Stolen by the Rebel King-Chapter 523: One Step Forward

While Daphne promised Sirona that she would make the effort to talk to Atticus, she still found herself at a loss for words when she tried to imagine how the conversation would proceed. A simple apology seemed too paltry for something of such gravitas, yet Daphne also couldn’t think of a way to bridge the gap.

It was hard to be honest when she wasn’t even clear about her own feelings. Daphne slumped on her bed and buried her face in the pillows. Now that they were sleeping in separate rooms, part of her did miss the scent of pine and cedar on her bedspread. It had been a comforting scent, and then a heartbreaking one, and now...

Now she didn’t know what to think. Her hands fisted into the cool fabric as she sucked in a deep breath.

The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Atticus by giving him false hope. What if she claimed to forgive him and love him, only to find herself unable to stop flinching at his touch?

That would break Atticus’s heart, more than if she simply let things remain as they were. Daphne wasn’t so cruel to do that to her own husband.

She couldn’t guarantee her own feelings towards him wouldn’t change for the worse. Daphne felt a lot of guilt, for her own actions and her reactions. But what if such guilt transformed into anger in the future? Against herself, or against Atticus? How would their marriage survive it?

There was also a part of her that was still holding back, afraid of leaping into Atticus’s waiting arms. Even if Atticus would never drop her, the niggling fear persisted at the back of her mind.

Would more time fix things? She wondered to herself. Time could dull the ache left behind by Atticus’s betrayal and scab over the wounds they have left on each other. Did she need more time apart from him, or would spending more time together help?

Just the very thought gave her a headache, and she groaned into the pillows.

’Think Daphne, think,’ Daphne chided herself.

Would a change of scenery help? Would things improve if she wasn’t reminded of how sweetly in love the both of them were by every familiar corner?

Suddenly, she missed Cordelia fiercely. Perhaps if she had an opportunity to talk with her best friend, she could make sense of her own feelings more clearly.

Sirona was all well and good, but a petty, bitter part of her mind knew that Sirona’s first loyalties were to Atticus, so of course she would want Daphne to seek reconciliation because that was what Atticus wanted.

Zephyr and Nereus had forgiven Atticus. They were hurt worse, and yet they still made peace with it and found it in their non-human hearts to forgive him. So why couldn’t she do what they did? Daphne despaired at her own stubbornness. Her rational mind had made peace with it, but what of her heart?

"Sunshine?" Atticus called out from outside, "Are you in there? Can I come in?"

Daphne hurriedly raised her head. Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Butterflies erupted in her belly. "I’m here!"

Atticus opened the door, only to see his wife lying on her front on her bed, her hair mussed up. Her skirts had ridden up to reveal her smooth calves, and the traitorous part of him twitched to attention, especially when his mind helpfully recalled what he and Daphne got up to in such a position.

Well. What they used to get up to. The reality of their current circumstances was as sobering as the first splash of cold water when he got doused with an aphrodisiac. If he made one naughty comment, he might be sent to the doghouse for good. So instead, he put a genial smile on his face.

"Am I interrupting your beauty sleep?" Atticus asked cheekily. "Not that you need it."

"Who would sleep at this hour?" Daphne retorted, jabbing a finger at the beautiful winter sun shining outside her window. "The weather is too good for a nap." She got up and smoothed her hair down so that she could meet Atticus’s eyes.

"Why are you looking for me? Did Sirona talk to you already?" Daphne asked. She couldn’t help the inkling of suspicion that formed in her head― had Sirona already informed Atticus about Daphne’s thoughts? Was that why he had arrived so quickly to find her, thinking that she was finally going to forgive him?

That thought sent a queasy feeling through her stomach.

However, Atticus stared at her in confusion. "Huh? Sirona didn’t tell me anything― wait, is this about the bet?"

"The bet?"

Atticus scoffed. "Sunshine, how much did Sirona earn from the betting pool?"

"Enough for her to not need a wage for the next year," Daphne said honestly, as she realized what Atticus was referring to. Daphne’s own share of coins was already weighing heavily in her pocket. Sirona’s share must have been even more extravagant.

Hearing Atticus’s words, she relaxed minutely. Sirona had not betrayed her confidence after all.

Atticus sighed to himself.

"If you’re not here because of Sirona, why are you looking for me?" Daphne asked curiously. "Our meeting to discuss the food distribution plans isn’t till tomorrow."

"Why can’t I look for my darling wife for non-work matters?" Atticus asked glibly, but his smile slowly faded as Daphne only stared blankly back at him instead of bantering in return. Sometimes, it felt like he was moving one step forward and two steps back in the journey to repair his relationship with Daphne, but he couldn’t give up.

Atticus cleared his throat, shamelessly ignoring the awkward silence that had enveloped the both of them. "But what I actually wanted to ask is... do you wish to visit the winter fair with me?"

"The winter fair?" Daphne repeated, before closing her eyes in realization. "Oh right. It completely slipped my mind," she murmured to herself. To think an entire year had passed so quickly.

"So... would you like to go with me?" Atticus asked hopefully. "I’ve even prepared disguises for us if you wish to visit incognito."