The King's Lover Chapter 5: Love Mark

"Rose!" a voice called out.

Rose poked her head out from her home. "You're early," Rose said with a smile.

"We have to go to the marketplace, remember?" Emma replied.

"Well, yes, but we don't have to go now. Just admit you want to hear all about it."

"Of course not. I told you I don't want to know about you frolicking."

"Fucking, you mean," Rose said with a sly grin.

"Rosie!" Emma exclaimed, a blush rising to her cheeks.

Rose smiled, about to speak, when her father's thunderous voice boomed. "Emma, is that you?"

"Mr. Vallyn," Emma responded with a smile. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Emma. How's your mother?"

"She's doing very well, Mr. Vallyn."

"I'm heading out for the day, Rosie."

"Have a good day working, Father."

"Aye, aye."

"Your father could have heard you," Emma remarked.

"You're worrying about nothing. Mother is still sleeping. I'll leave some water beside her, and then we can leave for the market. I also need to see Madame Razel. She said she has a gift for me. Can you imagine?"

"Wow! For the wedding?" Emma inquired.

Rose nodded. "Do you want to see Mother?"

"No, she's sleeping, isn't she?"

Rose nodded and slipped back into the house, returning shortly with a scarf to tie her head and a basket on her arm. "What do you think?" Rose asked, gripping the ends of the scarf tied at her neck.

"Looks good," Emma replied honestly.

"Won't you say something like, 'You look very pretty, Madame Rose. You look like a farmer's wife'?"

"How is a farmer's wife a compliment?"

"Isn't it? The farmer is the wealthiest after the baron and the merchant."

"Aye, you're right, but you don't really care about such things."

"Yes, but you don't have to ruin my joke, Emma. You're no fun," she said, bumping into Emma, who simply smiled subtly at her.

Suddenly, Emma frowned. "What's that on your neck? A mosquito bite? I didn't notice that before."

Rose clamped her hand on her neck, her face flushing. Emma stopped abruptly. In all the years she had known Rose, she could count on one hand the times she had blushed. Rose wasn't the type to get embarrassed easily. Without a doubt, that wasn't a mosquito bite.

Her eyes widened, and she turned to face Rose. Her mouth tried to form words, but her face just grew redder. She covered her mouth with her hands.

"Why am I the one with a love mark, but you're redder than a tomato?" Rose teased.

"Don't say something like that out loud!" Emma yelled, looking around. "What if someone hears?"

"No one's around, Emma."

"What if someone sees?"

"That's why I am wearing a scarf."

"I could still see it with the scarf," Emma replied.

"Only because you were staring too closely." She slipped her free arm through Emma's. "Don't fret, my lady. We have to get to the marketplace."

Emma sighed but didn't resist as Rose pulled her along.

They arrived at the entrance of the marketplace. There wasn't much of a gate, merely two pillars marking the entrance, supporting a huge signboard with words Rose once heard someone read aloud.

"Edenville's Marketplace."

"Why do you always do that when we are standing in front?"

"Pretend I can read?" Rose laughed. "It's fun."

A woman was selling roasted almond nuts right in front of the marketplace. Rose hurried to her to buy them—her mother loved them.

"Rose," Emma pulled her. "I need to pick up something for my mother. Head into the marketplace, I'll find you when I'm done."

Rose nodded. "If you don't see me, meet me at Madame Razel's, or better still, just meet me at Madame Razel's."

"Okay," Emma said and waved.

Rose waved back and turned to the old lady, engaging in small talk as she purchased the nuts. No sooner had she accepted her wrapping of roasted nuts than she heard the hooves of horses. People cleared the path and dropped to the floor.

Rose didn't need anyone to tell her it was the crown prince. The baron didn't require such an entourage when he visited the marketplace, and he also rarely came himself. He had more than enough hands to assist him. She dropped her woven basket on the ground, and she, along with the elderly nut seller, kowtowed.

Rose bent her head, expecting the herd of horses to proceed through the marketplace gate or at least pass in front of it. However, they suddenly stopped, and she could hear whispers. Rose didn't move. Whatever this was, she was certain it had nothing to do with her.

"You!" a familiar voice commanded.

Rose slowly raised her head. "Oh, you," she smiled, recognizing the knight from the previous day.

He glared at her. "Come," he stated simply.

Rose glanced behind her, then beside her, and finally back at the knight. "Me?" she asked.

"Yes, you! Are you deaf?"

"Why?" she questioned innocently. She truly believed this was a misunderstanding.

"Don’t ask foolish questions, wench!" the knight bellowed, seizing her arm and yanking her upright. "You answer me when I—"

"Thomas," a voice commanded. "Release her."

"Your Highness," Thomas intoned, bowing and instantly letting go of Rose.

A wave of relief washed over Rose as she felt the air rush back into her lungs. Astride the most magnificent stallion she had ever laid eyes upon sat the crown prince. She knew it with a single glance. His dark hair was slicked back, his gaze piercing, his nose aquiline, his chin clean-shaven save for a strip of hair at its end. A prominent scar slashed across his chin, yet it did nothing to diminish his attractiveness; in fact, it lent him a dashing, roguish air.

He was adorned in regal attire, white fabric intricately embroidered with gold. His mount, equally white, seemed to gleam. The men accompanying him were similarly attired, all riding pristine white horses. Rose was so captivated by him that she completely forgot to offer a formal bow.

Rose had heard numerous frightening tales spun about the crown prince, the kind meant to terrify children into silence, but she had always dismissed them as mere gossip. Yet, one look at him, and she could almost believe them to be true—particularly the whispers that he was exceptional in bed. Rose nearly slapped herself, chiding her own thoughts: *What was she thinking?*

"You were at the well yesterday," he stated casually.

Rose felt a jolt of panic, nearly losing her composure. "I am honored that you would recall me, Your Highness," she managed, lowering her head respectfully.

In reality, Rose was utterly terrified. She understood the precariousness of dealing with royalty—they held the power to manipulate her life as they pleased. The fact that the crown prince had singled her out, making a public spectacle of it, was deeply unsettling. She could sense the hushed murmurs of those around her, though none dared to even lift their gaze.

"Approach," he commanded. His voice was deep and sonorous, and a palpable tension seemed to fill the air as he spoke.

Rose’s eyes flickered nervously, but she slowly stepped forward. "Is there something you require of me, Your Highness?" she inquired, her voice betraying a slight tremor. She couldn't fathom having done anything wrong. Was he displeased about her use of the well? But she had distinctly remembered to seek permission beforehand.

"Perhaps," he murmured. "Raise your head."

Hesitantly, Rose obeyed. As she lifted her head, her scarf slipped, revealing the love mark she had been trying to conceal. It was now in plain sight, and Rose’s attempt to cover it was futile. The crown prince’s gaze was fixed upon it, unwavering.