Stolen by the Rebel King-Chapter 528: Betting On the Fourth Prince

After all, more than one attempt had been made back then to matchmake them with Atticus, but thankfully, they had taken the hint after multiple rejections― much to the relief of those princesses. Vramid was simply too far away from Santok for them to waste efforts in wooing Atticus when they could focus on kingdoms closer to them. Furthermore, the king of Vramid did not have the best reputation back then.

Nikun only smiled sadly, the wet strands of his hair falling into his eyes. Daphne was reminded of a puppy stuck in the rain, waiting for their owner to acknowledge them.

"I don’t blame you for your suspicions. I’m a prince, but I’m not a trueborn prince," Nikun said self-consciously.

"My mother was a noble lady, but she was nothing more than one of the king’s flings. As such, I do not have the status of a trueborn prince, despite attending the same lessons as my older brothers. The reason why I’m even so far from home is because they have made my stay unbearable." The smallest tear fell from the corner of his eye, and he brushed it away.

Pity welled up in Daphne’s heart, while Atticus remained unmoved, a look of disdain on his face at his theatrics. He had a hard life too, but he wasn’t pretending to be pitiful to gain sympathy.

"So you were planning to drown yourself in the storm?" Atticus asked. "In that case, sorry for ruining your plans, but feel free to continue your attempts." He gestured back to the water. "The storm has settled, but the water is still deep."

"Atticus!" Daphne scolded him disapprovingly. Even if he didn’t like or trust the man, there was no need for such rudeness when he hadn’t done anything to earn his ire.

Well, other than show interest in her.

"No, King Atticus," Nikun protested weakly. "I have no plans of dying at all... My crew and I wanted to reach Nedour as soon as possible, which was why we decided to take the sea route... I could not afford to miss Princess Cordelia’s matchmaking tournament!"

"You’re participating in the matchmaking tournament?" Daphne exclaimed in surprise before she connected the dots. That explained Nikun’s desperation and his presence so far from home― if he was indeed a bastard prince as he claimed, then marrying Cordelia would be his way to legitimacy. He had nothing to lose in this venture, except his life.

However, Daphne didn’t like the thought of Cordelia being saddled with him. Cordelia deserved someone that would be with her because he loved her, instead of using her as a ticket to a happier life.

Then again, it wasn’t up to her. However, she had faith in Cordelia’s judgment.

Meanwhile, Atticus seemed to perk up at Nikun’s words. He clasped Nikun’s hand and pulled him up, patting his back eagerly.

"Healers! Come and see to this man immediately!" Atticus called out, and immediately, two healers scrambled back on the deck, bowing low. Nikun blinked, surprised at the turn of events.

"I’m fine really... Just a tad wet―" Nikun said, but then he sneezed out loud. "I’m fine―"

The night breeze grew stronger all over the deck, and he shivered pathetically in his wet clothes, dissolving into sniffles.

"Nonsense," Atticus tutted. "If you fall sick, you won’t make a strong showing in the contest. And from the caliber of contestants, you’ll need all the help you can get. Healers, make sure he’s in the peak of health by the time we get to Nedour," Atticus ordered, and the healers nodded obediently, all but marching a gobsmacked Nikun to the infirmary so that they could examine him.

"Thank you!" Nikun called out before he was dragged below deck, sounding incredibly confused at the turn of events.

Meanwhile, Daphne could only shake her head at her husband’s behavior. "How nice of you," she drawled out, raising an eyebrow. "I had no clue you were so charitable. "

"My dear Daphne, I am nothing but a paragon of virtue," Atticus replied glibly, a hand on his chest. "How can I stand in the way of Nikun’s attempt to win over Cordelia’s heart? Look at him, he nearly died on his journey! If that does not show the power of his devotion, nothing will."

Daphne snorted at his nonsense. Of course she could figure out what he was thinking― he wanted Nikun to win the competition for Cordelia’s hand, so that Jonah would have no choice but to return to Vramid with them, back to Atticus’s side.

His plan was so transparent it was almost laughable.

"Atticus, this idea isn’t going to work. You know better than anyone that Jonah is definitely the better choice," Daphne said. "Cordelia is hardly going to be swayed by this man. She doesn’t care for royalty."

"Good thing he’s a bastard prince then." Atticus shrugged. "Who knows? That kind of thing might appeal to her more than Jonah’s straight-laced attitude. If he has indeed been mistreated by his brothers, that’ll inspire more protectiveness in Cordelia. You know better than anyone how she loves to defend the weak and the bullied. And that man was single-handedly one of the most pathetic sights I’ve seen in a long while."

Daphne paused. Atticus had a point.

"He nearly drowned, did you expect him to look awe-inspiring?" she grumbled. "Anyway, you shouldn’t get his hopes up. I believe that Jonah will remain Cordelia’s final choice," Daphne insisted. "This entire competition was made so that Cordelia could get her kingdom to accept him as a Prince Consort."

"Her entire kingdom could accept this outcome, but I refuse." Atticus crossed his arms. "Jonah belongs back in Vramid with me― I mean, us." Atticus coughed slightly at the end.

Daphne could only laugh in amusement. Her husband was so desperate for Jonah’s return, that all traces of his earlier petulant sulking were gone. His longing had only gotten stronger when they departed on this journey to Nedour. If he had the magical ability to travel to Nedour in an instant to steal Jonah away, he would have done it in a heartbeat.

"Sure he does," Daphne said, just to humor her husband. "And when he marries Cordelia at the end, I’ll definitely be rubbing it into your face."

"That would never happen." Atticus scowled handsomely.

"You sound awfully sure about that," Daphne said placidly.

"Of course I am! I’ll make sure that Nikun is her only choice in the end," Atticus promised, a fervent glint in his eye.

"Foreign interference of another kingdom’s affairs is grounds for war, dear husband," Daphne couldn’t help but remind him, just in case Atticus decided to use his powers to incapacitate everyone else on the playing field. "And I know Cordelia, my best friend, better than you. She would pick Jonah."

"And I’m telling you she’ll pick Nikun!"

"Definitely not!" Daphne retorted, inflating her cheeks in anger.

"Oh really? Would you like to make a bet with me then?" Atticus asked, looming over her smugly. "I’ve never lost in life, and I don’t see the need to start now. Are you sure you want to take this risk?"

The sight of his cocky smirk made her heart flutter, but it also made her want to smack it away from his face.

Possibly with her lips.

"Fine! Let’s make a wager!" Daphne declared hotly, hoping that she wouldn’t regret it. "If I win, you’ll have to...!"