CHAPTER 356: NO TACT

Unfortunately, she couldn’t keep the Crown Prince waiting. He had asked her a question, and she needed to answer him now. Rose closed her palm tighter, and as she opened her mouth to speak, a loud knock rang out.

She jumped out of her seat as though she had been pulled. "Someone is at the door, Your Majesty."

She could feel his glare on her back as she walked to the door. She knew she hadn’t played this off well, but it was either that or she would tell him what he would hate to hear.

She was glad he had agreed to let her write a letter; she at least wanted it to reach her dear old father and get one in return. She had mentioned this in the letter, and Caius was aware of it. He didn’t say anything or indicate he was displeased, so she had assumed he approved. She wasn’t going to ruin it now.

Besides, if she did lie and say he was nice, Caius would know she was lying, and if he hadn’t known, her current reaction was certainly giving her away. However, as she thought about all this, Rose could not help but consider the other side: what if he actually preferred her thinking he wasn’t nice?

She shook her head. She refused to let confusing thoughts about the Crown Prince cloud her judgment. She didn’t care what he wanted or thought. As long as she could keep her father safe, that was all that mattered.

"Lady Rose," her maids squealed in excitement as they saw her, and then, as if they remembered the Crown Prince was also with her, they quickly composed themselves.

"What are you both doing here?" she asked in confusion.

One of them stretched out her hands, holding a silk nightdress. "We were told to come help you get ready for the night," she whispered.

Rose closed her eyes briefly. She would have certainly preferred to sleep in the dress she was in. It was comfortable and offered so much better coverage than the flimsy nightdress.

"No need," Rose said, still standing by the doorway.

"His Highness’s orders," the second whispered.

Rose resisted the urge to grab her temples as she stepped away from the door to let the young women in. She wondered if this was what he had whispered to Fabian; she wouldn’t be surprised. The Crown Prince had no tact.

"Your H-highness," they called in unison, both stammering on the exact word.

Rose wondered if they thought he wasn’t here, but considering this was their reaction every time they saw him, she doubted it.

Caius didn’t even glance at them. He was looking at her. Someday, Rose thought to herself, I will pluck his eyes out. They had brought her more trouble than anything else.

The young women moved quickly as they helped her redress in the middle of the room, just beside the bed. Rose didn’t care much; after all, the Crown Prince had given his word.

She met his eyes all through the exchange, and he glanced down more than a few times. Why did his eyes hold that much confidence when she was the untouchable one?

Eventually, the maids left, and Rose was once again left with Caius. She was in a dilemma. She didn’t want to return to the dining table, and she didn’t want to lie on the bed, but she couldn’t just stand in the middle of the room.

He was watching her again; his annoyance seemed to have faded, replaced by amusement. He got under her skin, and not in a good way.

Caius suddenly stood up. "Perhaps you might want to retire now. You did mention being too tired even to play another game," he said.

Rose couldn’t help but smile. Since he was leaving the dining table, she now had every reason to return there. "Yes, Your Majesty, but I don’t think I am sleepy just yet. I shall sit for a bit." Rose was marching towards the chair as she spoke.

Caius chuckled and said, "Very well."

Rose turned to see that he was already on the bed, an arm behind his head. The robe was slightly loose, revealing a significant amount of his torso and one of his legs. Rose turned away almost immediately.

She knew the Crown Prince was aware of what she was doing, but for some reason, he seemed to be going along with it. She knew she couldn’t remain at the table forever, and he was also aware of this, but Rose hoped she might be able to sneak out if he did fall asleep.

She shook her head as she sat down. This was only a fleeting thought. It would be better for her to fall asleep at the table than to do that. At least he wasn’t forcing her to join him in bed.

Rose’s eyes felt heavy. She wasn’t surprised; after all that had happened today, she was surprised she hadn’t fallen asleep right after dinner. She glanced at the Crown Prince; he lay unmoving, his eyes on her.

Rose sighed and placed her arms on the table. It felt so nice to just lie here and close her eyes. She was going to fall asleep here; she could no longer fight against the sleep.

Rose groaned as she felt arms around her, and then she was lifted off the chair. She tried to wake up, but the hands held her so carefully that it felt incredibly comfortable.

"Aren’t you stubborn?" a voice said. It felt like part of her dream.

When she was laid on the bed, Rose adjusted to where the warmth was as she slept. The steady beat of his heart as she laid on his chest was music to her ears.

Rose felt herself slowly wake up. It was impossible not to. Feather-light touches moved across her body, tickling her, and something was pressing against her stomach. Rose’s eyes flew open to Caius looking down at her.

"I was afraid you might not wake up. I don’t particularly like dormant participants."

"Your Majesty," Rose cried and tried to move back, but his hands stopped her. "You promised!"

"And I do keep my promises. It’s midnight, Rose," he smirked.