Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 197: Sullied Reputation II

Chapter 197: Sullied Reputation II

Daphne had finally understood what was happening― Nereus must have overheard her private conversation with Atticus and decided for some reason, he decided that he was going to help her win the contest! As such, Daphne understood his reasons for giving her the flowers.

Not only that, he was most likely also responsible for the sudden destruction of every other float and the sudden rainstorm. How else could she explain her float being miraculously untouched by the destruction that befell the rest?

Internally, Daphne was cursing herself for falling into the lake. This entire mess could have been avoided if she had not stood up on the boat.

"I knew it! You caused my float to go up in flames!" Fracessa seethed, her finger pointing at Nereus, who looked remarkably unfazed for a creature accused of arson, "I’ll have you arrested!

"Do you have proof Nereus started the fire?" Daphne asked Francessa. Nereus specialized in using water; it was possible that he might not be guilty of this particular criminal act. "It could simply be an accident. One must not make slanderous accusations without proof!"

"Queen Daphne, I can’t believe you are condoning sabotage and destruction of property!" Francessa hissed in agitation. "I kept quiet when I caught you accepting foreign aid to construct your float, thinking that perhaps you had your own reasons, but this is how you reward my prudence? By nearly setting me on fire and destroying everyone’s chances of a fair competition, just so you could win?"

"She accepted foreign aid?" Penelope Huntington asked, her eyes wide in surprise. "From who? Her maiden family? I suppose Reaweth could have helped..."

"No. If she had accepted help from her maiden family, I wouldn’t be so petty as to begrudge her for it," Marchioness Francessa breathed out deeply, her nostrils flaring like a dragon about to spout flames. Daphne, who had actually breathed fire, was not intimidated by her attitude.

But she wondered what this woman would say to further slander her name. Surely she wouldn’t...

"Her Highness accepted aid from the Crown Prince of Raxuvia, who happened to be her ex-fiance. I saw his men walking around the streets, complaining that their beloved prince had been made a fool of― apparently, he personally delivered the flowers that now graced Queen Daphne’s float, not knowing what the winning prize was."

Francessa’s words caused many eyes to turn to Daphne’s float. It still stood proud and strong, a far cry from its compatriots with missing limbs. The flower petals were left sodden by the rain, but it was impossible to ignore the vibrancy of their colors.

"No wonder! I knew I’d never seen those flowers before!" Veronica Yarrowood exclaimed angrily, casting a baleful look at the orange blooms.

Her anger loosened her tongue, and she continued to scold Daphne, despite the vast difference in their ranks.

"Your Highness, you’re a cheat! I can’t believe you took advantage of your ex-fiance to make this float so that you could win a contest and go on a date with your actual husband! That’s despicable! Utterly despicable!"

"Kindly watch your words," Daphne said calmly, even though she was nearly shaking with anger inside. "I do not like to be slandered."

"Is it slander if it’s true?" Veronica retorted. "Look at the state of us! Then look at you! You’re perfectly dry and toasty, aren’t you? Do you think we’re all fools like your ex-fiance?"

"Nonnie, shush," Penelope hastily tugged on her friend’s arm, willing her to quiet down when she caught a glimpse of the menacing glare on Daphne’s face. Even if Her Highness was a manipulative despicable woman, she was still the queen, and any unplanned confrontation was sure to end badly for them.

"Don’t tell me you’re letting her get away with it Penny! She ruined your float and injured your guards! And it was her man that caused the rain!" Veronica snarled and then gave Daphne a mocking gaze.

"I wonder, Your Highness, is Crown Prince Nathaniel another one of your ’old friends from home’, similar to this... gentleman here? For a powerless princess, you’re surprisingly well-connected with men."

Daphne’s face purpled in outrage at the implication of her words.

"I assure you, there is nothing between Crown Prince Nathaniel and I. We are only friends. I am devoted to my husband, King Atticus. I am not responsible for Nereus’s actions!"

Beside her, Nereus gave her a complicated look.

Veronica snorted, but her friend Penelope whispered in her ear and tugged her further back. Daphne could vaguely hear words like ’Don’t provoke her’ and ’Do you want to be imprisoned?’

Francessa tucked her wet, stringy hair behind her ear. She had managed to collect herself while Veronica was running her mouth, and now she was ready with a new plan of attack. She addressed Daphne with a steely look in her eyes.

"Your Highness, even if one were to ignore the acts of deliberate sabotage that have resulted in widespread damage and injury to our people, as well as the attempt on my life, your float would not have won the contest despite its beauty."

Daphne gritted her teeth. Francessa managed to load multiple accusations in a single polite statement and yet made herself seem entirely reasonable and non-confrontational.

"How so? Please enlighten me."

"This contest is a celebration of the beauty of Vramid’s spring. Vramid’s," Francessa emphasized the name of the kingdom with a knowing glint in her eye. "It stands to reason that Vramid’s flora should be the highlight of your presentation. The majority of flowers from your float aren’t even native to Vramid. They’re from Raxuvia. If your float won the contest, wouldn’t our people be admitting that our own kingdom’s beauty isn’t good enough?"

At her words, the crowd began to murmur in agreement.

"The marchioness is right... We can’t let it win..."

"This isn’t the right way to win..."

"Even if it’s the queen, this is too much..."

"It’s so despicable of her to use the flowers from other kingdoms..."

"Is she looking down on us? Just because she comes from another land?!"

"How is Vramid not as good as other kingdoms? Nonsense!"

"She’s spitting in our faces!"