Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 285: Duke Lanperouge II

Chapter 285: Duke Lanperouge II

Daphne slipped her hand out of his hold as quickly as she could, but alas, the Duke’s lips had already made contact with the back of her hand. She tried to wipe it clean without being too obvious about it but Atticus had no qualms about proverbially slapping the Duke in the face.

He took out a handkerchief, wiping the back of Daphne’s hand with it before chucking it behind him in a bold act of littering on royal grounds.

"Don’t you think there are an awful lot of dukes in your father’s kingdom, dearest?" Atticus whispered subtly over to Daphne, who snorted a little in an attempt to shield her laughter. She successfully contained it, thankfully, but barely so.

"Father hands out the titles like candy," Daphne replied, whispering. "He thinks it’s good to have more people helping around the court."

Duke Lanperouge definitely noticed her laughter as well as Atticus’s subtle, not-too-audible jab. However, he would be an idiot if he couldn’t guess that whatever the king of Vramid had said to his wife was a jab. He would be a bigger idiot if he dared to point it out.

Thus, brilliant as he was in social customs, he merely maintained his smile.

Daphne, who could no longer stand the awkward silence between them, cleared her throat and nodded.

"Your Grace, I hope this day finds you well," she said. "It is my honor to extend my warmest wishes on your birthday. May this day be filled with joy and all the happiness you deserve."

"You’re too kind, Your Highness." His smile brightened, trying his hardest not to stare in the direction where Atticus’s small little handkerchief still sat on the floor. "Your kind words mean a great deal to me."

It was entirely perfunctory. Daphne was sure that Duke Lanperouge knew as well, but his sleazy eyes hadn’t left her or her bosom since they had started talking. He had barely even looked in Atticus’s direction for longer than a second or two, only when he had first greeted him.

"We’ll be heading in," Atticus said, moving closer to Daphne. His arm came to wrap around Daphne’s waist, pulling her into his embrace. He made sure the ring on his finger was in clear view as well, its purplish glow a subtle reminder that he was not someone the Duke could afford to mess with.

Well, that was unless he was planning to have a death anniversary that coincided with his birthday. It would certainly make for easy recollection.

"I am sure Your Grace would need to tend to the guests as well," Daphne added, gesturing to the crowd that had gathered.

The guests of the party were slowly arriving, filling the entire front lawn as they alighted from their carriages and headed for the entrance. Some had stopped and looked in their direction― it wasn’t every day they could catch sight of the mighty and elusive king of Vramid.

The last time he had shown his face, he was hurtling through the skies battling a fire-breathing dragon. Even the nobility would like to take a look at who exactly was the man that had saved their capital.

"Of course," Duke Lanperouge said.

His smile faltered for a brief second. But that was it. Only for a second. He gazed longingly at Daphne, greatly resembling a lovesick wife who was unwilling to part with her newly wedded husband.

He continued, "Please enjoy the party, Your Majesties, and drink to your hearts’ content! Wine imported from Xahan had been specially brought in just for this occasion and it is indeed a wonderful delight to have after a long day."

"We will," Atticus curtly responded before he turned on his heels and practically dragged Daphne away from the Duke.

"He’s still looking," Daphne said, cautiously peering over her shoulder, trying not to look too obvious about it.

"Of course he is," Atticus grumbled under his breath. "I can feel his pining gaze on you even from a mile away. That sick bastard doesn’t even know what he’s ogling at."

"He has a reputation with women," Daphne informed. "And with the way he was talking to both Drusilla and Hazelle, I think you’re right. The demons have gathered."

"You think that they might be planning something?"

Daphne nodded, her lips pursed. "I’m sure of it. I would be a fool not to guess it, wouldn’t I? After all, I had fallen for their schemes one too many times and should be more than familiar with it."

Atticus’s hand left the crook of her waist to hold her head tenderly. He pressed a kiss to her temple, lingering for a second longer before returning his hand to where it was near her hip. Paired with his kiss, the warmth of Atticus’s hand felt reassuring to Daphne. He was a dose of comfort she had been searching for all her life.

"You’ve grown," he said in good humor. "The little bird has left the nest."

Daphne grinned, suddenly thinking of a particular redhead that they had left back in the palace. She wasn’t the only one who had thought about him because Atticus’s smile slowly melted into a pained grimace, looking every bit disgusted with himself.

"Never mind, scratch that," he said. "I don’t ever wish to talk about birds and nests ever again."

Daphne merely laughed.

***

Whenever Queen Anette was placed in charge of a party, she would never spare even the slightest bit of grandeur. She had gone all out, planning with Duke Lanperouge to create a celebration like none other. Daphne wasn’t even sure if she or her siblings had ever celebrated their birthdays like this before.

An orchestra had been playing music long before Atticus and Daphne even stepped into the lake house. Flowers adorned every corner of the room, adding a faint fragrance in the air on top of the visually pleasing decor. Even the hors d’oeuvres looked mouth-watering, paired with the imported wine and champagnes that had been shipped over to Reaweth all the way from Xahan.

Atticus couldn’t help but be impressed. It was a spread that King Calarian himself would’ve no doubt approved of.

"Should we get something to eat and drink?" Atticus asked, eyeing the table of pastries, fruits, and cheeses. He randomly plucked a fresh glass of wine off a passing waiter’s hands. He needed a good drink after pouring over endless documents with Jonah for the last couple of days.

"We’re going together," Daphne said. "The last time you left me alone at a ball to get food and drinks, I unknowingly attracted a snake over to the den."

Atticus downed his drink, nearly choking on it at the mention of Eugene Attonson. After a good cough, he placed the now-empty glass down, nodding at his wife’s request.

"Of course," he said, promising, "I won’t leave your side."

He lied.

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