Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 89: Betrayed?

Chapter 89: Betrayed?

"I’m not like my brother," Bram spat out, looking at Daphne’s still figure with pure hatred in his eyes.

The moment he turned over, Daphne closed her eyes, pretending to still be unconscious. She tried to steady her breathing, to not panic, but it was getting distinctively harder since she could feel Bram’s piercing gaze on her body. It wasn’t in the leering way his brother or Clive had done so, but rather, this one felt murderous.

"Or like that disgusting waste of a human being, Clive. They crave all the wrong things in life by thirsting for the pleasure of the flesh. That was why they met their demise."

The old tavern master was silent, watching as the lunatic paced back and forth. His boots clicked against the creaky wooden floors, resonating loudly through the empty space.

"My sort of fun will just be them bleeding, struggling, twisting like a worm in an attempt to stay alive," Bram slowly said.

Daphne’s hair stood up, goosebumps rising to her skin. She could feel Bram stopping right behind her, his boots just inches away from her back. For a moment, she thought that he had noticed she was awake this entire time. But when he finally stepped away, his shadow retreating away from her view, Daphne softly let out a sigh of relief.

"Lock them in the basement, old man," Bram said.

"Where yer going?" the old man asked.

"There was a rat sneaking around the queen earlier on," Bram replied. "I’ll be back once he’s taken care of. And as for your tavern―"

There was a pause.

"It’s a mess. If you don’t want the townsfolk to start suspecting, you better put your back into it and clean everything up soon."

The door slammed shut and Daphne knew that Bram was gone.

For now.

***

The old man, with his rickety bones and torn skin, had moved Daphne and Maisie into the basement storage area of the tavern with much difficulty. He had practically rolled them down the stairs, and the entire time, Daphne had suppressed the urge to groan out loud in pain.

She wasn’t sure why he ever thought it would be a good idea, since any normal person would have woken up from that. Thankfully for him, Maisie wasn’t a normal person― she remained unconscious throughout it all.

Daphne didn’t dare to just jump up and start escaping. With Maisie unconscious, she wouldn’t be able to escape easily, not while having to lug Maisie’s body around while fighting someone that could have tricks up his sleeve.

Only when the tavern master had left the basement and locked the door shut behind him did Daphne finally peep through her eyelids.

She was greeted by darkness. Thin streams of sunlight leaked in through the wooden ceilings, as well as through one small window that offered her a view of the streets outside. Every once in a while, the bit of light would be blocked by a passing figure, their footsteps quickly carrying them away before being replaced by another.

Rows of kegs lined the room. Daphne didn’t need to see everything properly to know that they were filled to the brim with alcohol. She could smell it through the barrels. There were enough drinks here to drown a town. Placed right at the corner of the room, something caught the light and sparkled. When Daphne squinted at it, she realized that it was a broken wheel.

The same from Atticus’s carriage.

Even in this situation, Daphne couldn’t help herself but scoff. No wonder the wheel had been stolen. It was studded with all sorts of gemstones. Rubies, malachite, aquamarines, and pearls, just to name a few that Daphne could recognize. Even a small piece could easily bring a small fortune.

"Ugh..."

The sound caused Daphne to turn around, quickly looking at Maisie. The sudden motion brought a jolt of pain through her shoulders and back due to the bruises she had sustained through all the rough manhandling, but it wasn’t enough to distract her from the situation at hand.

"Maisie, you’re awake!"

"Your Highness?" Maisie croaked out, her voice hoarse and her tone unsure. "What happened? Where are we? What’s going on?"

Then, as though she was suddenly splashed with a bucket of cold water, Maisie sat up.

"The scary man! Your Highness, we have to run!"

Daphne could only sadly smile. "I’m afraid that’s a little too late. We’re locked in the basement of the town tavern."

Internally, she cursed. If only Maisie had woken up just five minutes earlier. Then they could’ve made a run for it while Bram was gone!

"Oh, Your Highness." Maisie started to tear up, choking on her breath. "This is all my fault! I shouldn’t have helped him. I shouldn’t have listened! I thought... I thought―"

Daphne’s face darkened. She hadn’t wanted to believe it. The Maisie that she knew wouldn’t stab her in the back like that to work with Bram, someone so obviously dodgy and sinister. From the first day that Daphne had met her, Maisie had been as innocent as an angel!

Could she have truly betrayed her and led Bram to her?

It was just too coincidental that Maisie had stopped right in front of a dead end that happened to be away from the bustling streets filled with people out and about doing their morning routine. Daphne wasn’t fit, too, by any means. Yet, she was able to catch up with Maisie ― a maid that was used to manual labor ― so easily.

Furthermore, why did Bram keep her alive? Maisie was just an extra burden to handle. He could’ve killed her there on the streets... unless they were partners in crime.

But before Daphne could speak or ask any questions, Maisie started to bawl. The words that left her lips left Daphne in shock, her eyes widening in surprise for she hadn’t expected to hear that name here of all places.

"I should’ve never believed in Lord Attonson! I was a fool, Your Highness. I beg for your forgiveness, but I know I don’t deserve it. This is all my fault!"

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