The King's Lover
Chapter 216: Is That So?

Chapter 216: Is That So?

Rose opened the door gently, contrasting to the turmoil she felt inside. Her face was expressionless, giving nothing away. She brushed some hair away from her face as she opened the door and looked up to see who had knocked.

The knight, Thomas stood only about three feet away from the door. He was dressed impeccably, and his short light brown hair was parted at the side and styled. Rose looked up at him with wide green-hazel eyes.

"Lord T’omas," she said, taking a step closer as she peered at his face, shocked to see him in this manner.

She had seen him the night before at the ball, but she hadn’t paid attention—mostly because he avoided her gaze the entire time. He still wore his usual knight uniform, but something about his appearance seemed different as though he might have dressed for an occasion instead of duty. Rose couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

"Rose," he said curtly, immediately taking a step back, his expression stern, the color on his cheeks disappearing as soon as it had appeared.

It was hard to say if it was because of seeing her or because of the way she called his name. She knew he hated it, and she would often randomly call his name like that.

"What brings you ’ere?" she asked, looking up at his face with a smile. Somehow, seeing his stuck-up expression was comforting and she almost forgot the earlier feeling she had.

He glared down at her, but Rose didn’t back down. She was certain something about him had changed. She didn’t know when, but Thomas wasn’t as hostile as he used to be.

"What are you talking about?" He sounded irritated. "I’m here on the crown prince’s order, by your request!" He glared at her.

Rose’s eyes widened as she realized. "The wedding," she blurted out, a little too excitedly.

She could scarcely believe her ears, even though a part of her couldn’t help but think this was a bad idea. Still, she couldn’t help the excitement. It also meant that the crown prince had given her permission to leave for the wedding.

Rose couldn’t figure out why that made her happy, but when an animal had been caged for a long time, even something as little as this would feel grand. She was not only going into the capital but could freely attend Edna’s wedding.

Thomas stared at her with disdain and stepped to the side, avoiding her gaze again. "I do not know, but you are to leave the castle, and I am to accompany you!" he said angrily. "I am not some wench’s guard."

Even though he had said this under his breath, it was still loud enough for Rose to hear—and anyone standing close enough. Rose knew he couldn’t go against the crown prince’s words, and even when he hated her, she was never scared of him. Now, she was scared of him even less. .com

"’Ave you ever been to a wedding before?" she suddenly asked.

Thomas jerked his head up at her, clearly shocked at her odd question. Their eyes met briefly, and Thomas turned away. Recently, it was hard to look her in the face, and he had refused to think about why that was. He decided it was because she was a rude peasant woman who kept staring at him with such intense eyes. She didn’t know how to act and would casually speak to a lord like himself.

"Are you ready?" he asked instead, ignoring her question. "Or better still, if you’ve changed your mind about going to this stupid function, you can go back to your room I will inform the crown prince right away."

Of course, the vile way he spoke wouldn’t change overnight. "I am ready," Rose said with the brightest smile she could muster. "I am very glad Lord Thomas is going out of his way to help someone like me when you have far more important things to do. Thank you."

Thomas looked stunned, and for a couple of moments, he forgot how to speak. Then his gaze darkened. "Whatever!" he yelled. "Let’s go."

Rose tried her best to hold back her laughter; she knew that was not the best thing to do. Thomas was so easy, it was almost laughable.

"Do you know where?" she asked.

Thomas’s expression darkened even more, and he looked at her with something akin to anger—but it was hard to tell; Thomas always looked angry. "Of course not. Don’t you?"

If Rose could, she would have smacked him. How could he ask such a thing? She had never left the castle willingly, and when it happened, it certainly wasn’t for a tour. The whole point of asking the crown prince was so she could avoid all this.

"I don’t know ’ow to say this, Lord Thomas," Rose started. She kept her voice soft, even though she fully intended to be insulting. "But I ’aven’t been in the capital for long, and even then, I ’ave only stayed in the castle. Wouldn’t you be the one to ’ave this information? You are more familiar with the capital than I am."

Thomas glared at her. "Why would I know where a maid lives?" he asked. "I was simply asked to watch over you during your time outside the castle. I do not care where you intend to go. If you do not even know where you’re supposed to go, then it is best you stay behind." .com

Thomas turned his back on her and actually looked like he was going to walk away. Rose couldn’t fault him. It had only just occurred to her that she only wanted to go to the wedding—she didn’t know where it was or whether she was invited. But it was too late now. If she didn’t go, she might regret it.

"Lord Thomas," she cried, shutting the door as she rushed after him. There was nothing else she needed to take from her room. She wished she had some gift for Edna, but it was even a miracle that she could attend.

"I apologize for the rude question," she said as she stepped in line with him. "Mister ’Enry should know, and perhaps..." Rose paused. Thomas didn’t seem like he was listening, he just kept walking.

When she stopped talking, he didn’t turn to look at her, nor did he tell her to stop following him. They walked down the stairs, and Rose hoped she would see someone she was familiar with so she could ask.

Thomas seemed to pay her no mind. He just walked on with his chest in the air, and occasionally he would acknowledge the greetings of the servants and guards they passed.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

No response.

Rose sighed and grabbed her dress as she kept going after him. Thomas was a spoiled brat who could be a little too much to handle.

Thankfully, the front doors soon appeared, and Rose turned her gaze to him. If he didn’t know where they were going, where was he planning to take her?

"Rose," a voice called. "Lord Thomas."

Rose turned in time to see Mister Henry, and beside him was Lily. They were only a few feet away from the door, standing in the great entrance room.

"Mister ’Enry," Rose said with glee, walking toward them. Her eyes fell on Lily, who was holding a basket of fruits.

Thomas scoffed, but he willingly stood as Rose rushed toward them. "Mister ’Enry," she called again when she was close enough. "Lily"—her tone was much colder. Lily didn’t say anything; she didn’t even look at Rose.

"I was worried we wouldn’t catch you in time," Mister Henry said, sounding breathless as he started to speak. "Here," he said, taking the basket from Lily and giving it to Rose. "For Edna. We all wish her a blissful marriage."

Rose’s eyes widened a little, and she accepted the basket without complaint. "Thank you so much," she said, holding the basket close to her chest.

"No, thank you for wanting to attend. At least one of us should have," Mister Henry said and shook his head. "You should hurry. At this point, you might miss the start. I hear it begins by mid-morning."

Rose nodded. "Thank you," she said again. "But there’s a problem. I do not know where the wedding will take place."

Mister Henry paused, clearly confused. He glanced at Thomas, who was standing in the corner with a bored expression on his face. Rose followed his gaze, but neither expression told her anything.

"The carriage will take you there. The coach knows exactly where you’re to go. You have no reason to worry."

Rose’s mouth nearly fell to the ground. "Is that so?" she asked loudly enough to reach Thomas’s ears. Did he really not know? Or had he been messing with her? She found it hard to believe Thomas could make a joke—and if that was what it was, it was a really tacky one. fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)

"Yes," Mister Henry said with conviction.

"Very well. I will make sure she gets this," she nodded to both of them and turned to leave.

"Rose." Lily finally spoke.