The King's Lover-Chapter 448: Petty Jealousy

"I already agreed to stay; you didn’t have to bring my father."

Caius could sense her distress. She wasn’t just angry; she was gravely worried, and she had good reason to be. He was willing to admit his actions were selfish, but it wasn’t only that.

"There wasn’t any ill intent behind my actions. Yes, I brought him so you wouldn’t leave, but at the same time, I brought him because I know how much you want to see your father."

Caius noticed she wasn’t fighting to get away from him anymore. "I promise that your father is safe, and I considered that you wouldn’t want him in the castle."

"Absolutely not."

"If you like, I can assign guards to Lady Delphine’s residence."

"No, that would just draw unnecessary attention." She turned her head a little so she could partially see his face as he held her from behind. "But if something happens to my father, I will leave you."

Caius paled and squeezed her tighter. Rose was surprised at his reaction. Nothing she had ever said seemed to faze him, but he was genuinely worried about this.

"On my life, not a hair on your father’s head will be harmed."

He said it easily, a little too easily, but Rose found that she believed him. She let out a breath, and her body relaxed into his hold. Caius used the opportunity to pull her closer, and she didn’t fight him.

"Are you no longer cross with me?" Caius asked as he tried to move even closer, but her huge dress was in the way.

"It is best Your Majesty doesn’t speak," Rose said as she shut her eyes.

How can she be so disrespectful while calling him by his title? And yet Caius still didn’t stop her from speaking to him in this manner.

"Should I help you out of your dress?" Caius deviously offered. He was doing a good deed; it must be uncomfortable to sleep in the dress. She would have to agree.

"No."

"Do you intend to sleep in such tight clothes? It’s uncomfortable to hold you while sleeping."

"Then leave me," Rose replied. She wasn’t angry anymore, but she didn’t want to make things easy for him.

"No," he stated. "Goodnight, Rose."

"Goodnight," Rose coldly replied.

---

"Let go," Rose cried as she struggled out of his grasp. "I have to prepare to go see my father."

Caius frowned as he fully woke up. Rose wasn’t speaking as though she was asking for permission; rather, it seemed as though she was telling him.

He found that he was also annoyed by how casually she referred to her father. He knew he had no reason to be bothered about the man who birthed her but her love for him was something he was enviously aware of.

He tried not to think about it and how she had easily yelled at him for her father’s sake. Rather he concentrated on the fact that this was a new aspect of their relationship where she spoke to him without regard for his authority and that was enough to appease him.

Pushing the petty jealousy aside, Caius reluctantly let go of her. Despite their argument the night before and the discomfort of her dress, Caius found that he had slept well. Rose didn’t seem angry with him, but she wasn’t being very nice either.

"Will you be back tonight?"

"Do I have a choice?" she asked as she stood by the side of the bed, having escaped his hold.

"No," he said flatly. That was non-negotiable. He needed her by his side every night.

"Why then did you ask, Your Majesty?" Rose shook her head.

"Would you like me to accompany—"

"Absolutely not," she said before he could finish asking the question.

"Why do I get the feeling you’re still mad at me?"

"I am not," Rose replied, honestly. "I am sure Your Majesty has important things to do."

She leaned over the bed and grabbed his arm, attempting to pull him out. Caius let himself be pulled, then suddenly put all his weight on her grip so she would lose her balance, and he caught her before she fell.

She leaned against him as she tried to regain her balance, and Caius tried to kiss her, but Rose anticipated this and turned so the kiss would land on her cheek.

She immediately stepped back. "Have a good day, Your Majesty," she said with a curtsy.

Caius realized she hadn’t done that in a while; she must still be angry. "Rose," he tried to speak.

"I will see you tonight when I return."

Caius let his hand fall by his side and nodded. It was hard to explain how he felt, but he didn’t want to make the situation worse than it already was, and Rose had promised that she would be back, so it would be best if he just left.

He turned toward the wardrobe, pushed the mechanism to slide it to the side, and revealed the passageway. Caius got in and saw that Rose wasn’t even looking at him. The wardrobe closed, and he was plunged into darkness.

Finding his way through was not hard. Before the night of the wedding, Caius had used the passageway to be certain it was the right one, and now he had been through the path so often he no longer needed light to find his way.

As he reached his chambers, he felt along the wall and pressed a specific brick. He heard a soft sound as chains rolled, and his shelf moved to the side. He stepped out of the wall, and it returned to its former position.

Caius walked to his door to unlock it. He pulled it open, and servants stood directly in front with their heads bowed.

"Get me, Thomas!" Caius said to no one in particular.

When Thomas arrived, Caius was already dressed and ready to go for breakfast. He dismissed the servants so he could privately speak to the young lord.

"Your Highness," Thomas said with a bow.

He was surprised that he was summoned this early. He had not given the crown prince a report of what happened the day before, but since they had arrived so late, Caius usually waited until after breakfast.

"What was Rose’s reaction when she saw her father? Was she angry?"

"Angry?" Thomas asked with clear confusion on his face. "No, not even the slightest. She was overjoyed and wouldn’t stop sobbing as she hugged him tightly."

"Oh," Caius said with a raised brow.

"Is something wrong?" Thomas asked.

"No, Thomas. You may leave."

Whether she was angry at him for not asking first or not, it didn’t change the fact that she was happy to see her father. Caius had a little smile on his face as he walked out of his bedchambers.