The King's Lover-Chapter 430: Caira and Rose

Caira noticed Rose as soon as she stepped out of her room—it was hard not to, her red hair practically glimmered. Rose kept her head bent as Caira passed, and the princess didn’t even glance at her.

It was hard to describe how she felt as she gripped the sides of her dress and bent her knees but Rose was even more bothered by how the princess must feel running into her. Rose could feel her heart slam against her chest and she prayed that the ground would swallow her.

This encounter was supposed to be avoided. Thomas had arrived when breakfast in the dining room had begun, but today Caira had been a little late, and that was the reason for this unfortunate meeting.

Unfortunately, Thomas had to pay his respects, and a simple bow wouldn’t suffice as he wasn’t a servant. "Your Highness," he said softly.

There was a brief moment of silence and Rose’s heart beat even faster and her palms became sweaty.

"Lord Thomas," Caira said without looking at the lord or slowly down her stride.

Rose could see the bottom of Caira’s purple dress as she got closer. The tips of her shoes peeked out, but Rose had only noticed because she was staring. Caira’s footsteps were straight and steady, almost as if she were walking on an invisible line.

When Caira had her back to her, Rose lifted her head, and the first thing she noticed was the princess’s hair—such a pretty color. It reminded her of Prince Rylen.

Rose was about to look away when she noticed Caira’s maid glaring at her. It was pretty brief, and she would have missed it if she hadn’t been looking. The maid had turned her head just before passing Rose and sent a death stare in her direction.

Rose wasn’t shocked or appalled, and she wouldn’t even be surprised if she had gotten the same reaction from the princess, but it didn’t mean she was unaffected. It also made her very aware of why the crown prince had to keep her hidden.

She thought that the princess must be as nice as they say as this encounter could have gone sideways. She could lie that Rose had been disrespectful and even if it was to lie with Thomas as a witness, it was still a princess’s word against her.

She felt even worse that she had partaken in the scheme with the crown prince. Just because she didn’t have a choice, didn’t make her less guilty. Perhaps, it did but Rose didn’t feel that way.

"Rose," Thomas called.

Rose snapped out of her thoughts, realizing she was still curtseying even though the princess was long gone. She righted herself but didn’t look at Thomas; she wasn’t quite sure she could handle the look on his face.

"Can we go now?" she asked, turning her gaze toward the stairs.

Is that tears? She thought to herself as she blinked rapidly.

"Yes," he said and started to lead the way.

Rose didn’t speak as he led her through the side of the castle. She preferred this; she knew she didn’t have the mental fortitude to run into anyone else.

This side exit was half the size of the main one and mostly empty—only a few servants used it. Perhaps because of the timing, it was pretty quiet and they left the castle without running into anyone important.

Outside the side entrance was a carriage. It was a simple black carriage, and nothing about it drew attention; even the coachman wore plain clothes. She could see curtains on the windows, and Rose was grateful for that. At least she could stay hidden.

Thomas got to the carriage door and held it open for her to get in. She mumbled her thanks and lifted her dress as she stepped inside. Thomas followed after her and sat across from her.

As soon as they were both comfortable, the carriage started to move. Rose adjusted the curtains so she could see out, yet no one would be able to see in. Thomas didn’t stop her or complain as the carriage got slightly darker.

Rose leaned against the seat and closed her eyes. She felt emotionally overwhelmed, but Lady Delphine’s would be a change she needed. Rose’s eyes flew open as she realized something.

"Is Lady Delphine aware I am coming to see her?"

She didn’t want to show up unannounced. She knew it was too early to pay a visit, as Lady Delphine would most likely be asleep after a hard night of work.

"Yes, a letter was sent to her residence yesterday. You have nothing to worry about."

Rose smiled at him. "Thank you, Thomas," she mumbled.

He simply nodded and turned his gaze away. Rose thought of starting a conversation, but she didn’t want to pry into Thomas’s personal life, as she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop talking if she did.

She knew he was important, but she wasn’t sure how. It wasn’t as if she were familiar with the lords of Velmount and their families, and it would be in her best interest to distance herself as much as she could from them.

Unwillingly, her mind drifted to the princess. She couldn’t imagine how embarrassing it must be for Caira to run into her, especially with all the rumors swirling around—and just two days ago, her husband had chased her out of his room.

Rose felt even worse. As she stood there, feeling humiliated, she realized it wasn’t going to get any better. She didn’t believe she would have to return to the castle; why would the crown prince even want her to? Perhaps she could...

"We are here," Thomas announced, breaking through her thoughts.

Rose blinked, surprise etched on her face. They were fast, and she was grateful for that; she didn’t want to spend one more moment in her head. The carriage was still moving, but if Thomas said so, she was sure they had arrived.

She parted the curtains and looked out, squinting a little as she was hit with the full rays of the sun, but Rose didn’t mind the partial blindness. She couldn’t remember the last time she could do this having been cooped up in her bedroom in the castle.

The gates of Lady Delphine’s compound came into view, and they were opened just as the carriage reached them. Slade stood by the open gates, one hand holding an axe and the other holding one side of the gate.

There was sweat on his face and wood chips on his cap. Rose wondered if he had been chopping wood before he came to open the gates. This made her remember her father, and her heart squeezed a little.

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion, and the doors flew open. Rose heard squeals before Thomas could open the carriage door.

"Rose!" Esme called as soon as the door opened.

Thomas didn’t even get the chance to step out before hands reached inside the carriage and pulled Rose out. Esme hugged her tightly, still calling her name.

"Esme, please give her some space," Kali was saying.

"Kali," Rose said and lifted her head from Esme’s shoulder, but Esme had no plans to let go.

"It’s so wonderful to see you girls again," she said with a grin.

"Me too," Esme said and finally let go of Rose. When she pulled away, there were tears in her eyes.