Stolen by the Rebel King-Chapter 502: Out of the Queen’s Ears I

"Sir Jonah?" King Marinus echoed, seemingly appalled. In a softer, hushed tone, he grasped Cordelia’s forearm and pulled her close. "Why would you suggest that?" he harshly whispered to her, trying his best — but failing — to keep his voice down.

The only person who seemed even more horrified by this was none other than Atticus. His eyes widened in shock, aghast at the possibility looming before him. Lines of distress etched deeply into his furrowed brow, his features contorted in a mask of horror and disbelief.

His mouth fell open in silent protest, wanting to immediately argue against Princess Cordelia’s horrible suggestion, but was unfortunately one step too slow. Daphne spoke first.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Cordelia!" she chirped, clapping her hands together in excitement. There was something playfully wicked that flashed across her eyes, and when she met gazes with Atticus, he could only gulp his words back down his throat.

Her wordless warning was clear enough― argue against it and he would be on the couch for an even longer period of time. That very quickly and very effectively shut Atticus up. His face, however, was certainly as dark as a thundercloud. On the other hand, Daphne appeared perfectly cheery.

"King Atticus," King Marinus started to say, turning to Atticus while his hand still tightly gripped Cordelia’s forearm, "this is hardly proper!"

"Why not?" Atticus asked.

Although, he didn’t seem any bit persuasive, since he himself didn’t exactly fancy the idea of Jonah running off with Cordelia alone around town. Atticus didn’t dare imagine what sort of tricks Cordelia might play on Jonah.

As such, his voice was completely monotonous, dead, and so tired that he seemed like a reanimated corpse rather than a perfectly functional human being. If there was anywhere Atticus would see defeat, it would be in arguments with his wife.

King Marinus spluttered, "Wouldn’t it be better for you to bring Cordelia around yourself, King Atticus? After all, you both are to be wed in three days’ time!"

"Nonsense, Father," Cordelia said. "King Atticus is a busy man. It is already infinitely generous of him to offer Sir Jonah’s assistance to help satiate my curiosity." Cordelia then shrugged her father’s hand off her arm, turning to smile at Jonah. "I will be in your hands then, Sir Jonah. Please take care of me."

It was a complete utter whiplash to see the spitfire, snarky Princess Cordelia turn so effortlessly soft and sweet. She could even give Princess Drusilla a run for her money if the latter was still alive, God bless her soul. Jonah had never seen anyone switch faces so quickly, and despite seeing death and chaos, this was truly more horrifying than any battle he had been a part of.

He could only look at Atticus, hoping to catch a sign from his king. Yet, he was sorely let down when he watched with dismay as Atticus merely jabbed the steak with his fork a little harder than needed, the metal utensils scraping against porcelain to create an ear-piercing screech.

Right. Jonah knew that he was on his own. Very well, then.

"In that case," Jonah said with a sigh, cursing all his luck and swallowing any bit of annoyance he had for Atticus down, "I will be honored to act as Your Highness’s guide around Vramid. If there is anything you would specifically like to visit, please let me know. I will make arrangements accordingly."

"That sounds perfect," Cordelia said, grinning. She caught Daphne’s eye from across the table and both of them smiled in synchrony. "We don’t have much time before the wedding," Cordelia said. "How about we leave for town first thing tomorrow morning?"

"All as Your Highness wishes," was all Jonah said. He bowed his head a little in respect, knowing fully well that King Marinus must be shooting daggers with his eyes at him right now.

Dinner went on smoothly after. Or, at least, as smoothly as it could be, with the awkward tension hanging above their heads. Only Daphne and Cordelia seemed to be truly enjoying themselves, cracking jokes and reminiscing about old times as they discussed the dishes. Meanwhile, all three of the men seated at the table had varying forlorn expressions, each with a different worry on their minds.

At long last, after dessert was served, King Marinus was unable to wait any longer.

"King Atticus," he said, "perhaps you could spare some time after dinner? There are matters of the wedding I would like to discuss with you in private."

