Stolen by the Rebel King-Chapter 501: Fit For The Job

"No!" Atticus immediately said, slamming against his desk so hard that it nearly broke into two.

From the corner, Sirona didn’t even flinch. She simply reached out to steady the vial that nearly tipped over due to the tremors that shook the room from that one punch. Then, she returned to scribbling in her notebook, completely ignoring whatever it was the two men — or boys, in her humble opinion — were talking about.

"I have to say, whatever she suggested is reasonable to an extent," Jonah said, rubbing the skin between his eyebrows. "You’re not going to find anyone more suitable, especially someone whom you can trust."

"Over my dead body," Atticus said with a growl. "No way I am letting you go under her covers. We don’t know what she might be secretly plotting."

"The only thing she might be plotting would just be exactly that," Sirona said with a snort. "Getting Jonah under her covers."

Atticus made a face, his nose wrinkling as he sneered. "That’s a horrifying image to put in anyone’s head, Sirona."

The healer merely rolled her eyes. "Think about it," she said. "Which lady would want to be saddled with such rumors with any random man? She wouldn’t pick Jonah too if she didn’t at least somewhat fancy him."

"Don’t be ridiculous, Sirona," Jonah said, batting the matter off. "Princess Cordelia simply finds joy in poking fun at me, that’s all."

"Is that so?" Sirona mused, taking a sip of her tea. "Very well, then."

"I don’t care what ideas she might have about Jonah, but whatever it is, it needs to be killed in the cot," Atticus seethed. "She already has too much fun trying to seduce my wife. Now, she’s trying to get her grubby hands on my aide? I will not have it. Jonah, you are ordered to stay away from that vile woman."

"As if I have a say in the matter," Jonah grumbled under his breath. "If we’re in the same palace, we are bound to run into each other sooner or later."

"Very well. In that case, Jonah, you’re free to go on a paid vacation. Pack your bags. I don’t want to see you anywhere near Vramid until that foreign princess has returned to her oceans."

"And let you sleaze off the paperwork that needs to be done?" Jonah asked with a scoff. "Yeah, I don’t think so. Calm down and think rationally for once, Atticus. You’re letting your emotions control you way too much. Besides, your main priority should be on getting the pearl and then convincing King Marinus that it is your due right to call off the wedding and still keep the dowry."

"Well, whatever your plan is, dinner is ready," Sirona said, eyeing the time. "You boys better not keep your guests waiting."

"Oh, what I would give to hide here in the study with you instead," Jonah muttered, eyeing Sirona’s sandwich in envy. He did not wish to be anywhere near that dinner table, especially since he had a guess or two about how the conversation might head.

***

Atticus and Jonah were the last to arrive at the banquet hall. By the time of their arrival, Princess Cordelia and King Marinus were already seated at the table, with Daphne there to keep them company. She seemed highly engaged in conversation with Cordelia, who was sitting across from her on the left side of where Atticus would sit; Daphne sat on Atticus’s right.

The two men took their places― Atticus at the head of the table and Jonah at Daphne’s right, directly across King Marinus. It was an odd arrangement, but given how big the table was, this was the easiest for conversation.

"Welcome to Vramid, King Marinus," Atticus greeted. He then turned his head to Cordelia, smiling. "Cordelia," he acknowledged. "How are you finding my humble kingdom thus far?"

"Colder than expected," King Marinus replied honestly. "It is usually much warmer in Nedour during this time of year. I can only hope that my beloved Cordelia can adapt quickly to the weather here in Vramid."

"We will make sure to do everything we can to make her stay comfortable," Atticus promised. "And of course, yours as well. Please, if there is anything you need, feel free to inform the palace staff. If it’s something that can be accomplished, we will see to it."

"I would love a tour of Vramid," Cordelia suddenly said, smiling coyly at Atticus. In the eyes of King Marinus, it seemed like his daughter was flirting with her future husband. However, everyone else at the table knew that it was an open provocation. "Perhaps I could have a guided tour?"

Atticus’s lower eyelid twitched. "I would be honored to show you around―"

"But aren’t you still busy with work, dear husband?" Daphne piped in.

She dared not look in King Marinus’s direction, knowing that if she did, she might see a murderous expression. Daphne wasn’t in the mood to pick a fight for now, but she knew fully well what her best friend was trying to play at. Unfortunately for Atticus, Daphne had decided to play for Cordelia’s team.

"I would provide Princess Cordelia a tour if I could," Daphne said, "but alas, I too have some visiting guests that I will have to host for this time. It might not be convenient."

"Oh, what a shame," Cordelia replied, pretending to be disappointed. Watching her performance, Atticus knew that she was one hell of an actress, if anything. She might be even better than that cursed Drusilla, may her soul never rest in peace. "Perhaps one of the palace guards could bring me?"

"That wouldn’t be safe!" King Marinus cried out immediately. "King Atticus, don’t tell me that this is how you treat your future bride? One day off shouldn’t affect your duties so much."

"Oh, but it would," Cordelia said. If Daphne had been the one to rebut, she knew that her father would have more than a few things to say about it. Thus, she took it upon herself. "Didn’t you say so yourself, Father? A ruler must put his kingdom first. Vramid needs its king, especially since King Atticus had been away for far too long."

"But Cordelia―"

"Oh, I know!" Cordelia exclaimed, cutting her father off. "What about Sir Jonah, then? He is King Atticus’s most trusted confidant and the leader of the royal cavalry. There will be no one more fit for the job than he!"