Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 406: By Hook Or Crook

Chapter 406: By Hook Or Crook

Sirona’s heart fell, and she shot Atticus with a vaguely panicked look. Goddamn it. She knew she should have shoved Alistair’s stupid blond head into the trunk to be used as proof.

However, Atticus still seemed somehow calmer than expected in the face of such a rejection.

"I understand your concerns, but I would urge you to reconsider," Atticus said. "Reaweth suffered a tremendous loss in human life when the number of infected began growing exponentially. My men and I did our best to stamp out all remains, but there’s always a possibility of a strain escaping containment and making its way to Xahan. This is a problem that requires more than one kingdom’s help to be eradicated."

King Calarian took another swig of whiskey, eyeing Atticus shrewdly behind his glass. He wasn’t crowned yesterday; he understood the implicit threat hidden in Atticus’s words. Knowing Atticus’s reputation for ruthlessness, he might have deliberately let a few of these abominations live and escape to create a need for his cure, a reason for Calarian to agree to his demands.

If he did not agree, Xahan might find itself suddenly overrun by vampires. That was a threat Calarian could not afford, especially with three of his children being young and powerless.

But that didn’t mean he would cow to Atticus’s demands either. He didn’t become a king of a prosperous kingdom by being an easily swayed doormat.

"Xahan is an entire month away from Reaweth, and surrounded by hostile terrain and a harsh climate. Humans would find it difficult to travel due to the heat and thirst, and I doubt such dark creatures would fare any better when they lack human flesh and blood to feast on," Calarian pointed out. "Like you mentioned earlier, they run mostly on instinct and they lack the refined intellect of a human. Why would they travel here, when there are food sources closer to home?"

"Unless someone led them here deliberately, of course," Calarian continued with an easy smile, but it was impossible to sense the imposing aura that backed up his words as he met Atticus’s eyes evenly. Suddenly, the older king’s shadow seemed to lengthen as he leaned forward, casting the room into semi-darkness.

"In that case, I have no choice but to treat the culprit as an enemy."

"No one would do something so terrible, not when you have just celebrated the birth of your youngest daughter a few months ago," Atticus said, equally agreeable, even as his eyes hardened at the rejection. "But you must know that infants are very... delicate. An issue easily brushed off by an adult could be fatal for a child."

"Yes, I’m glad you’ve noticed," Calarian said. "You would make a fine father, once you and your wife actually start reproducing. If you need any tips on how to please your wife, I have a few books to lend you. Perhaps you might even receive good news here if you get started tonight. I wasn’t joking about earlier― the news of your first child would be worthy of an iron meteorite gift."

Atticus cleared his throat as the conversation was suddenly derailed. It was now his turn to shoot Sirona a panicked look, and Sirona could only stare helplessly back at him, sharing incredulity in their gaze.

This was not how he expected negotiations to go. Was he supposed to get Daphne pregnant in the span of their stay to get the iron meteorite? Or would King Calarian simply accept Daphne’s word if she claimed she was already with child?

How could King Calarian even know if she was lying or not?

Truthfully, if their relationship was as strong as it used to be, Atticus could have still convinced Daphne to lie for him. But now, with Daphne’s dwindling trust in him and the way secrets kept them apart, it was nigh impossible for Daphne to agree to such a scheme.

"We’re a young couple though," Atticus said instead, searching for a reasonable excuse. "We would like to enjoy being married without children for a little while longer. And children are a huge responsibility. You should know. Are you trying to outdo King Cyrus of Reaweth?"

"I hope not," King Calarian said, bemused. "Truthfully, other than my firstborn, all my children were accidental. I didn’t think I needed any more children after my oldest daughter Nesrin, since she was perfect. But then I suppose if one makes love nightly, the chances of children increase exponentially even after contraception."

"Oh," Atticus said faintly, his ears burning. He was no stranger to bawdy tales in the taverns spread about by his men, but there was something about King Calarian’s forthright speech that embarrassed him. This was a man who loved and lusted for his wife in equal measure, even after twenty years of marriage.

Meanwhile, Atticus was already prepared to set aside Daphne to further his own goals. It had not even been a year into his marriage. Guilt began to creep into his heart, but then he caught Sirona’s eyes.

No, he couldn’t afford to be distracted now. His marriage was merely a stepping stone to his goals; no matter how precious Daphne was, he reminded himself that she was still a stone. Not everyone was lucky enough like King Calarian and his wife.

Perhaps in another life, a time and place where Atticus had no kingdom and Daphne was from a faraway land, they could have a love written in the stars. But now, they were as they were and Atticus knew his priorities.

In that case, why shouldn’t he get Daphne pregnant the old-fashioned way? She was his queen; she was supposed to bear his children. It was only a matter of time. He might as well shift the timetable forward.

"You’ve given me a lot to think about," Atticus said honestly as he drained the last bit of whiskey in his glass.

"Good things, I hope," King Calarian said. "And I do hope to hear good news from you soon." He punctuated his words with a wink.

A while later, Sirona and Atticus left the room.

"Why didn’t we just bring Leonora along? He has twins, no wonder he was suspicious when Leonora did not plead for Silas," Sirona grumbled when they were in the relative privacy of Atticus’s rooms.

Strangely enough, Daphne had not returned from her own meal yet, which was why they were comfortable with speaking out loud.

"She’s a liability." Atticus frowned. "That woman is not only a skilled commander, but she distrusts me."

"Your own wife distrusts you, what’s one more person? Speaking of, what are we going to do about the iron meteorite? Are you really going to get Daphne pregnant for this?"

"That is the most enjoyable plan, is it not?" Atticus asked rhetorically. "I’ll need an heir eventually, I might as well get started now when his fairy godfather has promised such a boon. If this doesn’t work, we’ll proceed with our backup plan. By hook or by crook, we are leaving with the iron meteorite."

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