Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 417: For The Better

Chapter 417: For The Better

"I’m going to tell King Calarian," Atticus said after Sirona had finished lecturing the both of them on the ’dos and don’ts’ of pregnancy.

"Alright then," Daphne said as she sighed, slumping against the pillows, "I wish to rest now."

"Do you need anything?" Atticus asked, his voice soft. "Food, perhaps? A warm soak for your feet? I heard that pregnant women would sometimes have swollen feet. A soak would feel nice. Or maybe you would like extra pillows to help bolster your waist for comfort?"

Daphne looked into his eyes as he spoke, her throat suddenly feeling all clogged up when their gazes met. Atticus’s eyebrows were slightly furrowed, concern filling the gold of his eyes as he stepped forward. He crouched down right at her feet, looking up at her while down on one knee like a knight swearing his loyalty.

Betrayed by her heart, Daphne felt it flutter in her ribcage like a set of wings, begging to be set free. She held one hand over her belly, her fingers digging into the fabric as she gently smiled back at her husband.

This child was perhaps a gift from the heavens above. Maybe, just maybe, Atticus would abandon whatever nefarious plans he had, if any. Or maybe this baby of theirs could help her realize that he wasn’t planning anything dangerous or sinister at all and that he must’ve taken Nereus’s eye for the betterment of things.

It was a little delusional to assume so, but Daphne tried not to think too hard about it for now. She didn’t want to upset herself and endanger the life growing inside her.

Either way, it seemed like Atticus was ecstatic about having a child of their own. That was a sight that warmed Daphne’s heart enough and made her just a teeny bit more optimistic about the baby’s arrival.

She tried not to be too hopeful, especially after what Sirona said about how the first few months were the most fragile. However, it was hard not to look forward to having a new addition to the family now after seeing how excited Atticus was.

This... this was for the better. This child could make their situation better.

"What’s wrong?" Atticus questioned after Daphne remained silent for a little too long. His face quickly paled as his hand gently caressed her knee, leaning forward a little. "Are you feeling unwell? Do you need a healer?" He turned around quickly to look in Sirona’s direction, his voice frantic. "Sirona! Come look at Daphne! Something’s wrong!"

"With all due respect, please stop yapping," Sirona said with a roll of her eyes. She slowly made her way over, folding her arms across her chest as she did. "Your wife is perfectly fine. She is in the pink of health."

"But―"

"She’s right, Atticus," Daphne piped in before Atticus could retort, gently smiling. "I’m just a little..."

"A little?"

"Surprised," she finished. "I think I’ve not quite wrapped my head around this news just quite yet."

Atticus’s lips quickly left its frown behind, replacing it with a matching smile of his own. He stood to his two feet, bending down to press a tender kiss against Daphne’s temple. She leaned into his touch as well, breathing in the scent of pine that always seemed to perfume him.

It was comforting to be in his arms again. She liked this very much. Too much.

Daphne could only hope that it would be permanent. She would hate it if her perfect little bubble popped so soon.

"Let us know immediately if you need anything, then," Atticus said. He held Daphne’s hands in his, his fingers rubbing circles into the back of her hands. "I won’t be gone for too long."

Daphne nodded. "Come back soon," she said. Then, after a short pause, she added, "I miss you already."

This time, it was Atticus’s turn to remain quiet. His eyes went a little wide, his eyebrows rising to the top of his forehead as he stared at Daphne. For a second, his throat went dry, and it was only after Sirona kicked him in the leg that he finally snapped back.

He shook his head, slightly, the longer strands of his unkempt hair swaying for a bit before they came to a rest.

"I already miss you too," he murmured back, his voice sounding a little choked up.

It took a lot of willpower for Atticus to tear himself away from Daphne’s side. When he finally shut the door of the bedroom he and Daphne shared during their stay in Xahan, Sirona was already observing him silently with one raised eyebrow.

He caught the look in her eyes and this time, it was his turn to roll his eyes.

"What?" he curtly snapped.

"Nothing. I’m just happy for you." Sirona offhandedly commented, "It seems like everything is headed in the right, sunny path for you again. Which is great. I was getting worried."

"Fuck―" Atticus swore out loud before quickly waving his hand over the door. A shimmery layer of black encased the door before it fizzled out. The entire process took no more than a second but it laid down a safe curtain for Atticus and Sirona to speak without getting heard by others. "Can’t you at least wait until we’re away before saying such dubious things?"

"I didn’t say anything wrong," Sirona said with a shrug. "I’m sure even King Calarian could tell that there was something off about your marriage as compared to the last time you met in Raxuvia. There’s no need to worry about being overheard when it’s a truth that even she is aware of."

"I am not risking her overthinking things," Atticus said with a frown. "You know how she can be."

"I also know how you can be," Sirona said. "What now? Are you really going to tell King Calarian about this news?"

"Of course," Atticus said. They began to walk away from the door, headed straight for the throne room where King Calarian would hopefully be. "The sooner he finds out, the sooner we can get the ore."

"But like I said, the fetus might not necessarily survive until full term," Sirona pointed out. In a softer voice — although Atticus already enchanted them both so that their conversation would not be overheard by unwanted eavesdroppers — she continued, "If that’s the case, everyone would know about Daphne’s mis―"

"I don’t want to hear it," Atticus said, cutting her off before she could say the word. He already knew what she wished to express, anyway. "Nothing along those lines would happen. The baby will be fine."

"How can you be so sure?" Sirona frowned. "Even I can’t guarantee it."

"It has to. It’s for the better." Atticus clenched his jaw, his veins becoming increasingly obvious underneath his tense skin. "This child will make our situation better. Therefore, it must be safely born, no matter the cost."

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