Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 499: Propriety I

Chapter 499: Propriety I

Daphne’s eye twitched in unconcealed annoyance. There was no need to hide anything, considering how it was her back which faced King Marinus at the moment. She collected herself before turning on the spot, bearing a brilliantly heart-stopping smile as she beamed at the older man.

"My husband," Daphne made sure to stress those words, "is busy. We’ve been gone from Vramid for far too long, you see, and he has much work to catch up on. He will join us for dinner later in the evening."

"Pardon me, Queen Daphne, but I’ve always been a man to speak whatever is on my mind," King Marinus started to say with a frown. "However, as my daughter’s future husband, King Atticus should’ve been the one to receive her right at his doorstep. It is only proper―"

"Nonsense," Cordelia cut in, moving forward so that she now stood by Daphne’s side. "I would much rather have Daphne here to welcome me to Vramid. Furthermore, she is the queen of this kingdom and King Atticus’s proper first wife. She has already been very kind as to fetch us personally, and not send a servant."

With his daughter having spoken, King Marinus could only purse his lips in silent annoyance. Of course he would rather have Atticus personally come forward― that would essentially translate as the most powerful man in the world right now showing respect to King Marinus. If Daphne was in his shoes, she would want that too.

Yet, King Marinus had severely overestimated his importance. Even if Atticus’s marriage with Cordelia wasn’t a farce, Atticus still wouldn’t come to receive him personally. Put it plainly, he simply didn’t care enough.

"What a shame," King Marinus said with a shrug. "I was going to discuss with him the details of Cordelia’s dowry. It is a pretty important gift, after all, and I thought it would be best to discuss the matter personally."

It took everything in Daphne not to visibly light up at the word ’dowry’. That definitely had to be the pearl. She cast a subtle glance at Cordelia, who merely smiled at her father.

"It’s not too late to talk things through after dinner, Father," Cordelia said patronizingly. "I am sure King Atticus would have more time as well, with a full belly and the day’s work done."

"Of course," King Marinus said. "I understand that very well. When the time comes for you to be queen, you will also understand the duties a kingdom’s ruler must bear."

There was something about his words that simply rustled Daphne’s feathers in a way she didn’t like. It seemed more like an open provocation than a supportive statement from a parent to a child!

When Cordelia was queen? King Marinus hadn’t been specific, but even the most clueless of people could tell that King Marinus was mocking Daphne’s position as Atticus’s queen! While Cordelia had nothing to do with any of this, Daphne certainly had no qualms about teaching King Marinus a lesson once this was all done and over with.

But for now, for Cordelia and Nereus’s sake, she could only simply smile as though she was a sales staff at a boutique, eager to make a sale.

"Allow me to show you to your rooms, then," Daphne said, holding out her hand. "You must be tired from your travels."

***

Cordelia was left alone shortly after Daphne had shown them to their rooms. She had wanted to talk, of course, but Daphne was promptly dragged away by her griffin and kelpie friends. Even though it was nice to see her friend again, Cordelia certainly didn’t mind the time alone. After all, she would need a good idea of the palace’s layout so that they could perfectly go through with their plans for the wedding day.

She started to mindlessly stroll around the palace grounds, careful to avoid her father and any of the Nedour staff. After all, she didn’t need the extra pairs of eyes to watch over her every move. For now, she was nothing more than a bird trapped in her father’s cage. King Marinus was eager to have her sent away so that he could live out his happy little life with his new family, and Cordelia wasn’t willing to grant him that.

He had forgotten, with the years on the throne of Nedour, that the kingdom did not even belong to him in the first place.

It was time Cordelia took it back.

"Princess Cordelia."

Cordelia spun around at the sound of her name being called, and when she came face to face with the handsome knight who was always by King Atticus’s side, a coy smile stretched her lips.

"Are you perhaps lost, Your Highness?" Jonah asked, his posture oddly rigid. Cordelia wondered if King Atticus or Daphne told him about whatever she had said that night in Xahan. "Dinner will begin shortly. I can lead you back to the banquet hall."

"I am just having a look around," she replied.

Her eyes slowly scanned the man from head to toe. A head of blond hair, bright green eyes, and a perfect service smile. Why, this man was out for her heart. If she could marry whoever she wished, perhaps the jesting remarks she made about this knight wouldn’t just be playful teases. He was definitely handsome and capable enough to be her husband.

Alas, he was no prince and her father would not agree to such a union.

Not yet.

"Could you perhaps be looking for me, Sir Jonah?" Cordelia asked, her voice purposely flirtatious. She took a step closer, using the satin handheld fan in her hand to tap at his chest. He stood still, unwavering.

She liked that in a man.

"I am honored," she continued.

"Pardon me, Your Highness," Jonah finally said, taking a small step back so that there was now just a short distance between Cordelia’s fan and his clothes. "But this isn’t proper."

"What do you know about propriety, Sir Jonah?" Cordelia mused. "Or perhaps, did your king not tell you of his plans?"