The King's Lover Chapter 554: Good Measure

Rose was exhausted by the time she finished dealing with Edith. She wouldn’t stop pleading, which Rose found a tad bit annoying.

She had no plan to throw them in the dungeons or anything of that sort. She just wanted to scare them a little, but Edith turned out more scared than she had expected.

She had eventually settled for half pay for the servants involved for six months. It wasn’t nearly close to the damage they had done, but what happened during the old Queen’s reign didn’t concern her.

She pardoned Edith but told her she would find someone else who took their job more seriously should there be a repeat. Edith promised heaven and earth that she would do her job right.

Rose could still hear her whiny voice even after the conversation was over.

Chelsy and Isla were quick to provide her with some snacks, and she had eaten with more gusto than she would like. After eating, she had taken a nap and didn’t wake up until it was almost time for lunch.

She let out a loud yawn, stretching out her stiff limbs as she got out of bed. She didn’t feel like she had gotten enough sleep.

She was tempted to sleep in and eat lunch at a later time, but she didn’t want to give Violeta something to say.

Besides, this would be the first time they would be sharing a space together without the King. She was curious to see how Violeta would act.

Delan hung close as she carefully made her way to the dining room. The guard was pretty diligent and obedient. She appreciated this. Most servants didn’t acknowledge her crown so it was nice to have someone she could trust.

She could feel the weight of her growing baby as she walked down the stairs, but it wasn’t enough to make her sluggish.

They were almost upon the dining room when the Queen appeared with her three ladies-in-waiting. Rose slowed down her pace so the Queen would go ahead and they wouldn’t risk bumping into each other.

Unfortunately, Violeta did not share the same idea. As soon as she saw her, she spun on her heel. Dressed like a peacock with the feathers fluttering around, she rushed towards her.

Rose stopped walking and stood her ground. She didn’t expect the long-awaited confrontation to arrive so soon.

"Your Majesty," Delan whispered nervously behind her.

"Do nothing, Delan. I will take care of it."

He nodded and bowed, saying loudly, "Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty," Rose also acknowledged her presence but didn’t bow. "Is there a problem?"

"Haven’t you grown wings? Addressing me as though we are equals."

She stood in front of Rose with her ladies, standing directly behind the Queen as if to intimidate Rose.

Rose wasn’t the least bit bothered. She could take them. It would be a little hard as she would have to protect her baby too, but she doubted these women had ever gotten into a fight in their lives.

"I apologize if I have done anything that may have displeased you, Your Majesty. I will fix it immediately."

There was no apology or respect in her tone, and she stared at the Queen condescendingly, as though she was nothing but a child making a ruckus.

"You roadside whore!" she yelled and rushed forward to snatch the crown from her head.

Rose didn’t hesitate; she pushed her. It took willpower not to snicker as Violeta flailed her arms trying to stop falling. Her ladies had to rush to her rescue, supporting her back.

"You dare touch the Queen!" they yelled.

"I was protecting the King’s child," Rose said and grabbed her stomach.

"The King’s child?" the Queen yelled, standing to her feet again. "Who knows if that is really the King’s child? You’ve been in the castle for a year and you didn’t get pregnant until Caira did. You jealous harlot!"

"Queen Violeta, you’ve called me names from the moment we met. Does the crown on my head and your grandchild mean nothing to you?"

"Of course, it means nothing. You’re a peasant whore. The kind you find on the street. To say you carry the King’s child, my grandchild, is an insult!" She spat on Rose’s face.

"Violeta," Rose said with a smile on her face as the saliva dripped down her cheek. "You might hold the King by his hand, but I hold him by his loins. I can bet which one he would be willing to cut off over the other."

The slap echoed in the hallway. Rose’s head turned to the right. She had seen the slap coming but had not attempted to avoid it or stop it.

"You whore! How dare you speak to the Queen in that manner?" Her ladies were yammering.

"You dare call Her Majesty by her given name?! How dare you?"

"Cut me off! His own mother. Your little crown has gotten to your—"

Four consecutive, louder slaps echoed in the hallway. Violeta didn’t get a chance to react or protect herself as Rose slapped her left cheek, right cheek, left, and right cheek again.

The Queen’s mouth fell open, and a scream erupted out of her as she grabbed her burning face.

Rose took two steps back, parting her legs in case she would have to fight the four of them, but the ladies were too stunned to react.

They kept looking from Rose to the screaming Queen. Shock and confusion filled their gazes.

Rose was more surprised at their confusion. Did they really think she wouldn’t retaliate?

The Queen spat on her in front of everyone. She wasn’t going to let that go unpunished. Then to add insult to injury, she also slapped her.

Rose had been itching to get her hands on the old Queen, and the woman decided to provide the perfect opportunity.

The first two slaps were simply revenge, the third was for the disgusting act of spitting on her, and the fourth was simply for good measure.

"Guards!" the Queen screeched through her swollen cheeks and lips.