The King's Lover Chapter 525: Surreal

As Rose finally pulled away from Caius, she turned to find every man in the room bowing low, the priest included. It was evident they weren't bowing to the King, but to her. She had become Queen, and these men were now acknowledging her new status.

"Your Majesty," they intoned in unison.

Rose was unsure how to react. It seemed too simple for her to marry the King and gain acceptance without any struggle. However, she knew the reality was far from easy. These were Caius’s most trusted allies, and significant challenges would undoubtedly arise very soon.

A smile touched Rose’s lips as the men slowly raised their heads. She suppressed the urge to curtsy. As Queen, the only person she owed a bow to was the King himself.

Rose stayed close to Caius’s side, allowing him to rest his arm around her elbow. Caius then placed his other hand over hers, securing her close to him.

She gazed up at Caius, noticing a look of pride on his face. Yet, Rose felt that no one could possibly be prouder than she was. The situation felt incredibly surreal, and she feared that the slightest misstep would shatter this reality, leaving her to awaken and realize it was merely a dream.

"Prince Rylen," Caius suddenly announced.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

Rylen lifted his eyes to meet Caius's gaze. Rose couldn't help but observe that he didn't seem like his usual self. But then again, how could he, after so easily betraying not only the King but his own cousin?

A wave of nausea washed over Rose, her thoughts and attention becoming unfocused. Her new position was bound to bring about significant changes and trigger unforeseen consequences. She couldn't help but wonder how Caira, or even worse, the Queen, would react to this development.

Caius squeezed her hand, as if sensing her burgeoning doubts. She looked up at him, only to see him issuing stern instructions to Rylen.

"...I expect you to handle the arrangements."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Caius remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on Rylen. An unreadable emotion passed between them before he turned away, with Rose still in his arms, and led her toward the exit.

Maximus bowed and moved aside to let them pass, then followed a few feet behind them.

"What about my cloak?" Rose mumbled, glancing back at Maximus, who still held it but made no move to return it.

"You have no need for it," Caius stated, not breaking stride. He then looked down at her. "You have no need for it," he reiterated, ensuring she heard him clearly.

Rose looked at him, a sense of self-consciousness creeping in. What if they encountered the Queen? However, he walked with such unwavering confidence, holding her as he did. Why should she feel any differently?

"Very well, Your Majesty," Rose replied.

Caius wrinkled his nose slightly at her use of his title, but he said nothing further.

The journey felt longer than necessary, and her head felt heavy, though Rose knew it wasn't due to her crown. She was simply acutely aware of her surroundings.

They eventually reached her chambers. Caius guided her inside, but only after she had accepted the cloak and the golden box containing her crown and the signet ring.

Maximus offered her a final bow before departing. Rose then closed the door, finally able to breathe freely. Being within the confines of her room felt significantly safer.

Yet, she questioned if freedom felt burdensome simply because she had become too accustomed to her cage. It would be simpler to remain in this room than to confront the host of nobles she would inevitably have to face, starting with the Queen.

"What is on your mind?" Caius inquired as she stood by the door, her expression tentative.

Rose let out a sigh and walked past Caius towards her dresser. She placed the cloak over the back of a chair and set the golden box upon the dresser.

"What happens now," she responded, sighing again.

Rose opened the box and removed her circlet just as Caius appeared behind her. He leaned in, wrapping his arms around her. She stared intently at the circlet, finding it hard to believe he would so readily give her something that once belonged to his grandmother.

"What about it?" Caius asked, leaning closer.

Rose carefully returned the circlet to the box and sighed. "You know," she whispered, tugging slightly too hard at the signet ring.

"I know, my dearest," he replied, his voice a low purr. "But you have nothing to worry about, and I truly mean it this time. Leave everything to me."

He drew her closer, and Rose found his words incredibly tempting. She wanted to believe him, yet her past experiences suggested otherwise.

"Shall I help you undress?" he suddenly asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty?" Caius questioned, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Will you not yet call me your husband, wife?"

Rose let out a small chuckle. She couldn't help it; the situation was amusing, especially knowing how serious he was. She placed the signet ring back in the box, closed it, and then turned to face him.

"Would you be so kind as to help me out of my dress, my husband?" Rose inquired, her face a mask of seriousness, though she suppressed a strong urge to laugh.

"Of course," Caius responded, his voice warm. "Nothing would please me more."

The instant the words left his lips, he leaned in to kiss her. Rose instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, and he drew her against himself, as intimately close as the dress permitted.

As they kissed, her fingers threaded through his hair. Caius held her tightly, as if nothing in existence could ever separate them. It was effortless to surrender within his embrace; it felt secure, and Rose found her worries dissolving instantly.

When they finally parted, Rose was breathless, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. Caius’s eyes blazed with undisguised desire, his posture suggesting he was ready to tear her dress away.

"The dress," Rose prompted gently, and Caius flashed a wide grin.

"I can barely wait to remove it."

Rose stifled a giggle, already anticipating his thoughts. She turned around once more, and he meticulously began to undo the ribbons securing the dress. With graceful ease, it slid from her shoulders, pooling softly at her feet.

Once the ornate dress lay on the floor, Rose stepped out from its confines. She was now clad only in her chemise, delicate stockings, garters, and heeled shoes.

After shedding the heavy gown, she attempted to move away from Caius, but he swiftly caught her, pulling her back and trapping her with an arm encircling her waist.

"And just where do you believe you are going?" he inquired, a playful challenge in his tone.

"To the wardrobe," she replied, echoing his teasing manner as she met his gaze.

"And for what purpose?"

"I cannot possibly sleep in this, Your Majesty. I must change into my nightdress."

"Still with the title," he sighed softly.

Rose knew that laughter would be unseemly. "Would my husband permit me to put on my nightdress then?"

Rose felt a warmth creep up her face, finding it somewhat embarrassing to address him so directly while he stared intently at her. Nevertheless, his pleased reaction did much to ease her discomfort.

"And why?" he drawled, his voice a low purr. "Shouldn't we be consummating our union?"

"Has a nightdress ever impeded you before, husband?" Rose asked, a smirk playing on her lips.

Caius let out a soft curse as his hand moved from her waist to her rear. "No," he admitted, his voice deepening noticeably.

"That’s precisely what I supposed," she grinned and pulled free from his grasp.

Caius released her, yet his eyes remained fixed on her every move. Aware of his unwavering attention, Rose found herself unable to resist exaggerating the sway of her hips as she walked, side to side, knowing his gaze was locked upon her.

She paused before the wardrobe, turning to face him. A smile touched his lips, and he remained watching her, arms crossed.

Rose leaned forward slightly, lifting one leg to slowly remove her shoe, then the other. Next, she deliberately undid the garters holding her stockings, allowing them to slide sensuously down her legs.

Caius shifted his stance, and Rose knew this playful dance was only possible due to the distance between them. She opened the wardrobe, selecting a nightdress.

As she pulled it over her head, Caius strode purposefully towards her.

"Are you perhaps testing my patience?" he inquired, stopping directly in front of her.

Rose smirked playfully. "I would never dare," she replied.

Taking a small step closer, she reached out and gently touched his forehead. Removing his circlet, she met his eyes with a smile and asked, "Shall I help you out of your clothes this time, husband?"