The King's Lover-Chapter 484: The Throne Room

What am I doing?

Rose wondered as she looked up at Caius. He knotted the ropes of the cloak around her neck with such concentration that it drew lines across his forehead. He pulled the hood over her head, making sure it covered her face well enough.

Rose lifted her hand and grabbed the sides; her hesitation was clear. She had been so shocked by his request that her first response had been positive, but this was a terrible idea.

Caius, however, didn’t let her decline. He told her it would be inconspicuous and no one would know. The wake was from this morning till the next day. However, by late in the night the lords would have tired out, leaving just the guards, and then they would go in together.

Rose had insisted there was no way it would work and had gone to bed without giving it much thought. However, when night fell again, Caius appeared in her room fully dressed with a cloak in hand.

Her maids had returned to help her dress in a pretty black dress with puffy sleeves and a skirt that reached the ground. She wore black lace gloves and heeled shoes that made a soft sound with each step.

After they were done helping her dress, Caius had immediately sent them away, and now he was putting her in a black hooded cloak.

Her hair had been brushed back and tucked behind her ears to keep it from peeking out. The hood was also pulled forward so that unless someone was standing directly in front of her, they couldn’t see her face.

"I think this is a bad idea, Your Majesty," Rose whispered.

She was pleased that he wanted her to go see his father with him, but there would be numerous lords. This was the riskiest thing she could do right now.

"You say that," he bent his knees and leaned forward so he was hovering just above her lips. "But I know you want to come with me."

"That’s not true. This is your idea, Your Majesty. Don’t spin this on me."

"I won’t," he said and kissed her faster than she could react. "But I want you to come with me, and I promise you won’t be spotted. The lords are too busy sleeping in preparation for tomorrow when he will be placed in the tomb."

Caius was tempted to make her attend the burial, but it would be too risky, and he didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to her just yet. After his coronation, things were bound to be different.

Perhaps he shall ask for her hand then?

At the thought of this, Caius felt a heavy anxiety fall on him. He couldn’t bring himself to ask her so easily, and he was hoping he could do a few things to appease her before then.

He wasn’t sure he would be able to handle the rejection.

"Is something wrong?" she asked as he just stared at her with a brooding expression.

"No," Caius replied too quickly, and he could see that she didn’t believe him.

Rose sighed. It was apparent that Caius really wanted her to come with him, and she was finding it difficult to say no, not when he assured her it would be fine. She believed him, and even though she was reluctant to admit it, it pleased her that he had found a way to make sure she was part of this.

"At the first sign of trouble, we leave."

"Of course," he grinned.

Rose tried not to roll her eyes, but there was laughter in her gaze. Caius tried to take her hand, but she pulled it out of his grasp. He looked hurt.

"Your Majesty, if we hold hands, it will affect my disguise."

"I suppose it would," he said in disappointment.

"Shall we?" she asked with twinkling eyes as she looked up at him.

Rose could admit it was exciting. She had never sneaked around the castle with Caius before. Perhaps the danger made it thrilling, but she knew she was just happy to be part of this.

"Yes, my lady."

Rose smiled at that. He always called her something nice other than her name. She didn’t feel like she wanted to do the same, but she could remember him being angry about her addressing him as just "Your Majesty." Perhaps she would ask him what else he wanted her to call him.

Caius walked ahead and opened the door of her bedroom. He held it open until she exited the room. Then he shut the door, and together they walked down the stairs.

The late King was in the throne room located in the guest wing. Rose was glad that it was the wing next to theirs, as she was worried someone was bound to notice her and perhaps ask questions.

As they made their way to the north wing, Rose moved closer to Caius. She was anxious, and her footsteps on the marble floor sounded louder than they actually were.

However, they made it to the throne room without running into anyone other than the guards stationed at their respective places.

The throne room had six guards stationed outside. They lined the doors, about three on each side. As soon as Caius appeared before them, they bowed and didn’t even glance at Rose.

The door opened, and Rose could barely contain her expression at the sight in front of her. There were candles everywhere—on the ceiling, on tables, in people’s hands.

The throne room wasn’t as empty as Caius had presented it, but it didn’t take Rose long to figure out that the people in the throne room were part of the procession.

They were young men dressed in black, holding candles around the casket. Rose wondered if they would do this throughout the night, and she knew the answer to it.

Caius led her in. He glanced at her, and she wished she could look up so she could see his expression, but that would show her face. She wished she could hold his hand.