The King's Lover Chapter 549: Queen Duties

Breakfast was pretty normal except Caius’s fussing had gotten much worse. She wouldn’t be able to keep the secret for long with him asking if every meal she tried tasted fine.

Thankfully, Violeta’s loud voice, talking about how Caira was going through so much carrying Caius’s baby, drew most of the table’s attention.

After breakfast, Caius had to leave with Rylen. She didn’t have to ask to know what he had to do. He was King of Velmount, and that came with duties he couldn’t avoid.

But he almost didn’t leave, and Rose had to speak up for him to go with Rylen. Unfortunately, this meant she was left alone with the old Queen, who kept scoffing and muttering to her ladies-in-waiting.

Rose didn’t care what she did, as long as she didn’t address her directly or try to bother her.

"Your Majesty," Delan’s voice reached her ears as she stood. "Where would you like to go—"

"Your Majesty!" Violeta yelled suddenly, her finger pointed right at Rose. "Don’t you dare call this wretch my title."

Delan jerked, his eyes filled with fear as he looked from Violeta to Rose.

"Delan," she called softly, barely glancing at Violeta. "I’d like to walk around for a bit before we head to my chambers. It should aid digestion."

"Right. Please this way, Y-your—"

"It’s alright," she said, sparing him.

He bowed, looking relieved. He rushed towards the door and held it open. He kept his head down until she went through the doors before going after her.

She could still hear the Queen muttering angrily behind her before the door shut, silencing her voice. Rose winced and had to stop herself from touching her stomach.

She knew it was only a matter of time before the old Queen’s anger exploded and she did something drastic.

Servants that went past bowed to her. The crown on her head felt heavier than it actually was, and more often than not she was still shocked that she was Queen.

A lot of things were still amiss, but it was certainly much better than before. Unfortunately, the threat to her life was not something she could ignore, especially with a child coming.

Rose winced slightly as she stepped out the side entrance. The sun was bright in the sky, shining down with fervent rays that hinted it would rain before the end of the day.

She stepped away, wondering what direction she would head in, when the side entrance door opened once again and Caira walked out.

She froze as Rose turned around, and their eyes met. She could scarcely hide her surprise, as recently Caira hardly left her room, and Rose couldn’t remember the last time she saw her.

She was dressed in a light blue dress that was loose around her midsection. Her long pale hair fell forward as if to shroud her.

Her eyes slowly lifted to the crown on Rose’s head before she turned her gaze away and walked past.

Rose squinted slightly, watching her maid cling to her, also not acknowledging her presence. She didn’t care for their regard. What bothered her was the stalemate.

There was no doubt that Caira was pregnant. Rose had done her best not to think about it, but what was going to happen? However, it was not something that could be avoided for much longer.

She forced herself to look away. "Delan," she softly called. "I shall return to my room. The sun is a little too much for me."

Rose didn’t think she was running away, but unfortunately, Caira reminded her of things she didn’t want to think about.

Thankfully, she got into her room without incident, and Delan stood guard outside her door. Her maids were in the room, and the young women squealed in excitement as she walked in.

"Is there anything you would like us to do for you?" Chelsy was quick to ask.

"No," she replied as she walked toward the bed. "I will most likely take a break for now."

"Okay, well if you need—"

The rest of her words were drowned out by loud knocking. Rose frowned and turned towards the door.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Isla asked suspiciously.

"No," she replied. Though she was sure it wasn’t anyone to worry about, as Delan would certainly alert her.

"I will check," Chelsy offered and walked towards the door. She pulled the door open, and her mouth nearly fell to the ground. "Madame Edith?!"

"Edith?" Rose asked.

"Yes," Chelsy replied.

"Can I come in?"

"Speak from the door," Rose called out.

"I apologize for interrupting your morning, Your Majesty." The title sounded as if it choked her on the way out. "But it is important and private."

"Very well, come in."

"Thank you," she said and walked into the room.

Chelsy gestured towards her sister so they could leave the room, but Rose stretched out her hand to stop them. She had already agreed to give Edith an audience; this was the best she was getting.

"Edith," she called, staring at the papers in the woman’s hands. "What is this about?"

"Well," she cleared her throat and lifted them to her chest before stretching them out. "These are reports of the food that has been consumed in the castle this week alone."

Rose frowned and stepped forward. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Well," her eyes darted to the side. "Her Majesty said that if you want to play Queen, then you can handle the duties of the Queen too. She said that, not me." She quickly added, but Rose could see the glint in her eyes.

"I see," Rose replied and snatched the papers from her grip. "And what will these duties be?"

"Running the castle," she replied with a condescending look as if saying Rose should already know. "Nothing in the castle is done without Her Majesty’s approval."

Rose did her best to keep her expression blank as she stared at the reports. She was glad the King had taught her to read. Her calculation still needed a little work, but the report already had all the calculations done, and she simply had to read them.

She flipped the paper. It was clear the Queen wanted to scare her and equally disgrace her, but Rose doubted this was a task she couldn’t handle.

"Very well," she replied and looked at Edith.

"Eh," she replied with shock all over her features. "You will do it?"

She ignored her question. "Anything else I should know?"

"No."

"Edith, if I do find out you are keeping anything from me, you will regret it."

"That’s all."

"Surely, this can’t be all?" She glanced at the papers again. "It only involves the food in the castle. This isn’t the only part that makes up the castle."

"The rest is handled by the butler," she blurted. "I simply handle the meals, cleaning, and the servants assigned to these tasks."

"Very well, send for the butler. Is preparation for lunch ready, or perhaps you need my input?"

"No, Your Majesty."

"Well then, off you go."

She nodded and fled out of the room.

"You are in charge?" Isla asked in surprise.

Rose smirked. "Looks like it." She didn’t care what the Queen’s plan was, but she was about to make her regret it.