Stolen by the Rebel King-Chapter 573: Mutual Decision

Atticus’s eyelids twitched.

There was a disturbance in the air, he could tell that very clearly. After all, dawn had broken for several hours already, and yet, Jonah still looked absolutely listless. He had dark rings under his eyes, and every few seconds, a short yawn would leave his lips, so much so that it was starting to infect Atticus, who slept very well for a change.

After all, for the first time in a while, Daphne had instinctively cuddled into his arms in the middle of the night as they slept. Atticus dozed off like a baby shortly after, and when he awoke in the morning, Daphne was still there. They even shared a morning kiss, and Atticus thought this was a sign that things were turning better.

It didn’t. Not with Jonah acting so out of the ordinary.

"What is up with you?" Atticus asked with a sneer, his nose wrinkling as he watched Jonah yawn for the umpteenth time. "You used to be an early bird. Did Nedour turn you into a lazy worm?"

"Oh, you must forgive him, King Atticus," a new voice chimed in, causing Atticus and Jonah to raise their gazes.

Cordelia stood by the door with Daphne by her side, a bright smile on both their faces, along with a basket of fruits. She had invited Daphne out to harvest some for the breakfast table just for the fun of it― it was Cordelia’s personal garden, after all, and Daphne had never seen such exotic fruits before. Thus, they weren’t present when Atticus first joined Jonah at the breakfast table.

"He was up a little late last night," Cordelia said. She sashayed over to the table, her hand resting on Jonah’s shoulder before intimately running up and down.

Atticus’s eyes twitched, while Jonah stiffened.

"Princess Cordelia..." Jonah all but whined, but the wicked grin on Cordelia’s lips told that she was planning to turn a deaf ear to Jonah’s pleas.

"I might have frightened him a little with our bedtime activities," Cordelia admitted with a cheeky pout. "Though, I must admit that Sir Jonah’s stamina is a lot better than the average Nedish man."

She then leaned down and affectionately placed a kiss on Jonah’s cheek, leaving her lipstick stain there on his pale skin.

"Much more skilled too, compared to the rumors I’ve heard."

Daphne nearly couldn’t maintain her laughter when Atticus’s face turned into the various shades of white, red, and green. He looked about ready to hurl, and all of a sudden, the expansive spread of delicious breakfast dishes had all but lost its appeal. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Have some fruit, darling," Daphne cooed, cutting up a small piece of her morning harvest before feeding it to Atticus, who instinctively ate whatever she brought to his lips. "It’s very sweet."

"Oh yes," Cordelia continued wickedly, sitting down across from Daphne and beside Jonah. "Just about as sweet as Jonah’s nectar―"

Instantly, the pineapple that had been fed into Atticus’s mouth was quickly spat out. Jonah barely managed to dodge the sticky projectile, his lips curled in disgust, perfectly matching Atticus’s expression. Jonah, however, had red cheeks as well, and he turned to Cordelia.

"Princess..."

"That’s what you get for calling me by my title," Cordelia hummed under her breath, digging into the small bowl of oat porridge. She picked up the honey, drizzling it over the oats before scooping a hearty spoonful, unbothered.

"Now now," Daphne chimed, "not at the breakfast table, Cordelia."

She, however, couldn’t suppress the amusement in her eyes. It was odd enough as it was to hear about her best friend’s bedroom activities, but even more eye-opening that Cordelia didn’t even flinch. No matter how long she had known Cordelia, it was still interesting to see how open the people of Nedour were about such things.

"The art of human reproduction is a natural act of life," Cordelia casually said before piercing a mango with her fork. "There’s nothing to be bashful about. Why are you all acting as though I had just flashed my bosom for the world to see?"

"I didn’t need to know," Atticus said, his eyes twitching.

"I am more surprised you heard nothing through the night," Cordelia calmly replied. She then turned to Jonah and said, "I thought we would be loud enough that no explanation would’ve been required this morning. Never mind. We can always try again tonight."

"Tonight?" Jonah squeaked.

"What about your ministers?" Daphne asked, completely ignoring Atticus’s gaping mouth as he stared, horrified, at Jonah and Cordelia. "It’s still considered improper..."

"I have no care for propriety any longer," Cordelia said with a wave of her hand. "To hell with it. Those ministers are all stuffy old men who have more than one wife warming their bed anyway. They have no right to demand propriety from me. Sooner or later, I’ll have them booted from their seats if they can’t learn to keep their mouths shut when it should be."

"But before marriage?" Atticus asked, clenching his cutlery so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "Are you planning to have your way with Jonah without giving him a name? Toss him to one side once you’ve found another man to be your king?"

"Who said that I will find another man to be my king?" Cordelia retorted, rolling her eyes. "I have every intention of sticking to one stallion for the rest of my life. What, do you think I am a loose hole for various men to have fun with?"

Such colorful words would’ve turned Daphne beetroot had it been years ago while she was still back in Reaweth. However, now, she had grown more than used to it.

"And this is a mutual decision?" Daphne asked, turning to Jonah.

She knew that Cordelia was a fanatic about Jonah and adored him, and she was happy for her friend. However, Jonah was her friend too, and Daphne wouldn’t wish for him to do something against his will just to please Cordelia.

The table turned silent as everyone turned to Jonah. His eyes scanned this group of friends. Other than Sirona, everyone who was most precious to him was present here at this table. When his eyes raked over everyone before finally landing on Cordelia, his gaze locking with hers, he gently smiled.

"Yes," he said. "Wherever Cordelia is, that shall be my home."