The King's Lover-Chapter 480: The Timing

"Your Highness, or shall I say, Your Majesty?" Gayle asked, addressing Caius directly without bowing.

Caius and Rylen had just arrived at his personal chambers to welcome him. Caius didn’t need to do that; he could have easily called for his uncle instead.

"It matters not, Your Highness. Welcome to Hearthgale," Caius greeted instead.

Prince Gayle was a middle-aged man. The resemblance between him and his son was uncanny, despite their obvious differences. While Rylen had light hair color, his father’s was black with sprinkles of white that showed his age.

At the same time, Caius could also see the resemblance between Prince Gayle and his father. Perhaps, if his father hadn’t been so sickly, there would have been more similarities.

Their eyes were the most alike. That almond shape, with droopy lashes and a gaze that held condescension. The brown color of his eyes was sharp, as sharp as his father’s eyes had been even on his deathbed.

"It matters, Your Majesty. As the current king of Velmount, I am to address you properly," Prince Gayle was saying. "The coronation is merely a formality. From the moment the late king, my brother, died, you ascended the throne. ’Your Majesty’ is most appropriate."

"There isn’t any need for such formality, Uncle."

Caius didn’t particularly care about his uncle; the older man had left the castle and distanced himself from them. Caius didn’t care to be friendly, and usually he would be quick to show his disinterest, but not anymore.

"Family or not," Gayle said with a steady voice, "it doesn’t change the fact that you are king now. It is a shame my brother is dead. Even with the illness, he lived for so long; I was almost certain he would live forever."

Caius nodded, but he didn’t accept Gayle’s words, as he never came to see his dying brother. However, Caius couldn’t be judgmental; he understood the relationship between them was pretty strained.

"It really is a shame," Caius replied. "Thank you, Uncle, for making the trip to the castle."

"He was my brother; there is no way I wouldn’t be here. I know it might be a little late, but accept my condolences."

"I could say the same, Uncle. He was your brother. You knew him far longer and better than I ever did—or anyone else, for that matter."

Gayle seemed thoughtful at Caius’s words and softly nodded. Then he turned his attention to Rylen, who was standing beside Caius, not saying a word.

"Welcome, Father," Rylen bowed.

"Well, if it isn’t my prodigal son. How’s life at the castle?" he asked.

Rylen shrugged. "Not bad."

"Do you intend to return home?"

Rylen’s first instinct was to say no. His father had been against his coming to the castle. He didn’t like how political things tended to get, and he wanted to shield Rylen from that. But contrary to his expectations, Rylen liked the court.

However, with his intention to take the princess away from the castle, he might have to return home to the mountainside. It was filled with trees and meadows, and one awoke to the sounds of birds chirping. Wild flowers sprouted everywhere, and hunting was part of his adventures with his father.

It was a memorable place, and he knew Caira would love it. With her love for flowers and animals alike, he couldn’t think of a better place to take her when they left the castle. It was also cut out from the rest of the kingdom. They would be completely unbothered.

Rylen realized he was no longer annoyed that his father had kept him away from the court. With how messy and complicated things tended to get, his father must have thought it was best for him to stay away.

Besides, now that Rylen knew his father had been given the crown and then it was taken away, Rylen could understand why his father would want to stay away from the castle more. There was bound to be tension between him and his brother.

"No," he lied easily. He didn’t want to give away his plans before they happened.

Caius glanced at Rylen with a puzzled expression. He was just as cold to his father. Well, maybe not as bad as Caius, but Rylen only spoke a few words to a father he hadn’t seen in a long time, and there was no excitement on his face.

"Well, perhaps that is a good thing," Gayle said with a hint of a smile on his lips.

Caius jerked his gaze back to his uncle; there was something about his tone that bothered him. He also noticed that Rylen looked surprised at his father’s words.

"It is?" Rylen asked with a raised brow as he wondered what his father was getting at. He knew he didn’t approve, yet here he was saying it was a good thing.

"Yes," he said and turned to Caius. "I understand how delicate this period would be, and I am here to offer my help. I will be in the castle for as long as you need me to be."

Caius kept his face neutral, and despite the urge to glance at his cousin to see what he thought about it, Caius resisted.

"Thank you, Uncle. I really appreciate having your support. I will let you get some rest, and perhaps we will discuss more later. There is a meeting with the lords after lunch. Would you be in attendance?"

"Of course," Gayle said with a small smile.

Caius nodded. "I best be on my way," he said and turned around to look at Rylen, who followed after him.

"Rylen," Gayle called.

"Yes, Father?" Rylen turned and looked at him.

"I would like to have a word with you when you’re less occupied."

Rylen did his best not to wince. "As you wish," he said and bowed before exiting the chambers with Caius.

"Did you know?" Caius asked as soon as they were outside the doors.

"No, I am as shocked as you are. He swore off the castle, but I guess His Majesty’s death is enough to change that."

"Hmm," Caius said and kept walking.

He didn’t dispute Rylen, but something about the timing didn’t sit right with him.