The King's Lover-Chapter 486: The King’s Lover

The next morning Rose woke up first. She was anxious for Caius. His father would be buried today, and according to what she heard, he would be crowned king tomorrow. Rose was both nervous and excited.

However, she couldn’t help but think that starting tomorrow she would be the king’s lover, his mistress, and she wasn’t so sure how she felt about it. Was she to spend the rest of her life in this room, only visiting her father occasionally and them sneaking around?

What about the princess?

Rose hadn’t heard much about her, and since Rylen’s father had mistaken her for Caira, the princess must spend a lot of time by his side. Rose felt an unpleasant feeling in her stomach.

It wasn’t that she was jealous, she told herself, and she had agreed to live like this. However, it was impossible not to be affected by the thought.

"What has you so bothered this early?" Caius asked and raised his hand to ease the lines on her face.

"You’re awake," she called in shock. "Did you sleep well?"

Rose changed the subject as her worries weren’t something she could discuss with Caius; that would be overstepping her role. Besides, they weren’t more than this. Why would she expect more? She didn’t even want to be here.

However, she didn’t sound as convinced as she usually would be. Had she accepted that she couldn’t leave? Therefore, thinking about leaving wasn’t as clear as before.

"Of course," he said and lifted her face so she was forced to look at him. "Are you still bothered about yesterday?"

"Yes," Rose partially lied. She was worried about the next step for them. With Caius as king, Rose had no doubt she would have less to worry about, however, what else was there?

"You don’t have to worry about a thing," he said and brushed hair away from her face.

Rose nodded, looking up at him. His brown eyes scanned her face, and he brought his lips down to take hers.

Rose closed her eyes as their lips met, and without thinking about it, her hands wrapped around his neck. She felt a tight knot loosen within her, and she pressed her body against him.

Caius broke the kiss and looked at her with blazing eyes. His hand grabbed her rear, keeping her from moving away. However, Rose didn’t have any such intention.

He dipped his head again to take her lips when the loud sound of the door knocking interrupted, and Rose smiled. She kissed him still smiling and attempted to pull away.

"Tell them to go away," Caius groaned as he pressed his arousal against her.

"Your Majesty, you have a busy day today." Rose was annoyed that she couldn’t even hide the fact that she enjoyed teasing him.

Caius rolled on top of her. "I’ll put an end to it, if that’s what you want."

"Please don’t. It’s your father’s burial."

Caius sighed and kissed her cheeks. "Very well," he said and got off her. He stood beside the bed, looking down at where she still lay. "Will I see you tonight?"

Rose laughed. "And if I say no?"

"I will do whatever you want until you say yes," he leaned forward again.

Rose sat upright and placed her hand on his chest. "Sounds like a threat."

"Only you would consider my offer of goodwill as a threat."

"Goodwill? Your Majesty, please be serious."

"I am," he said and kissed the top of her head.

Rose closed her eyes at his warm lips on her forehead, and she wanted to hug him. She knew he was masking and that today was most likely going to affect him more than he would show.

He pulled away, and she opened her eyes to look up at him. "Then I will be right here waiting for you."

Caius knew if he could shed tears, he would. Rose was sitting on the bed looking up at him with such tenderness that he could physically feel it.

"I’d want nothing more," he said before pulling away else he would really not want to leave her.

---

It was breakfast time, and as Caira made her way to the dining hall with Mara beside her, the strangest person stepped up to her.

"Your Highness," she was quick to curtsy. This was Rylen’s father; she had to give him the utmost respect.

"Good morning, Your Highness. You shouldn’t be bowing to me so. In about a day, you will be Queen."

She lifted her head and smiled at him. "Before then, I will pay my respects as you are due."

Gayle smiled as they walked side by side. "I didn’t expect you to be so eloquent, Princess. When I saw you last night, you wouldn’t speak to me."

"Last night?" Caira asked.

"Do you not recall?" he asked. "Last night when you were with His Majesty in the throne room."

It was hard not to react, but Caira covered her shock with a smile. She had been in the throne room, but not at night, and she had gone with Mara instead.

She didn’t need anyone to tell her Gayle had seen Caius’s mistress, and from the way he phrased it, he suspected it wasn’t her and was simply here to confirm. Caira didn’t know what to do. She didn’t particularly want to protect the mistress, but at the same time, it would be against her wifely duty to openly decline.

Caius was her husband, and she was supposed to cover his shame. She doubted he felt the same about her, especially with what she had done, but nothing was more important than her duty.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, but I was quite tired last night. I apologize for not speaking. I do hope you won’t hold it against me."

Gayle’s gaze darkened, but he quickly covered it up, plastering a smile across his face. "I wouldn’t dare. Have a lovely meal," he replied and sauntered off.

Mara, who had been hanging behind, walked closer to Caira as Gayle walked away. "What was that about, my lady?"

Caira looked at Gayle as he walked away with a distant look on her face. "I don’t know, Mara, nor am I sure if I just did the right thing."