"Whatever you wish to say can be said in front of everyone present at this table, King Marinus," Atticus replied, placing his fork down.

"It might not be the best idea," King Marinus replied.

Daphne did not miss the subtle glance the older man cast her way, though she did pretend that she hadn’t caught it, returning her gaze to the slice of cake in front of her instead. She scooped up a dollop of cream, enjoying the milky taste all while keeping a listening ear out for whatever King Marinus and Atticus were talking about.

Under the table, Daphne nudged Atticus’s foot.

It was obvious that King Marinus wished to discuss matters regarding the pearl, and more importantly, the possibility of Cordelia becoming the queen of Vramid and the return of her powers. Those topics were not polite to talk about in front of Daphne, who was Atticus’s current queen and legal wife, and while King Marinus might be a prideful man, he knew better than to anger someone who could end his life with just a click of her fingers.

Atticus, however, completely ignored her hints. He reached under the table and intertwined his fingers with hers where no one could see, gently squeezing her hand. Daphne didn’t try to wriggle out, staying still as the warmth of his palm enveloped hers.

It had been a while since they even held hands so innocently. Call her selfish, but she wished to enjoy these stolen moments.

Yet, she knew that it wasn’t nice to keep King Marinus hanging. Especially not when they still needed a favor from him.

"We will take our leave for now," Daphne offered, pulling her hand out of Atticus’s grip as she stood to her feet. "Jonah, could you walk Cordelia and me back to our rooms?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," Jonah replied a little too eagerly. He shot to his feet, first helping Daphne out of her seat then Cordelia. "This way please, Your Highnesses."

The three of them disappeared down the hallway much faster than Atticus would’ve liked. Just like how Jonah cussed Atticus out in his heart, so did Atticus after his best friend threw him to the wolves so eagerly.

Nonetheless, Atticus maintained a smile. He leaned back in his seat, crossing one leg over the other as he placed his hand on his knee. The servants present quickly backed off, clearing the empty dishes and closing the door behind them as quickly as they could.

Once they were left alone, Atticus asked, "What is it that you needed to discuss so privately, King Marinus? Surely everything that is said to me can also be said to my wife?"

"I thought it might be better to leave Queen Daphne out of this discussion," King Marinus said. "What are your plans with my daughter, King Atticus?"

"My plans with your daughter?" Atticus echoed after him, scoffing at the hilarity of it all. "What do you mean by this?"

King Marinus did not say a word. From under the desk, he pulled out a small box, lifting the lid to reveal a pearl inside. It was about the size of an eyeball, and it gleamed with an otherworldly radiance, its surface aglow with a lustrous sheen that seemed to dance with ethereal light.

Even Atticus had to sit a little straighter as he looked at the pearl. ’So this is the enchanted pearl of Nedour,’ he thought to himself.

He had only heard rumors of the pearls, and how it was a prized ingredient that could grant the user everlasting health if consumed. There were only so many pearls in the royal treasury of Nedour, and it wasn’t an abundant resource like Xahan’s iron meteorite ore. Atticus definitely understood why King Marinus was so protective over it.

Each delicate curve and contour of its surface had iridescent hues that shifted and swirled like liquid moonlight captured within the delicate sphere.

"I believe this is what you’ve requested?" King Marinus asked, though his question was more of a statement than anything. "I hope you understand, King Atticus, that I am a mere father who is worried for his daughter’s future. I wish to know what plans you have for my daughter after your marriage."

"How strange," Atticus mused.

He didn’t give King Marinus any time to react. Instead, he hooked his finger, using his magic to summon the pearl to his side. King Marinus could only watch with wide eyes as the pearl flew out from the box it was nestled in, stopping only right in front of Atticus’s face, hovering in mid-air.

"Correct me if I am wrong," Atticus said, "but you were the one who proposed a union between Princess Cordelia and me. In that case, what are your plans for suggesting this marriage?"