The King's Lover Chapter 532: Vile Woman

Rose awoke to the disconcerting sensation of Caius’s palm gripping her chest, his hand opening and closing over her breast. Were it not for the soft snores emanating from behind her, Rose might have sworn he was conscious, yet he remained fast asleep while his hand seemed to possess a mind of its own.

She shook her head in disbelief, attempting to pull his hand away, and felt him stir. Instead of releasing her, however, he tightened his grip.

"Your Majesty!"

"Hmm," he mumbled. "Must it be so difficult to address me as your husband?"

"Good morning, my husband, my king," she replied, turning to face him with a grin. "Pleased?"

"More than words can express," he responded, planting a kiss on her lips.

Rose giggled and managed to pull away. "You must leave now, or we shall be late for breakfast if I allow you to have your way."

"No," he groaned, drawing her back into his embrace.

"We both have a demanding day ahead of us."

Caius let out a low growl at the reminder. A meeting with the council awaited him after lunch. He was uncertain how quickly the news had spread, but he knew this was not a secret he could conceal for long, and he desired widespread knowledge of it.

"Very well," he conceded, rolling away from her.

He rose from the bed, shirtless, and Rose could not help but gaze at his back, noting how readily he exposed it to her these days—something she suspected he was not even aware of himself.

As he donned his clothes, he said, "I shall return."

Rose laughed, looking up at him. "I have no doubt about that."

Caius bestowed one last lingering look upon her before exiting her chambers. Rose remained watching the door long after he had departed. She lay on her back, still a little stunned, wondering if this new routine would ever feel entirely normal.

Rose finally rose from her bed, anticipating the imminent arrival of her maids. Their absence thus far was surprising. She walked towards the bell cord and pulled it, a signal she rarely used except for immediate, unplanned needs.

While waiting, Rose moved toward her desk, perusing the documents on the table. Caius had assigned her several tasks the previous night, and she was unsure if she could complete them before her departure. She made a mental note to attend to them upon her return from Lady Delphine's manor.

A frown creased Rose's brow as she glanced toward the door. Something felt amiss. She proceeded to her wardrobe and selected a coat suitable for leaving her room.

Stepping out of her chambers, she was met by the guards, who all bowed in unison. Rose gestured to the nearest guard. He looked around, and upon confirming she was indeed addressing him, stepped forward.

"Might I perhaps send you on an errand?" Rose inquired. While politeness was not her primary intention, her status had not yet received official recognition.

"Y-yes," he stammered hesitantly.

"Excellent. Could you locate the butler, Mister Henry, for me? Or, if he is occupied, a maid named Welma would suffice."

"Is that all?"

Rose nodded. He bowed and then proceeded towards the stairs. Rose disliked the unsettling feeling that washed over her. She suspected this situation was connected to the peculiar behavior of Isla and Chelsy the previous night.

Rose was quite certain they had not simply overslept. Even if that were the case, the likelihood of both of them being asleep simultaneously was exceedingly remote.

Instead of returning to her room, Rose waited just outside her door. Not long after the guard had departed, Mister Henry ascended the stairs. Rose doubted the guard had encountered the butler, as Henry was approaching from a different direction.

"Mister Henry," Rose called out as he reached the top of the stairs.

The butler flinched so violently that Rose winced. She had not intended to startle him.

"Y-Your M-majesty," he gasped, still recovering from the shock.

"My apologies, Mister Henry. I did not mean to alarm you."

"N-no, please, do not apologize. Is there something I can assist you with?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe.

"You see," Rose began to explain, "my maids are late."

"Ah, shall I assign a different attendant to you this morning?"

Rose's frown deepened. "May I assume you are unaware of the reason why?" she inquired coolly.

Henry shifted his feet nervously. "You must forgive me, but I am required to attend His Majesty. You may request any servant to assist you..." The words were barely out before he hurried away.

Rose’s eyes narrowed. She needed no one to tell her the Queen was implicated. Henry only behaved in such a manner when under direct orders from someone in authority.

Rose felt a surge of anger. She cared little what the Queen planned to do to her; she possessed sufficient power to defy or retaliate. However, her innocent maids were merely following orders.

Rose looked towards the stairs, observing the guard she had dispatched return empty-handed. Her head swam, and she made a concerted effort to regain her composure.

"Speak," she commanded before he had even finished ascending the stairs.

"Mister Henry hasn't been seen anywhere. The servants are whispering he's with the King."

"What about Welma?"

"She claims she's been instructed not to assist you. And the maids you're looking for? They aren't in the usual quarters."

"Where could they be?" Rose had to grind her teeth to stop herself from shouting.

"She refused to divulge their location."

"I'll have to ask one more favor from you," she told the guard, her voice tight. "Would you be so kind as to fetch either Lord Maximus or Lord Thomas for me? Though, I would truly prefer Lord Maximus. Don't worry," she reassured him when she saw his doubtful expression. "He will do as I ask."

With another bow, he turned and went down the stairs. Rose didn't even watch him go, already back in her chamber, tearing off her coat and nightgown as she began to dress herself for the day.