The King's Lover-Chapter 273: The Marketplace

Rose climbed into the small carriage with Lady Deana, sitting beside her. Rose grabbed her hat as a light wind blew past just as she got into the carriage.

Lady Deana had been nice enough to give her a peach-colored hat, which she tied around her head. Rose appreciated this as it was a decent protection from the cold.

As soon as she got in the coachman closed the door and soon enough rode out of the estate.

Beatrice rode behind them with the servants’ cart, already holding the empty baskets they would fill at the market. Some servants had already been sent ahead on foot. Rose was informed that the marketplace wasn’t too far from the estate.

Rose tried to look around as they went. The road was different from the one they used while going to the estate, and Rose kept her eyes glued to the road as she didn’t want to miss anything. But surprisingly, Lady Deana wanted to have a conversation with her.

"Where did you meet His Highness?" she suddenly asked after a few casual conversations.

Rose froze and slowly turned around to look at the lady. "Edenville," she replied.

"His Highness went there?" she asked.

Rose nodded. Now that she thought about it, she didn’t exactly know why the crown prince came all the way to Edenville. And that wasn’t all—he went to her faraway town with more men than he did to Futherfield.

"Yes. About two months ago," she replied, staring at the woman. Was this why Lady Deana wanted to get closer to her? For information?

Lady Deana nodded. "I’m just curious. My husband came back from the castle, and he wouldn’t stop talking about how His Highness wouldn’t let him see the famous redhead in the castle," Lady Deana said with a soft laugh. "I’m sure what he did during dinner last night was to get back at the crown prince."

Famous! Rose didn’t think that.

Rose simply nodded, wondering why she was being told this information. The Futherfields seemed to have a decent relationship with the royal family. At least Caius didn’t seem hostile to them, even when Lord Leopold kept talking about things he didn’t like.

"Oh look," Lady Deana said with a squeal, "we are here."

Rose turned her attention to the window as the carriage was drawing into the market. She could hear several voices as traders yelled their goods to draw in customers.

The marketplace was huge, but the goods seemed fewer. A few stalls were locked, and overall something seemed odd. Hawkers walked about selling snacks. A woman was positioned not far from the entrance selling roasted root vegetables. Rose was instantly reminded of her mother’s favorite snacks.

The carriage stopped not too far from the entrance, and the coachman was quick to open the door. Rose got down first, then Lady Deana with the help of the coachman.

Rose doubted his job was simply riding Lady Deana around. He looked to have a very important position, and Rose didn’t miss the sword around his waist.

"I like to walk from here," Lady Deana said. "I hope you don’t mind."

Rose shook her head. She preferred to walk too. So far, it didn’t feel like she was getting any information, and she was afraid to ask Lady Deana. The lady might seem nice, but Rose doubted she was on her side.

"My lady," Beatrice said and came up to them.

Beatrice was an older woman, and if Rose had to guess her age, she would probably say she was slightly older than Lady Deana. She was petite with a round face that gave off the feeling she was nice.

Rose didn’t think so, but so far, Beatrice hadn’t acted hostile towards her, nor had she tried to be overfamiliar.

"Let’s start with the bakery, Beatrice. I want to try the bread you wouldn’t stop talking about," Lady Deana said.

"I only mentioned it once, My Lady," Beatrice replied. "And you can always ask the cook to bake it," she whispered.

"Where’s the fun in that? Besides, if it’s the talk of the town, I’m sure there must be something special about it."

"Yes, my lady," Beatrice replied.

"I’m glad you agree. After that, we’ll stop at the butcher’s stall and then finally the fabric shop."

Beatrice nodded again, and so did the two young maids behind her. They each held a basket.

Lady Deana turned to look at Rose. "If there’s anything you’d like to buy, don’t hesitate."

"No, I’m fine."

Lady Deana narrowed her eyes and moved closer to Rose. "We are at the market. It would be wrong not to buy anything. You don’t have to choose right now, but if you see something you like, I’ll get it for you."

"Thank you," Rose said, even though she had no intention of taking Lady Deana’s offer.

They headed for the bakery first. The baker was absolutely astounded that the Lady would come to him, and he almost didn’t want her to pay, but Lady Deana insisted, and he told her a price that Rose knew was less than half the original price.

She didn’t miss the stares that were thrown their way. No one approached them, but Rose found that she couldn’t tell if the stares were hostile or not.

After the bakery, they went to the butcher’s stall. Beatrice walked in front, while Lady Deana was right after her, and Rose was only a foot behind her side, while the remaining two maids were behind.

"Don’t we have enough meat at the estate? They can slaughter a cow, sheep, or even a lamb if Her Lady requests it. Why do we have to buy meat?"

"Shh!" the second maid scolded. "You don’t ask questions."

Rose turned around to look at the girls, and they both immediately acted as though they had been caught in a crime, but she didn’t say anything—just turned her attention to the front.

The same thing happened at the butcher’s stall. Lady Deana bought meat at less than half the price after the butcher didn’t want to sell it to her. Rose wondered if it was because she was the Lady of the town or because she was Lady Deana.

It wasn’t until they got to the fabric shop that Rose heard anything useful. The shop owner was discussing how he lost some expensive fabrics because his carriage of goods was attacked. But as soon as he caught sight of Lady Deana, the conversation ended, and the customer left after bowing to the Lady.

"Thank you for coming to my humble shop, Your Ladyship," he said with a bow. "What would Your Ladyship like to buy?"

"Silk," Lady Deana replied immediately.

The shop owner’s expression soured. He was a man in his late thirties with a stomach that was more than half his width. He wore a robe that dropped onto his shoes and a small cap on his head.

"Is that all, Your Lady?" he asked.

"Some cotton, but most importantly, silk."

"I’m afraid I do not have silk at this time, but I should have some tomorrow before noon. But cotton, I have as much as you’d like."

"Tomorrow," Lady Deana said with a frown.

"I can—" Beatrice started to say, but her words were cut short.

"Would it be okay if I came to get them?" Rose asked.

Lady Deana looked at her with surprise. "You’d do that?" she asked.

"Yes. I’m already familiar with the way, but I don’t want to do anything you don’t—"

"No, no. This is wonderful. She will come to pick it up tomorrow. Pack up a blue color..."

Rose turned away as she calculated. She just found a reason to leave the estate, but she still had her original problem—which was the path to take. Would she have to trust her gut on this one? That would be too risky.

"Rose," Lady Deana called.

Rose turned her attention back, and the maids all had baskets full of the items they had bought.

"Let’s go," she whispered.

Rose nodded and started walking in the direction of the carriage. It was all the way at the front of the marketplace, and they had gotten deep into the market.

"Are you sure you don’t want anything?" Lady Deana asked, not letting it go.

Rose had completely forgotten at this point, but just before she could refuse, her eyes caught trinkets laid out on a small mat.

Her eyes caught something familiar, and without thinking she walked closer to it. There was no way she was mistaken—but to think it had reached Futherfield was a shock.

"Do you want me to buy it for you?"

"No," Rose replied immediately. "I just thought it looked familiar."

Lady Deana nodded. "All the more reason to buy it," she smiled.

Rose wanted to refuse her offer, but as she picked it up and took a closer look, she knew there was no way she could leave without it.