The King's Lover Chapter 527: She Wouldn’t Dare

Violeta rose from her seat, her expression so stricken with despair that Rose harbored a fleeting hope she might simply faint and never awaken. Rose felt no shame in admitting this desire, as Violeta’s intense dislike for her made it seem only fair.

Unable to articulate, Violeta’s gaze remained fixed, horridly, upon Rose and her companions. All she managed was to point an accusatory index finger at Rose while drawing in ragged breaths. It was a spectacle Rose doubted she would soon forget.

The reaction from the rest of the room was far more subdued. The attending servants remained utterly silent upon their arrival, though furtive glances were exchanged before they bowed their heads in deference.

Caira, observing the old Queen’s reaction, showed visible surprise, while Prince Gayle adopted a stern demeanor, his face a mask of astonishment mingled with profound disapproval.

"Your Majesties," Rylen announced with a respectful bow, shattering the oppressive silence. He was, it seemed, the sole individual unfazed by their dramatic entrance.

Caius offered a slight nod to Rylen before passing his mother, who remained frozen in place, her finger still unnaturally extended. He then guided Rose to her designated seat, only taking his own position at the head of the table once she was settled.

"W-what is the meaning of this?!" Violeta finally managed to vocalize, as if regaining her voice after a prolonged absence. Her tone was distinctly shrill.

Still standing, she appeared on the verge of lunging at Rose. Her breathing was heavy, and her ladies-in-waiting shot hateful glares at Rose from behind their mistress's back.

"Whatever do you mean, Mother? You appear somewhat pale. Perhaps you should sit down," Caius responded smoothly, never once directing his gaze toward his mother. His dismissive attitude was readily apparent, and Rose observed Violeta’s anger escalate further. He then turned his attention to Rose, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

Rose offered a subtle nod, noting the servants' hesitant movements as they drew nearer to serve the meal. She understood their apprehension; the unspoken tension in the room was almost suffocating.

"You—You!" she pointed dramatically at Rose, but the words caught in her throat, as if she lacked the means to begin her tirade.

Suddenly, her fury erupted. "What is this? Is that your grandmother’s crown? Have you finally lost your senses? To—to bestow the late Queen’s crown upon a mere peasant. The lowest of the low. If you imagine I will share a table with a who—"

"You are not obligated to join us for breakfast, Mother," Caius interjected, his eyes finally meeting hers. His voice was icily cold, so much so that Rose could almost imagine frost escaping his lips.

"I advise you to compose yourself and take a seat!"

Violeta recoiled, taking a step back, and would have stumbled had her attendants not steadied her. She stared at her son, incredulous, before shifting her glare to Rose.

Rose paid the elder Queen no heed, though she could feel the intense scrutiny directed at the circlet adorning her forehead. The matter of the circlet and its rightful owner had clearly incensed her.

Caius, conversely, seemed entirely indifferent to his mother’s outburst. Yet, what troubled Rose more was the lack of any other audible dissent; the others were clearly surprised, but none voiced any objection.

This should be a positive development, Rose mused, yet it gnawed at her. She felt it would be preferable if there were some expressed disagreement, allowing her to better gauge her standing amongst them.

She glanced around the table, finding that Caira avoided her gaze. Rose had anticipated more open defiance and anger from the princess, especially given her purported pregnancy with Caius's child, but instead, Caira acted as if nothing were amiss.

Prince Gayle, however, continued to fix his gaze in her direction, and Rose found herself wishing she could escape his scrutiny. She held no particular fondness for the older man and knew little of his past.

"How could you do this? Your wife is with child," Queen Violeta's voice had lost its earlier volume; she had shifted her strategy, attempting to manipulate her son through guilt. She finally sat as he had suggested, her tone now subdued.

Caius offered no reply.

Violeta’s eyes reddened, and she snapped back into her previous fury. "This wh—thing!"

"Thing?" Caius flicked his head in his mother's direction. "You will address my Queen with the respect she is due."

"Q-Queen?" she shrieked, aghast.

Rose found Queen Violeta's shock entirely unwarranted. What else did she imagine the crown resting upon her head signified?

"You already possess a queen. This is nothing more than a..." she gestured vaguely at Rose, unwilling to utter the full insult. "You cannot be serious, Caius?" She looked at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "She must have done something. A witch! She hexed you, I'm certain of it."

"Mother! If you do not cease your slander against my wife, I will be forced to conclude that you can no longer partake in our breakfast."

Violeta's eyes widened further. "You would banish me because of her? Your own mother!"

"I did not say that..." he paused, his gaze locking onto hers. "Yet!"

Violeta appeared on the verge of collapsing from rage, yet to everyone's surprise, she remained silent. Her gaze swept across the table, but no one at the gathering seemed inclined to offer any remarks regarding the unfolding events.

Rose found it hard to fathom that she had nearly overlooked such a spectacle. Witnessing the aged, embittered queen on the brink of losing her composure was, in Rose's estimation, a fitting reward for any apprehension or dread she had experienced prior to their morning meal.

Furthermore, she realized she had absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Caius was demonstrably prepared to openly defy his own mother in her defense. While she had never doubted his support, Rose hadn't anticipated such a direct and public display of his allegiance.

Her husband's actions filled her with immense satisfaction. So profound was her pleasure that she extended her hand, letting it rest upon his arm, ensuring that his mother observed their entire exchange.

Caius responded instantly, setting aside his silverware. He gently caressed the back of her hand which lay upon his arm. Rose slowly raised her eyes to meet the gaze of the aging queen as Caius directed his full attention toward her.

Violeta's fingers tightened around her knife as their eyes locked. Rose's glance briefly shifted to the weapon before returning to the queen's face. A subtle smirk played on Rose's lips as she lifted her gaze to Caius once more, before withdrawing her hand and resuming her meal.

Just as Violeta was acutely aware, Rose knew with certainty that the queen would never dare to lay a hand on her.