The King's Lover-Chapter 399: Wedding Changes

Caius sat in his study, the drawn window curtains sending rays of light all around, highlighting the numerous shelves that made up the private space. Thomas stood beside him with a piece of paper. Caius frowned as he read the contents.

"Mother is in charge, I see. She won’t agree to relinquish her role that easily, let alone let me make changes. I’ll have to find a way to convince her."

Caius’s frown deepened as he recalled that he had moved Rose’s belongings to his room as an attempt to force his mother to give her room back; it was certainly better than Rose remaining in his chambers indefinitely.

The door swung open and a loud voice called, "Caius!"

Speak of the devil.

"Mother," Caius called with a smile as he stood. "I was about to come find you."

A guard closed the door as soon as she walked in. She was alone, none of her ladies-in-waiting in sight. She was furious, and Caius knew it from the moment she used his name.

"Leave us, Thomas."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Thomas said with a bow before making his way out.

"Have you finally gone insane?!" she yelled when they were alone. "Have you no shame?"

"Mother, Mother." Caius crossed the room to meet her, ignoring her rants. "This is also my wedding, and I wanted to get your permission on a few things."

Queen Violeta was a little taken aback, and her clear confusion on her face showed she was at a loss. In her distracted state, Caius wasted no time in kissing the back of her hand and leading her to a seat.

"I want to oversee the preparations. You can just relax and let me handle this."

"Why?" Queen Violeta asked, momentarily snapping out of her confusion.

Caius’s gaze turned serious. "I can’t get out of it, can I? You both made sure of that. I might as well have it my way."

"You want to sabotage your wedding?!"

Caius tried not to show any reaction. "You won’t let me do that," he replied. "You have my word that it will go smoothly."

"Does that mean you agree with this marriage, then?" Queen Violeta still looked suspicious.

"Yes, of course. I wouldn’t dare go against you and Father’s will." Caius’s jaw hardened as he spoke.

"Get the whore out of your room, and you can do as you like with the wedding!" His mother’s eyes were blazing again.

Caius tried not to show his exasperation at his mother completely missing the script. He had even done his best to play the role of a good son who wanted nothing more than to do as his mother wished.

The only silver lining was that she wasn’t demanding he be rid of Rose altogether, and he wondered why. She could have taken this opportunity to do just that, but he wasn’t really surprised. His mother often found it hard to see the entire perspective and focused only on what was directly in front of her.

Caius sighed dramatically, as though what he was about to say pained him gravely. "I can’t. This is such a delicate period. I wouldn’t want another... situation. It would be easy to hide a crime with everything going on in the castle." He stared at her with accusatory eyes, knowing she wouldn’t take the bait.

"Then get rid of her," his mother stated.

Caius winced. "I am not married yet, Mother. Besides," he said with a sneer, "I don’t think the poor princess could handle being Rose’s replacement."

His mother’s face convulsed in horror. He knew exactly what she was thinking about. The rumors hadn’t spared any details and were much worse than the actual acts, but even Caius couldn’t deny how obscene they were even without the rumors amplifying them.

"You wouldn’t dare! Don’t forget this is a princess, not some lowborn you picked off the streets."

Caius winced but quickly returned his expression to neutral as he forced the next words out. "I wouldn’t dare put the princess through that, Mother," he said sternly. "That is what Rose is for. A man must have his pleasures."

"Find another replacement. One away from the castle."

Caius wasn’t surprised his mother agreed to it. It wasn’t uncommon for kings to have affairs. He was sure the only reason his father didn’t was because he was too preoccupied with his illness. He didn’t even have time for his mother.

"As you wish," he replied. "But she stays until I do."

His mother looked as though she might argue, but Caius cut her off.

"I am getting married as you want. What more do you want?" He exaggerated his exasperation, and his mother’s eyes softened.

"Don’t you dare let her attend the wedding," his mother added.

Caius didn’t like this, but he knew his mother was right. She wasn’t even the main threat anymore; his father was. He didn’t want to think about what the sick old man would do to get rid of Rose if he angered him further—and he already had. Especially since the king knew Rose was important. Caius had to be careful for now.

"As you wish, Mother. Until her replacement, you won’t see any sign of her. You have my word!"

His mother breathed heavily as she looked at him. He could see several emotions pass over her face. She must have a hard time believing him, but Caius didn’t care if she did or not, as long as she did as he wanted and stepped away from the wedding preparations.

"Where would you keep her?" she asked.

"In her room," he stated, staring his mother straight in the eye.

"Next to your bride’s room? Have you no shame?"

Caius looked at his mother with a bored expression. They were back to this topic again. He was already running out of patience, but this was to fulfill a purpose, and he knew if he played his cards right, he would get everything he wanted.

Besides, he knew his mother was simply putting up one last fight. He had agreed to all her demands; she had no real reason to refuse his offer, and he knew if he was insistent, she would agree.

"No one will know she is there. It is the only place I can keep her close for easy access and less attention. Only my personal guards and her maids are allowed on my floor."

Caius wasn’t exactly sure how his mother had found out, but he was sure more than a few people must have seen Rose’s belongings being brought up to his floor. He would not be surprised if she had a spy among Rose’s maids. After all, someone had planted his ring in her room.

"And if I say no?" his mother asked.

Caius’s face darkened, and he leaned back in his seat. "Then I just might sabotage this wedding and never be rid of her."

His mother stood up. "I shall unlock the room, but should I lay my eyes on her, I will send her where you shall never find her."

Caius stared daggers at his mother’s back. "Yes, Mother."

He did not doubt her words, but he had no intention of giving her an opportunity to do so. Caius realized he was angrier with his mother than he had known. She had had Rose kidnapped and almost executed. He had almost forgotten that.

"One more thing," she said as he stood by the door.

Caius forced himself to look her in the face. "Yes, Mother."

"You will join us for lunch and you’ll also take Caira around the castle. Do I have your word?"

"Yes mother," Caius replied coldly.