The King's Lover-Chapter 459: Much Important

Caius was dumbfounded. The way his mouth fell open told Rose he had not been expecting that. She did her best to keep her face serious as they held each other’s gaze. With things going her way, Rose was filled with delight and she didn’t want him to know that.

"You wouldn’t," he said, his voice filled with utter disbelief.

Rose folded her arms as she sat on him. "I am pretty sure Your Majesty knows I would."

"Why?" he asked.

He sounded so offended. He couldn’t believe she would threaten to take away something so important for someone like his father.

"Are you worried you would lose?" Rose deflected. If she told him why, he would disagree with her. He didn’t need to know.

"Of course not."

"Have you ever won a game against your father, then?" she asked.

Caius actually looked away. "No, but I was only twelve the last time we played."

"Then what are you worried about?"

"I don’t want to do what he wants," Caius sighed and scratched his stubble. He was already in this farce of a marriage with the princess that he didn’t want, and he was terribly angry about it.

"But you won’t lose," she reminded him. "He has asked for a game; wouldn’t it be best to beat him at the game he requested? Would you want him to always be the winner in all your games?"

She asked and leaned against his chest as she traced her circles again. She was careful not to phrase it in a way that stated his father didn’t have long. She didn’t want him to change his mind. If he found out what it actually meant, Caius was bound to decline, and even she wouldn’t change his mind.

King Gaius was a terrible father, but Rose didn’t think he hated his son; there was no way. Caius had done enough things that could essentially cause him to lose the throne, but his father condoned it. Not to mention the request for a game; it was probably the last one before he...

Rose didn’t want to think about it; however, she was not going to let Caius run away from this. It felt too important, and his father had too much impact on his life and actions. Rose thought it was imperative that this game ensued.

"I suppose not."

Rose drew a bigger circle; his answers were no longer rigid. She was through his defense. "Then you will go to your father tomorrow?"

She kept her tone friendly and encouraging. She didn’t want to put too much pressure and wanted it to feel as though he was doing it entirely for her.

"I’ll see him in a few days."

Rose’s hand stopped moving, then she sighed dramatically. "Then I guess we won’t play any games until then. Pity."

"You’re picking my father over me," he stated stubbornly.

Rose chuckled; she couldn’t help it. Was there anybody free from his jealousy? She lifted her head from his chest so she could look at him again.

"I wouldn’t dare. Your father is unimportant; you are much, much, much, much more important to me."

As she said the words, she realized she meant it even if it might be mostly to ensure her and her father were safe. But she also didn’t want ill to befall him and truly hoped he would make amends with his father as soon as possible.

Caius’ eyes widened at her words and he felt a warmth spread around his chest. "More than your father?" he asked.

Rose gave him an unimpressed look. "My father is my only family left, so his importance cannot be measured."

"Family, eh?" Caius mumbled, seemingly half distracted.

"So, would Your Majesty see the King, please?" Rose turned the conversation back.

"If that’s what you want," he stated.

Rose nodded. "Yes, it would please me greatly."

"What do I get in return?" he asked.

Rose tried not to shake her head at him. Everything was a game to him. "What do you want?" she asked.

Caius glanced at her stomach briefly, then he looked back at her face. "Shall I ask at a later date?"

Rose suddenly felt dread fill her. "May I ask why?"

"Well, I don’t think the time is right yet."

"Okay," she reluctantly said. "As long as it isn’t anything that would put either my father or me in danger."

Caius adjusted her so she would look at his face. "Do you still believe I would put you in danger?"

Rose sighed and shook her head, but what the crown prince wanted and what society allowed were two different things. It was particularly hard to believe he would keep her safe when he had failed her once.

"That time was a mishap; I would never let it happen again," he stated as if reading her mind. "No one is taking you from me."

Rose nodded as she let out a breath of relief. "Okay," she mumbled.

"Well then. Shall we begin your lessons?"

"Yes, please," she replied and tried to get out of his lap, but Caius didn’t let her go.

"Just where are you going?"

Rose turned to look at him; he had a hand around her waist while her hands and legs dangled as she tried to escape him.

"My seat," she mumbled and tried again to struggle out of his grip.

"That won’t be necessary. Besides, I can monitor your lessons closely in this manner."

"I don’t think that’s a good idea," Rose whispered in horror.

"Why not?" Caius said and adjusted the items on the table so the quill was closer to her while his hand still kept her in place.

"Your Majesty," Rose called.

"I’m perfectly fine, Rose. Or perhaps is this much better for you?"

He adjusted her so she faced the desk directly, and his hand around her waist pulled her closer until her back touched his chest.

"I think this is best," he leaned forward, speaking directly into her ear.

Rose sighed; it was her fault for getting into his lap in the first place. She should have known this was bound to happen, especially since he agreed to do what she wanted. She had no doubt he wouldn’t let her have her way for the rest of the night.

"As Your Majesty wishes," she knew fighting would only excite him more. "But you can’t get distracted."

"Distracted?" Caius asked, feigning ignorance. "What do you mean?"

Before Rose could answer, he ran his tongue over her shoulder. Rose was surprised she didn’t jump out of his lap; his touch caught her completely off guard.