The King's Lover
Chapter 110: Little Lady

Chapter 110: Little Lady

"Perhaps if she had been raised differently, things wouldn’t have turned out like this," Henry’s tone sounded really sad as he spoke, and it was clear to everyone that he was unhappy about what had happened.

"Okay, Henry," Caius said curtly. "You may leave."

The steward bowed to the crown prince and Prince Rylen before walking out of the private study.

Caius glanced at his cousin, who seemed a little lost in thought. He frowned, annoyed that he was expecting him to say a thing or two, but Rylen kept his lips shut.

"Don’t you have anything to say?" Caius eventually asked.

Rylen seemed to snap out of his thoughts. "Your Grace?" he asked with a frown. "No, I don’t think so."

"Really? There are always endless words leaving your lips at times like this," Caius replied, his disbelief evident.

Rylen shrugged. "Maybe I’ve learned not to waste my breath."

Caius narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps I should have asked that you be flogged instead?"

"A joke?" Rylen asked with exaggerated shock. "You must be in a good mood. Did you find out everything you needed to know?"

Caius narrowed his eyes. "The King is involved. Not directly, but enough." freeNovelFire

Rylen shrugged. Just like Caius, he wasn’t shocked. There was nothing that went on in the castle without the King’s knowledge. Rylen also knew this.

"Don’t you think it’s time to let her go?" Rylen asked.

Caius narrowed his eyes. That question annoyed him more than it should have. "Now why should I do that?"

"Because it’s safe. If the King already wanted to get rid of her, it would be best to let her go before she gets injured."

"Are you saying I can’t keep her safe?" Caius asked, his voice slowly getting angry.

"Your words, not mine, and proven history says just that. Besides, I am sure you’ve had enough fun and you’ve angered the King enough for him to take action. Let her go."

"Fun?" he scoffed. "I haven’t had the chance to, but I promise there won’t be any interruptions this time." f.re(e) w.e(b)nov el.c.om

Rylen sighed. Speaking to the crown prince was futile. It was like trying to convince a child to let go of his favorite toy; unless he tire of it or it was taken from him, that would never happen.

"Was this why you canceled?" Rylen asked.

"No," Caius lied.

Rylen shook his head. "Then it’s a good thing I didn’t send out those letters. Since you finished too early, we should be able to meet with Lord Leopold when he arrives by noon."

"Don’t piss me off," Caius said.

"That’s my line. You seem to be more interested in the people who took your little lady compared to the fact that the kingdom might be on the brink of war."

"Little Lady? Hmm, why do I like the sound of that?"

Rylen looked like he might have a heart attack. "Pay attention."

"Don’t fret," Caius said, returning to the subject. Galdoris will never go to war with us. They can’t afford it."

"We lost Redhill to them!" Rylen yelled out. Something he hated was how egotistical and overconfident the crown prince was.

"We got it back and they haven’t tried to take it since. No reason to get your nuts in a frenzy. I will have the meeting with Lord Leopold as scheduled, but only if you keep me updated on the masked auction situation. When is the date for the next auction?"

"Three days from now. Every week."

"I see you. Do you know the location?" he asked.

"That’s information I can get from Lady Delphine. I’m sure she would be more than happy to help."

"Also tell her to stay away from the auction, just to be safe."

"We are not going to arrest the guests!" Rylen said. "It’s bad enough that this would be an unauthorized raid; imagine what would happen if we take lords into custody. Remember, this is masked for a reason."

"Oh, relax, Prince Rylen. You don’t always have to be so stuck up. You won’t arrest the attendants, but I want the auctioneers. Something tells me they knew exactly who Rose was. Thirty thousand gold pieces is no small coin."

Rylen frowned. "Do you think this might relate to something else?"

Caius shrugged and stood up. "I have more important things to do. You tidy up here."

Rylen narrowed his eyes at him but didn’t complain. "Please don’t make me search for you come noon, Your Grace."

"Whatever," Caius said and walked out of the room.

———

Lily walked into the room with Edna and Rose. Rose was in bed while Edna sat on the rug. She had refused to use the chair since the incident. Lily had brought some snacks and tea for Rose as Edna couldn’t leave her alone.

"Here," she said, placing it on the table with a little too much force.

The kettle shook, and Edna was glad the cup was empty; otherwise, it would have spilled all over the table.

"Thank you, Lily. You’re such a lifesaver," Edna cried as she scrambled to her feet and tried to hug Lily, but she wasn’t having it.

"Thank you," Rose said weakly from the bed.

"I told the Queen you refused her orders," Lily said.

Edna stopped in her tracks. "Don’t tell me you said it like that."

"Not really, but I don’t think there was much difference, and I think she is angry. As long as you’re in the crown prince’s wing, you should be safe, I think, or," she glanced at Rose but shut her mouth. However, it was clear to Rose exactly what she was thinking.

"Or?" Edna asked, looking a little stressed.

"Nothing," Lily simply said.

"Did Her Majesty say anything about what I did?" Edna asked.

Lily shook her head. "No, and I might just be reading too much into it, but I wanted to give you some warning. You can always just send the girls, at least until things calm down a bit, don’t leave the crown prince’s wing."

Edna knew what Lily was talking about. It was possible that the Queen might not punish her for her refusal, but it was also very possible that she would be severely punished for it.