The King's Lover-Chapter 405: New Family

A teapot and two cups sat on the table in the middle of the gazebo. A soft breeze floated through the space, and different birds chirped all around. There was a distant sound of buzzing as a bee approached the blooming flowers.

Rylen felt himself go cold. This was the issue. He had noticed she had been quieter after the walk with Caius but he didn’t think too much of it. He wasn’t sure what had transpired, and there was no way to find out, as things between him and Caius had been very strained. He doubted that it would get better any time soon.

He was sure all his cousin saw was betrayal. Rylen didn’t mind being seen as a traitor. He knew he was loyal to the crown, and this was the right thing to do for the future king of Velmount. At least this way, Caius would finally have to let Rose go. The poor woman had been through so much because of him.

It was also a good way to appease the council and members of the public. Regardless of Caius’s attitude, it was hard to miss the growing agitation at Rose’s presence, the way he treated her, and the fact that she was still present multiple months later.

Caira twisted her fingers as she sat on the bench. She looked unsure after blurting out what had been bothering her, her eyes gauging Rylen’s reaction. She looked embarrassed to have told him such a thing, but at the same time, she wanted to be comforted.

Her maid stood still at the back, her eyes locked on the floor. She was within earshot of the conversation but acted with the trained stillness of a fixture, present but unseen. It was almost impressive.

Rylen kept his face as neutral as possible. He had to convince the princess that this was not true. "I don’t think that’s the case, Princess. His Grace can be a little standoffish at times. If you saw our interactions, you would believe he disliked me."

Relief washed over her face as she realized Rylen wasn’t going to dismiss her problem or think it inappropriate to discuss with him. This gave her more confidence to continue.

"I’m sorry, but I think you’re wrong, Prince Rylen," she stated. "He barely spoke to me, and he wouldn’t answer my questions—only occasionally nodding or pointing. It was clear I was annoying him by speaking, so I kept quiet. He must hate me." She looked on the verge of tears.

"He does not. I promise. I know my cousin," he said with a smile, doing his best to cheer her.

He was leaning further into this role, even though he knew it was a bad idea, telling himself he was just ensuring the wedding would go through.

"I didn’t know he was unaware of the wedding. Do you think that’s why he hates me?"

She wasn’t listening. Rylen didn’t know how long she had been festering on these thoughts, but now that he had opened the lid, her fears were bubbling to the surface.

"He doesn’t hate you," Rylen insisted. "He was a bit shocked about the marriage, but His Grace wouldn’t agree to what he doesn’t want. You are his betrothed, and have been for years. If he never wanted a marriage in the first place, he would have ended it long before you came here."

Rylen didn’t know half of what he was saying, because he knew for a fact that Caius didn’t want to marry Caira. As for why Caius had agreed, Rylen was unsure; he didn’t know what tactic the King had used to convince his stubborn son, but he was sure it wasn’t one Caius was pleased about.

Caira seemed to find comfort in his words because she wiped her eyes and nodded. "I am sorry," she said with a sad laugh.

"Don’t apologize. I am sure it is all so overwhelming for you, especially with the wedding barely days away. I hear brides have it the worst at this time."

Caira nodded. "It really is, and my family can’t make it to the wedding, not at this time. I told them not to worry, not with everything that has happened."

Rylen had an idea of what she was talking about. About six months ago, the King of Lystern had died; word said it was an assassination, but that was only rumor, and Lystern still hadn’t given an official statement. Her only brother, only two years older than Caira, had taken the throne a mere three months ago. Therefore, her marriage could not have come at a more opportune—and terrible—time.

Opportune, as the marriage strengthened their alliance with Velmount, which was needed now. But the kingdom was too busy trying to recover that it could not spare anyone. Rylen understood why Caira was willing to embark on this journey alone, but it must be hard to be thrust into a new place filled with strangers and a reluctant groom.

He thought it was very brave of her to leave everything behind and chase after a prince she couldn’t remember meeting. And for that prince to be his cousin... he thought it was a little cruel.

"Well," Rylen smiled. "Wouldn’t that mean we are your new family now?"

We? He internally scolded himself. He didn’t have to make himself directly involved; he could have just said she had a new family now. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Yes," Caira said and jumped to her feet, clearly no longer upset. "You are right, and everyone has been so nice. The Queen, the servants... and you. Thank you."

Rylen told himself she was just being gracious, but the way she said her thanks made it feel as though he had done the most chivalrous thing possible. And her smile made it easy to forget the many mistakes he had just made.

"Shall we head to the dining room, then?" he asked.

"Yes, please," Caira returned with glee. Gathering her skirt, she walked out of the gazebo, side by side with Rylen as they made their way into the castle.