The King's Lover-Chapter 396: The King’s Side

"Fetch me Rylen!" Caius ordered to no one in particular as he marched to his private study.

He needed to find a way out. He didn’t have a lot of time; in barely five days, he would be married, and it would be too late then. However, before anything else, he needed to deal with his cousin. Rylen’s betrayal was what had sealed this deal and ensured he’d had no means to stop the wedding beforehand.

If he had seen this coming, Caius would have had ample time to prevent it. Princess Caira would never have set foot in Velmount, and talk of the wedding would be nothing but talk.

He was particularly annoyed by his father’s threat and even more so because he knew the king was right. Caius winced; he had forgotten this was the sort of nasty play his father could resort to. He had been negligent.

What complicated things more was that Rose wasn’t some pet he could be rid of to get the upper hand. Her presence had been meant to annoy his father—that was the major reason for his show—but now his father could see it was more than that and was willing to use Rose to his advantage.

He should have known the older man would retaliate, but Caius hadn’t imagined it would be marriage. Somehow, he had a feeling his mother had more of a hand in this and the king had just executed it.

His private study was dark as he pushed open the door, and Caius realized the sun had set and it was night, which meant it was time for dinner. He dropped into his seat just as he heard a knock.

"Come in."

A young male servant walked into the room with a lamp in hand, his head bowed. Caius ignored him, and the servant took it as a sign to proceed, lighting up the room and bowing once more before leaving.

On his way out, the door opened before he could reach it, and Prince Rylen appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in casual clothes and had a worried look on his face. The servant boy stepped aside to let Prince Rylen through before he rushed out the door.

Caius drummed his fingers on the table as he watched Rylen by the door. His cousin looked cautious and worried, but he didn’t say anything, nor did he move closer.

"Are you not going to explain yourself?" Caius asked; the drumming of his fingers grew louder.

"There is no point. Your Grace knows what I did."

Caius laughed, a sad, guttural sound. "To think you’d side with him."

"He is the king, and as his subject, I am obligated to obey his orders."

Caius scoffed. "You couldn’t care less about that. You’re not a spy working for my father."

"I was given strict orders not to inform you. I hope Your Grace will understand."

Caius stood up from his seat and punched the table, scattering the arranged papers. "If the orders were that strict, you would never have mentioned her name in the carriage."

"I figured it wasn’t breaking the rules, as you were already at the castle."

Caius was angry, so angry he could feel his skin tingle, but he knew there was no point to it. He felt nothing but betrayal at what Rylen had done, but as his cousin had said, he was instructed by the king, and that immediately closed the Chapter.

However, Caius would be lying if he said that was all there was. He knew his cousin; even if it meant going against the king, he wouldn’t betray him. If he did this, Rylen believed it was the right thing.

Caius sat back. "Leave me!"

"Your Grace?" Rylen asked with a frown.

"You should know better than to speak to me in that familiar tone after what you have done. Get out!"

"Yes, Your Highness," Rylen said and bowed before leaving the study.

Caius sat in the chair and grabbed his head. He had to think of something, and from the look of things, his cousin was not of use to him. Whatever plans he made would most likely get back to the king.

He was worried about Rose. He had no idea where she was, but he was certain Thomas would keep her safe. Right now, she was the majority of his worries. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

A soft knock pulled Caius out of his thoughts, and the door opened to reveal Thomas. "Your Highness," he softly called as he poked his head in, unsure if he could step inside.

"Thomas," Caius called with slight relief. "Where is Rose?"

Thomas immediately took the question as an invitation. He stepped in and shut the door behind him, but he didn’t start speaking until he was close enough.

"In your chambers, Your Highness. Her room was locked when we arrived, and I had her wait in yours. Her dinner was served just moments ago."

Caius frowned as he realized he had not eaten, but he was not hungry; now was not the time. "Why?"

Thomas understood immediately. "I heard it was on the Queen’s orders, and only she has the key."

"Okay," Caius replied.

No one would enter his room without permission, so she was safe there. As for his mother holding the key, he wouldn’t even have to request it; he knew a few things that would get her to return it.

He didn’t like it, as this would put Rose in harm’s way again, but it would be better than asking directly...

"I also found out that Princess Caira’s chamber is right next to yours."

Caius stiffened. It certainly explained why his mother had locked Rose’s room which would have been right after the princess’s room, but placing the Princess’s room so close to his before the marriage was final was a little overboard.

"I see," Caius said and grabbed his head again. He was silent for a moment, and when he raised his head, there was clarity in his eyes.

"Thomas," Caius said slowly. "I need you to find out a few things for me. You must keep this the utmost secret."

Thomas stood erect, his arms by his side. "You can count on me, Your Highness."

Caius frowned a little. Usually, this task would have fallen on his cousin’s shoulders, but he couldn’t rely on him on this matter, not when it was pretty clear his cousin approved.