Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 68: Invitation

Chapter 68: Invitation

His friends had a point, but they didn’t understand.

"I can’t be with her all the time," came Atticus’s grumbled reply. "So how can she be outside? Vramid isn’t safe!"

"At least you know what she wants," Sirona said. "It’s just the matter of whether or not you’re willing to give it to her. And I think you already knew the answer all along. You’re just in denial."

Atticus clenched his jaw. He didn’t want to let Daphne meet Eugene, but was he really going to throw away his chance at a successful marriage over Eugene Attonson, out of all people?

"While you think about how to handle the Eugene situation, I also need to remind you your yearly invite is here."

Jonah strolled over to the desk, picking up an inconspicuous white envelope that had been conspicuously buried under a pile of other documents. It had a red wax seal, stamped with the symbol of various flowers. Everything was a mess, with things littered all around the table and shuffled around. It took a minute for Jonah to even find the envelope he needed.

"And seriously, maybe you should start tidying your office instead of chasing after your wife all day. Or, let the maids in to take care of your stuff since you’re incapable of cleaning up after yourself. How are you supposed to find anything in this mess?"

"When will they stop sending these things? It’s a waste of paper," Sirona scoffed. "It’s not like our king will attend such social gatherings."

"Thankfully, this year’s hunt isn’t hosted by Vramid so you can escape," Jonah said. "I’ll never forget the last time we hosted them. What a disaster!"

Atticus sighed, rubbing his temples. The invite was for the annual Crowned Conquest, a hunting contest between royals of every kingdom. It was a highly lauded event in any noble’s social calendar, but to Atticus, it was nothing more than a massive pain in his ass.

A gathering of royalty, nobility and their attendants meant that Atticus had to be so aware of his every word and every move, so he wouldn’t offend anyone unknowingly.

Since he had ruled the country, he had only been to one Crowned Conquest, and that was when Vramid had been the host country so he couldn’t avoid it.

He bagged the largest kill, but he also suffered the worst headache known to men as nearly everyone there wanted a piece of him and his kingdom. How he longed to lose them in the forest for the wolves! But that wouldn’t be good for diplomacy.

What a pain.

But for the sake of diplomatic relations, he figured he had to show up this year to make a strong showing. It would be a chore, but the thought of bringing Daphne along made his eyes light up.

This was the perfect opportunity he needed to fix their relationship!

"What excuse are you going to use to skip this year, Atticus?" Jonah asked curiously.

"No, I’m going, and I’ll bring Daphne with me," Atticus decided, to the shock of both his friends.

"What? Why?" Jonah exclaimed.

"What better way to show those royals that Vramid is strong and powerful with my new marriage to Reaweth’s princess? And as you said earlier, Daphne feels like a prisoner," Atticus said, shrugging his shoulders. "So if we go to another country, she wouldn’t feel like a prisoner anymore!"

In a place full of strangers, Daphne was sure to cling to someone familiar, namely him. That’ll stop her from giving him the cold shoulder. What’s more, Atticus could use this chance to impress her with his skills. He made so many maidens fall in love with him in his first hunt, surely he could do the same with his actual wife!

Sirona and Jonah exchanged weary glances. Atticus was certainly very optimistic in his chances.

"Well... that’ll definitely cause some chaos at the hunt," Jonah said wryly. "All those young maidens will be devastated that you’re off the market."

"You should ask Daphne if she even wants to go with you." Sirona added. "Your chances are slim after that disastrous dinner, but who knows? Maybe the heavens will finally throw you a bone."

"I’ll succeed," Atticus said, sounding more confident than he actually felt. "Who can say no to such a prestigious invite?"

***

"No," came Daphne’s voice from the other side of the door. "Go by yourself. I’m not interested."

Sirona and Jonah exchanged knowing glances. They knew it wouldn’t be that easy, but Atticus had refused to see the truth. Now he was camping in front of her door like a spurned suitor that refused to take no for an answer. If he had any gift for singing, he would be serenading her through the window while Daphne threw furniture on his face.

"But why?" Atticus asked plaintively, nearly whining in exasperation.

"This is a rare opportunity! You get to leave the castle and meet other royals from other kingdoms. Maybe you can open the door and we can discuss this further?"

On the other side of the door, Daphne scoffed loud enough for them to hear. "No thank you. I am done with meeting royalty, no matter where they are from. You can go alone and pretend that I’ve contracted a highly contagious venereal disease."

"But then they’ll think I was the one who spread it to you! Because we’re married! Is that what you want us to be known as?" Atticus protested, even as his lips quirked into a half-smile. His wife was hilarious, even when angry.

"I don’t want to be known in relation to you," Daphne said heartlessly. "So it’s not my problem. Or you can just tell them I’m dead. That works too, since if I bump into my actual fiancé, I wouldn’t know what to say to him for never showing up to our wedding. Goodnight."

They heard her footsteps fade away, as though she was prepared to blow out the candles and go to bed.

"What can I do to convince you to go with me?" Atticus burst out, nearly pleading at this point. Did he need to go on his knees and beg for forgiveness? Even if he did, how would Daphne even see him begging through the closed door?

"If you still cannot figure it out by now, you’re hopeless," was the wholly unsympathetic reply he received.

Jonah elbowed Atticus and mouthed out the words ’Eugene Attonson.’ Atticus frowned at the very thought, but he was desperate.

"I’ll let you visit Eugene Attonson if you agree to accompany me," Atticus said reluctantly.

There was silence, then the door swung open to reveal Daphne, standing before them with her arms crossed around her chest. Her eyes were full of suspicion, and with good reason. Atticus hated Eugene Attonson and had made no moves to hide it.

"Do you mean that?"

"Daphne! You’ve finally opened the door!" Atticus exclaimed in relief, even as part of him wanted to choke at the favoritism.

What did Eugene Attonson have, that he had so easily entered his wife’s good graces? What did Atticus lack?

"And I’m asking if your offer is truly meant," Daphne scowled. "If you’re lying to me, I will scorch off your face."

"No, I’m not," Atticus said immediately. "In fact, if you agree, right now, to accompany me for this year’s Crowned Conquest, I’ll immediately escort you down to the dungeons to see him. How about that?"

Daphne pursed her lips, considering his offer. Atticus waited with baited breath.

"Fine, I’ll accompany you for the hunt." She finally replied, tilting her chin up imperiously to glare at him, but the anger in her eyes seemed to cool.

"Now take me to the dungeons before I change my mind."

"As my lady commands."