The King’s Lover

"How do you feel?" Caius asked, changing the subject once again before Rose could even recover from the last one.

Rose nodded hard enough to make herself dizzy. "I am fine. Your Majesty should be more worried about his health."

Caius chuckled. "Don't worry, it's not the first time I've been poisoned. As always, Wresthal makes nasty poisons. This is negligible."

Rose didn't think there was anything negligible about this. She had never seen the crown prince look like this—ever. It was troubling, but what was even more disconcerting was that it didn't seem as though he was blaming her. She should feel relieved, but it only made her more antsy.

"You've been poisoned before?" Rose asked in horror as his words registered.

There were many things she didn't know about the crown prince, and she had already seen enough evidence that things weren't easy for him—the unexplainable scars, and now, casually saying he had been poisoned before.

"I know you want to see your mother," Caius replied, easily changing the subject to something Rose couldn't resist. The fact that Caius had been poisoned before was already forgotten.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Rose replied, feeling her eyes well up with tears. "The letter said she is gravely ill, and I just wanted to see her before the worst. I apologize for going behind His Majesty's back and trying to leave, putting us both in danger in the process, but…" Rose dropped to her knees again. "Please understand, Your Majesty."

Caius stared at Rose for a bit. "Sit," he said.

Rose nodded and moved to sit again. She looked around, feeling very confused. She was unsure what his decision was, and his sickly look made it even harder to read his expression.

"How are your injuries? Any others I can't see?" Caius asked.

"No," Rose lied, thoroughly confused now. The crown prince kept moving from one topic to the other.

Caius looked at her as though he didn't believe her, then he slowly said, "Very well." He turned away from her to look at a space in the room.

Very well what? Rose internally questioned. What was going on here? Was he going to let her go? Was she jumping to conclusions? She didn't understand half of the conversation.

"Your Majesty," Rose whispered when Caius didn't speak again.

It was uncomfortable to be seated. She would feel much better if she were on her knees. Surely, he must want to punish her, but all he did was make small talk and that made her uncomfortable.

Caius turned to look at Rose. "Are you well enough to travel?" he asked.

Rose felt her heart skip a beat. "Your Majesty, yes!"

Rose tried her best not to seem too excited. She didn't even know what he was asking this question for—he could be sending her to the castle, for all she knew—but she couldn't help it.

"Very well," Caius said.

It was those two words again, and once more, he wasn't adding anything. Rose didn't have the stomach for suspense.

"Your Majesty," she started softly, not wanting to anger him, "are you letting me go see my mother?"

Caius narrowed his eyes, and Rose instinctively flinched, which only caused Caius's expression to darken even more.

"As long as you promise to return," Caius said, eyeing her oddly.

Rose blinked at this. She understood the implications of his words, but right now that didn't matter. He was going to let her see her mother—that was all she heard. Returning didn't seem so bad.

"Yes, I will. Thank you, Your Majesty!" Rose cried and was about to drop to the ground again, but the look from Caius stopped her.

Caius tilted his head, then leaned back to rest it against the headboard. He closed his eyes briefly.

"Prince Rylen told me about the decree. It's preposterous. You have nothing to worry about," Caius said, opening his eyes to look at Rose.

She nodded as she listened attentively. "Thank you," she whispered again.

Everything went silent, and Caius just stared at her.

"Your Majesty," Rose softly called. "When shall I return?"

Caius raised a brow. "I will send for you," he replied.

Rose nodded. She didn't know if she liked this. An estimated date would have been better. Now she would spend every moment thinking the crown prince could call her back at any time. However, at least he was letting her see her mother.

"You may go," Caius said.

Rose jerked her head to look up at him. That was it? She was genuinely confused. "Is that all, Your Majesty?" she softly asked.

"Yes," Caius said and looked like he was in pain, but he immediately suppressed it. "You may leave as soon as you're well enough to travel."

Rose blinked once and then nodded. She had gotten exactly what she wanted, but it felt a little unreal to celebrate properly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and I wish you a speedy recovery," she said and got to her feet.

Caius closed his palms briefly, then turned away, and Rose knew she had been dismissed. She curtsied and slipped out of the room just as the physicians and Prince Rylen returned.

"Your Highness!" Lord Paul cried as soon as he entered the room.

He rushed to Caius and quickly adjusted him so he was lying on his back, then pulled the cover until it reached his chest.

"Please, Your Highness, do not exert yourself. You have only just woken up," Lord Paul said with concern on his face.

Caius didn't look very impressed by the comment. He turned to Prince Rylen. "Send Thomas with her. She's going home."

Prince Rylen actually smiled at this. "For good?" he asked.

Caius's gaze darkened at Rylen's question.

"I guess not," Prince Rylen muttered.

"Don't even bother sending a letter to the castle," Caius said instead.

"Okay, Your Grace, but His Majesty and Her Majesty would like you to return, at the very least. There is better treatment in the castle," Prince Rylen said.

"No," Caius said.

"Your Gra—"

Caius cut Prince Rylen off as he turned to his physician. "Paul, I have a task for you."