Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 408: Lessons For The Future I

Chapter 408: Lessons For The Future I

She wanted to tell Cordelia everything, but part of her feared Cordelia’s response. She knew Cordelia for long enough to know that she was never fond of masking her emotions; if she hated someone, she let them know point-blank to their faces.

If Daphne told her what Atticus tried to do, there was a high chance Cordelia might simply decide to confront him― and then Atticus would know that Daphne mistrusted him still, throwing away the cover of normalcy.

Daphne was nowhere near ready to go to war against her husband, and she didn’t want to pull innocents into their conflict either.

She had even briefly harbored the thought about staying in Xahan while Atticus went back, only to realize it would be tantamount to giving her husband free reign to do whatever he liked in Reaweth.

No, for better or worse, she was stuck with him.

"That is a gory tale you’ve told us," Queen Lavinia said with a polite shudder when Daphne finished it. "I’ll have to censor it for the children when they ask. Speaking of which, it’s about time for me to visit my youngest. Do you want to come along? You might learn something important for the future."

Daphne had no reason to refuse, despite Cordelia making quick shaking motions with her head.

"Auntie, there’s no need for Daphne to visit Bianca. She’s cute, but all she does is eat and poop," Cordelia said bluntly. "Daphne needs more rest. What can she learn from the baby?"

"I’m sure she’s lovely," Daphne countered cheerfully, and she was rewarded with a beaming smile from Queen Lavinia.

Off to the nursery they went― it was a room in another wing of the palace altogether, and Daphne did not miss the increase in the number of guards lining the hallways.

It was heartening to know that King Calarian placed so much importance on the safety of his children when he had guests. It wouldn’t save them if Atticus tried to kill them, but Daphne hoped her husband would not resort to threatening their lives.

"Here we are," Queen Lavinia said quietly, gesturing for them to enter.

The nursery was a huge room painted a warm red, too dark to be considered pink. It was separated into different sections; Daphne could spot an area with twin beds and a lot of toys meant for toddlers, but Queen Lavinia led them to the quietest corner, where the newest addition in Xahan’s family lay.

"This is my youngest, Bianca."

Daphne’s heart stuttered as she took a closer look at the sleeping infant. Her eyes were closed as she yawned; she was so impossibly small when swaddled Daphne immediately felt a protective urge bloom within her.

"She’s so small, so lovely," Daphne said in a hushed voice. "How wonderful."

"I’m glad you think so," Lavinia said proudly, and the baby shifted, sensing her mother’s voice.

Daphne gasped when the tiny eyelashes fluttered open to reveal soft brown eyes.

"She takes after her father," Lavinia added, "Right, sweetie? My husband was so happy to finally have another child that looked like him."

Princess Bianca’s mouth moved wordlessly, as though agreeing with Queen Lavinia. It was so adorable that Daphne suddenly felt the inexplicable urge to have her own child.

"Do you want to hold her?" The queen offered.

"I wouldn’t dare to presume―" Daphne said quickly, but Queen Lavinia shook off her objections and gestured for her to hold out her hands, before she deposited her infant into Daphne’s stiff arms.

The baby blinked, and for a second, everything was calm. Daphne breathed out and smiled down at Bianca, making sure to keep her voice low and even.

"Hi Bianca, I’m Daphne. How are you, precious?"

Baby Bianca blinked and gurgled. Daphne’s heart squeezed. Oh, babies were adorable. She had never held one, but baby Bianca smelled so clean and warm, like freshly laundered blankets and the first batch of bread from the baker’s oven.

This wasn’t so hard at all. Daphne’s smile widened as she gained more confidence. Bianca continued to blink dumbly up at her. Daphne continued to coo over her, wanting to touch the soft skin of her cheeks.

Beside her, Queen Lavinia hid a tiny smirk behind her sleeve. She had always believed babies were the best method for diplomacy, and it was especially effective on kind women like Daphne. Daphne was willing to extend an offer of friendship to her hot-headed and caustic niece despite Cordelia’s initial attempts to seduce her husband; how could Lavinia not want such a woman in her own extended family?

Eventually, the peaceful moment ended when Bianca finally realized she was no longer in the hands of her beloved mother. Her tiny adorable face began to scrunch up, reddening with exertion as she began to cry, her tiny limbs flailing around as she tried to get away from Daphne’s hold.

"Oh god, she’s crying already?" Daphne panicked. "What did I do? Oh Bianca, please don’t cry!"

Daphne held a squalling infant in her arms, an expression of barely concealed terror in her face. Why was Princess Bianca wailing her little lungs out? Daphne didn’t think she was so terrible at holding her that she deserved to have her ears destroyed.

"Cordelia!" Daphne gave her best friend a panicked glance. "Help me!"

Cordelia snorted with amusement. "Don’t panic. Bianca can sense your unease, so she feels even more uneasy thinking that you’re going to drop her."

Daphne wasn’t thinking about it, but now that Cordelia had brought up such a possibility, her mind helpfully conjured the image of her dropping Xahan’s youngest princess on her head and causing her parents to declare war on Reaweth. Her palms began to sweat, and she swore the baby gave her a baleful look before wailing even louder, wet tears running from her eyes.

"Cordelia!"

"Just kidding, she’s probably hungry again," Cordelia said teasingly. "Auntie, I think she’s going to grow bigger than the twins soon, with the rate she’s eating."

"Hunger is a good sign, isn’t it, my sweet darling?" Queen Lavinia finally decided to stop watching and eagerly took her child back from Daphne, quickly shushing her with practiced motions. "She’s not hungry yet, she just wanted Mama. Isn’t that right, sweetpea?"

Bianca settled almost immediately, but Daphne caught the petulant look on Bianca’s face as she gazed at her mother, as though blaming her for putting her welfare in the hands of someone as hopeless as Daphne.

Daphne flushed, and she felt the need to apologize. Queen Lavinia waved off her apology easily.

"No one is a natural when it comes to childrearing. I have experience with three children, so this looks like it comes easy for me. You’ll understand when you have your own children."

Daphne choked. "I won’t be having children anytime soon!"

"...Are you sure about that?" Queen Lavinia asked curiously, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What if King Atticus wants children?"