Before Daphne could even consider — much less reply — Atticus had already stepped forward, protectively shielding Daphne behind his back as if Prince Nathaniel was a monster that threatened Daphne’s safety.
"No," he firmly said. "You seem to be forgetting sothing, Prince Nathaniel. Daphne is a married woman― my wife, to be exact. Need I remind you of what happened the last ti other people witnessed you both having a re brunch together? Have you stopped to consider what might happen if this ti it were a romantic boat ride?"
"There is no one else here other than us, King Atticus," Prince Nathaniel calmly replied, his arms outstretched as he looked around as if to prove his point. "Unless you count your royal healer and the head of Vramid’s royal cavalry, no one else will be out to tattle."
A small smile stretched across his face, serene as ever. However, the happier, jollier, and calr Prince Nathaniel looked, the more Atticus wanted to connect his fist with that prince’s face. He always had the most practiced, perfected expressions.
It was all so fake.
"I doubt your own people would commit such a wrong against you, especially since you three seem to be very good friends, not just superior and subordinate," Prince Nathaniel said. He had a fair point but Atticus was not willing to back down.
"And how can you be so sure that there aren’t people around? What if it’s as secure as your maze?" Atticus asked, scoffing. Prince Nathaniel froze minutely as Atticus’s words landed a blow right where he intended; below the belt where it hurt the most.
Atticus smirked and folded his arms across his chest. "Besides, while you might be the prince of the host kingdom, this outing was suggested as a date between Daphne and I― between husband and wife," he stressed, "and you are a re guide."
"What he ans to say is," Daphne stepped forward, explaining. She placed a hand gently on Atticus’s arm. Her husband’s gaze turned softer when he looked down at her, eting her eyes. His lips imdiately zipped shut so as to allow her to speak. "We appreciate your help, Prince Nathaniel, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. I wish to spend so ti with my husband."
Since it was Daphne who spoke up this ti, Prince Nathaniel had nothing more to say― there was nothing more he could say! He could only smile and nod understandingly, though Daphne had not missed the wave of disappointnt that had montarily passed through his eyes.
Yet, it was gone quickly after she blinked, leaving her to wonder if it was all but a fignt of her imagination.
"Very well," Prince Nathaniel said. He held out a hand, gesturing for them to follow. "Allow to lead the way, in that case."
Daphne nodded, excitedly following behind Prince Nathaniel. When she realized that Atticus walked half a step slower than her at all tis, constantly maintaining a distance from her, she frowned. She reached back, slipping her hand into his so that their fingers were interlocked together.
"Why are you walking behind ?" she asked, making sure to keep her voice low so that their conversation remained between them.
"For no particular reason," Atticus said. His voice sounded a little sulky, reminding Daphne of a child that had not gotten the toy he wanted but wasn’t wilful enough to make a scene.
A strange warmth blood in her chest. Rather than finding Atticus’s behavior odd and off-putting, she found it endearing knowing that he cared enough to be jealous.
Her grip on his hand tightened. While her strength was definitely nothing close to what could hurt Atticus, it was enough to at least tell him that she wanted him to stay. Thankfully, he reciprocated, his own fingers pressing down against the back of her hand from the way they held together.
A thin smile slowly found its way onto Atticus’s lips and his steps fell into rhythm with Daphne’s, now falling side by side with her own.
"We walk together," she said. They both, however, knew that it was more than a random sentence― it was a promise.
"Always." Atticus nodded.
"Ahem." The sound of Prince Nathaniel clearing his throat broke the little bubble that had ford around Atticus and Daphne, bringing their attention back to their tour guide.
While Atticus no longer wore a murderous expression now when he looked at the crown prince, it was still nothing that was close to friendly. They waited patiently for Prince Nathaniel to speak, keeping their mouths shut. Daphne even wore a guilty expression, slightly embarrassed that they had been caught in such a cheesy mont.
"The grounds of Heavenly Glade are divided into two major segnts― the first would be where we are now and the second would be across the lake. That is why we have to split up into boats to get across," Prince Nathaniel explained. "A maximum of two passengers can ride in each row boat at any given ti. That ans that one of us will have to ride alone."
"I’ll stay," Sirona imdiately volunteered from the back, raising her hand as though she was afraid no one could hear her clearly. When Atticus raised an eyebrow in questioning, she rely followed up with a shrug. "Not a fan of water."
"Very well then." With a nod, Prince Nathaniel pointed to the boats that were docked. There were oars prepped for each rowboat, every vessel visibly only big enough for two adults to fit inside.
Daphne’s heart lurched a little. She wasn’t a very good swimr, maybe just enough to not die imdiately if she was chucked into the water. However, to say that she wouldn’t drown was an overstatent. She was not Cordelia and had not grown up in the company of crystalline waves.
Atticus must’ve noticed her worried expression for he placed a hand on her shoulder, prompting her to turn to look at him. Imdiately, she knew she was safe. Even if anything happened, she could always depend on him if she couldn’t help herself.
He had never failed her. He wouldn’t fail now.
"If King Atticus is riding with Princess Daphne, that ans that we will be sharing a boat, Sir Jonah," Prince Nathaniel said.
Jonah could only force a smile and bow. In his mind, however, he had already stabbed Atticus a thousand tis for dragging him here when he could’ve been relaxing in his room. He just wanted one relaxing day in Raxuvia where he could stroll around Raxuvia’s flower markets without worrying about a possible assassination, but even that was a tall order. Jonah could already hear the sniggers that ca from Sirona’s direction.
That woman always had a rather vivid imagination. She was probably thinking of him and Prince Nathaniel together!
"Is everyone ready?" Prince Nathaniel asked once they had all stepped in.
Atticus was the one in charge of rowing the boat — especially since he needn’t even manually row it — while Prince Nathaniel took it upon himself to row his and Jonah’s vessel so that he could lead the way. With eager nods from Daphne and Jonah, and Atticus’s bored roll of his eyes, Prince Nathaniel pushed off.
"Welco, everyone, to the magic lake of Heavenly Glade!"
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