So? When the time comes, they won’t be able to look away from your float," Jonah praised. "It’s more radiant than the sunrise. Make sure you get an outfit that matches it."

"Oh right. My outfit..." Daphne sighed, she had been too busy with the construction of the floats to even care about her dress. "I’ll think of something later."

"Better do it soon, I checked― better seamstresses are already fully booked," Jonah said. "Maybe you can use the leftover flowers for the dress? We can always have the seamstresses in the palace help you come up with something."

"I think you’re wasted as Atticus’s guard," Daphne said honestly, shooting Jonah an admiring look. "Ever considered becoming a lady’s companion instead?"

"Surely you jest," Jonah rolled his eyes. "Like I would ever―"

"I see the rumors are true," a new voice interrupted them and they whirled around to see Francessa Seibert giving their float an appraising look.

"What are you doing here?" Jonah exclaimed, stretching out his arms to protectively shield Daphne behind him, as though Francessa Seibert had raised a sword against them. With the tone of her words, she might as well have.

"What Sir Jonah meant to say is that we are very surprised to find you here," Daphne said more diplomatically, a pasted smile on her face. "Is there anything we can help you with?"

’Please say no,’ Daphne prayed to herself. Alas, the heavens turned a blind eye to Daphne’s plea. Francessa Seibert seemed to have something more to say than a mere request.

"Just simple curiosity," said Francessa. "I heard rumors on the street that Her Highness had implored help from... certain other kingdoms." She gave a pointed look at the almost fully decorated float, her smile hiding something sinister behind it. "I must say, the flowers look very beautiful. What are they called? I don’t recognize these blooms. They’re not from Vramid, are they?"

"I didn’t realize that it was part of a lady’s duty to memorize all of the flora and fauna of the world," Daphne quipped. "You truly have a great thirst for knowledge, Lady Francessa."

"Of course," she replied. "I dabble in many businesses, you see. It’s useful to know the secrets of the trade."

"Curiosity killed the cat," Daphne coolly replied. "It’s best not to lean too far when viewing the lake. You might just fall in."

"Wise words, Queen Daphne." Francessa’s smile never left her face. Her expression caused goosebumps to rise all over Daphne’s skin. "But the same could be said for you."

Daphne’s fingers curled into a fist. If they were standing right where the floats were situated, she would’ve gladly shot a fireball straight into Francessa Seibert’s smug face. She had had one too many witty little threats from this woman and her patience was running thin.

Having noticed her building anger, Jonah completely shielded Daphne behind his body. He plastered on a faux cordial smile.

"Might I remind you, Lady Francessa, that it’s against the rules for the participants of the contest to scout each other’s floats," he calmly said. "Our queen is magnanimous and your ignorant act can be excused this one time, however," Jonah’s eyes darkened, "if this persists, I have no qualms about bringing up this matter to His Majesty to deal with as he sees fit."

His warning had clearly been received by Francessa for she stepped back, her smile matching Jonah’s. Daphne peeped out from over Jonah’s shoulder, barely managing to catch a glimpse of that vile woman due to how tall Jonah was.

"Thank you for the kind reminder, Sir Jonah," Francessa said. Her gaze clashed with Daphne’s, holding the stare as she lazily smiled. "Until later, Your Highness."

Daphne only huffed out in anger when Francessa Seibert’s figure had completely disappeared into the distance.

"She is vile," Daphne said, muttering indignantly under her breath. "A vile old woman that has got nothing better to do than to pick fights where she shouldn’t."

"She isn’t that much older than we are," Jonah pointed out. A ghost of a smile — genuine, this time — curved his lips. "To be fair, she would’ve been queen if Atticus hadn’t―" He cut himself short.

"Hadn’t married me?" Daphne supplied, finishing his sentence for him.

Jonah’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. Then, he nodded once.

"Fate works mysteriously," he said. Raising a hand, he gestured for the guards to come over. They were done with the float for the day and these men could help clean up and stand guard — Atticus’s instructions — until they returned the next day. "The people might’ve wanted Francessa Seibert as their queen but Atticus was unwilling. It wasn’t in her stars to rule no matter how favored she was by the masses."

Daphne’s lips also couldn’t help but curl. "Is this supposed to be your way of telling me she will not win the contest?"

They walked through the trees, following the path along the river that would lead them back to the palace. It was getting late and the sun was about to set. If they weren’t back by the time night fell, Atticus was going to have his head.

Jonah shrugged. "She might have connections but in the end, Lady Francessa is a mere marchioness. She can never hope to win the king. In case you haven’t noticed, your husband is borderline insane."

His words caused Daphne to bark out in laughter, shaking her head.

"That is your best friend we’re talking about!"

"Our status in friendship will not omit the fact of his lunacy," Jonah calmly retorted.

"Wait till I tell Atticus about―"

Daphne’s words were clogged in her throat when a familiar smell wafted through the air and engulfed her senses. There was a moist, muddy scent in the air, oddly reminding her of her time in Raxuvia right before she had her first experience with malevolent hysteria.

She immediately reached into her pockets, pulling out the small pouch of herbs that Prince Nathaniel had given her before she left Raxuvia. Bringing it to her nose, she breathed in deeply before exhaling, repeating the movement a few times until she felt her heartbeat slow back down to its usual pace.

"What’s wrong?" Jonah asked. His eyebrows tightly knit together, stopping in his tracks when he realized Daphne wasn’t following.

"There’s someone else here," Daphne whispered, unable to raise her voice. She didn’t dare to raise it too, in case there was someone — or something — listening in.

"Who?"

Jonah’s question was quickly answered when a rustle of the leaves sounded from behind. Quick as lightning, Jonah pulled his sword from its sheath, holding it in front while he held Daphne close to him protectively. She could barely stand still and needed to hold onto him for support― whatever effects the pouch had on her was slowly diminishing as she felt her anxiety rise again.

"It’s..." Daphne stammered, "It’s coming from the river."

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