The King's Lover-Chapter 467: Too Heavy

Caius tossed his clothes onto the bed. He didn’t like how he felt; it didn’t help that he’d had the most peculiar dream. He couldn’t recall the details exactly, just how he felt, and it wasn’t good.

He scratched his stubble, wondering if this had something to do with his father dying. He didn’t care about the old man; he was certain about that. He would be upset if his mother died, but his father’s death shouldn’t matter to him.

Yet, here he was, gloomy as though a rain cloud hung over him. He didn’t want Rose to know; she had an annoying way of being perceptive, and if she caught a scent, she wouldn’t let it go until she uncovered it all. But there was nothing to uncover. He was quite aware he didn’t care, but his father dying seemed to bother him.

A soft knock sounded, and before Caius could decide if he wanted to let them in or not, the handle turned and the door pulled open. Caius turned his gaze to the door, ready to glare at whoever it was, but it wasn’t Henry as he expected; it was his father’s physician.

Caius noticed he wasn’t alone; his cousin was right behind him. Caius was annoyed by their presence, but he didn’t send them out immediately, and he had no idea why. At least, that was what he told himself but Caius could tell something was wrong.

"To what do I owe the honor?" he questioned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Does Father want a rematch?"

"Your Highness," Briar said and shut the door.

Caius narrowed his eyes and turned towards his cousin, but Rylen looked just as confused. Rylen bowed as their eyes met but didn’t say anything else.

His cousin didn’t look to have gotten much sleep, and Caius noticed he had looked the same way last night when they met atop the stairs.

"What’s this about, Briar? Rylen?"

"Forgive me, Your Highness, and forgive Prince Rylen. I simply called him here; he has no idea what this is about."

"Then get on with it; I don’t have all day," he said impatiently, ignoring the agitation he felt and chalking it up to Briar interrupting his morning.

"Right away, Your Highness," Briar said with a bow. He cleared his throat before he started to speak again, clasping his palms behind his back.

Caius didn’t miss that he looked older than he actually was, and it almost seemed as though the physician had shrunk even more since yesterday.

"Your Highness, Prince Rylen, I regret to inform you that His Majesty has passed. He passed away in his sleep..."

The physician was still speaking, but Caius didn’t hear anything; it felt as though his ears had been clogged and the physician’s words couldn’t make their way to him.

His father was dead.

It was heavier than he expected, heavy enough that Caius could feel the weight crush his bones and push him deeper into the ground.

"Has Her Majesty been informed?" Rylen was asking.

This pulled Caius out of the pit, and he could make out words once again but his bones had not recovered, the heaviness having sunk deep.

"Not yet. I was hoping I could leave the task to you, Your Highness. Please forgive my forwardness, but I thought it would be better if she heard it from your lips."

"Your Grace," Rylen called when Caius didn’t reply.

"After breakfast," he simply said.

"Yes, that would be best," Rylen replied. "We wouldn’t want to deliver such terrible news before Her Majesty has her first meal of the day."

Briar bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness, Prince Rylen. If you would excuse me." He kept bowing until he was out of the room, leaving Caius with his cousin.

"Your Grace," Rylen called softly. "Are you all right?"

Caius simply glanced at his cousin. "I have to prepare for today."

It wasn’t just telling his mother, the king was dead, there was a lot to do. Rylen nodded and bowed, understanding that he was dismissed. "If Your Grace needs me, please do not hesitate to call for me."

Caius didn’t respond to this, and his cousin exited without another word. Even when the servants came and helped him get ready for the day, Caius didn’t say a word.

He dressed in a brown doublet; a clean, pale linen shirt showed at the collar and cuffs. His trousers were a darker shade, and his boots were polished leather. The colors were as dreary as his mood.

As soon as he was dressed, Caius set out of his room and was not surprised when his cousin stood right outside. He didn’t chase him away, nor did he scold him; rather, they walked to the dining room side by side, neither of them needing to say a word.

His mother arrived sooner than later. She didn’t look to have gotten much sleep, but at least she didn’t look worse off than the last time he saw her.

"Good morning, Mother," he greeted as soon as she was through the door, and she was almost startled, as Caius often waited for her to be seated.

"Son," she called, and then gave him a small smile. "I heard you went to see your father yesterday."

It took everything for Caius not to wince. "Indeed, I did. How did you sleep, Mother?" He changed the subject.

She shrugged and walked towards her seat while Rylen simply stood bowing without saying anything. He didn’t want to interrupt the conversation between mother and son.

"Not badly," she finally said. Her ladies-in-waiting pulled out the chair so she could sit.

"Where is your wife, Caira?" she asked, looking directly at her son.

"I hear she is still down from the weather," Caius replied, hoping he was correct and Caira wouldn’t suddenly show up.

"You hear? Haven’t you gone to see her? Did you even send a physician to her?" his mother asked, her voice filled with disappointment. "She has been ill for days now. Is that any way to take care of your wife?"

"I shall do that and send a physician as soon as breakfast is over," Caius said immediately; he didn’t want his mother agitated. The news he had to share was far too heavy.

"You better," she said with a smile. Her expression showed that she was happy he was turning over a new leaf.