The King's Lover-Chapter 529: Childish

By lunchtime, Rose heard a knock on her door and walked out to see Maximus bowing. "Your Majesty," he said before slowly standing to his full height.

She smiled at him and stepped out of the room. It was time for lunch, and Rose expected her maids to stop by before she had to go, but there was no sign of them.

She didn’t think too much about it and had gotten herself ready in time. After all, there wasn’t really much to do, and by the time Maximus appeared at the door, she was ready.

Almost immediately, the door of Caira’s bedroom opened, and the princess stepped out. The sound of the door opening made Rose turn her head.

The look of horror on Caira’s face was clear for all to see, and she jerked her face to the side so she wouldn’t have to look in Rose’s direction.

Maximus bowed without saying anything. Caira barely acknowledged his greeting, and at the same time, her maid stepped out of the room and also bowed to Rose.

Rose turned her gaze away from the princess’s direction and made her way towards the stairs, knowing Caira was right behind. Maximus walked at a steady pace behind her and Rose could hear the soft tap of the princess’s heels on the floor.

By the way the servants gasped before they bowed and stepped out of the way, Rose could imagine just how much of a spectacle this was.

The King’s supposed legitimate wife and mistress whom he openly flaunted.

She was sure rumors poured through the castle already, but with this, it was bound to triple. It also didn’t help that while she wore a crown, Caira didn’t.

Rose didn’t feel bad for the princess; instead, she was pretty pleased that it was obvious who the King favored, as that was likely to work for her. People would be less likely to antagonize her. They might gossip, but gossiping couldn’t possibly take the crown off her head.

A smile tugged on her lips as she briefly glanced at Maximus. The latter kept a watchful eye on her, as if ready to attack if there was need. Rose’s smile only got wider.

She didn’t rush as she walked, keeping a steady pace and forcing the princess to match her pace, else they were bound to walk side by side, and it was clear Caira didn’t want that.

She had half expected the princess to step in front of her already as they approached the dining room. It must be embarrassing for her to have to walk behind Rose.

Eventually, they arrived at the dining room, and the doors opened. Rose walked in with Maximus beside her, and the dining room looked empty at first until she stepped inside and met eyes with Violeta, who sat in Rose’s seat.

Other than the servants, Violeta and her ladies were the first to arrive. Rose glanced around, and she could see the servants half-glancing and keeping their heads down to avoid trouble.

Rose didn’t stop walking, as that would prevent the princess from stepping inside, but furthermore, she was unfazed by the old Queen’s show of disapproval. It was a little childish and felt like what children had done in her younger days to try to piss her off.

"Your Majesty," Maximus said with a quick bow.

He had not even finished speaking when Rose pointed to where the old Queen had sat in the morning. Rose had no such plan to stand around or to speak to her. Maximus was quick to pull out the chair she pointed so she could sit, just as Caira walked through the open doors.

Caira froze at the dilemma, but Rose didn’t even have time to see this, as the old hag was now speaking to her.

"What do you think you’re doing, whore?"

Rose didn’t respond as she dropped into her seat. There was no way the old bitter woman was speaking to her in that manner with this crown on her head.

Rose remembered Violeta looked so offended that Caius had given it to her; clearly, her late husband didn’t think she was worth his mother’s crown.

A smile tugged on the left corner of her lips as she got comfortable and stared at the old Queen.

"How dare you look—" one of her ladies started to say, but she kept her mouth shut as Maximus stood behind Rose.

"Maximus!" Violeta yelled. "Get this whore out of here."

Rose frowned, wondering why the old Queen hadn’t stopped her before she sat down. However, they both knew she couldn’t. Maximus only took orders from the King and he immediately confirmed her thoughts.

"I am sorry, Your Majesty, but I have strict orders from the King."

"A harlot shouldn’t be here. You are no queen, you whore! And whatever witchcraft you used on my son will never succeed."

Tell that to the crown on my head.

Rose let out a sigh; it was either that or she might laugh and make things much worse. She wasn’t trying to anger the old Queen—at least not yet. So she kept her mouth shut while Violeta went on her rant.

"You will only be good for one thing: spreading your legs like the whore you are!"

Rose tried not to yawn. There must be something else that the Queen could call her other than a whore, a harlot, and a witch. Those words especially had no impact right now.

Rose heard a chair move, and Caira seated herself a seat away from her. She kept her head bent and pretended as though she wasn’t a part of the table.

"Queen Caira is the queen! Don’t you dare think you have any standing here, and with the heir on the way, it won’t be long now before you’re chased away."

Caira jerked slightly as her name was brought up, but she didn’t look up. She clearly didn’t want to be a part of this, and Rose noticed she didn’t even say anything to the Queen before sitting.

"Enjoy your little whore magic for now!"

Rose didn’t flinch, didn’t react. She was actually in disbelief. She also couldn’t believe the old Queen was speaking to her. For someone the old Queen believed was beneath her, she wouldn’t leave her be.

Rose glanced towards the door, hoping that Caius would walk in soon. Why would he send Maximus to her if he wasn’t ready yet? At least with him here, Violeta wouldn’t dare speak to her.

However, Violeta didn’t shut up. The more she spoke, the more agitated she got, and the more her ladies-in-waiting fueled her rage. She didn’t even care that Caira didn’t want to participate in it.

"It is only a matter of time before you’ll be disgraced like the little whore you are. I am sure the late Queen Catherine is rolling in her grave knowing that a whore like you dares to wear her crown."

You must have some shame, right?

The old Queen hadn’t stopped speaking since she walked in, and not once had Rose reacted to her words. She only merely glanced at her, then turned her gaze away with a dismissive look on her face.

This angered Violeta more than anything. It was clear her words didn’t have any effect, but that wasn’t the worst part—Rose clearly wasn’t scared of her.

She picked up the jug of water, ready to pour it all over her, enjoying the look of slight surprise on Rose’s face. But Rose’s surprise quickly fell, and she stared up at Violeta as if daring her.

Just as she lifted it, the door opened and Caius walked in. But it was too late now; she couldn’t drop it and Caius’s sudden entrance weakened the grip on her hand, so instead of the water splashing onto Rose, the jug fell out of her hand and onto the table, spilling its contents.

It made a loud sound as the jug made contact with the table, clashing with silverware and splashing water around.

Maximus pulled Rose’s seat backward, saving her from most of the splash except for a few drops, while the water that got onto the table poured downward in the Queen’s direction, onto her dress.

Her maids tried to move quickly, but there wasn’t enough time to save her from the spilling water.

"What are you doing, Mother?" Caius’s thunderous voice echoed in the space.

He marched towards Rose, who was struggling to keep a straight face as the Queen jumped to her feet. But it was too late, and the front of her dress had a long wet patch.

"Are you okay?" Caius asked as he bent down towards her.

Rose kept her head bent as she tried to compose herself. "Yes," she whispered, her voice lower than usual. "I-Iam fine."

She didn’t mean to act as though she was frightened, but it was hard not to when Caius looked so worried. He jerked his head towards his mother again, but she was already rushing to the exit.