Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 97: Idyllic Realm

Chapter 97: Idyllic Realm

As the hidden princess of Reaweth, Daphne had never set foot outside the palace she grew up in, much less her home kingdom. Even when her marriage with Prince Nathaniel had been settled upon, she had only heard of whispers of his reputation and his kingdom.

Yet, all of the stories and tales could not do Raxuvia any justice.

"It’s time to wake up, sunshine. We’re almost there."

Daphne woke up to Atticus shaking her shoulder. She lazily rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, her mind still groggy and her back badly sore from the odd position she had slept in. She finally understood what Sirona was complaining about all this while.

The sunlight that streamed in through the carriage’s windows served as a bright, jarring reminder that yet another day had come; it had been a week since they were on the road, barely even stopping unless it was to rest at night.

To say that Daphne was done with traveling was an understatement. She never wanted to be in a carriage again.

"You’ve not been to Raxuvia before, have you, Your Highness?" Sirona asked.

She bit into an apple, the crisp sound of the fruit crunching reverberating through the carriage. A faint sweetness wafted through the confined space, serving as a very good way to perk Daphne up.

In reply to Sirona’s question, Daphne merely shook her head. Her mouth felt dry and she didn’t wish to open it to speak, if she could help it.

"Have a look outside." Jonah’s voice came from outside, bringing Daphne’s attention to the carriage window. "You won’t regret it."

He was riding on his own stallion instead of joining them in the carriage, but he had taken the care to change into a fresh tunic to look more presentable. Atticus made no such efforts, but he still looked handsome and dignified.

Meanwhile Daphne was sure she looked like a groggy mess, with her hair mussed from her nap and her eyes crusty with sleep.

Daphne rubbed her eyes and peered out. The sight she was met with caused her to gasp sharply in awe. For all the tales and stories that she had ever heard from others, Raxuvia was a kingdom that was even more beautiful than that.

Majestic peaks, their summits kissed by wisps of clouds, formed a magnificent backdrop against the cerulean sky. Cascading waterfalls tumbled down the mountainsides, their crystalline streams merging with emerald pools that shimmer in the sunlight.

The air was crisp and pure, carrying the sweet fragrance of wildflowers and the invigorating scent of evergreen forests. When the carriage went by a path right next to a roaring waterfall, a cool mist enveloped them, something that was much needed in the heat now that they’ve left the borders of Vramid.

Even though Vramid and Raxuvia were neighboring kingdoms, the climate and weather of both kingdoms were so different that it seemed as though Daphne had just been transported to the other side of the world.

Unlike Vramid’s snow-covered landscape, lush valleys stretched out below, carpeted in a tapestry of vibrant colors. Fields of blooming flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their petals reflecting the hues of the rainbow. Mighty rivers winded their way through the land, their currents carving paths of life and nourishing the fertile soil.

"We’ve just crossed the kingdom’s borders," Atticus explained. He then pointed to a huge building in the distance. "That’s the royal palace of Raxuvia, also known as one of the greatest architectural marvels of all time."

Daphne craned her neck a little further just to have a look at what it was that could possibly earn such a great title. What greeted her was not a disappointment.

As a kingdom that specialized and was rich in flora and fauna, the royal palace of Raxuvia was designed in such a way that best represented the harmony between nature and mankind.

Tall, slender minarets punctuated the skyline, reaching towards the heavens like graceful sentinels. Their intricate geometric patterns and delicate arches created an exquisite interplay of light and shadow, while ornate domes crowned the palace’s central structures, their golden accents shimmering in the sunlight.

Humongous trees surrounded the royal palace, curving in and out of the various wings until it seemed as though the palaces were built around the wildlife, not the other way around.

A loud chime suddenly drew their attention, the bell’s ring so loud that Daphne could feel a vibration even from her seat in the carriage. What quickly followed felt like an earthquake, causing Daphne to grip onto her seat for dear life.

"What’s going on?" she asked in horror, watching the world shake through the small window. She could hear the neighing of the horses from outside, along with the coachmen trying to calm the animals down.

A loud crack resonated, the sound strangely resembling a strike of thunder. Yet, the skies outside were clear and bright with not a single sign of a storm cloud.

"That’s how the Raxuvians tell time," said Atticus. "Look at that tree."

Daphne’s eyes followed where Atticus pointed, eyeing the branches of the great tree the royal palace was built around. Her jaw fell agape in shock when she noticed the branches swaying, moving from one position to another before it fixated at its new position. A shower of leaves fell from the skies from that movement, greatly resembling an emerald snowfall.

Their carriage had already entered the inner circles of the city, well protected by the canopy the giant tree provided. As the leaves rained down around them, Daphne couldn’t help the smile that found its way onto her face. It was fascinating to see the different ways of life the people of other kingdoms had.

Even though Vramid, too, was beautiful, it had been a while since she had seen so much sunshine and felt so much warmth.

When they’ve finally arrived at the royal palace and Daphne alighted from the carriage, setting foot on Raxuvian soil for the first time in her life, a strange feeling flooded her chest. Even the air smelled like flowers here. Everything was so... ethereal.

Furthermore, it felt like she had finally arrived at her rightful destination after the months of detour.

"King Atticus!" A voice called from the distance, causing Daphne and the rest of her party to turn towards the source. "I see you’ve found your way to Raxuvia despite the delay."

There, a handsome young man was quickly descending the marble stairs, his steps light and elegant. He wore a gentle smile on his face, waving politely as he approached them. Dressed in an off-white robe that had elaborate gold embroidery, the man had on loose fitting pants that were stuffed into a pair of calf boots to match. His hair was long and sleek, tied to a side in a low ponytail.

"Oh boy," Jonah muttered from behind Daphne. Just as he spoke, Daphne noticed Atticus’s body tensing up.

"Is something wrong?" Daphne asked, careful to keep her voice as low as she could. No one replied to her― they didn’t need to. Atticus’s next words told her everything she needed to know and more.

"Prince Nathaniel," Atticus greeted with a stiff nod. "It is our pleasure to join you and the rest of the leaders for this year’s Crowned Conquest."

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