Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 96: Onward to Raxuvia

Chapter 96: Onward to Raxuvia

"I’m fine, my eyes were just dry," Daphne said, her face flushing in embarrassment. She hurriedly turned away and tried to bury herself deeper into her blankets. That was so foolish of her! What was she thinking?!

"I see, I’ll let Sirona know anyway," Atticus said seriously. "It could be a side effect of you using your powers. You already hurt your throat, I’m not taking any more risks."

Daphne could only nod meekly. She didn’t have enough courage to admit that her eyes were fine, that she was trying to use her non-existent feminine willies to sway Atticus’s decision regarding Maisie’s fate. It was too humiliating for words.

"About Maisie..." Daphne began hesitantly. "What are you going to do?"

Atticus sighed. "I see your point, but I’m not going to bring a walking target with us on our journey. She’s not worth my increased stress levels."

Daphne wanted to protest, but Atticus held up a hand, stopping her.

"I’m not sending her to the dungeons or getting rid of her, so don’t look so worried," Atticus continued, "I’m just sending her back to the palace with an escort. This is the most mercy I can extend to her. She’ll still be there, waiting for you when we return. Hopefully, she’ll use this time to reflect on herself and her behavior. Meanwhile, Sirona will be traveling with us. I need her to be in charge of your care."

"Oh, I guess... that’s alright then." Daphne initially wanted to argue but decided to concede. This was a relatively good outcome, all things considered. Maisie wouldn’t have the guts to steal from Atticus again, and the castle was full of servants that would look out for each other.

"Now rest, we have a long day of travel ahead of us." Atticus ordered gently, standing up and tucking her back into bed. "We’ve already faced an unprecedented delay, so we must hurry to make up for lost time."

"I’m sorry." Daphne’s face fell. Her stubbornness has once again caused trouble for Atticus.

"Well, as long as you don’t have any more runaway servants to look for, things will be fine," Atticus replied cheekily. "Jonah and I have changed the itinerary; we’ll be taking the fastest path to Raxuvia tomorrow."

"I see, then you should rest well too," Daphne said. Atticus smiled at her and pressed a kiss to her forehead, causing her cheeks to blush a brilliant red.

Daphne felt a stirring of anxiousness; Raxuvia was the kingdom she was initially meant to live in if she had actually married Prince Nathaniel, the crown prince of said kingdom.

What was he like as a person? Would he actually want to see her?

With many thoughts running through her mind, Daphne eventually drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

***

True to his words, the next day was a day full of hectic travel.

After Daphne had seen Maisie off with a tearful goodbye, she was escorted into the carriage. The wheels have already been replaced, and Sirona had done her best to treat the sick horses with her magic and tonics. Atticus had packed the inside of the carriage with pillows and blankets, in a bid to make it more comfortable for Daphne and Sirona.

Because apparently, they would be sleeping in the carriage. Daphne thought it was only meant for naps while on the road, but then she realized the truth on the very first night they resumed traveling.

"Are we going to stop at a town anytime soon?" Daphne asked hesitantly. They seemed to be on a long empty path with no town in sight. "We’ve been on the road the whole day. I do want some dinner."

They’ve only stopped briefly for meals, which were hastily packed rations. Daphne also wanted a bath.

Sirona snorted and grabbed herself a pillow and blanket.

"What town? Your Highness, we’re not stopping at any towns unless they are exactly en route. We don’t have time to waste on getting comfortable lodging," Sirona said, stretching herself out on the carriage floor. "Ouch, I’m too old for such travel arrangements."

"What?" Daphne blinked disbelievingly. "Wait, you’re sleeping here?"

"Of course! I’m not sleeping in a tent outside," Sirona exclaimed, affronted. "I’d take back pain over freezing in the cold. I know you want to spend the night with Atticus, but I’m not moving out!"

"Oh..." Daphne’s heart fell, and she peered outside the window to see all the men pitching tents to sleep in the cold winter air.

Campfires were lit and they passed food among themselves as they looked after the horses. In the midst were Atticus and Jonah, their heads huddled together as they pored over an unrolled map, pointing to something Daphne could not see.

It turned out that ’the fastest path to Raxuvia’ meant cutting through the forests and hills.

"Better make yourself comfortable in the carriage for these few nights," Sirona advised. "If not, you’re going to show up to Raxuvia looking like death warmed over. That’s not going to make Vramid look impressive."

With that, Sirona rolled over and promptly fell asleep on the carriage seats, one of her legs draped over the backrest due to the lack of room.

It didn’t look very comfortable. Daphne looked outside again; Jonah and Atticus had gotten a tent of their own as well.

Daphne felt the stirrings of guilt creep all over her. Everyone had to suffer such harsh conditions because she had selfishly insisted on looking for Maisie despite her lack of ability. Atticus had indulged her request, and now he and his men were paying the price.

She was a terrible wife to him. Daphne curled into herself as she laid down on the carriage seat opposite Sirona’s, blinking back tears.

Appearances were paramount for making a good first impression. And now, Atticus would be entering Ravuxia like the barbarian he was rumored to be and he and his men would be colder, hungrier, and more tired than they needed to be.

It was all her fault. She mentally scolded herself for her actions― she couldn’t afford to mess up anymore. The royal hunt was approaching soon, and she needed to be Atticus’s partner, not a burden he had to carry.

Those thoughts kept repeating in her mind, even when the carriage finally crossed the border of Raxuvia days later.

She had to show everyone what she could do, and this hunt was the prime opportunity for that.

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