The King's Lover-Chapter 298

Needs Editing

The ride back to the estate was just as quiet. Rose didn’t have anything to say and a part of her was still in disbelief. Last night she had made up her mind about what she was going to do and today there was new that the crown prince has woken up. Well, not exactly but at least Prince Rylen thought it was enough for him.

She gripped the reins tighter as they stopped in front of the main entrance of the mansion she had only left a few moments ago. The doors opened immediately and Prince Rylen walked right out. Lord Leopold and Lady Deana were right beside him. Rose was surprised they would come to receive them.

Thoma jumped off this horse quickly, glancing towards her to see if she needed any help but Rose didn’t need any. She freed one leg from the stirrup and uncrossed it over the horse. While, still holding on the horse, she dropped the freed foot to the ground and freed her other foot.

Rose rushed towards them as she got off the horse, curtsying before she started to speak. "Prince Rylen, Your Lordship and Ladyship."

"I was worried, we might not be able to stop you in time," Rylen was saying with a smile on his lips.

Rose lifted her head. "Is His Majesty awake?" She asked.

"Not right now but Lord Paul says, he is only sleeping and perhaps soon he should be awake to stay away more than a few moment."

Rose nodded. This was pretty relieving to hear but at the same time, she didn’t feel the joy she thought she would feel at not having to go to trial but she was basically still stuck here on the crown prince’s wing.

She smiled tightly at Rylen, she was sure it didn’t reach her eyes. "I am grateful," she said but her voice sounded empty.

"Welcome back," Lady Deana said with a smile. "I was surprised when I heard you had to go to the castle so suddenly but now that the crown prince is awake, there is no need for that and you both can return together."

Rose glanced at Prince Rylen, wondering what he had told the Lord and Lady. Rose wasn’t sure they knew she was going to the castle for putting the crown prince in danger.

"Yes," Rose said absentmindedly.

"You should get some rest," Prince Rylen said. "I am sure this morning must have been chaotic."

"Can I see His Majesty?" Rose asked before she could stop herself.

"No," it was Lord Leopold who spoke and that was the first and only thing he said.

Rose lifted her head to him, she was unsure if the Lord disliked her or not. He wasn’t particularly hostile but he wasn’t very friendly either.

"The physicians say it is best to leave him to rest," Prince Rylen further explained.

Rose nodded. "That is best," she replied. "Thank you, Prince Rylen." She curtsied again.

Rylen shrugged. He didn’t think she should thank him so much. Thomas had been willing to break the rules, he had actually sent her off even though he knew it was dangerous. He was just like the crown prince, putting her in unnecessary danger.

Rose stood awkwardly as they blocked the path. She was sure conversation had ended but there was no way she could go past them. She was also worried that Lord Leopold and his wife came out to welcome them. It should be time for breakfast now. Something bothered her.

"Walk with me, Rose," Prince Rylen said and turned around.

"As you wish Prince Rylen," Rose said and quickly walked up after him.

"Thomas see to it that the men are attended to, disperse them accordingly," Prince Rylen said without looking back.

Thomas grunted in response and turned around. He didn’t tear his gaze away until the door closed behind them. He couldn’t help but notice that Lord Leopold and Lady Deana had also gone with them.

Rose felt even more awkward as she walked in their midst. Rylen was on one side while Lady Deana and her husband was on the other side. Rose walked behind them as she couldn’t walk on the same level with them.

"I have informed Lord Leopold of the situation," Prince Rylen said.

Rose didn’t miss the stare Lord Leopold sent her way, almost like he was judging her. Rose was a little uncomfortable.

"They agree that sending you to the castle is the right thing to do. However, since His Grace is awake, at least fairly the are willing to overlook the order for His Grace. In the meantime, please..." Prince Rylen stopped walking turn around to look at her.

Rose stopped abruptly, noticing all attention was on her. She stiffened. It didn’t feel harsh rather it felt like she was on display in the market place where but could decide what do with her.

"Don’t do anything dangerous," Prince Rylen said.

"Don’t try to run off," Lord Leopold stated.

"Darling!" Lady Deana scolded.

She pulled away from her husband and walked to Rose. "I am sure you’re tired, upset and hungry too. Come with me, we will get you all changed and ready for breakfast."

Rose nodded and let Lady Deana pulled her away. However, there was one thing that was clear in her mind. She was sick of nobles. She would want nothing more than to never deal with their kind again.

"Thank you," she said to Prince Rylen as she was being pulled away.

Sorry really tired. Editing this right now.

Thomas led the way, speeding through the open gates. She was right behind and also urged her horse on. However, as she was about to pass through the gates suddenly stopped.

She heard it before anyone else—loud yelling from behind. She stopped her horse before she even thought about it, halting right in the middle of the open gates, blocking the path of the rest of the men.

Loud grunts and complaints could be heard as the men tried hard not to bump into her at her abrupt stop. She heard a few curses but Rose didn’t care, she had heard something.

Thomas noticed she stopped and turned his head toward her. At first, he only slowed his horse, but when he noticed she was indeed not moving, he turned his horse around; he had rode some distance away from them.

"What are you doing?" he asked, but he didn’t sound angry—rather, he sounded worried.

"I heard a voice," she said, turning back, but all she could see were the men she was stopping from going through the gates and the impatient guards who wanted to close the gates after they had gone through.

"A voice?" Thomas asked, his voice even softer.

"Yes," Rose said and tried to stare behind the men, but she couldn’t see a thing. It didn’t help that they weren’t even stepping backwards so she could confirm.

She turned to see Thomas looking at her with a sympathetic expression. "If you’ve changed your mind, I understand," he said.

Rose frowned, annoyed that he didn’t seem to believe her, but even as she felt herself get angry, the feeling dissipated.

Did she really hear a voice, or was it her mind playing tricks on her?

Outside these gates, she would have to make the ultimate decision. Since she hadn’t passed through them yet, she still had time to change her plan. Had she subconsciously stopped to reconsider, or did she really hear a voice?

"I haven’t," Rose said, her voice dejected. She really did hear a voice but by everyone’s reaction and the whispers, it seemed she had been the only one to hear.

If she had indeed heard a voice, she should have heard it again—and even if she couldn’t see behind her, the men should be able to tell if someone was approaching.

I must have lost my mind—Rose thought.

Suddenly, a loud trumpet echoed through the space. It wasn’t deafening, but Rose could tell that wherever it was coming from, it was urgent.

Without another word, the gates started to close. Rose was mostly out of it, but she instinctively moved backward—and so did the rest of the men.

"What are you doing?" Thomas yelled upward towards the man turning on the lever to close the gates.

"I’m sorry, Your Lordship, but that’s the signal to close the gates and keep them closed until we hear a different signal. So, Your Lordship, please either step outside the gates or inside," a guard yelled toward Thomas over the loud noise of the gates closing.

The guard was dressed in full armor. He had a helmet, and he held a spear. However, he bent his head as he spoke to Thomas and kept his spear pointed to the ground.

Rose looked at Thomas, worried he might speak in anger, but he did none of that. He didn’t even ask the guard what this was about. Rather, he quietly stepped back through the gates, just as they slammed shut.

"How long until we can leave?" Thomas asked the guard.