The King's Lover Chapter 557: Promise

Rose had to remind herself several times that she was supposed to be a weak, injured pregnant woman, and she couldn’t show any delight as her mother-in-law was chased out of her bedroom.

It was very satisfying to see Violeta realize that her son wouldn’t pick her—rather, he would easily pick the woman she kept calling a whore over her.

When the door closed, she let out a sigh of relief, glad that she wouldn’t have to deal with the old hag ever again. It must be humiliating for Violeta to get chased out of the castle because of her.

However, as satisfying as it was, it didn’t change the fact that she had been utterly disrespectful to her and Violeta deserved more than she got. She would never do that to Caira, even if it were justified.

She understood her situation as a commoner, and she also knew that as long as Caira was still around, she would be seen as no more than the King’s peasant second wife. But...

"Is something wrong?" Caius asked.

She pulled her gaze away from the door and met his brown eyes. They were still filled with worry, and the physician wasn’t here yet to give his verdict, so she could imagine how he felt.

Her first thought was to shake her head and say everything was fine, but she stopped herself.

"Yes," she replied and pulled her hands out of his grip.

Caius’s expression soured, and guilt resurfaced again. "What is it?"

"Is it going to get better, or will this continue in one form or another?" It wasn’t just his mother—even the lords who had arrived the day before didn’t even hide their displeasure out of courtesy.

Caius shifted in his seat. He understood her question. His mother had been downright disrespectful, and he had allowed it.

If she could easily speak to her like that, what else had Rose had to endure at her hands, and how would it reflect on the servants she was in charge of?

He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand.

"It is a start, I know, and I am glad she will no longer be a problem, but it is uncomfortable to know that anyone would be able to speak to me in that manner."

A part of her felt bad that she was bringing up this topic when he already felt really bad about what happened to her, but she could not think of a better time.

"She easily called me names in front of the guards and denied the existence of our child. Essentially saying it couldn’t be yours because I am nothing more than a..."

Caius closed his palm and the weight on his shoulder felt heavier. He had been very careless. He was willing to let things remain as they were because there had been no harm.

But this was his wife, his Queen, and he was easily allowing her to be constantly disrespected.

"I am sorry," he said. "I will deal with this." He had given Rylen enough leniency; it was time to act.

"Caira?" she asked directly.

There was no point pretending that wasn’t the issue. Currently, Caira did serve a purpose, but it also felt that because of that, she was getting disrespected.

The lords and his mother didn’t approve of her, but she doubted they would speak to her as they did if she wasn’t seen as just the second whore wife.

"Yes."

"Okay," she replied and allowed herself a small smile.

"I promise we will be fine," he replied and gently placed his hand on her stomach.

"I know," she replied truthfully.

She trusted him, and she knew he was on her side, but there wasn’t much time before the baby arrived. The last thing she wanted was for their child to be called such degrading names.

Not long after, the physician Paul arrived. He did his usual check-up and confirmed that nothing was amiss before he left.

After he was done, Rose took a little nap and didn’t wake up until it was time for dinner. When she opened her eyes, Chelsy and Isla stood at the foot of her bed.

"How do you feel?" Chelsy softly asked.

"Better," she replied. She felt a little lighter, and with the old hag gone, it was hard not to be in a good mood.

"Dinner is ready. His Majesty asked if you would like to eat dinner privately."

"No," Rose replied immediately and started to get out of bed.

"Careful," Isla cried and rushed to her side.

"I am fine," she replied, almost regretting her earlier act. Now they thought she needed help to even move around.

Caius walked into her room moments after, and she walked up to him. The crown was back on her head; they had returned it to her room while she was asleep.

"Your Majesty," she called with a smile as she stood in front of him.

His dark hair gleamed in the glow of the candlelight. He didn’t wear his crown, but his mantle sat heavy on his shoulders. He stretched out his hand and touched her wounded lips.

"It doesn’t hurt," she assured him.

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes, which were filled with concern. "It has been a long day," he said, still touching her. "Are you sure you won’t eat in the privacy of your chambers?"

"No," she said, shaking her head.

She understood his worries and appreciated them, but there was no way she would skip dinner. Some of the lords remained in the castle. She couldn’t dare hide now, not after her triumphant victory.

If the King was willing to send his mother away because of her, it would definitely send a message to the lords of how important she was, and when he did as promised—things were bound to get even better.

"I am fine, Your Majesty," she replied and lifted her hand to touch his chin, lightly tracing his scar.

"Very well," he said and stretched his elbow towards her. "Shall we?"