The King's Lover
Chapter 90: It’s About Rose

Chapter 90: It’s About Rose

Caius didn’t miss the way Henry entered the dining room. He had his head bent and he seemed more anxious than usual as he looked around the dining room. However, he didn’t approach the table and just stood in the corner while Caius ate.

Caius narrowed his gaze at Henry suspiciously. It wasn’t unusual for the steward to leave the dining room during mealtimes. He was in charge of the castle and more often than not, his attention was required elsewhere, so having a servant come call for him was nothing out of the ordinary—but for some reason, this time felt a little different.

Caius wiped his lips and placed the dirty napkin on the table just as his mother let out a gasp. Caius did his best to maintain a neutral expression, even though he knew what she would say would likely irk him.

"Don’t tell me you’re done eating," she said in that high-pitched voice he couldn’t stand. "You haven’t been eating well, Caius. I fear you might lose weight."

Caius scoffed and rose to his feet. Rose had left the castle without a single trace, and somehow his mother hadn’t said a single word about the incident, even though everyone in the castle knew about it. He knew his mother didn’t care for Rose, but her indifference was a bit unusual for someone as nosy as she was. No theories, no questions, no gossiping. It was odd, to say the least.

Not only was it odd, but she didn’t seem very bothered that the castle’s security was in such a bad state. His mother would have had all the guards on duty lined up and interrogated, but she had done none of that. She didn’t even seem interested in the matter; all she spoke about was Caius getting someone else.

This part bothered Caius the most. She wasn’t the type to outrightly support his shenanigans. She never scolded him for them, but she wasn’t supportive either. The fact that it seemed like she was encouraging him was out of place, and it gave him something to think about.

Rose had left the castle, and he was certain she had help. It was the only explanation. All the guards who had been away from their posts at the time had irregularities in their stories. Someone had told them someone else was in their post. Who that person was seemed to remain a mystery.

His mother wasn’t the only one he suspected. He was almost certain his father had something to do with this. Almost nothing happened in the castle without the king’s knowledge; therefore, he certainly knew something of Rose’s disappearance. However, to go this far—all the more reason why he must get her back. Whatever the cost might be. f r\eew,eb novel.c(o)(m)

Caius wouldn’t confront his father. There was no need to do that. Besides, the conversation would most likely go south with Caius feeling even more frustrated, he couldn’t allow that to happen. He was certain he would be able to find her himself, it was just taking longer due to a mishap on his part.

Caius turned his back to the dining table, leaving Rylen and his mother seated, only about halfway through their meal. His appetite was completely ruined. To be honest, he hadn’t had much of it since she left.

He walked towards the door. He could hear his mother say something, but he didn’t catch the words—and he was fine with that. He didn’t want to hear anything else she might say.

Caius got to the door, and Henry stepped out of where he stood, walking behind him. The two of them walked out of the dining room, and Caius spoke. "What is it? Your restlessness is loud." He was tired of hearing the steward fidget behind him.

"I was hoping we could move to a more quiet area before I brought it up," Henry whispered, his voice shaking to show just how anxious he was.

"I don’t have the patience, Henry. Spit it out," Caius said without slowing down his pace.

"At once, Your Highness. A strange man brought a message from Lady Delphine. According to him, it’s about Rose."

Caius stopped abruptly and slowly turned around to look at Henry. The steward stopped walking too and slowly took two steps back.

"What did you say?" Caius asked, taking a step forward as they stood in the dimly lit hallway.

Henry felt his heart drop to his stomach. "The man calls himself Slade, and he brought a letter from Lady Delphine. He says the letter is about Rose."

"Where is the letter?" Caius asked, his brown eyes glimmered as they caught the light from the torch hanging on the wall.

"Right here." Henry stretched it out with both hands and bowed his head.

Caius lowered his gaze to the letter and then snatched it up. The letter was sealed, and there was a ribbon tied around it. He could recognize the Elrod family seal anywhere. It was an official letter.

Rose.

It was a whisper so inaudible it sounded more like a sigh. f .r e\ewebnov(e)(l).c om

"Why didn’t you give this to me immediately?" Caius scolded.

"I didn’t want to interrupt your meal, Your Highness. Please forgive me."

Caius wasn’t listening. He was ripping the ribbon off the letter. He pulled at the seal a little too aggressively, tearing a tiny part of the paper. He spread it open, but unfortunately, the light from the hallway wasn’t enough to read.

Caius swore and started walking away. "Bring the messenger to my private study. Now."

The crown prince didn’t even wait for Henry’s response before walking off. Henry shook his head, thinking it was a good thing he didn’t let the messenger leave. What would he have said to the crown prince now? That he let the man go? He didn’t want to be on the receiving end of whatever the crown prince’s outburst might be. He had suffered enough.

Henry pulled himself out of his thoughts and adjusted his clothes before heading towards the front door. The man would still be at the gates. He could easily send someone to get him, but he wanted to do it himself.