The King's Lover Chapter 529: Childish

By the time lunch arrived, a knock sounded at Rose's door. She opened it to find Maximus bowing, saying, "Your Majesty." He then straightened to his full height.

A smile touched Rose's lips as she exited the room. Lunch was due, and she had anticipated her maids would attend to her before then, yet they were nowhere in sight.

Giving it little thought, Rose prepared herself promptly. There wasn't much to do anyway, and by the moment Maximus appeared, she was quite ready.

Almost instantly, the door to Caira’s chamber swung open, revealing the princess. The sound drew Rose’s attention.

Caira's expression was a mask of horror, evident to all. She swiftly turned her face away, unable to bear looking in Rose's direction.

Maximus bowed silently. Caira offered only a curt acknowledgment, while simultaneously, her own maid emerged and curtsied to Rose.

Turning away from the princess, Rose proceeded towards the stairs, aware that Caira followed close behind. Maximus maintained a consistent pace, and the soft clicking of the princess’s heels echoed on the floor.

Judging by the hushed gasps of the servants as they bowed and moved aside, Rose could well imagine the scene unfolding was quite the spectacle.

The King's officially recognized wife and his openly displayed mistress, now appearing together.

She was certain that castle rumors were already rampant, but this would undoubtedly triple them. The situation was further emphasized by the fact that while Rose wore a crown, Caira did not.

Rose felt no sympathy for the princess; rather, she was rather pleased that the King's clear favoritism was apparent. This, she suspected, would work to her advantage, discouraging others from antagonizing her. Gossip might fly, but mere whispers couldn't possibly strip her of her crown.

A subtle smile played on her lips as she briefly glanced at Maximus. He remained vigilant, his gaze fixed on her as if poised for immediate action. Rose's smile broadened.

She maintained a measured pace, ensuring the princess had to match her stride. To walk side-by-side, it was clear, was something Caira wished to avoid.

Approaching the dining hall, Rose had half-expected the princess to try and overtake her. It must be quite mortifying for Caira to walk behind Rose.

Finally, they reached the dining hall, and the doors were opened. Rose entered with Maximus by her side. The hall initially seemed deserted, until she stepped fully inside and met the gaze of Violeta, who occupied Rose's usual seat.

Besides the attending staff, Violeta and her ladies were the first to arrive. Rose surveyed the room, noting the servants casting furtive glances, heads bowed to avoid any perceived offense.

Rose continued her progress without pause, not wishing to obstruct the princess's entry. More significantly, the old Queen's ostentatious display of disapproval did not faze her in the slightest. It struck her as rather juvenile, reminiscent of childish attempts to provoke her in days past.

"Your Majesty," Maximus announced with a swift bow.

Before he had even finished speaking, Rose gestured towards the seat the old Queen had occupied that morning. Rose had no intention of waiting around or engaging in conversation. Maximus promptly pulled out the chair she indicated, allowing her to sit, just as Caira entered through the now-open doors.

Caira hesitated, caught in a quandary, but Rose had no chance to observe this, as the elderly queen now addressed her.

"What do you think you are doing, whore?"

Rose offered no reply, settling into her chair. She found it unbelievable that the embittered elder dared address her so disrespectfully, especially while she wore the crown.

Rose recalled Violeta's visible displeasure when Caius had bestowed the crown upon her; clearly, her late husband had not considered her worthy of his mother's royal headwear.

A smirk touched the corner of her mouth as she settled in and met the old Queen's glare.

"How dare you look—" one of her ladies began, but she fell silent as Maximus positioned himself behind Rose.

"Maximus!" Violeta shrieked. "Remove this whore from my sight!"

Rose frowned, puzzled why the old Queen hadn't intervened before she sat. However, both women understood her limitations. Maximus answered only to the King, and his next words confirmed Rose's suspicion.

"My apologies, Your Majesty, but I am under strict orders from the King."

"A harlot has no place here. You are not a queen, you whore! And whatever sorcery you employed on my son will ultimately fail."

Rose let out a quiet sigh, choosing restraint over an outburst that might escalate the situation. She wasn't seeking to provoke the old Queen further—at least, not yet. Thus, she remained silent while Violeta continued her tirade.

"Your only worth lies in one thing: spreading your legs, just like the whore you are!"

Rose suppressed a yawn, wishing the Queen would employ a different epithet than 'whore,' 'harlot,' or 'witch.' Currently, such insults held no sting whatsoever.

A chair scraped, and Caira took a seat, positioned one away from Rose. With her head bowed, she made a show of not being present at the table.

"Queen Caira is the queen! Don’t you dare think you have any standing here, and with the heir on the way, it won’t be long now before you’re chased away."

Caira flinched subtly upon hearing her name invoked but kept her gaze down, clearly wishing to steer clear of the confrontation. Rose noted that Caira hadn't even acknowledged the Queen before sitting.

"Enjoy your little whore magic for now!"

Rose remained impassive, not a flicker of reaction betraying her. She found herself in a state of disbelief, astonished that the old Queen would even address her. For someone the old Queen deemed beneath her, it was peculiar she wouldn't let her be.

Rose’s eyes flickered toward the door, a silent plea for Caius’s arrival. Had he sent Maximus to her if he wasn’t ready yet? At the very least, his presence would deter Violeta from speaking to her.

Violeta, however, did not cease her tirade. The more she spoke, the more incensed she became, her rage amplified by her ladies-in-waiting. She seemed indifferent to Caira’s silent protest.

"It is only a matter of time before you’ll be disgraced like the little whore you are. I am sure the late Queen Catherine is rolling in her grave knowing that a whore like you dares to wear her crown."

The old Queen had been speaking incessantly since her entrance, yet Rose had offered no response. Her gaze merely brushed over the speaker before dismissing her with a turn of her head.

This dismissal fueled Violeta's anger more than anything. It was evident the insults were ineffective, but the true blow was Rose's apparent lack of fear.

With a sudden resolve, she grasped the water jug, intending to douse Rose entirely, anticipating a startled reaction. However, Rose’s brief surprise evaporated, replaced by a challenging stare directed upward at Violeta.

Just as Violeta raised the jug, the doors swung open, revealing Caius. It was too late; the action couldn't be halted. Caius’s abrupt entrance startled Violeta, loosening her grip. Instead of hitting Rose, the jug slipped from her grasp, crashing onto the table and sending water cascading everywhere.

The jug struck the table with a resounding clatter, mingling with the clinking of silverware and splashing water across the surface.

Maximus swiftly pulled Rose's chair back, shielding her from the brunt of the spill, with only a few droplets reaching her. The water that remained on the table flowed directly towards the Queen, soaking her gown.

Her attendants scrambled to intervene, but their efforts were too late to prevent the Queen from being drenched.

"What are you doing, Mother?" Caius’s voice boomed, filling the room.

He strode towards Rose, who struggled to maintain a composed expression as the Queen sprang to her feet. Yet, the impact was undeniable, leaving a prominent wet stain down the front of her dress.

"Are you okay?" Caius inquired, bending towards her.

Rose kept her head lowered, attempting to regain her composure. "Yes," she whispered, her voice softer than usual. "I-I am fine."

She hadn't intended to appear frightened, but Caius’s visible concern made it difficult. He shot a sharp glance toward his mother, who was already hurrying toward the exit.