Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 284: Duke Lanperouge I

Chapter 284: Duke Lanperouge I

Duke Lanperouge was a name every young woman in Reaweth knew. He, after all, was one of the most eligible bachelors of the kingdom. With ebony hair and brilliant blue eyes, he was a sight for sore eyes. Many women had fallen prey to his charms.

He loved the attention as well. That was his flaw.

Even though he had the fame, the wealth, and the looks, Duke Lanperouge did not have a romantic heart. He was famed for charming women into his bed and leaving them brokenhearted the morning after. Rumor on the street was that even though he wasn’t in his thirties yet, the duke already had bastard children filling every corner of Reaweth, maybe even beyond.

The women of Reaweth knew that he collected lovers like they were paintings. To him, women were just pretty things to look at. Yet, they should just remain as such― beautiful, still, quiet. That was why despite the constant rumors of his numerous affairs, he had never taken a wife.

Until now, the position of duchess remained empty.

If it weren’t for the sudden appearance of Atticus, Daphne was sure that Drusilla would aim for the title of Duke Lanperouge’s wife. He had a high position in court, was a trusted member of society in King Cyrus’s eyes, and was drop-dead handsome to boot.

For a person of Drusilla’s stature, there was no way a prince or a king of another kingdom would wish to marry her. She, no matter how favored, was still a daughter of a concubine― the daughter of a peasant. In comparison, any of her sisters would be a better option.

Thus, when Drusilla had promised to make Daphne shine at Duke Lanperouge’s birthday celebration, an uneasy feeling brewed in Daphne’s chest. That half-sister of hers was scheming again, she was sure of it.

"I just don’t know what she is planning exactly," Daphne said while seated in their carriage, headed straight for the party.

As the Duke was a family friend, the King had graciously offered to host Duke Lanperouge’s birthday party at one of the royal family’s lake houses. It had a scenic view of the crystalline waters and emerald forests, a scene straight out of a fairytale.

Daphne had only been there once or twice, mostly during a time in her childhood that she could no longer recall too clearly. After her lack of magical abilities had been set in stone, her parents no longer brought her along for fancy vacations or celebrations outside the palace, all in the name of her safety.

To hell with safety. Wherever Alistair was couldn’t be safe. He was the biggest threat there ever was.

"Jonah and Sirona wouldn’t be with us tonight," Atticus said, looking through some of the documents he had brought along. "Burn these for me please."

He handed Daphne a stash he had sifted out and Daphne took hold of them obediently. The moment she touched them, the papers incinerated into dust, fluttering to the ground.

"They’re investigating a lead on Jean Nott, thanks to your brothers."

"Brothers?" Daphne repeated. "Plural?"

"Yes," said Atticus. "It seems like Silas would be late for the party. He’s headed rather conveniently to the red light district, but I doubt it’s to satisfy his urges."

Daphne scoffed, folding her arms across her chest as she leaned back in her seat. "Silas might often think with his second head but he is definitely socially aware enough to know when and where not to. He can’t afford to miss Duke Lanperouge’s birthday. Mother would have his head."

"Jonah managed to track down a few possible hideouts," Atticus continued. "They are checking now to see if it is indeed the right place. If it is, we can capture him."

"How is he so hard to find?" Daphne asked. "He’s just one man."

As soon as those words left her lips, she remembered the grocery list of things this ’one man’ was capable of. She pursed her lips immediately, regretting her words.

"He has some sort of magical barrier set up that prevents him from getting tracked so easily," Atticus explained. He handed Daphne another set of papers, gesturing for her to burn them. "It is nearly impossible for him to be found via magic, even harder without."

The carriage rolled into the driveway right in front of the lake house’s entrance. When the wheels came to a stop, the coachman hopped off, opening the door for them so that the royal couple could step out.

Atticus headed out first before helping Daphne down. She smoothed her dress and looked around, her heart tightening when she caught sight of Drusilla and Hazelle speaking with the Duke a short distance away.

As if feeling her eyes on him, the Duke looked up mid-conversation with the ladies. Their gazes met, connecting for a split second before Duke Lanperouge smiled. If Daphne hadn’t known of the Duke’s reputation, she might’ve even found him charming. Yet, that one grin — paired with the fact that he was just speaking with Drusilla and Hazelle — had Daphne’s hair standing to its ends.

She hastily looked away, not offering him a greeting in return. Beside her, Atticus noticed the way she abruptly turned her head. His line of sight trailed after where she had been looking at, landing on the Duke who was still smiling dubiously in their general direction.

Atticus scowled.

"I suppose that’s the birthday boy?" he asked, watching as the Duke offered him a nod of acknowledgment before returning to his conversation with the two women.

"Indeed he is," Daphne said with a sigh. "One of my sister’s many admirers."

"He doesn’t seem too interested in her," Atticus noted with a scoff. "If anything, he seems to fancy your sister-in-law a lot more."

"He isn’t picky as long as the other is a beautiful woman," Daphne answered. "My brother may not have a good eye for ruling and managing a kingdom, but he can’t be faulted for his tastes in women."

Atticus’s face wrinkled in itself as though he had just bit down on a wedge of lemon. "To each their own," he said. "Let’s get inside. I don’t like the way the demons are gathered together―"

"I am rather honored!" The new voice had both Atticus and Daphne looking back, shocked to hear someone come up to them without detection. "To think that the king of Vramid would attend my birthday celebration as well."

Duke Lanperouge’s eyes were bright, reflecting the lights that surrounded them. The blue of his irises made even the lake’s water look dull in comparison.

"It is nice to meet you, King Atticus," the Duke said with a slight bow of his head. He then turned to Daphne, bringing her hand to his lips before any of them could react in time. "And it is lovely to see you again, Princess Daphne."