The King's Lover Chapter 546: Simple

"Rose R, eh?" Caius asked, looking from the letter to her.

"Yes," she replied. "Ravenor."

It wasn’t a formal or official letter; she didn’t have to include her entire title. Originally, she was going to sign it with just her first name, but she knew he would be petty about it.

"I know what it means."

Rose met his gaze. "Do you not approve?" she asked.

"I never said that," Caius replied as they locked eyes, stepping even closer, knowing she couldn’t step back with the desk behind her.

"It is appropriate, isn’t it?" Rose asked. She wasn’t sure if he was teasing her or if she had made a mistake in her letter.

"Very much so," Caius replied, his gaze lingering on her face.

Rose narrowed her eyes. "Exactly, we are married after all, and I took your name."

"Hmm, indeed you did." His hand lifted, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

He was too close for comfort, and she knew he was doing it on purpose. "You didn’t comment on my letter," she said, forcing the conversation back.

"Are you worried you did badly?"

"Your Majesty knows I didn’t," she said with a scoff.

"I might have been trying to be polite."

Rose let out a sharper scoff. "Your Majesty is never polite."

"Rude," he murmured.

She opened her mouth to respond, but the words never came—he kissed her, firm and brief, pulling away before she could recover.

"We are going to miss lunch at this rate," he said, amused at the flush on her face.

"And whose fault would that be?" she shot back, though a smile tugged at her lips.

Caius met her gaze, but instead of answering, his expression shifted, more thoughtful now. "Your letter was simple," he said. "Appropriate and simple."

Rose stilled. "If Your Majesty had assigned me a proper tutor, perhaps it wouldn’t be," she retorted.

Caius stepped closer again. "Are you saying I am doing a poor job?"

"I never said that," she replied but didn’t meet his gaze.

He studied her more carefully this time. "You were pleased with yourself a moment ago," he said quietly. "Now you’re not."

"I am fine," she replied coldly.

Caius frowned. "Rose."

She didn’t respond; rather, she tried to step past him. He didn’t move. "We will be late for lunch."

"What is it?" he asked, softer now, ignoring her statement. "I won’t know if you don’t tell me."

"There is no problem."

"But there is."

Silence stretched, and Caius wondered if he might have to persist. He was unsure what he had done wrong, but something had annoyed her.

"You said my letter was simple," Rose blurted.

"And it is—"

She shot him a glare.

"I shouldn’t have said that," he corrected, biting back the smile that threatened to slip out of his face. It was rare for Rose to act in this manner.

"Your Majesty doesn’t mean that."

"I do," he whispered and reached a hand to touch her face, but Rose turned away.

It was a small thing. She knew that. But it was her first letter. She had written without help, without guidance. And he had called it simple.

"Your letter was just right, my beautiful wife," Caius whispered as he lifted her chin so she would look at him.

"You’re smiling," Rose replied, staring at him with accusation in her eyes.

"It’s hard not to when you keep staring at me like that. So, do you accept my apology?"

"You didn’t even apologize," she stated and tried to push him away, but he just grabbed her hands.

"It was the best piece of writing I have ever had the pleasure of reading," he said and kissed her hands.

"Now Your Majesty is patronizing me," she replied coldly.

"Why would I do that? It has only been a few months, and you can write by yourself..." he paused, looking thoughtful. "Perhaps it is more likely that I am that good a tutor."

"How does Your Majesty manage to make it about yourself?" Rose shook her head.

"But I mean it," he said, sincerely. "I called it simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. It said exactly what it needed to, and every word was right. No corrections needed."

Rose pouted. "You said ’simple’ twice like it was a bad thing."

"I apologize, my darling. No one is prouder of your words than I am."

"Fine," Rose replied while looking away.

He let out a little side smile before he grabbed her hand and led her towards the door. He carefully placed her hand on his elbow, holding her as close as possible. Rose didn’t pull away as they walked side by side.

They left the study and walked towards the dining room. They barely spoke, and Rose was satisfied with being this close to him as they walked together in silence.

She didn’t pay attention to anything as Caius led her towards the dining room; rather, she let her thoughts drift, knowing that he wouldn’t lead her astray.

"Your Majesties."

Rose snapped out of her thoughts. They were mere feet apart from the doors but standing directly in front of them was Prince Gayle. He gave a respectful bow; however, he completely halted their movements.

Rose didn’t even see him approach. She had no idea if he had been behind them or in front of them the whole time.

"Prince Gayle."

Rose noticed Caius’s dry tone; he was not pleased with his uncle. Rose gave Prince Gayle a small smile; she didn’t think there was any need for her to speak.

"I am sorry about the unfortunate incident. I am glad Her Majesty is doing well."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Rose replied, glad she didn’t stutter. Prince Gayle had never addressed her directly, let alone used her title.

"I—"

"Thank you, Uncle," Caius cut in.

He started to walk forward, forcing the older man to step out of the way. Gayle nodded and stepped to the side, falling in behind them.

Rose hesitated for only a moment before continuing forward. Whatever had passed between them, Caius had no interest in entertaining it, and she trusted him enough not to ask.

By the time they reached the dining table, the tension had already faded. Caius took his seat beside her, his arm brushing lightly against hers. Rose found her thoughts drifting to the letter.

And the quiet pride she had felt writing it.