The King's Lover
Chapter 244: Shed All The Tears

Chapter 244: Shed All The Tears

Rose adorned the robe one more time, securing the ropes around her waist. She tied and retied it, giving her hands something to do as she tried to calm herself.

Rose didn’t know how much time had passed, but she hoped it wasn’t too late and that there was still enough time for her to get a full night’s sleep.

As she took her hand away from the ropes, certain the robe wouldn’t fall off her shoulders, she noticed the fireplace was dying out. There was more ash than wood. The candles in the room had melted so much wax that it was enough to remake several candles.

Rose could feel the crown prince’s gaze on her back, but she didn’t care, nor did she turn around to meet his stare. She had done what she was supposed to do, and now she was leaving. It was stupid of her to think things had changed. It was stupid of her to think she could make such a request.

Rose didn’t curtsy this time before heading for the door. She walked to it without looking back. She could still feel the crown prince’s eyes on her.

She kept her back straight and her chin high as she walked out of the room. She didn’t wrap her arms around herself, didn’t give even the slightest hint that something was wrong, and most importantly, she didn’t stagger or falter in her footsteps.

The guards outside the crown prince’s room stood as usual. None of them stared more than they should have, and for the first time, she was grateful that they always ignored her.

She didn’t think she had the strength to make it to her room. She feared that at the slightest stare, at the slightest look of concern, she might fall apart and cry—begging anyone who would care to listen to get her out of here.

Rose got to her room and immediately started to undress. The nightdress and robe pooled at her feet. She didn’t want them clinging to her body, didn’t want any reminder of what had occurred tonight.

She staggered forward but didn’t make it to the bed before she fell. Rose could feel her heart breaking, but surprisingly, her eyes were clear. Perhaps she had shed all the tears she could.

Rose couldn’t think of why the crown prince wouldn’t even listen to her, but as she had figured out, there was no use using logic with the crown prince. He was only driven by what he wanted, and everything else didn’t matter.

Rose lay on the hard floor. At least the carpet made it less cold, but it was still uncomfortable. Yet she had no zeal, want, or energy to leave it. She just lay on her side with her hands to her chest.

All she could think about was home. She couldn’t stay here, couldn’t wait until the crown prince decided to consider her request on a whim. Besides, she had heard him say he was never letting her go.

When Rose forced herself off the ground, she had a different look on her face. She no longer looked like the whole world was falling apart—rather, she looked determined.

When her breakfast arrived the next morning, Rose was seated by the table, her hair brushed and tied away from her face. She was dressed in one of the new dresses. It was a cream dress with long sleeves. The weather was getting cold; it was no surprise—winter was fast approaching.

Isla and Chelsy kept staring at her oddly, but none of them could place their finger on what was wrong even though it was clear something was. They placed her breakfast and prepared to leave the room.

"If you see Welma, tell her I would like to have a w—"

A soft knock cut her words short, and the three of them turned their attention to the door with puzzled expressions. Chelsy glanced back at Rose, and Rose nodded.

Chelsy opened the door, and Welma walked into the room. She had bags under her eyes and didn’t look like she had slept much the night before. <a href="https://.com">.com

"Welma," Isla called. "What happened? Were you attacked in your sleep?"

"Isla," Chelsy scolded.

"What? I’m just worried."

Chelsy grabbed her sister’s wrist, bowed to Rose, and fled out the still open doors, shutting them behind her.

Rose glanced at Welma, and she couldn’t blame Isla for reacting in that manner. The maid did look like she had been attacked in her sleep. Not that her appearance was in disarray—rather, her eyes were red, and she had bags under them as though she had barely gotten any sleep, which didn’t explain the extreme sleep marks across her right cheek that cleaning up didn’t get rid of.

"I was about to ask them to call for you," Rose said, ignoring Welma’s appearance. She turned her attention to the food and prepared to eat.

"Did you give it to the crown prince?" Welma asked and took a step forward.

Rose’s expression darkened, but only for a moment. She took her time to respond and then softly said, "Yes, last night."

"Did he accept it easily?" Welma asked with a curious expression.

"Yes," Rose said. "He didn’t ask any questions." She stabbed into her food harder than she needed to.

Welma jerked, but it was hard to say if it was from Rose’s action or her own thoughts on the failed plan and what her punishment would be that bothered her.

"I see," Welma whispered. At least the crown prince didn’t seem particularly curious about how it got to Rose’s room, so she was safe on that end. <a href="https://.com">.com

The Queen, however, would not be pleased about this development, and Welma’s mind churned as she tried to think of a way to save her head.

"I have to go home, Welma," Rose suddenly blurted.

"What?" the maid said and lifted her head.

Rose had completely stopped eating and was facing Welma. Her hands were in her lap and her face was devoid of emotion.