The King's Lover
Chapter 230: The Queen’s Plotting

Chapter 230: The Queen’s Plotting

"Where is my son?" was the first thing Queen Violeta asked as she walked into the dining room.

Prince Rylen was still on his feet, having just welcomed the Queen. "The crown prince decided to have dinner by himself tonight."

Queen Violeta was halfway to her seat when she stopped abruptly. Her ladies-in-waiting almost bumped into her but managed to stop themselves in time.

"What did you say?" She turned fiery eyes to Prince Rylen.

Rylen sighed as he repeated what he had just said, "The crown prince decided to have dinner by himself tonight."

Rylen already saw this coming from the instant Caius had said he wouldn’t be joining them. Rylen didn’t even try to convince him. He knew it would only fall on deaf ears. The part he hated, out of everything, was the fact that he would be the one to break the news to the Queen. Mister Henry had looked absolutely terrified and had stared at him with pleading eyes. Right now, the steward stood in the corner as though he didn’t want to be seen.

"Was that what he told you?" she asked darkly.

Rylen nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Rylen studied the Queen as he wondered what she would do. He knew she wouldn’t take the matter lying low. The crown prince also knew this, but he wouldn’t stop putting Rose in danger. Rylen felt very sorry for her.

"Where is he now?" she asked, glaring at Rylen.

Rylen kept his gaze down. "I believe he is dining in his wing," he replied.

"Let’s go join him," Queen Violeta said and turned as if to walk to the door.

Rylen’s eyes widened in horror. He knew he couldn’t let the Queen leave the room. The crown prince didn’t tell him if he would be dining with Rose, but Rylen had seen the pleased look on his face—there was no way the crown prince was eating alone.

If the Queen saw Rose in that manner, only the heavens knew what she would do. Rylen knew she had already found out that it was Rose with whom the crown prince danced. If she found out about this now, Rose might not live till midnight.

"Your Majesty," Rylen said. He kept his voice as neutral as possible. "I know this is not my place to say, but I would be honored if you’d listen to my words."

Queen Violeta stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Rylen once again. "Speak!"

"I don’t think it is a good idea to seek the crown prince. I don’t know what occurred, but he has been in a foul mood all day. I think he just wants some time to himself. Tomorrow, I will speak to him and convince him to join us. I don’t want your relationship with the crown prince to be any more strained." <a href="https://.com">.com

Queen Violeta considered his words for a moment. Then she sighed and walked to her seat. "I suppose you’re right," she said reluctantly. "All this has been because of that peasant whore. He was always such a good son."

Rylen tried not to show any reaction to what the Queen called Rose. He thought it was a little cruel to give her such a name. He knew Rose wanted no part in this, and if it was up to her, she would never see the crown prince for the rest of her life.

The Queen finally sat down, and Rylen could also return to his seat. The servants started to serve them, and Rylen couldn’t help but notice that Mister Henry kept himself hidden. Rylen had not failed to notice how panicked the steward had seemed when the Queen said she would go to her son.

The dinner was quiet for a bit, and Rylen could not wait for it to end. He could tell the Queen was brooding, and from the look on her face, he doubted she would be silent for long. <a href="https://.com">.com

Suddenly, Queen Violeta kicked all the servants out of the dining room. Rylen watched this with patience; he knew he would find his answer soon enough, and he didn’t have to wait long. As soon as her ladies-in-waiting had turned all the servants away, Queen Violeta turned her attention to him.

"Prince Rylen," Queen Violeta called softly. "Do you think you could do me a favor?"

Prince Rylen felt cold. He knew just how bad the Queen’s plotting could go. If she could orchestrate Rose’s kidnapping, there was almost no length she wouldn’t go. Besides, the mere fact that she needed them to be alone before she discussed it told him all he needed to know.

"Your Majesty," Rylen said with a slight bow. "This humble servant would fulfill your wish to the letter." Even as he said this, Rylen knew he was making a big mistake.

"I need you to do something of the utmost importance. I am afraid you’re the only one I can count on, Prince Rylen."

Rylen’s palms formed fists. "Please tell this humble servant what it is, and I will do as you have asked." <a href="https://.com">.com

"I need you to take the crown prince’s royal ring," Queen Violeta said a little too easily. "That should be enough to make him consider sending her away. I heard this is not the first time she has stolen something, but he let it go. If she were to steal something this important, Caius would have no choice but to see her for who she truly is."

Queen Violeta looked at Rylen with puppy eyes, her lower lip quivering as though to request something like this was breaking her.

"If I were to do it myself, Caius would suspect me. The peasant has already made my son so distrusting of me. I cannot let this continue. We have to get rid of her. It’s about time I got rid of the shameless harlot. A mother has to do what is best for her son."

Rylen didn’t like how she said we, but he couldn’t exactly say no. It may seem like a request, but it wasn’t one. He would even go as far as to say it was a command. Another reason why he would agree to this—he was hoping this would make the crown prince realize how far the Queen was willing to go.

"You don’t have to do anything other than that," she said. "Just give me the ring, and I will take care of it."

"As Your Majesty wishes," Rylen said.

Queen Violeta smiled at him. "I knew I could count on you. I wish my son were just like you, Prince Rylen. Then a mother wouldn’t have to worry."