Stolen by the Rebel King-Chapter 508: For The Wrong Reasons

In perfect sync, Cordelia and Jonah both turned their heads to the door — or at least where it once was — and immediately winced.

Atticus stood at the entrance, his face red with anger and his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Magic surrounded his hands, and from the way the door exploded into shards, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that he had blasted the door open in his haste.

To top it all off, it seemed like Atticus wasn’t the only person present. Daphne was right behind him, along with several other faces, both familiar and unfamiliar. Cordelia could spot her father, aunt, and uncle among the crowd, wearing equally horrified expressions. Her father, especially, looked even redder than King Atticus did.

"I was wondering why you were taking so long," Atticus seethed through gritted teeth. His gaze went right through Cordelia, aimed straight at Jonah. "Turns out, you were hiding here all this time."

A barrage of murmurs quickly burst from the crowd. The guests that were gathered behind King Atticus all turned around and whispered among themselves, their shifty gazes landing on Cordelia and Jonah, who were still tangled in bed under the sheets, then on King Atticus, who was still dressed in his wedding attire.

Cordelia wanted to laugh.

Everything had turned out better than she hoped. She hadn’t expected it would play out like this exactly, but this would work just fine. What’s more, her father had also been dragged along. There was no way he could deny this truth now that everyone had witnessed it with their own two eyes.

"Atti― King Atticus," Jonah corrected himself, eyeing the crowd. "I can explain."

"What is there to explain?!" Atticus roared. He pointed to them, then in the direction of the hallway. "We had all been waiting at the chapel just for news to arrive that you’re in Princess Cordelia’s chambers. What more needs to be said?"

"A man and a woman alone in bed?" someone from the crowd said. "What else can be happening other than..."

"This is just like Princess Drusilla’s scandal all over again!"

"Worse," said another. "Poor King Atticus. Imagine having your bride stolen by your best man! How utterly embarrassing."

Atticus’s eyelids twitched in irritation. He turned around, glaring hard at the crowd, and the guests instinctively cowered back when met with his furious gaze.

"Your Majesty!" King Marinus was the first to speak, squeezing past everyone to get to Atticus’s side. "I am sure there must’ve been some sort of misunderstanding―"

He was quickly cut off when a wisp of shimmery silver enveloped his lips. When King Marinus turned to look, he was surprised to find out that it hadn’t been King Atticus who had called upon his magic― it was Queen Daphne instead.

"I think that’s enough fanfare for one day," Daphne said, her face stoic. She waved her hand, causing the magic to dissipate, allowing King Marinus the ability to speak once more. "Pardon us, King Marinus, but please bring Princess Cordelia to a different room to rest for now. A palace maid will guide you there."

She waved a hand, and in popped a pair of maids. They curtsied quickly, holding their hands out to show King Marinus the route to the prepared room. The king of Nedour could only hastily make his way to the bed, pry his daughter from the tangle of sheets, before dragging her along after the maids’ guide.

They quickly disappeared down the corridor, leaving just Jonah in bed, Atticus and Daphne at the door-turned-archway, and the rest of the guests still standing there, steeping in their shock.

"Please excuse us for the night," Daphne addressed the crowd apologetically, especially directed to King Calarian and Queen Lavinia. "I am afraid this is a private matter which must be settled at once. The banquet has already been prepared, so do help yourselves to the food and drinks. Unfortunately, King Atticus and I will have to excuse ourselves for the night."

Again, murmurs quickly rose from the crowd, but they were stamped down when Queen Lavinia stepped forward.

"We appreciate the hospitality, Queen Daphne," Lavinia said. She then dragged her wide-eyed husband away.

Following her departure, the remaining nobility didn’t dare to stay now that the Xahan royal couple had already left. They tottered after King Calarian and Queen Lavinia, no doubt eager to spread the latest gossip over the prepared food and drinks.

Not that Daphne cared. That was exactly what she and the rest hoped for. However...

She turned to look at Atticus and winced. He was definitely not pretending to be upset, alright. That she could at least tell. However, the reason for his anger was the exact opposite of what everyone else might imagine.

Daphne sighed, pushing Atticus into the room as she and Sirona stepped in as well.

With a wave of her hand, Daphne quickly gathered the pieces of wood that were scattered across the floor. Even the ones that were lodged in Jonah’s back were — surprisingly painlessly — pulled out. Each piece glued itself to another, and eventually, the full door was formed again before it popped itself back in place.

Daphne’s magic was far from perfect. There were still lines across the door that told onlookers where it had shattered previously, but it was at least enough to keep them out of the view of prying eyes. That would have to do for now.

"Geez, Atticus, you could at least tone back on the dramatics," Sirona said.

She quickly rushed forward, her medical kit prepped and ready as she quickly assessed Jonah’s injured back. One by one, she pulled out a few necessary items — salves, bandages, and antiseptics — and began to tend to his injured skin.

"If I was even one second later, the bun would already be baked," Atticus spat out, huffing as he folded his arms across his chest. He glared harshly at Jonah. "I told you specifically not to interfere with this! Which part of ’stay away from that vile woman’ did you not understand?"

Daphne shot him a harsh glare at that, to which Atticus replied with a sheepish smile. That, though, was quickly replaced with a roll of his eyes when Jonah spoke again.

"You also offered me a paid vacation," Jonah reminded. "I have simply decided that I wish to enjoy my vacation in Nedour.