The King's Lover-Chapter 487: Laid To Rest

Things got pretty busy around the castle within the next two days. Her maids always looked so tired when they came to bring her meals and couldn’t even linger as much as they used to.

Isla seemed to be dealing with the stress the most. Rose wondered whether she could help reduce their workload when Caius became King, because they were her maids yet still had to do the same chores as other maids, even though they served her.

She knew it was too early to make such changes, but Rose wanted to make things as easy for them as she could. She would bring it up with Caius when she thought the time was right.

She tried to concentrate on writing as spending the day alone gave her too much time to think of things she couldn’t change. Rose tried to push them to the recesses of her mind as she made herself busy writing and reading.

Caius didn’t come to her room the night his father was placed in the tomb until midnight. She was already in bed, dozing, when she heard the wardrobe slide to the side.

Rose let out a yawn as she struggled to open her eyes, feeling the space beside her lower as Caius joined her in bed. Rose let out a smile, half awake, as she stretched out her hands to hug him.

"You’re cold, Your Majesty," Rose murmured as she lay her head on his bare chest.

"I just had a bath," he replied as he patted her head.

"Mmm," Rose replied, forcing herself to stay awake. She wanted to ask him how his day went, but his cold skin felt so nice that she grew drowsy again.

"Tired?" he asked, moving so they were both underneath the covers.

Rose nodded. "You’re late."

"It wasn’t my intention," he said, and she shook her head to show she wasn’t angry.

"How did it go?" She lifted her head from his chest and looked at him with half-open eyes.

Caius laughed and touched her face, slightly pulling on her cheek. "You are so sleepy."

Rose tried to glare at him but failed, and she placed her head on his chest again. She was fighting to stay awake. Caius had just buried his father; she was sure there was a lot on his mind.

"So, how did it go?" she mumbled against his chest.

He gently caressed her back. "It went well," he simply said. "Mother wouldn’t stop crying even after the tomb was closed."

Rose nodded and sighed. "I am sorry," she whispered and tried to hug him.

"You have nothing to apologize for."

"I know, but it must have been so sad. Did you cry?"

Caius ran his fingers through her hair; he knew she was asking him such questions because she was sleepy. "I didn’t."

"Do you miss him?" she mumbled.

"It’s hard to say. We didn’t have such a good relationship in the first place, but it is sad that he is dead."

Rose nodded and started to feel her eyes close again. She tried her very best to keep them open but failed, and Caius’s light touches only made her fall asleep faster.

When she woke up the next morning, his side of the bed was empty. It was still a little warm, but there was no doubt he had been gone for a while. Rose could barely recall the conversations they had and didn’t know when she fell asleep.

However, she could remember him holding her and caressing her. She thought it was concerning how these memories were more vivid than anything else.

Chelsy and Isla came to her room not long after. They were in such a rush that Rose had to let them go while she dressed herself. Chelsy wouldn’t stop apologizing as they rushed off.

Rose found something easy to wear that wouldn’t require help. She couldn’t imagine how busy today would be. Caius rarely left until she woke up, but he did today.

She wished she could be there to see the coronation, but that would be impossible. She wondered if Lady Delphine was in the castle. Rose doubted it; she had a feeling the Lady would find some way to let her know.

However, she wouldn’t be surprised if Lady Delphine avoided that for her safety. She couldn’t wait for this to be over so she could go see her father and speak to the lady. Rose couldn’t help but feel as though she needed some encouragement.

The day was extremely slow, and she would occasionally hear running footsteps from outside her door. Everyone seemed so busy.

By nighttime, only Welma came to her room. Rose was shocked when she opened the door. She hadn’t seen her in a few days.

"Welma," she called.

"I brought dinner," she simply said and walked into the room.

"You look well. I haven’t seen you in a bit."

"Thank you," Welma whispered as she dropped the tray on the table. She turned to look at Rose as though she might say something but stopped herself.

"Is something wrong?" Rose questioned.

"No," she simply said. "The King has been crowned."

"Yes," she whispered and studied Welma. "Do you have any words for me from the Queen?"

The Queen was busy mourning her husband, but after he was laid to rest in the tomb yesterday, Welma had heard some disturbing things. Queen Violeta had not forgotten about her, and with her son crowned, she was more determined than ever, especially since she heard Caius was in Caira’s room.

It wasn’t common knowledge, and the servants who had seen this kept their lips sealed. She wondered if it was from the Queen’s orders which was surprising as she half expected the rumors to be spread around the castle.

After all, the Queen was very peculiar about how she wanted things done, and Welma worried for Rose. It didn’t help that the Queen knew Caius came to see her almost every night.

However, with Caius as King, she hoped Rose wouldn’t have much to worry about. So she simply shook her head and exited the room without another word.

Rose watched Welma leave with a confused expression on her face. She could tell from the maid’s attitude that she knew something, but she didn’t say.

Rose’s palms suddenly felt sweaty. The Queen still wanted her gone. She was as sure of that as anything else. Did she have something planned?