Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 196: Sullied Reputation I

Chapter 196: Sullied Reputation I

Daphne could only laugh helplessly. If Nereus was actually a man, things would be a lot easier to explain. If they got wind of Nereus’s true identity, the streets would be rife with a second round of panic and hysteria.

Meanwhile, the crowd of people could only watch their Queen laugh uproariously while wearing the coat of another man. Was she out of her mind? Did she think so lowly of King Atticus that she would willingly cuck him in public?

Oh, this was too outrageous!

"Queen Daphne, I fail to see the humor in this situation. Would you care to enlighten the rest of us?" Francessa asked, frost lacing her tone as she glared daggers at Daphne. Before Daphne could think of a reply that didn’t reveal Nereus’s true identity as a kelpie, her view was obstructed by a broad back.

Nereus had stepped forward in front of her to shield her from Francessa’s view. The crowd burst into scandalous mutterings, while Francessa’s face darkened at the blatant show of disrespect.

"Nereus, please step out of the way," Daphne muttered with a weary sigh, patting his arm. However, her words were ignored. Nereus continued to glare impassively at Francessa, as though she was a piece of dirt stuck at the bottom of his shoe.

Francessa’s lips curled into a rigid smile as she met Nereus’s eyes. "I mean Her Majesty no harm, but I must say, it’s heartwarming to see you care so much for the queen, especially when King Atticus isn’t here."

She paused for a while, her eyes squinting into slits.

"What is your relationship with her?" Francessa asked. The crowd held their breath, waiting for an answer.

"She is my most important person," Nereus said without any hesitation, and Daphne could only stare at him, incredulous as the crowd burst into horrified whispers. Nereus might be trying to help, but at this rate, he might cause her to be branded an adulterer and thrown out of the kingdom!

"I see, forgive me for my impertinence then," Francessa said, curtseying mockingly at Nereus, who still stood there unmoving. "I wasn’t aware that I was in the presence of yet another one of Your Highness’s important male friends."

The hidden meaning in her words didn’t go unnoticed, but Daphne refused to rise to the provocation.

"This is Nereus," Daphne began. "He’s an old friend from Reaweth. Do not misunderstand, Marchioness Francessa. There is nothing else between us."

Judging by Francessa’s raised eyebrow, she did not believe Daphne’s words at all. But that was the best lie Daphne could come up with on such short notice! It wasn’t as if Francessa could travel to Reaweth to confirm the truth.

"Friend..." Nereus repeated the word to himself, seemingly pleased with Daphne’s words. The edges of his lips drifted up unknowingly into a smile. "We are friends... like you promised..."

Before Daphne could even bother unpacking his words, Francessa had drawn herself to her full height and stared down Daphne. Despite being soaked to the bone and shivering like a wet rat, her eyes were still bright with indignation and her voice was full of authority.

"Queen Daphne, does King Atticus know about this particular old friend of yours?" Francessa’s tone clearly implied that Nereus was Daphne’s friend beneath the sheets. "After all, he did cause a fearsome rainstorm that ruined Vramid’s Spring Parade. One must wonder at his motives. Does he have a grudge against the kingdom? Did you invite this vermin into our homes?"

Vramid’s Spring Parade was said to be an omen for the year ahead. The better the celebrations, the more bountiful the harvest. Now, with floats destroyed, civilians injured, and a freak thunderstorm, everyone couldn’t help but think this was an ill omen, a sign of worse things to come.

Francessa would wager her limbs that this ’Nereus from home’ was responsible for the rain, and she had an inkling that he was in cahoots with her queen. After all, Daphne Molinero’s gown was still dry, her hair perfectly coiffed. It was as though something had helpfully shielded her from every drop of rain, for fear that it would damage her stunning visage while leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Francessa seethed and turned her wintry gaze at Nereus, demanding an answer.

"What do you have to say for yourself, you monstrous man?"

Daphne expected Nereus to deny all wrongdoing, but instead, he raised a hand, and a strong jet of water blasted straight at Francessa’s body! She screeched as she fell to the ground in a crumpled heap, choking on the water, and causing people to scream in panic.

"Lady Francessa! She’s hurt!"

"Quick help the Marchioness!"

"That man’s a monster!"

"Nereus! Why did you do that?" Daphne shrieked in surprise as she ran to help Francessa up. She didn’t like the woman, but Nereus practically assaulted her in full view of the public! How was she going to resolve this mess? "Marchioness Francessa, are you alright?"

The sopping-wet Marchioness pulled herself away from Daphne’s hold, hissing in outrage. Her fellow ladies had also rushed towards her, but Francessa pulled herself to her full height and pointed an accusing finger at Daphne.

"I see how it is! Queen Daphne, I’d never thought you would resort to sabotage!" Marchioness Francessa declared hotly, her voice ringing loud and clear through the crowd, drawing everyone’s attention.

"Sabotage?" Daphne’s eyes nearly bulged out at the accusation. If anyone could be suspected of sabotage, Francessa Seibert’s name would be at the very top of the list. It wasn’t Daphne who paid an unsolicited visit to her float.

"Surely you jest, Marchioness Francessa. What proof do you have of my misdeeds?"

Daphne just tried to help her up, for heaven’s sake!

Meanwhile, Nereus tilted his head and looked at Daphne like a curious bird.

"Do you want me to burn her?" he asked unblinkingly, loud enough for Francessa Seibert and the other ladies to overhear.

"What? Of course not!" Daphne nearly screeched as she shook her head frantically. "He’s just joking, don’t take it to heart," Daphne added to Francessa, whose eyes had grown wide with horror as they darted between Daphne and Nereus before she recalled her own float bursting into flames unprovoked.

"But you said you wanted to burn her," Nereus said with a frown, "you wanted to beat her. So I helped you."

Daphne despaired, wanting to hide her face in her hands. This kelpie was going to be the death of her!

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