Stolen by the Rebel King-Chapter 494: A Crazy Idea I

"Of that, we are in agreement," Atticus replied. He shrugged casually. "Sunshine, I guess the kelpie would simply have to live the rest of his days with one eye. I have done my best. If he has any complaints about his quality of life, get him to direct his concerns to Princess Cordelia."

Daphne’s eyes twitched. She had to chant Queen Lavinia’s words in her heart to constantly remind herself to stay calm in front of others. Behind closed doors, however, she would later show Atticus a piece of her mind.

"Is there really nothing that can convince your father?" Daphne pleaded. Her palms were starting to get clammy and she was worried it was going to be a second round of her burned dress― this time, she might just accidentally flood the place instead, by the looks of it.

Cordelia could only offer a regretful smile. "The pearls are simply too precious to Nedour, Daphne, especially now that magic has been erased from the world of humans." In her last sentence, as if to make her point, she sneered at Atticus, who only rolled his eyes childishly. "Besides, even if I did agree, my father would sooner set Nedour aflame than give you something so valuable for nothing."

"Your father..." Daphne trailed off.

All of a sudden, a bold, wild idea filled her mind. She was sure that if she dared to suggest such a ludicrous thing, Atticus might actually have her tongue for it. Personally, she hated the very idea of it as well, and Cordelia would have to sacrifice a whole lot for it. However, she was sure that it was something they could at least work off of.

Daphne bit her lip. "Would your father be willing to offer it as a wedding gift, perhaps?"

"A wedding gift?" Atticus echoed. "For who? We’re already married, and even if we weren’t, King Marinus definitely does not like us enough to offer such a precious gift to us."

Cordelia had gone awfully silent all of a sudden, and it was apparent to Daphne why. Atticus, on the other hand, seemed entirely clueless. Perhaps he had entirely forgotten about such a ridiculous proposition right after he sent it into the dumpster fire where it belonged. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

"Was it my aunt?" Cordelia asked solemnly, to which Daphne could only nod in reply. "She should’ve known better than to tell you. You didn’t have to know."

"I think I have every right to," Daphne said. "How could you have kept this from me, Cordelia? This is your future we’re talking about! This plan would have ruined your social standing, especially as a candidate to become the next ruler of Nedour."

"Oh," Atticus said, finally catching on, "that stupid idea from the dumb old croak." The gaze in his eyes darkened, every bit of playfulness receding immediately. "You were right, Princess Cordelia. Your aunt should’ve known better than to stick her nose into a place where it didn’t belong."

"Either way, you have nothing to worry about, Daphne," Cordelia assured. "Neither I nor King Atticus have plans on agreeing to my father’s insane proposal."

"I can’t believe you suggested going through with it, sunshine," Atticus said with a frown. "Use the pearl as a wedding gift? Seriously? You’re willing to give your husband up to another woman for this horse?"

"After my husband decided to wrongfully gouge out his eye, yes," Daphne said, gritting her teeth together hard so that she wouldn’t snap at him outright. "And Cordelia, wasn’t your entire plan to marry Atticus right from the start? That was why we didn’t hit it off at the very beginning."

Cordelia pursed her lips. Her first meeting with Daphne felt like a lifetime ago. Back then, they had started off on the wrong foot solely because of Daphne’s sudden marriage to Atticus, who was the only wedding prospect Cordelia had.

Now that she was friends with Daphne, even the thought of being in the same room as King Atticus made her feel sick. While King Atticus was indeed a powerful man, Cordelia had no clue how Daphne could stand him. He had about as much tact as a five-year-old toddler and all he knew to do was to destroy.

Cordelia had been right about the fact that he was an intelligent man. However, that intelligence only existed on the battlefield. Everywhere else, he seemed utterly hopeless.

"That was before you were married to him," Cordelia replied with a sigh. "Things have obviously changed. I have no desire to marry King Atticus right now, and I am sure he is more than happy with just you as his wife. I am sorry, Daphne, but you’ll have to suffer as his wife for the sake of all womankind and take one for the team. I am not shouldering your responsibility."

"You make it seem like I am completely unwanted," Atticus scoffed, venom coating his words.

"If the shoe fits, Your Majesty," was all Cordelia said in reply.

While she was unsure why, Daphne’s chest felt a little lighter knowing Cordelia and Atticus’s true thoughts on the matter. It was one thing to hear Queen Lavinia assure her that everything would be fine, but it was also another to hear a proper explanation from the people in question themselves. She had never doubted Cordelia nor Atticus, but it was still strangely relieving.

"You can fake the wedding," Daphne suggested. "Cancel it at the last minute―"

She eventually stopped herself short, shaking her head. That was utterly selfish of her! If the nobility learned that Cordelia was once engaged then separated, this could affect her future marriage prospects as well.

"Never mind," she quickly said, shoving the idea to the back of her mind. "Pretend I didn’t say anything―"

"That is a wonderful idea!" Cordelia suddenly jumped and said. Light filled her eyes, and for a moment, Daphne wondered who this crazed, hyperactive, overly enthusiastic woman was because it was for sure not the Princess Cordelia she knew. "Maybe after that, I will finally be able to get my father off my back regarding these useless and ridiculous marriage arrangements!"