Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 211: The Date III

Chapter 211: The Date III

"Damn it."

This time, Daphne failed to contain the expletive in her mouth. It spilled out almost like a reflex as she stared back at the crowd. Everyone had their eyes glued onto her― even the musicians that had been hired for the event had stopped playing, their eyes fixated on the mess that had been caused.

"A maid?" Veronica Yarrowood asked, then observed, "Working for the palace too, it seems." She took a step forward, practically shoving the poor waiter that stood in between her and Daphne out of the way.

He nearly fell to the floor, if it weren’t for the kind passers-by that held him upright before gravity worked its magic on him. The floor was extra slippery with the layers of cream and spilled drinks all over, coating the tiles.

"It was an accident, Lady Yarrowood," Daphne quickly said. She made sure her voice was much higher than her normal tone, albeit trying to keep it as natural as she could. "My apologies for―"

"As if a simple apology is able to absolve you of all your crimes," Veronica hissed. "You’ve ruined my dress and this event. Who are you even working for? It can’t be His Majesty, surely."

She gave Daphne a dirty glare, her frown only increasing when she realized that Daphne was looking anywhere but at her. Specifically, it seemed like this maid had taken a particular liking to the dirty floor.

"Unless..." She trailed off, squinting her eyes. This maid was a little odd. She kept her head down the entire time, her entire body almost hunched over, as if afraid that her face would be seen.

Veronica snorted. This maid was just about as plain as day. She couldn’t remember if she had ever seen her before in her many trips to the royal palace for all sorts of events but Veronica didn’t think too much of it. After all, the royal palace was a huge place and the number of people working there went up to the hundreds, maybe even thousands, if the knights posted there were included.

It was more than natural to not recognize a face. So what was this maid so afraid of?

There was just one possibility.

Veronica Yarrowood’s lips curled into a smug grin. "Unless, you’re Queen Daphne’s maid."

There was a slight gasp that came from the crowd when Veronica Yarrowood’s words echoed through the restaurant. People started to point and gesture, their lips moving rapidly. After all, the spectacle Daphne had put up during the Spring Parade wasn’t one that could be so easily forgotten.

"I am, milady," Daphne replied, still keeping her head bowed.

In her heart, she began counting sheep, trying her hardest not to flare up. It was after she had gotten her powers had she finally understood why the Reawethen royalty were blessed with pyromancy― it certainly matched their temper!

"Forgive me if I am wrong, but Queen Daphne isn’t on the guest list for today’s event, is she?" Veronica Yarrowood flipped open her handheld fan, gently fanning herself as she hid her smile behind the fabric.

She had completely forgotten that she still had custard clinging to her hair and jam on her bosoms. All that mattered now was gloating over the fact that Queen Daphne had, once again, been caught in the act of something completely and utterly bold.

That woman truly knew no shame.

’...23, 24, 25...’

"No, Lady Veronica," Daphne replied.

"No, what?" Veronica asked, further pushing Daphne’s buttons.

"No, Her Highness was not invited to the event," Daphne answered.

Unable to contain her anger further, she finally raised her gaze. Her eyes clashed directly with Veronica Yarrowood’s. Even through the veil of magic wonderfully concealed Daphne’s appearances, it wouldn’t be able to hide the emotions that so blatantly flashed across her face. Every expression was alive, fully conveying Daphne’s thoughts to the recipient.

From the intensity of her gaze, Veronica Yarrowood cowered back slightly. She unknowingly took one step backward, her feet nearly slipping on the dollop of cream that greased the floor. Yet, she gained her balance fairly quickly, shaking it off as if nothing happened.

"Then why are you still here?" Veronica Yarrowood hissed.

She couldn’t understand why but there was a sort of power that fizzed from this mere maid in front of her, one that caused her hair to stand uncomfortably. She didn’t want to be with this woman any longer than she needed to. However, she also didn’t like the way this maid was practically looking down on her.

Veronica Yarrowood could see it plain as day― this damn maid thought herself better than a lady of court!

Before Daphne could respond, Veronica Yarrowood continued, "Don’t forget your status, servant." She practically spat the words out.

She pointed a finger right into Daphne’s face before lowering it to heavily jab at Daphne’s shoulder.

"You are just a maid," Veronica said. "And a maid for the disgraced queen, at that. Just because you work at the palace doesn’t mean that you can pretend to be completely ignorant about what happened at the Spring Parade, what your precious queen did!"

Veronica Yarrowood’s face had turned red, a vein popping clear against the skin of her neck.

"Queen Daphne is the reason why Penny―" she cut herself short, shaking her head before correcting herself, "Lady Penelope Huntington is still injured in her bed. Your precious mistress and her little demonic pet was the entire reason why this town had to go under heavy repairs for the last few weeks!"

Daphne chewed on her bottom lip. She understood Veronica Yarrowood’s anger but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be angered. That, as well as feel the rush of guilt that threatened to swallow her whole. Those things paired together weren’t so good for her heart, especially when she was supposed to keep her heart rate low and calm.

"That man is not Her Highness’s pet," Daphne tried to explain.

Veronica Yarrowood scoffed. "As if we would believe that lie! Everyone present saw the way that dark creature listened to her commands. He was like a pet dog waiting for his master’s approval before doing anything," she snapped. "And call him as he is― a dark creature. He was no man!"

The crowd’s murmurs grew in volume. Daphne could see a bunch of them nod their heads in approval. Some children had already crawled into their parents’ arms, terrified.

"Have more respect," Daphne snapped. "She is still your queen."

"Daphne Molinero will never be my queen!" Veronica all but yelled.

"Oh?" A voice suddenly said, "Is that so?"

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