The King's Lover
Chapter 220: A Lifetime of Love and Happiness

Chapter 220: A Lifetime of Love and Happiness

Edna watched Rose smile at her as she held the bouquet to her chest. She could still see the sadness in her eyes even as Rose stared at her with the biggest smile ever. She knew Rose meant every word she said, even if it was the opposite for her—until the crown prince let her go, she would never get married.

Edna knew all about her fiancé, at least enough to know just how sad Rose’s situation was, and she wished she could have done something more or helped. She was married now and out of the castle, but none of them knew when that would happen for Rose.

She was surprised she had gone out of her way to come here. Edna knew it must have been hard to convince the crown prince just as it was hard for Rose to witness her wedding when hers had been cut short. She shouldn’t have come but Edna was glad she did.

"You don’t need to apologize. I made it more difficult for you. I should have told you much sooner. I shouldn’t have left without telling you."

Rose shook her head. She wasn’t angry anymore—maybe she had been in the moment—but she now clearly knew Edna’s side. She was just glad she got out of the castle before the Queen plotted more evil.

She didn’t think there was any reason to let her know that Lily told her about what the Queen had done, just as she was going to tell her she knew about Edna leaving weeks before she told her. Edna wanted to keep it a secret; she intended for it to remain that way.

"It is fine, really. I am fine," she said. It wasn’t really a lie. "The crown prince is nicer, and I even went to the ball last night—it was wonderful."

Rose made sure to hold her smile in place because she knew if it fell, she might not be able to put it back up. There was no reason to be this sad at the wedding, but the same way she felt overwhelming happiness that Edna was getting married was the same way she felt overwhelming sadness at her own wedding that never happened.

"Really?" Edna asked excitedly.

Rose nodded but didn’t say anything more on the matter. She was losing her only friend, but at least here Edna would not suffer consequences that were her fault.

"I have to go," she nodded, glancing towards Thomas, who was no longer resting on the carriage but looked like he might approach the gate.

"I can’t believe he came with you," Edna whispered, following her gaze.

"He could have at least said congratulations," Rose said with a disappointed look on her face.

"What?" Edna jerked her head in Rose’s direction. "Absolutely not. Knowing him, he would say something along the lines of this being the gathering of peasants and we will infect him with our peasant-ness."

Rose laughed despite herself. "You’re right," she whispered.

Edna pulled her into a hug, and Rose hugged her back. Though Edna was shorter, Rose was the one being wrapped. "I wish you the best, my dear," Edna said.

Rose nodded her head and pulled away, clutching the flowers. "Lily says to give you her blessings."

Edna smiled as her eyes watered. She didn’t know if she would see Rose again, but she was hopeful that she would. "Thank you, Rose," she said, not caring about the message from Lily. "Thank you very much."

Rose shook her head and started to turn away. "I should be the one thanking you," she whispered and walked to the small wooden gate.

She looked back with one hand on it. Edna’s husband moved to stand next to her and waved. Mia sat on her father’s shoulders, waving. "Bye, Rose," she said.

Rose yelled out, "Congratulations on your wedding, Edna. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness." <a href="https://.com">.com

Rose didn’t wait for a response, didn’t wait to know if her words were loud enough to reach Edna—she just scurried through the gates and towards the carriage. Thomas was already inside, and he left the door open.

Rose got in, still clutching the flowers. She heard the loud sound of the door closing behind her as the coachman closed it, and she was barely seated when the carriage started to move.

Rose rested her head on the side of the carriage, still clutching the bouquet. She looked out the window and kept looking until she could no longer see the farm. "Goodbye," she whispered. It wasn’t loud enough for anyone to hear, and it was more for her than for anyone else.

Rose closed her eyes as the carriage took her back. She was weirdly exhausted and didn’t even have the energy for a conversation—she didn’t even look at Thomas.

Thomas was also equally silent. She had expected him to say something snarky and rude about the wedding and even scold her for being late, but she got none of that. She almost smiled—she never thought he could read a room. If someone like Thomas could take pity on her, then she must be really pitiful.

Rose grabbed the bouquet tight and shut her eyes just as tight, sealing the tears in them. There was nothing to cry about. It was a wonderful occasion.

"Rose," a voice called, and Rose felt a soft tap on her hand.

She slowly opened her eyes to see Thomas bent over her. It looked like he had just stood up to get her to wake up. She blinked, and the unshed tears got caught in her lashes. How did she fall asleep?

Rose would have missed it if she hadn’t been staring right at his face. It was faint, but she had seen his face get red before he turned away.

"We are here! Stop sleeping!" he said harshly and got out of the carriage.

Rose looked out the open door, and sure enough, they were right in front of the castle. She noticed that her bouquet was still in her hands even as she slept—it didn’t fall off. Rose took unsteady steps out of the carriage—it was easier to step out—and rushed after Thomas.

With him leading her to her quarters, all she got were whispers and pointing. Rose was pretty used to it at this point, so it didn’t matter. When they eventually got to the crown prince’s wing and finally her room, Rose rushed towards it with happiness.

Without caring if Thomas waited or not, she barged right in and shut the door behind her. But as soon as she walked into the room, Rose had to put her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming out in horror.