The King's Lover
Chapter 227: Not So Useless

Chapter 227: Not So Useless

Welma walked up the stairs and was astounded by the number of guards that lined the hallway. She had met a few of them at the entrance of the crown prince’s wing and had been asked her name. Welma had given it to them without much thought, but now that she was on Rose’s floor, she understood just how serious it was.

She was only here because she had been told the sisters were taking too long after serving Rose lunch. There was also a change in the crown prince’s wing and only certain servants were allowed in. The way the servant had phrased the message was almost like Welma was expected to go to confirm this, and not just because the sisters were taking too long.

Welma wondered if the Queen had heard about this or if she was supposed to report it. Her relationship with the ladies-in-waiting had been a little strained since the incident with the Lord.

She didn’t know what had happened with him, and it wasn’t exactly something she could ask about, so all she could do was wait for the day she would be dragged into the dungeons.

Welma got to the front of Rose’s bedchamber and was equally surprised—two guards were standing on each side of the double door. They stared at her oddly behind their helmets; they almost looked ready to battle. Welma was completely taken aback. Even the King’s and Queen’s wings didn’t have this many guards around.

Welma curtsied, but they ignored her, and seeing as they weren’t asking her to leave, she walked through the middle of them and knocked on the door. A giggling Isla answered.

"Welma," she cried.

"Yes," she whispered and looked into the room, but she couldn’t see much with the tall Isla towering in front of her. "I was wondering what was happening. The kitchen has been waiting for the dishes."

"Oh," Isla said and stepped away from the door to let Welma in. "I forgot."

Welma walked in and saw Rose in the middle of getting dressed while Chelsy was struggling to tie the ropes. There were beads of sweat on Chelsy’s forehead, which was furrowed in concentration.

"What is going on here?" Welma asked.

"Oh, Welma, you’re here," Rose replied.

"I came for the dishes," she said and walked toward the table while Isla shut the door and rushed to help her sister.

"Very well," Rose said and turned away.

Welma could tell this was not the first or third dress they had tried on. The bed had no fewer than three dresses, and there were a few hanging in the open wardrobe.

"You got new dresses?" Welma asked. <a href="https://.com">.com

Rose turned to look at Welma, but before she could say anything, Welma started speaking again.

"I can’t stay," Welma said, making eye contact with Rose. "I have to attend to Her Royal Majesty."

Welma saw the way Rose’s eyebrows lifted, but her face quickly returned to neutral and she said, "Okay."

Welma nodded and turned to leave the room. She knew that Rose had understood that she would be informing the Queen.

She wondered if she could avoid telling the Queen about the dresses, as the Queen wouldn’t run into Rose—who barely left her room—and other maids who were likely to tell the Queen wouldn’t see Rose either, since they weren’t allowed in the crown prince’s wing.

Which begged the question—why was she allowed? Welma had wanted to ask Rose, but there was no way she could do that with the sisters in the room. She would have to find some time to speak to Rose in private. For now, she had to report quickly.

She found a servant to give the empty dishes to while she quickly made her way to the Queen’s bedchamber. Welma got there without any trouble. When one of the ladies eventually answered her knocking, she looked at Welma as one would stare at dung.

"You’ve got some nerve to show yourself here, Welma, without being summoned."

"Please forgive me, my lady," Welma said with her head bowed. "However, I have new information and decided to let you know the situation as soon as possible."

The lady looked at her oddly, as though contemplating the situation. She stepped out of the way to let Welma inside—but not into the main part of the Queen’s bedchamber, just a corner for them to discuss privately. <a href="https://.com">.com

"What news could you possibly have this time? We all know how useless you can be."

Welma nodded immediately. She could have avoided coming here. Now that the ladies didn’t think there was a use for her, she could have stayed away—but Welma knew better than anyone that was a bad idea. Her neck was still on the line, and if news were to reach the Queen before she reported it, regardless of whether they thought she was useless or not, she would be in trouble.

It also didn’t help that out of all the other servants, Rose could have picked Lily—rather, she chose her. This was an opportunity the Queen and her ladies wouldn’t dare to pass up.

"Spit it out!" she snapped, sounding impatient—but Welma knew it was far from it.

"The crown prince has increased the number of guards in the east wing, and he has restricted the servants who can access the wing."

The lady placed her hand on her waist and laughed. "Is this the important news you have? You’re still so useless!"

"I am allowed to serve the peasant," Welma said softly.

"What?" another voice yelled, poking her head through the curtain that separated Welma from the other side of the room.

"I said, I am allowed to serve the peasant," she whispered. "A different set of maids attend to her food," Welma lied immediately. She was worried that the ladies might ask her to try and poison Rose again. "But I help her get ready to see the prince and tidy the room."

The two ladies stared at Welma with a different expression this time, and one of them said, "Perhaps you’re not so useless."

Welma had expected to answer questions about why she was selected, and she didn’t know either, so she was absolutely relieved when they didn’t ask.