Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 307: Curiously Mysterious Affinity I

Chapter 307: Curiously Mysterious Affinity I

"Have you decided on what to wear for your coronation?" Blanche asked.

She swung her legs back and forth on the chair as she looked at her older sister. The younger girl shoveled a forkful of cake into her mouth, chewing daintily. However, her eyes remain glued on Daphne, waiting for her reply.

"Your father and I have prepared a dress for her," Queen Anette replied. She sipped at her tea, sighing before placing the teacup back down onto the saucer. "Daphne does not have to fret for these things."

"I have my own plans, Mother," Daphne replied.

She grimaced, thinking about the over-the-top white and gold gown that the maids had brought into her room earlier today. They had said that it was specially ordered by the king and queen and was the dress they wanted Daphne to wear during her coronation, which was to happen in a few days’ time.

It was a beautiful dress, of course, and she appreciated the thought. However, it wasn’t a dress Daphne was comfortable wearing, seeing how extravagant and heavy it no doubt was. Furthermore, she still hadn’t gotten used to her mother and father’s sudden change in attitude towards her.

Just because they were nice to her now didn’t mean that it would allow her to immediately forgive them for the years of neglect and abuse they had put her through.

When Queen Anette had proposed to have tea together with her and Blanche, Daphne thought she had hallucinated the invitation. Yet, less than an hour later, they were sitting outside in the beautiful gardens, tea and crumpets placed in front of them.

Leonora hadn’t been invited, thankfully. Daphne couldn’t stand that sister of hers and she wasn’t that thick-skinned to think that Leonora enjoyed her company as well.

"I wonder..." Daphne trailed off, her eyes wandering in the direction of the lake. From where she sat, she couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. She hadn’t seen Nereus in a while and wondered if he was still in Reaweth.

Not to mention, Daphne had yet to properly confront her parents regarding her memories.

"Blanche, can you leave us for a bit?" Daphne asked.

The younger girl, who had just finished her cake, looked up in surprise. Yet, she merely nodded, tidying herself up quickly before leaving the table, no questions asked. Curiosity was an ugly monster when trapped within the walls of the palace. Blanche knew it wasn’t the time to ask what her older sister wished to speak to their mother about so secretively.

Once she was out of view, Daphne looked at her mother. She straightened up and took in a deep breath.

"Now that Zephyr and Blanche aren’t around, mind telling me what it was that happened years ago, Mother?"

Queen Anette stiffened. "Whatever are you referring to?"

"You know what," Daphne replied evenly. "The other day by the lake, when you first told me about Father’s decision to have me as his successor. You said that I was too old to be weaving tales."

"Then isn’t that all that needs to be said?" Queen Anette sighed. "Daphne, you are now the crown princess of Reaweth. On top of that, you are married to a very powerful man as his queen. You shouldn’t have your head still stuck in the clouds―"

"I have seen the memories," Daphne said. "And quite frankly, you should know too that Drusilla wasn’t the one meant to be on that bed with Duke Lanperouge that night."

Queen Anette’s faux smile finally shed from her face. She breathed out heavily, her expression turned serious.

"I had my suspicions," Queen Anette admitted. "Was it Lady Josephine’s plan?"

"Doubtful," Daphne said. "My guess is Hazelle and Alistair."

Queen Anette nodded, though she didn’t say much to comment. A moment of silence passed between them before the queen opened her mouth again.

"It would be wise to learn when to keep secrets, Daphne," she said.

"Why?" Daphne quirked an eyebrow. "Am I not supposed to trust my mother now?"

She didn’t trust her. Daphne didn’t trust her mother one bit. That woman might’ve given birth to her but she knew that ever since she had been dubbed useless, she hadn’t cared for her as a mother should. However, Daphne wasn’t afraid of Queen Anette ratting out on her.

After all, who would Queen Anette tell? Even if Queen Anette went to King Cyrus or even Alistair himself, what effect would it bring? Alistair would never admit to his own doings and King Cyrus wouldn’t care― what’s done was done and knowing him, he was highly likely to choose to have Drusilla experience the downfall than the daughter he had just selected as his new successor.

If Daphne, the new crown princess, was caught in a scandal, it would only reflect badly on King Cyrus’s choices as a ruler. Drusilla would merely be a sacrificial lamb.

Queen Anette was most likely glad to have this one-up against Lady Josephine as well.

"And if you were wondering about how it became Drusilla rather than me caught in those sheets, you will, in turn, have to be honest with me as well," Daphne continued.

"How?" Queen Anette asked.

Lady Hazelle was crafty, always was. That was partly why she was chosen to be Alistair’s queen when he was still the crown prince. She had the capabilities to rule a kingdom well by his side. However, now that Alistair was no longer the crown prince and she was no longer the crown princess, that intelligence was a threat.

How Daphne managed to evade that viper was truly a mystery that befuddled Queen Anette.

"I find myself growing stronger every day," Daphne admitted.

She flexed her fingers, admiring the shimmering ring that rested on her ring finger. The small sapphires caught the light of the sun, dazzling in a display of light.

"You have come a long way," Queen Anette carefully said. "Your father would be proud of your pyromancy abilities."

"Oh, you’ve mistaken me, Mother," said Daphne. "I don’t mean that my fire magic has improved, albeit it has."

Daphne casually swished her finger and the stones on her ring glowed, causing the tea inside of Queen Anette’s cup to splash out, landing neatly onto the saucer without spilling even a drop on the white tablecloth.

"It seems like I have gained a curiously mysterious affinity with water magic." Daphne’s eyes sparkled, but the light in her irises was more deadly than playful. "Mind telling me about that, Mother?"

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