The King's Lover-Chapter 392: Hellhole

"Does Your Grace remember Princess Caira, the third princess of Lystern?"

Rose lifted her head, her brows slightly raised as she looked from Prince Rylen to the Crown Prince. She did her best not to show any reaction, but it was hard not to, especially with the look on Caius’s face.

Rose remembered the third princess of Lystern. It was particularly hard to forget her, not when she was banking on the princess as her ticket out of here.

Caius didn’t appreciate the question, and his expression darkened. The atmosphere grew so tense it was almost hard to breathe.

Rylen, on the other hand, held his head high as he waited for Caius’s reply. He didn’t seem scared or worried about offending the prince, but what Rose noticed most of all was that he didn’t glance in her direction.

Caius leaned forward, still glaring at Rylen. "Is there a particular reason you would ask this question, Rylen?"

Rylen slightly flinched as Caius called his name, showing that he wasn’t as unbothered as he was trying to appear. "I was just wondering, Your Grace, as I didn’t know her name until recently."

Caius scoffed, nodding his head. "I don’t like bad jokes, Rylen, and all of your actions have been unfunny—"

The rest of Caius’s words were cut off as a loud trumpet echoed in the space. They had arrived at the castle. The sound of loud chains echoed in the cramped, tense carriage as the drawbridge was let down.

The interruption made it hard to bring up the conversation again, and Prince Rylen didn’t seem to want to speak further on it, as he didn’t look Caius in the eyes after that.

They passed through the castle gates in awkward silence. Rose was glad the incident did not involve her, but at the same time, she wished she hadn’t seen it.

She could feel the Crown Prince’s gaze on her face, but she equally refused to look at him. She didn’t know why. She wasn’t angry; in fact, she was happy. If Prince Rylen were to blatantly mention her name in this situation, something must be happening.

She finally gave in and looked at Caius. There was something in his gaze she didn’t understand. She smiled at him, and he held her hand. Rose thought he was being childish, but she couldn’t spare him any more thought as the carriage would stop any moment and she would be back in this hellhole.

No sooner had she thought this than the carriage came to a full stop. Rose internally swore; she couldn’t even have a moment. As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she knew she would be face-to-face with the devil, Queen Violeta.

Rylen moved first, getting out of the carriage as soon as it stopped. Rose could hear instruments being played as music filled the air. Someone was playing the flute. She might have enjoyed it if she didn’t have other things to worry about.

The Crown Prince had not been in the castle in more than three months; this was certainly not a regular welcome. Rose tasted bile. It would be best for her to remain in the carriage and stay hidden until everyone had dispersed or until it got dark.

However, all she needed was one look at Caius, and she knew he intended to take her outside with him. Rose gripped the hem of her dress with enough strength to rip the fabric. Some things never changed; he still enjoyed humiliating her. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Prince Rylen stood outside the carriage and, in a loud voice, announced, "Your Highness, Crown Prince Caius Ravenor has returned!"

Claps and sounds of joy could be heard, and Caius started to rise, pulling her up with him. Rose felt sweat drip down her back. She couldn’t let him take her out in this manner, let alone hold her hand.

"Your Majesty," her voice shook a little. "I think I should stay back."

"Why?" Caius asked, still pulling her outside, barely giving her a chance to explain.

It was too late now; he was already outside the carriage, with her gloved hand sticking out. Rose summoned all the courage she could muster and prayed that her hat would do a good job of covering her face.

The sounds of joy faltered, but only for a moment before the music overpowered everything—but it had been enough for Rose to notice. She kept her gaze down as her feet touched the ground and hung back as much as she could with the Crown Prince holding her hand.

Suddenly, Caius stopped in his tracks, and Rose didn’t notice until she bumped into him. However, that didn’t move him. It wasn’t until she heard a soft voice that Rose realized what was going on.

"Your Highness," a soft voice said. "Welcome."

The voice reminded her of birds chirping, that soft, sharp tone. Rose didn’t even realize what she was doing until she lifted her head. Even before putting thought to it, her body knew she needed to see.

Rose didn’t know what she was expecting, but she found that she was not disappointed. Caira was beautiful, but it wasn’t the kind of beauty Rose was used to. It was delicate, fragile. Caira was, by every means, a princess.

Her white hair cascaded over her shoulder. Her blue eyes shone as they looked up at Caius with a bright, welcoming smile. She stood with poise, grace, and gentleness, and for just a fleeting moment, Rose felt jealous. She was perfect; without a doubt fit to be Caius’s bride.

"Princess Caira," Caius said, the words sounding almost like a curse as he slowly let go of Rose’s hand.

He suddenly understood why his cousin had done that. Rylen was not the type to make a mistake; every one of his actions had purpose, and she was clearly for it.

Caius let go of Rose’s hand as he spoke the Princess’s name. Her smile grew even bigger, and Rose didn’t think she had ever felt smaller.