The King's Lover-Chapter 497: Private dinner

The walk to the King’s room felt longer than it was. Rose had not thought much about why Caius wanted her to dine in his room, but she suspected it had something to do with his proposal. It was one of the reasons she wanted to decline.

However, she couldn’t keep running, and as Lady Delphine had told her, she had to make a stand. If the King wanted to marry her, then he had to listen to what she wanted.

Her maids stood behind her as she came upon the door, and Rose felt very confident. Their presence shouldn’t matter, but it did. It was something insignificant, but it made a lot of difference.

She had stood alone in front of this door multiple times and each time, she was no different from the courtesans. At least courtesans were offered some respect; she had been given none.

However, even though she was adhering to the King’s request, it felt different. That was because she was here right now because she wanted to be. There wasn’t a single iota of fear as she stood, and Rose couldn’t help but think about how far she had come.

It was for this reason that she didn’t flee. She was ready to face him head-on.

Rose didn’t have to stand in front of the room for long, because as soon as she appeared, the guards were quick to turn the handle and push the door open for her to enter.

Rose heard an excited gasp from Isla. The door wasn’t opened all the way to see the inside of the room, but the maids were close enough to see that the floor was littered with dry rose petals.

Roses weren’t in season for another three to four months, but that wasn’t the problem here. Why were there rose petals on the ground?

The room seemed dark, and she could barely see more except for the flowers right by the door. Rose was hesitant to step in while Isla was shaking with excitement. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

She put one foot in front of the other. She couldn’t let the door hang open, and more importantly, she found that she was curious. Though Rose pretended not to be shocked, she was just as surprised as Isla.

Caius didn’t have a romantic bone in his body, yet here he was asking her to join him for a private dinner with flowers scattered on the ground. She was almost certain she was dreaming.

She stepped into his bedchambers, and the guards shut the door behind her. Rose was immediately plunged into slight darkness, and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust.

His bedchamber was lit with candles that were set in strategic places, offering low light. It wasn’t bright, but it wasn’t too dark to be scary.

It was just right.

Rose could smell the rose petals on the ground, along with other pleasant scents that tickled her nose. She could smell the numerous dishes that lay on the table and felt her mouth water.

She hadn’t eaten much for lunch, as she had been too troubled by the matter and just wanted to speak to Lady Delphine as quickly as she could. The aroma was enough to remind her she was hungry.

Caius rose to his feet as the door shut. Rose had seen him as soon as she stepped into his chambers, but she pretended otherwise. He wore a mantle. It wasn’t the same as the one he wore during his coronation, nor was it as elaborate, but it reminded her of his new status.

There was a golden circlet on his head. It looked like a smaller version of his crown, and Rose was reminded again that he was really the King of Velmount. She did call him King, but saying he was king and knowing he was king were two different things.

However, one thing was sure: it suited him. He looked so dignified, and Rose found that she couldn’t stop staring. She had seen him yesterday, but somehow it felt as though she was seeing him anew.

Caius seemed larger than life as he approached her. She was still standing by the door and the closer he got, the bigger he seemed.

She suddenly felt nervous, as she knew the King had set this up for her. She gripped the scarf around her neck for something to distract her from her nervousness.

He stopped in front of her, and Rose remembered she was in the presence of a King. She bent her knees ready to pay her respects, but Caius stopped her by stepping closer and placing a hand on her waist.

It was too close, locking her between the door and himself.

She could smell him. It was intoxicating. It didn’t help that he was looking at her with such a pleased look and that intense gaze she was used to.

Rose nearly smacked herself. There had to be something wrong with her. She had been fuming, and all it took was some rose petals and a nice dinner for her to get swayed.

"I am really glad you accepted my invitation," Caius said, his voice deeper than she remembered.

Is it the dark room? Or perhaps the incense and perfumes?

Rose felt as though she was losing her mind. He was still standing too close, and Rose was glad there was this much fabric between them. She knew he had quite an effect on her, but there had to be a limit.

Rose slipped out of his hold through the side, putting some distance between them. "It wasn’t much of an invitation, Your Majesty."

Rose could feel her heart pounding in her chest. What was wrong with her? She chalked it up to being excited, as nothing of this manner had been done for her before.

Caius frowned and stepped closer to her again. Rose would shove him if she could. It felt like he was deliberately trying to muddle her senses. Whatever his plan was, it was working, and she didn’t like it.

"It is," Caius said with all seriousness. "I specifically told Henry to ask you if you would dine with me tonight."

Rose turned to look at him, and Caius was staring at her with an earnest look on his face. "I see. It’s fine. I am here because I want to be."