The King's Lover-Chapter 463: You’ve Seen Me

Rylen looked toward the doors of the dining room with a restless look on his face. It had been a day since he last saw Caira. She was neither at the gazebo nor the library. Rylen would know; he had checked multiple times today alone.

She was clearly avoiding him. Rylen felt his food choke him as it slid down his throat. He didn’t want that, but he knew without any doubt that this was his fault.

"Where is Caius?" the Queen asked.

Rylen appreciated her question; it pulled him out of his crushing thoughts. "I heard he went to see His Majesty."

Queen Violeta’s eyes widened, and her cutlery almost fell out of her hands, but she caught it in time and looked down at her food.

"Is that so?" she asked with a bit of relief in her words.

Rylen nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Rylen could understand the Queen’s shock; he had reacted in the same manner when word reached his ears. He never thought Caius would see his father before he died.

Queen Violeta didn’t say anything else again and continued eating, but she had a thoughtful look on her face. Rylen tore his gaze away from her and returned to his meal.

His thoughts once again drifted to Caira, and by the time dinner was over, Rylen had made up his mind.

He waited until the Queen had left the dining room, bowing to her as she exited. Only then did he leave the dining room for the crown prince’s wing, where his room was located on the ground floor.

However, this time around, instead of heading to his room as he usually would, Rylen took the stairs, making his way to the floor above him.

He got to the top of the stairs, and his gaze fell on Caira’s door. He shouldn’t be here, he knew that, but he knew he couldn’t wait another day. He had to know.

Did she regret it? Did she want nothing to do with him? Was she going to pretend this never happened? Rylen frowned as a dark thought rose in his mind, but he quickly pushed it down. He was more annoyed that he understood his cousin’s actions.

The heels of his boots hit the floor with a soft clank. The guards on the floor all bowed to him; no one spoke. Rylen could hear his heartbeat ringing in his ears as he passed Rose’s room and came upon Caira’s room.

He stopped walking, a little hesitant, but he knew he would rather know. He lifted his hand and rapped on the door. The knock echoed in the hallway.

He heard voices, but they were too low to make out their words, and then he heard the sound of the door unlocking. The door pulled open to reveal Mara with a slight frown on her face as she tried to see who was bothering them so late.

The hallway was dark except for the torches hanging off the walls. There was enough light to brighten one’s path, but the eyes still needed a little adjustment.

It took a moment for Mara to realize it was Rylen, and she immediately bent her head, equally bending her knees as she said, "Prince Rylen."

Rylen heard it—the loud gasp at the end of the room. He could recognize that voice anywhere, and it took all his willpower not to pry the door open further and make his way to her.

Rylen tried to look past Mara as she bowed, but he couldn’t see much from the angle. He could see the lamp on the table, the edge of her bed, but not Caira.

"Mara, I’d like to see the princess," Rylen said with controlled patience.

"I am very sorry, Prince Rylen, but my lady has refused all visits. She doesn’t want to see anyone."

"Is that so?" Rylen asked coldly.

"Please understand, Prince Rylen."

"I understand, Mara, but I won’t leave until I see her."

The maid twisted her fingers, and several emotions passed across her face; then she bowed again and said, "Please excuse me, Prince Rylen."

She closed the door but didn’t shut it, and he heard her quick footsteps as she moved farther into the room.

"No," Caira was saying.

"Please, my lady," then her voice dropped too low for Rylen to hear.

He heard returning footsteps and half expected to see Mara, but instead Caira stood in front of him. She didn’t meet his eyes, and her hand gripped the door hard.

Rylen’s palms immediately became sweaty. He had missed her. She was dressed in her nightclothes and had a robe around herself. Her hair was a mess; it didn’t look to have been brushed in a while.

Her eyes were red, and without a doubt, he knew she had been crying. He wanted to comfort her, but her body language told him not to touch her.

"Princess Caira, might I have a word?"

"You’ve seen me, Prince Rylen." As she called his name, she sounded as though she might burst into tears again.

It was torture to Rylen to see her like this, especially when he knew this was his fault. He couldn’t let things continue like this. He wanted some way to fix it, but Caira didn’t want that. She would rather stay away from him.

"This is not nearly enough," he replied as he unclasped and clasped his hands.

"You can’t be here," she said, darting her eyes around. "Please leave."

"Only if you promise to have a word with me."

Rylen dug his nails into his palms; it was either that or he might try to adjust the hair that partially covered her face.

"Fine," Caira said with an exasperated tone. "I will be at the library after breakfast. Now, please leave."

Rylen didn’t get a chance to reply before the door was slammed in his face. He stood in front of the closed door far longer than he needed to before he made his way toward the stairs.