Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 98: The Real Fiancé

Chapter 98: The Real Fiancé

Daphne nearly choked on her own spit.

This was what her potential husband could have looked like? She could barely tear her eyes away from him. The golden shine of his hair completely outshone her own, and the aura he exuded was one of peace, calm, and serenity.

She couldn’t help but compare how different it was to Atticus’s own aura.

As a princess, Daphne had heard stories about high elves in their own kingdoms, and Prince Nathaniel seemed to walk straight out of a novel. Everything about him made him seem like he was the most perfect existence in this world. From the way he looked down to even the way he moved, Daphne wasn’t sure she had even met another noblewoman that looked as elegant as Prince Nathaniel did.

"It is our pleasure to have you join us," the prince returned, his smile gentle as he stopped in front of their party. "Greetings as well, Sir Jonah, Healer Sirona."

His eyes slowly moved from one member of their little group to another until eventually, it rested on Daphne. There was a bit of hesitance that flashed through his bright blue eyes, his pink lips slightly parting in surprise before he quickly gathered himself.

"I have heard rumors of Vramid gaining a new queen," Prince Nathaniel began to say, "though I am afraid I’ve not yet learned the name of this lucky woman."

He didn’t know.

Daphne thought that her heart stopped beating for a second. It wasn’t in awe of his beauty ― although he was very much a picture of perfection ― but rather in fear of how Prince Nathaniel would react once he found out that Atticus had stolen her, Prince Nathaniel’s bride, and had brought her to his kingdom shortly after.

Was this counted as an act of aggression? How would Prince Nathaniel react?

If they were merely kicked out of the kingdom, it would probably be the best outcome Daphne could think of. The worst... might be an all-out war. Although, Daphne wasn’t sure if she was important enough to warrant one but this wasn’t just about her. It was about how Atticus basically mocked the Raxuvian and Reawethen royal families by trampling upon their agreement.

On the other hand, Atticus didn’t seem to have any qualms about introducing his new wife. He tenderly placed a hand on Daphne’s waist, pulling her a little closer to him. Even though his expression was as cold as usual, Daphne thought that she spotted a hint of warmth tainting his eyes when he cast her a brief glance.

"Allow me to introduce my new wife," Atticus said. "Princess Daphne Molinero," he paused, "from Reaweth."

All at once, a thousand sparks blew off in Daphne’s head in the worst way possible. She felt dizzy and faint from how Atticus had introduced her as if it wasn’t a big deal. While Prince Nathaniel was seemingly calm and beyond mortal woes and tethers, it didn’t mean that his court would act the same way even if their crown prince forgave Atticus!

Behind Daphne, both Jonah and Sirona had similar expressions on their faces, albeit a little more polished and guarded. Their eyelids were twitching and they were one step away from pushing Atticus to the ground before taping his mouth shut and throwing him back into the carriage.

Why hadn’t they connected the dots? Why did they allow their king to bring Daphne here to Raxuvia knowing the history between them?

Unless... Atticus was here exactly to show off his spoils of war.

However, unlike the thousand and one ways Daphne had predicted Prince Nathaniel would react, the man simply smiled. His eyes were a little squinted due to the way he chuckled, and even then, Daphne could not sift out even a hint of animosity in that laughter of his.

"What a turn of events. Although, I am relieved to hear that you are alive and well, Your Highness. I had been worried when your carriage failed to show up as scheduled."

He then turned to properly face Daphne, holding out his hand. Unsuredly, Daphne placed her hand in his palm, allowing him to kiss the back of it in greeting. Despite his cool-headedness, Prince Nathaniel’s hands were warm to the touch, almost oddly comforting.

"What a shame," Prince Nathaniel said. "You seem like a lovely woman, Princess Daphne. It would’ve been an honor for you to be my crown princess, but alas. Perhaps in another life, I might be fortunate enough to bring you home as my wife."

With his words, Daphne’s throat went dry and her cheeks flushed a little warm and pink. All of them waited with bated breaths on what else Prince Nathaniel might add but he simply released Daphne’s hand, gesturing to the main doors of the palace behind him and the old man that stood to attention all this while, watching in silence.

"Allow us to show you to your rooms for your stay," the prince said. "You all must be tired from your travels. Dinner will be served at the eighteenth shower, sometime around sunset. Someone will lead you to the dining hall then."

Servants bustled around, quickly arranging for Jonah’s men to rest as well while making sure the horses were led to the stables and attended to. Meanwhile, the four of them silently followed behind Prince Nathaniel and the old man, whom he introduced as Darius, the Raxuvian palace’s most senior butler.

The prince also introduced many various artifacts and decoratives around the palace, showcasing the amazing landscaping that could be found within the palace grounds. The entire way to their rooms, Prince Nathaniel seemed like the most relaxed one out of all of them, with Daphne, Jonah, and Sirona on the edge of their seats, prepared for a fight to break out at any time.

On the contrary, Atticus, too, looked like he was taking a stroll in the middle of a beautiful enchanted forest, with no worries hanging on his shoulders whatsoever.

"I hope that the accommodations will be to your liking," Prince Nathaniel said, stopping in the middle of two doors. He gestured to one. "Unfortunately, as your arrival was a last-minute arrangement, we weren’t able to prepare a private room in time, Healer Sirona. Our staff is currently in the midst of arranging something for you, but I’m afraid we would have to trouble you to make do with sharing a room with Sir Jonah for the time being. We will inform you once it’s ready for your move."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Sirona said.

Daphne did not miss the slight twitch of her eyelids when told she would have to share a room with Jonah, despite this enormous palace with surely hundreds of guestrooms available. Then again, many other royalties of other kingdoms were all gathered here, along with their most trusted members of the court. It wasn’t that hard to believe that there would be a shortage here and there.

"In that case, please rest well." Prince Nathaniel took a step back, the smile on his face never fading.

Then, his eyes fell on Daphne. That gaze of his sent a shiver down Daphne’s spine― she could never understand how he would be so forgiving to Atticus’s open taunt. Such magnanimity was hard to find in the noble circles.

"And Princess Daphne," he said, "it is an honor to finally meet you."