"We... we..." The two won looked at each other, not daring to be the one to admit their words in front of King Atticus. Atticus scowled even more heavily at their reluctance.
"Tell now, before I decide to force an answer out of you."
Finally, one of the won spoke up. "Your wife is sleeping with Prince Nathaniel!"
"Excuse ?!" Atticus’s mouth dropped in sheer outrage. "That’s utter nonsense. Who did you hear this from?"
"Everyone is saying it now," the woman pointed out. "Too many people saw them talking and laughing in the gardens alone."
"And you think she’s cheating on based on that? Such ridiculousness!" Atticus roared.
Clearly, those won didn’t bother to notice that Sirona was also at the gathering. He relaxed minutely; this was obviously so foolish rumor cooked up by so bored royal ladies with too much ti on their hands.
"Refrain from speaking ill of my wife. Any insult to her is an insult to . Rember that," Atticus growled out nacingly.
The two won nodded, their faces pale with fear.
Atticus left them standing in the hallway with one last glare. King Calarian’s words seed almost prophetic; Daphne’s reputation had seemingly taken another tumble in her absence. He sucked in a breath as he stord away to look for the root cause of the rumor. There was no proof, but all signs pointed to Daphne’s terrible siblings as the culprits.
Once he got proof, he’d make them pay.
However, what Atticus failed to realize is that while threatening people to stop gossiping worked for the soldiers under his command, it never worked for noblewon who felt robbed of their right to speak.
"I can’t believe this... Poor King Atticus!"
"He’s blinded by love!"
"We have to do sothing to let him know!"
"His love is rewarded with her treachery... oh... this hurts so much..."
"That woman really has no sha!"
The more Atticus went around trying to shut the mouths of ladies and servants he t, the worse the rumors beca. Aurelia could only smile into her tea as she and Drusilla took tea in her private parlor on the second floor of the mansion.
"My my, Drusilla, I’ve heard the wickedest rumors just this afternoon." Her eyes radiated smug satisfaction as she watched yet another cluster of ladies gather back after King Atticus had broken them up.
The parlor offered her an unhindered view of the gardens, and it was entertaining to watch King Atticus and his guard wander around like headless chickens, trying to find the source of the rumor.
King Atticus was a man of war; he was unused to the social politics of a noblewoman’s society. That was an entirely different battlefield in itself.
It was almost too easy. That said, Drusilla had done a marvelous job. An outraged whisper here, a tearful sob there...
Now, even if Aurelia’s brother wanted to marry Princess Daphne, his court would caution him to think twice. Even if King Atticus decided to give up his useless wife, her brother would not be able to take her!
"Princess Aurelia, it’s beneath us to gossip," Drusilla said sweetly, her eyes twinkling in amusent. They shared a private giggle.
"Oh look, here cos your useless slutty sister." Aurelia sat up eagerly, as she watched Daphne’s blonde head shine under the sunlight, arm in arm with her brother.
Oh, she could not have made a worse impression if she had tried. How she longed to lop off that pretty head! But that was too gory for soone of her status.
Well, causing the death of her reputation would have to suffice. And guess what, even the Heavens were on her side!
After a few short words, her brother left, and Princess Daphne was left alone in the courtyard full of angry nobility.
Perfect.
***
"Look who dared to finally show up!" One woman called out, once she was sure that Prince Nathaniel had gone too far to overhear her. "Do you know your husband is running around looking for you?"
"Atticus?" Daphne asked, worried.
However, her simple response seed to stoke more anger. Daphne shifted, suddenly feeling a strange animosity from everyone.
"Do you have another husband?" Another woman chid in.
"Did you forget that she has too many n to keep track of? Her husband is just one of many."
"I beg your pardon?" Daphne demanded politely, crossing her arms. She couldn’t believe her ears. "How dare you make such a grievous accusation!"
"It’s not an accusation if it’s true." Another woman argued. "You’re such a―"
"That’s enough from all of you," Queen Yvaine interrupted, finally getting up from her spot. She was hoping to have a relaxing ti sunbathing, but her rest was constantly being disrupted by all the chatter because of this one woman. If she didn’t resolve this, she would not have peace.
Next ti, she’d send her husband out for such events instead.
"Comport yourself with grace and dignity like the ladies you are, or do all of you need to be confined to the nursery like wailing infants?" Queen Yvaine demanded, eyes blazing.
Everyone fell into a sullen silence. Daphne saw many upset glares thrown in her direction, as though it was her fault that Queen Yvaine gave them a scolding. Surely one ruined dinner wasn’t worth this much vitriol.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Daphne said, bowing to Queen Yvaine.
"Don’t thank ," Queen Yvaine said curtly, her sharp eyes scrutinizing Daphne from head to toe. "Did you spend an entire afternoon with Prince Nathaniel completely unchaperoned?"
"No! Of course not!" Daphne denied vehently, shaking her head. "It would be so improper! I had my friend― Healer Sirona was with ."
"Then where is she now? Why didn’t she return with you?"
Daphne bit her tongue.
"Well?" Queen Yvaine drumd her fingers on the table, waiting for an answer.
"She’s at the healers. She got burnt by the tea," Daphne finally spoke, ashad.
The audience gasped. Soone scoffed, "A likely story! Isn’t it convenient that your friend just happens to be burnt to leave you alone with the king?"
"Maybe she burnt her," another person bitterly whispered, loud enough for Daphne to hear.
"It’s the truth!" Daphne protested. "You can ask Nathaniel if you don’t believe !"
"Nathaniel?"
"You call him by his first na?"
"So you were alone with him. For hours I presu." Queen Yvaine pursed her lips. She didn’t want to think the worst of this little lady, but perhaps the rumors had a kernel of truth in them.
"...Yes. But nothing happened! I swear!" Daphne said pleadingly. "I would never betray Atticus!"
Just then, a new voice sliced through the air, commanding their attention.
"You already have."
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