The King's Lover
Chapter 195: Another Whore

Chapter 195: Another Whore

"Another whore!" was the first thing Lady Delphine heard.

A lord had been standing not far from where she was sipping wine. She knew he had said it loud enough for her to hear, as the insult was also directed at her.

Lady Delphine lifted her head, and that was when she saw Rose. A gasp escaped her lips. Rose was dressed in a wine ball gown embroidered with gold. Every time she took a step, it was almost like she was floating. The dress was magnificent and the color matched with her hair. It was perfect.

Her full red hair had been gathered up, revealing her neck, which had just a single necklace on it with similar earrings. Her face had a little bit of makeup that highlighted her freckles.

Lady Delphine’s eyes moved to the dress, and she couldn’t help but admire it. She realized she wasn’t the only one who noticed. f.re(e) w.e(b)nov el.c.om

"Who put her in such a dress?"

"Do you think she stole it? I am sure she did."

"It’s one thing for one harlot to be here, but now there’s another. This is the first ball in the castle in years and it’s filled with such filth."

"Why aren’t the guards kicking her out?"

Lady Delphine sighed and took a step toward Rose. She had expected nothing less, and it was clear the crown prince had too. Nobles no longer invited her to such functions since her husband’s death, and certainly not since they knew the sort of business she dealt in.

Rose looked small against their assault, and Delphine headed to her without hesitation. The smile the child gave her as soon as she saw her was enough to make her heart squeeze.

She did her best to try to make Rose feel less self-conscious. Lady Delphine had handled worse stares than this and even more insults. It also didn’t take her long to discover that nothing she did would ever change how they saw her, so she always made sure to give them something to talk about—and it tended to be about her ample bosom.

"What are you talking about?" Lady Delphine said. "No one looks nearly as good as you do, and by the eyes that keep drifting in our direction, I am not the only one who thinks that."

"That’s not close to the truth, Lady Delphine," Rose was quick to say. "You’re the one who ’as all the stares, looking as resplendent as you do."

"Resplendent?" Lady Delphine asked with wide eyes. "I would never have guessed you knew such a word."

"Lady Delphine," Rose cried in horror.

"I only tease, child. No need to get upset. How are you? I heard you fell ill as soon as you came to the castle."

Rose’s gaze darkened as she looked away. "Yes, but I am better now," she said and quickly changed the subject. freeNovelFire

Lady Delphine took the hint immediately and didn’t speak again on the matter. "I didn’t think the crown prince would ask both of us to attend."

Rose turned to look at Lady Delphine. She knew exactly what the woman was thinking, but Rose realized that she didn’t care. She was just glad there was someone she knew and trusted.

"Me too," she whispered. "This is my first time at a ball."

Lady Delphine glanced at Rose and smiled. "Stick close to me. I doubt any of the nobles would bother us, though I doubt their stares will stop."

"I can handle it," Rose said with her chin lifted.

"Look at you. Before now you’d be a weeping mess."

"That’s not true, Lady Delphine," Rose said, looking at her in disagreement.

"It is," Lady Delphine insisted with a small smile on her lips.

Rose narrowed her eyes, but she was not angry, and soon enough her face softened and a smile appeared.

"Do I need to do anything?" Rose suddenly asked.

It was her first time at a ball, and it just felt awkward to stand in the corner with Lady Delphine. She could see the nobles moving around, talking and laughing. A few were seated, but they looked even more important, and Rose avoided looking in their direction.

She noticed that most of the young ladies were either chatting with a handsome young lord or clustered together gossiping. The older married ladies were all in that manner.

A few nobles were dancing, but it was pretty clear that the party wasn’t in full swing yet, and they were currently mingling and paying respects.

"No," said Lady Delphine. "I am afraid your only company will most likely be me tonight. None of the men or women will bother us. Just enjoy the services provided and the view."

Rose nodded in a little daze as she looked around. If she set aside the feeling that she wasn’t supposed to be here, it felt pretty nice for her to be here. She had never seen an occasion as luxurious as this. It was wonderful.

"How are the girls?" Rose asked after some time had passed.

Lady Delphine smirked. "Green with envy," she snickered.

Rose couldn’t help but laugh. It was such an unexpected thing to say. However, it was typical of Lady Delphine to say that.

"They also said I should give their love to you and that they miss you. Esme says to stop by the manor when you can," Lady Delphine whispered, her gaze peering at Lady Delphine.

"I miss them too, and I am grateful. Give my love to them."

Lady Delphine’s eyes turned even more intense as she stared at Rose. "It’s not just Esme’s request," she replied. "Stop by the manor when you can. I am sure the crown prince would let you."

Rose couldn’t deny that. The crown prince had clearly stated she could leave the castle walls if she wanted to. She had never really considered it—because where would she go? The only place she wanted to go was home, but Lady Delphine’s manor wouldn’t be bad.

"Thank you for the invitation. I will make sure to visit as soon as I can," she whispered.

"Oh, you’re not disagreeing," Lady Delphine smirked.