The King's Lover
Chapter 248: Almost Slashed

Chapter 248: Almost Slashed

Caius walked with Rylen by his side. The men were training in the field, and as he had promised Rylen, Caius made his way there. It was not a good idea to train with the men today—he was too furious to control his strength.

Caius opened and closed his palms as he walked down the long path overlooking the open field with well-trimmed grass. At the end of the path was a canopy-like stand, and underneath it was Lord Maximus. He wore a strange expression as Caius approached.

"Your Highness," Maximus said with a bow as Caius got close enough. He was standing, offering up the only seat in the arena to Caius.

Caius took it without hesitation and sat under the shade. He looked forward, his eyes scanning the men on the field.

"Your Highness has been here twice in a row," Maximus said with an amused tone as he stood next to Caius, watching the scene play out in front of him. Five pairs of men were exchanging swords, while a few brawled, and the others just watched.

"It’s unlike you to keep count of such an occurrence, Lord Maximus. Did you forget there was a time when I was here every day?" Caius asked. His tone sounded annoyed.

"Who could forget, Your Highness? You were only a wee thing then. Look how much you’ve grown now."

Caius’s gaze darkened. He hated speaking of that time. He moved his hand to his chin, slightly running his finger over the scar there—the memory of how he got it clear as day.

"Hmm. You could join our expedition to the south. Futherfield could use your skills," Caius said, glancing up at the huge man.

"As much as I would love to join Your Highness on the battlefield, I cannot leave the King’s side," Maximus stated. "I wish you victory." <a href="https://.com">.com

Caius scoffed. He had expected nothing else. It was hard to get a read on Maximus, but he knew the older man was loyal to his father. It wasn’t his father in particular—more like the crown—and he was sure he would get the same loyalty should he ascend the throne. However, he wasn’t sure if he wanted the huge man by his side.

"If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness, there is something I need to attend to," Maximus said and walked forward.

Caius didn’t care what the huge man did as long as he didn’t bother him. Caius had always wondered if he would be able to take down Maximus in a fight, but now he could confidently say yes. His lips lifted in a sneer. Maximus had made his younger days hell—all thanks to his father.

Caius returned his gaze to the men, and the sneer froze on his face. Thomas was approaching the canopy. There was a spring in his step as he walked toward them.

Caius’s gaze darkened as he recalled something unpleasant. He tapped his finger on the armrest as he rested his arm. It wasn’t a voluntary action—Caius wasn’t even aware of it.

"Your Highness," Thomas said and bowed when he got close. "Prince Rylen."

"You are late," Rylen replied.

"I apologize," he said and bowed again.

The kid wasn’t bad. He was one of the youngest among Caius’s personal knights and would easily follow the crown prince blindly. His father was a lord on the council. He wasn’t very prominent, but he had enough influence.

"Thomas," Caius called.

Thomas appeared in front of Caius, so as not to tower over him, he dropped to one knee. "Your Highness."

It was quick—Rylen didn’t even get the chance to understand what was happening, let alone react to it.

As soon as Thomas knelt, Caius leaned forward, reaching for the young man’s sword, unsheathing it, and holding it to his neck.

Thomas’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull, and he could feel a slight sting where the tip of the sword broke skin. He knelt stiff as a board, knowing the slightest movement could turn this into a slash.

"Your Grace," Rylen yelled, his voice filled with panic.

Thomas lifted his hands. This had never happened before, and for a moment, Thomas was confused—until Caius spoke.

"Henry told me something unpleasant," Caius said, staring down at Thomas.

Thomas was afraid to swallow. He feared that moving his throat might cause the sword to pierce him more. He didn’t speak. He didn’t think he was supposed to.

"Did you read the letter to her?" Caius asked, his gaze locked on the scared lad.

As soon as Henry appeared in his room this morning, Caius had asked him if he was the one who read the letter to Rose. The steward had immediately denied it but had said he thought it might be Thomas.

Caius thought so too. He had seen the lad leave when a maid came to call him. Caius hadn’t thought much about it, but he could recall that he had noticed.

Thomas was not surprised when he heard the question. However, he didn’t think the crown prince’s interest in Rose ran deep enough to care if he read a letter or not.

When the maid came to seek him out, he hadn’t thought much of it. The crown prince had put him in charge of Rose—he was expected to answer her summons. At least, that was what he told himself.

When she asked him to help her read, with pleading eyes, Thomas knew he couldn’t say no. And then she burst out crying in front of him. It had physically hurt to leave.

"Yes," Thomas said.

Caius took a deep breath. "Don’t do more than you are supposed to, Thomas. Your job is to make sure she is safe. I’ll let this slide one time."

"Yes, Your Highness, it won’t happen again."

Caius didn’t pull the sword away immediately. He kept his eyes locked on Thomas before slowly pulling the sword back. He tossed it to the ground, and Thomas felt relief. <a href="https://.com">.com

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness." He picked up the sword and stood to his feet, sheathing it. He started to walk away, glad it was just a tiny cut on his neck.

"What was that? Did you almost attack Thomas because he read a letter?!" Rylen asked in disbelief.