The King's Lover
Chapter 136: A Chance

Chapter 136: A Chance

Queen Violeta arrived at the dining hall with her ladies-in-waiting trailing after her like chicks to their mother, not long after Caius sat down. She walked through the doors and the servants bowed. Rylen and Leopold stood up to receive her.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," they both said in unison, whereas Caius didn’t even glance at his mother.

He kept his gaze straight, their eyes only meeting when she sat in her seat. Caius expected her to say something, but surprisingly, she kept mum as she dug into her meal.

Lord Leopold chatted away, with Caius or Rylen occasionally answering his questions, which were pretty much repetitive. Caius didn’t mind; the sound of the Lord speaking made it easier to drown out his mother’s glare.

He was certain she was pissed, just as he was surprised she had given in so quickly. It made him a little suspicious, but he doubted she could try anything he couldn’t counter.

"It’s a shame I didn’t see the guest," Lord Leopold suddenly said, pulling Caius out of his thoughts.

"Guest?" Queen Violeta asked. "What guest?"

It was the same question he wanted to ask, but Caius could take a clue, and his eyes narrowed at the realization. Lord Leopold was talking about Rose, and that was the concerning part. He didn’t doubt that the lord knew about her presence, but to bring her up during mealtime?

If it was anyone else, Caius would have been suspicious, but knowing the lord, he knew this was probably something he wanted to tease Caius about. Unfortunately, this was the wrong time to bring her up, and he could see the way his mother’s face scrunched.

"Yes," Lord Leopold confirmed, not taking the hint. "I have heard a lot about this guest."

He smirked knowingly at Caius, and Queen Violeta looked like she might be having a fit. Caius glued his gaze to his meal, pretending not to follow the conversation, while Rylen didn’t know where he should step in.

"I am sorry, Lord Leopold, but I do think you may have gotten some wrong information. We do not have any guests other than you at this time." .com

"You don’t? But I am almost certain you do," Lord Leopold said with a puzzled expression. "I heard she’s a redhe—"

"Lord Leopold, if you’re done with your meal, I would like to run some things by you before you leave," Rylen cut in.

Good job, Rylen! Caius praised internally.

"Of course," the Lord replied. "What is it?"

"Right, come with me then," Rylen said as he rose to his feet. He bowed to the Queen and then nodded to Caius before leading the lord toward the door of the dining room, leaving the Queen and Caius alone. f.r(e)e\webn.ovel.co\m

Caius wasn’t sure he liked this arrangement, but at least Rylen got rid of the big-mouthed lord. It was a good thing he never met Rose. Caius was certain he would never hear the end of it.

Caius brought the napkin to his lips as he prepared his escape. However, as soon as he brought the napkin to his lips, his mother lifted her gaze to him, and Caius knew immediately that whatever was about to pass through her lips would be quite displeasing to him.

"Son," his mother called, setting her cutlery onto the plate even though she wasn’t done eating. She rested back in her seat and stared at her son.

Caius narrowed his eyes and tossed the napkin on the table. There was clearly no escaping this. "Mother," he called back with a raised brow.

"Might I have a word?" she asked.

Caius looked at her through low lids. It was so nice of her to ask as though he had a choice in the matter. "Carry on, Mother," he replied.

"Good," she smiled brightly at him.

Caius winced at her smile, but he remained seated.

"I was thinking about throwing a ball," she said.

Caius’s eyes narrowed. He never would have guessed this in a million years. "A ball?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes," she replied, clearly very proud of her idea.

"What? Why?"

"What do you mean? It will be nice to have one."

"You haven’t been to a ball in years. We haven’t had anything like that in the castle in a long time now. Where did this spring from?" As soon as Caius asked, he knew. He fought the urge to press against his temples.

"I thought it would be a good idea, and we can invite ladies from all over Velmount. Who knows—you might see someone who you will pick an interest in."

As he suspected. "I don’t think now is the time to have a ball, Mother. Futherfield was just attacked, and we might as well be on the precipice of war."

"All the more reason to have a ball," Queen Violeta insisted. "To take the lords’ and ladies’ minds off their worries. I truly could not think of a better time."

"Okay, Mother," Caius said and stood to his feet. "You can have your ball. Not like you need permission from me."

He couldn’t care less; she could do whatever she wanted as long as she got off his back.

"You will attend, right?" she asked.

Caius paused before he turned to the door, lifting his gaze to his mother. "I don’t see why I have to," he replied, clearly ready to leave.

"That’s why I am telling you. You have to attend. You must!" she insisted.

"Okay," he replied.

"Really?" she asked. She seemed surprised.

"Isn’t that what you want?" he asked, annoyed that he had given in.

"Yes, yes. I will let you know as soon as things are in place."

"As you like," Caius said and started walking toward the door.

"I will see you at the ball," Queen Violeta called after him.

Caius didn’t reply to this, just shook his head lightly. He hated the idea, but as long as this was what she chose to keep herself busy with, he could endure it.

A ball.

He couldn’t remember the last time he was at one. He mostly avoided functions except for meetings. He never attended anything for leisure. Perhaps this wasn’t such a bad idea—a chance to see her in a proper dress.