Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 420: Hiding in the Shadows

Chapter 420: Hiding in the Shadows

King Calarian worked fast on his promise.

He had Queen Lavinia in Daphne’s chambers within hours with the excuse of checking on the baby’s growth. Everyone had been in the room as she did the check-up― Atticus, Cordelia, and even Nereus and Zephyr had been present.

The second Queen Lavinia smiled excitedly at Daphne, everyone in the room knew that it was for certain.

Queen Daphne was pregnant with the first heir of Vramid.

It would’ve been marked for a celebration if it weren’t for the glum expression that hung on the face of the mother-to-be. Thus, the grand ball that King Calarian had been enthusiastically pitching for was quickly shut down by Lavinia in exchange for a quiet celebratory meal.

How could King Calarian ever say no to his little desert flower?

"I’m not that hungry," Daphne said, sitting at the edge of the bed.

The sun had already set on the busy day, one which Daphne could barely even register as real. She had received a shocking piece of news, only for it to be reconfirmed by one of the greatest healers of the known kingdoms.

At this point, Daphne wasn’t sure whether she should truly be elated about the arrival of this child. She most certainly didn’t feel as happy about it as she should be, just as keenly observed by Cordelia. If anything, this new life growing within her was starting to feel like a burden.

Feeling this way also only brought on immense guilt for Daphne. From the people she had observed, at least, the women were always happy about welcoming a new addition to their family. Especially since she is the queen of Vramid, it was only a matter of time before she had to bear an heir for Atticus.

She should be rejoicing that it was now, while she was still young and had the energy to care for needy babies. There was also no worry that their little family wouldn’t be graced with children in the future, a very real, worrying concern a few more years down the road when Atticus planned to retire.

So why couldn’t she find it in her to be happy?

"You should at least eat something," Atticus said, inching a little closer to Daphne on the bed.

All the other spectators had long left the room and now, only Atticus and Daphne remained. However, ever since Queen Lavinia had dropped by for her evaluation, Daphne’s mood had been off. She was downcast and quiet, and now that she was rejecting a good meal after a day without food, Atticus was starting to get worried.

"You’ve not had anything the whole day."

"I am not going to die without a day of food, Atticus," Daphne said, scowling. She crawled onto the bed and pulled the covers up to her neck, tucking herself in. "Just leave me be."

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong! Go away!" Daphne exclaimed, now tugging the covers even higher so that they covered her head.

"Sunshine..." Atticus said, his hands hovering over the blanket like he longed to hold her. However, she merely nudged a little away, refusing his touch when she felt the heat of his hands near her body.

"I’m just tired," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish to rest."

In the end, Atticus could only sigh and relent. His hand shrunk back, gripping at the bedsheets until they crumpled in his palm.

"I’ll bring you some light snacks later for supper," Atticus said. "If not for the baby, then for you. Your body is still recovering from the last ordeal. I don’t want you to tax yourself."

There was some shuffling of fabric and light steps before the door opened and closed. After Atticus’s departure, silence filled the room. Only then did Daphne peep her head out from the covers, scanning the room. There was no one and she was finally alone with her thoughts.

A lone, flickering flame lit the room, swaying with the breeze that was let in from the open windows. It cast long shadows along the walls, sending shivers down Daphne’s spine. It wasn’t a particularly cold night but there was just something eerie about the room right now, especially since there was no one else here but her.

She bit on her bottom lip before her eyes scanned across the room. A horrible idea, really, because the long gaze only caused fear to grow more and more in her heart. Daphne wasn’t even sure what she was scared of.

Ghosts? Intruders? A fearsome beast?

Surely King Calarian’s palace was much better guarded than to allow savage beasts into its grounds, right?

"Are you looking for something in particular?"

The sudden voice caused Daphne to sit upright with a jolt. Her eyes went wide as her head whipped over to face the direction of the speaker, pulling the blankets up to her chest as though that meager piece of fabric was about to protect her from any harm.

He chuckled, shaking his head, his shadow following suit with his actions. Daphne might not have seen him in a while but she could recognize that voice anywhere.

"How did you get in here?" she asked, trying her hardest to keep her voice steady. Under the covers, she clenched her fingers tightly into a fist, the ring on her hand pulsing with magic but not yet glowing.

"Security is weak," Jean Nott flippantly commented, batting the matter off.

"Xahan’s royal palace is one of the most heavily guarded places in this world," Daphne retorted. "How did you get in here?"

He laughed, his shoulders rising and falling as he shook his head in amusement. He took a few steps forward into the light, the candle’s flame allowing a clear view of one side of his face while keeping the other in shadows.

"Well, what can I say?" Jean Nott shrugged. The corners of his lips darted out into a handsome grin. "I suppose your husband isn’t the only one awfully skilled at magic. Speaking of which, I heard the news. Congratulations."

Daphne frowned. "Am I supposed to thank you for that?"

"It would only be polite, yes," Jean Nott said. Upon seeing Daphne’s quickly darkening expression, he continued, "Though I suppose you aren’t in the mood for light banter. I overheard what happened; no apologies for eavesdropping, it was entirely my intention. Trouble in paradise?"