The King's Lover-Chapter 483: If Things Were Normal

Rose sat down at her desk. Today felt longer than usual, and all the maids had to talk about was the burial preparations. She knew the procession was starting the next day.

They spoke about the numerous guests and young ladies who were at the castle. There was incessant gossip about the young ladies who were the daughters of nobles and how a few were trying to get Caius attention but he was scarce to see.

Rose didn’t pay much attention to the gossip but she appreciated it. It gave her something to do.

She glanced at the wardrobe, wondering if Caius would walk through at any moment. She wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t; he must have so much to do.

She thought about how he had looked the day before when he came to her room. He was better before he left, but Rose could recall how vulnerable he had seemed and how he didn’t want to let go of her.

She shook her head and tried to pay attention to her reading. She was getting better and could easily read familiar words by herself. The fact that she spent most of her day redoing her lessons also helped her assimilate faster.

Perhaps it isn’t so bad that I am stuck here.

She laughed at the thought, as she knew she would much rather be able to move around. She wanted to see her father, but she would have to wait until the entire burial was over and most of the guests had left.

She knew this was a delicate time for Caius; she didn’t want to draw attention to herself. For her safety and that of her father. With him in the capital, Rose had more reason to worry.

She lifted her head just as a knock echoed on her door. Rose blinked. Was that Caius? He had used the front door yesterday, but she didn’t expect that to be the new norm.

She was hesitant to walk towards the door, wondering if it was some lord, but she doubted just anyone could be allowed here with the guards.

Rose opened the door and raised her head to see Caius. As she looked up at him, he smiled. Rose felt a warm feeling in her stomach. He looked so pleased to see her that she wanted to hug him.

He was dressed in his night robes, and his hair was wet. He clearly intended to be here and had used the main entrance on purpose. He took a step into the room and shut the door without turning back.

"My lady," he whispered.

Rose couldn’t help it; she was smiling. "Your Majesty seems to be in a good mood tonight," she replied and folded her arms, hoping it would ease the urge to hug him.

"Am I?" he asked with a raised brow and closed the gap between them.

Rose shook her head but still couldn’t stop smiling. "You tell me," she said and started to walk towards the desk. If she indulged him, she would only have herself to blame.

However, Caius didn’t let her walk away. He grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop, and pulled her into his grasp. He wrapped her in a bear hug, burying her face against his bare chest.

An involuntary sigh escaped her lips, and Caius smirked. "What did you do today?" he asked as he gently caressed her back.

Rose shrugged. "Your Majesty knows what I did. I should be asking you."

Caius’s hand froze on her back for a moment before he resumed. "I didn’t do too much. The burial starts tomorrow."

Rose nodded and raised her head to look at him. "Are you worried?"

Caius looked down at her. "I am not," he assured her. He pulled her closer again and buried his face in her hair. "You smell so nice."

Rose chuckled because it tickled where he touched her, and she tried to get out of his grip. "We should resume lessons."

"Can we skip today?" he whined and refused to let go.

Rose sighed. She wanted to say no, but she couldn’t do that to him. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day for him, both emotionally and physically.

"As Your Majesty wishes. What would you like to do instead—ahh!"

"Frightened?" Caius asked with a chuckle as he looked down at her while he held her across his arms.

"I can walk."

"I know, but I don’t want to let you go," he replied as he walked to the bed.

Rose sighed, he was being exceedingly clingy but at least he was in a good mood so that must count for some so she didn’t fight him as he led her to the bed and placed her on it.

He cupped her face as he looked at her while lying on his side, his head resting on his palm. Rose stared at him suspiciously. "Did something happen today, Your Majesty?"

"Why?" Caius asked.

"I don’t know, you seem..." Rose didn’t want to say happy, but it felt as though something good had happened.

"I seem..." he asked and brought his face close enough to kiss her but not quite. His eyes ran across her face, taking everything in.

"In a good mood."

"Perhaps," he smirked.

"You didn’t tell me about your day," Rose said.

It was either that, or she was going to be drawn into whatever this was. She couldn’t place what it was, but surprisingly, she wasn’t anxious, just curious.

Caius groaned. "I had a ridiculously long meeting with the lords. They wouldn’t stop talking about the plans I had. I haven’t even gotten on the throne yet."

"Is it too early for them to ask?"

"Hmm, not particularly. They have expectations, and it’s their way of making sure they have favor in my sight. It’s a precarious time; I might decide to make changes that would affect them, and they are wary of that."

"Would you make changes?" Rose asked.

Caius shrugged. "Nothing too drastic." Except to end the masked auction, but before then, he needed to find out who was involved.

"Did you tell them that?" Rose asked. The lords clearly wanted assurance.

"Of course not. I refuse to make promises. Besides, Father isn’t in his tomb yet. They should be patient."

Rose didn’t miss how his voice turned softer at the mention of his father. She clung to him, and he relaxed against her.

"Rose," he whispered.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Would you go to the wake with me?"

Rose lifted her head. "The wake? Can I do that?"

Caius stretched out his hand to touch her face. His father’s body would be on display the next day. He would have to go see it, as would the rest of the lords. Caius wanted her to be by his side then.

He was determined to make her his wife, and he wanted her to be next to him as she would be if things between them were normal.