Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 268: Identity Confusion I

Chapter 268: Identity Confusion I

Alistair hadn’t missed the underlying jab of Eugene’s words, like salt on a fresh wound. He snarled, and his left hand shot out sending the nearby chair up into flames within a split second.

Eugene sighed at the display of temper, tutting in disapproval. Ash and smoke quickly filled the room, but he made no move to placate Alistair. Instead, he simply waved a hand over in the chair’s general direction.

Instantly, the temperature of the room plunged significantly. Alistair felt goosebumps rise on his arm as he subconsciously shivered. The fire was quickly smothered by the ice, and Alistair could only watch, reluctantly impressed as a thin layer of frost crept up the walls and on the charred remains of the furniture.

What a showoff. A huff escaped Alistair’s lips. It was true, then. This madman actually did it. He could give someone magic.

"Silas mentioned that you can fix this," Alistair said.

He brandished his hand, raising it so that Eugene could see the stump clearly. It had been wrapped in multiple layers of gauze, leaving nothing but a small nub there.

Eugene shrugged. "I might have a way. But I have to warn you, Your Highness, it wouldn’t be a fun process."

"You’re after Daphne, aren’t you?" Alistair asked. He would be a fool if he didn’t notice how the women with him looked so much like his once-useless sister.

At the mention of Daphne, Eugene’s expression darkened. That was enough of an answer.

Alistair darkly chuckled. He had finally found Jean Nott’s weakness. Just like Prince Nathaniel, he too was caught in Daphne’s thrall.

"Fix my hand and I will bring her to you," Alistair promised, his one remaining hand over his heart, "dead or alive, as you so wish."

***

Daphne was troubled. Or more accurately, she had been troubled for quite some time now.

Ever since the dragon had been slain, her father was acting a little... odd, for the lack of a better term. He had been much more affectionate with her, often checking in on her well-being. Even her mother, a woman who had been rather cold and distant from all of her children, had asked her to enjoy tea together.

Of course, Daphne had rejected her offer. She wasn’t too keen on getting poisoned while enjoying a drink. She had spent most of her life unloved and uncared for by her mother. Daphne didn’t particularly crave her attention now that she didn’t need it.

"Are you going to ignore her invitation again?" Zephyr asked, sucking at the chicken bone. He had just finished three entire roasted chickens by himself and yet, it didn’t seem like he was anywhere near full.

For the first time since arriving back in Reaweth, she was glad to be here. She wouldn’t want Vramid to have a chicken shortage just because of her pet-turned-human.

"There’s no need to," Daphne said.

Her earrings glowed bright and hot, causing the letter to burst into flames right in the palm of her hand. The ashes fluttered down onto the bed, which Daphne merely swiped away.

"Isn’t she your mother?" Plucking the drumsticks off the fourth chicken, Zephyr dug in. "She seems to be trying to make up for lost time."

"She’s not making up for lost time out of love, Zephyr," Daphne said. "Humans are strange creatures. A lot of times, especially in the world of nobility, they do things only because it would benefit them. My mother simply realizes that I might be more of use against Lady Josephine now that I have my powers. She’s trying to see where I might fit on her chess board."

"Alright then, what about this?"

"What about what?" It was Daphne’s turn to ask. She finally looked up from the pile of letters, eyeing the chicken that Zephyr was eating. "Wait... why are you eating raw chicken?"

"It was either that or the flowers," Zephyr said, gesturing to the endless wildflower bouquets set by the window. "It’s the horse."

"Horse?" Daphne echoed, getting more and more confused.

Her eyes widened, and a spark of understanding flickered within them. It was as if a candle had been lit in the depths of her mind. At that moment, her features softened as the realization washed over her, and she sat there, momentarily lost in thought, as if connecting the dots that had eluded her until now.

Kelpies were horses. Somewhat.

"Nereus?" she asked. "Did you mean the kelpie?"

"You didn’t know?" Zephyr raised an eyebrow, surprised. "He was the one leaving the dead chickens and random vegetables outside your window. It happened even before we got here."

Daphne pursed her lips, turning to the window. She looked out for a few seconds, hesitating.

Atticus was busy with Jonah at the moment. Sirona had brought news about developments from the dragon’s carcass. Some tests had been run and there were some strange components in the dragon’s blood that raised more than a few eyebrows. Atticus had his suspicions and now that it was proven right, he had been tucked away day and night to get to the bottom of it.

If she went out with Zephyr, the servants would no doubt talk. Zephyr wasn’t a baby griffin anymore but a grown man with wings dragging behind him. On the other hand, if she was seen privately talking to Nereus, gossip would fly as well.

But Nereus had left her a cryptic message the last time they met. Their conversation had been disturbed by Hazelle back then. There was something that nagged at Daphne at the back of her mind― she knew that this was important.

She would just have to risk it. If only Maisie was here to keep her company.

"You’re going to look for that kelpie, aren’t you?" Zephyr asked. He gulped loudly, swallowing the raw meat before he tossed the clean bone into the trash with the rest of the pile. "It’s not a good idea, Daphne."

"Shush," Daphne said, getting up. She crossed the room to head for the door. "You’re just a kid that magically grew up. There are some things that I have to confirm."

Daphne’s hand barely even grazed the doorknob when she was flipped around. Her hands were pressed against the wooden door above her head as she gasped in surprise. Looking up, she had just noticed that, unknowing to her, Zephyr had gotten close― too close.