CHAPTER 338: NO ESCAPE TONIGHT

She heard her feet hit the hard floor as she steadily approached the crown prince. Rose tried to think about something else, but she couldn’t. All she thought about was seeing the crown prince tonight.

As the dining hall grew closer, her stomach knotted even tighter. The corset felt as though it was digging into her ribs, but she knew she was more anxious than that being the truth.

Every step forward felt like a step toward doom, yet the maids didn’t slow. They seemed determined to take her to him. Rose battled with thoughts of turning around and running back to her room but even that wouldn’t save her from him.

She tried to take a deep breath to calm herself. She knew she was just being ridiculous, but knowing didn’t help her chest unclench nor did it ease the crippling anxiety she felt.

The vast dining doors soon appeared right in front of her eyes, and the doors opened almost immediately. It was too late to run now. She was here now, and sooner rather than later, she would face him.

Her eyes did a quick scan as she searched for him. She didn’t care that she might look awkward standing by the door—she just wanted to see if she still had a few more moments to gather herself.

The hall was quiet at her arrival, and all gazes turned to look at her. Rose heard someone whistle lightly, but she didn’t pay that any mind as her eyes scanned the knights at the table.

Rose let out a breath when there was no sign of Caius. She lifted her shoulders, took a step in and that was when she heard one of the maids gasp. The maids immediately scrambled to pay their respects and hold the door simultaneously.

Rose froze instinctively, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck rise and goosebumps pop out along her hands. She knew without a single doubt that the crown prince was behind her.

Rose blinked, as it was the only part of her body that could still move. How did she not hear him coming up behind her the whole time? How long had he been behind her?

Rose felt him take a step closer to her, it felt like he was close enough to touch her, all he had to do was lift his hand and Rose felt her goosebumps get even worse.

Suddenly, the men at the dining table stood to their feet. "Your Highness," their voices filled the hall as they bowed.

This was enough to snap her out of it, and Rose stepped out of the way as she curtsied, keeping her gaze locked to the ground. She didn’t want to see his face. She felt his gaze on the top of her head, but Rose didn’t budge.

After some time, he passed by her, and Rose caught a whiff of lavender that filled the whole castle—but for some reason, it smelled different on him. Darker. Rose almost smashed her head against the nearest wall. What was she thinking?

Caius walked to the table without a single hitch in his step. He took his seat, and Rose slowly approached the table just as all the men took their seats. She chose the same position she had sat the night before—next to Thomas, who was seated right beside Caius.

Thomas had a slight frown on his face, and he glanced at the empty seat on Caius’s right side. Rose pretended not to see what he was gesturing to as she adjusted her seat and got comfortable.

"Your Highness," Fabian said and bowed as he stood next to Caius. He didn’t even help Rose get into her seat this time; he was completely focused on the crown prince.

Rose wasn’t complaining. With Fabian by his side, Caius wasn’t sparing her any glances as he spoke to the butler. Rose decided to risk it. She didn’t get a chance to see his face earlier—all she saw were his boots as he walked in.

Rose slowly lifted her head, and only when she was certain he was engrossed did she stare at him directly. Her breath caught in her throat as her gaze rested on his face. There was barely any sign that merely two months ago, the crown prince was very close to death.

His black hair gleamed in the candlelight, and so did his stubble. From this side, she could see the scar on his face. She thought it added to his character and couldn’t imagine him without it. His jawline moved steadily as he spoke, and Rose’s gaze lingered a little on his lips, suppressing every memory that dared to raise its ugly head.

She forced her eyes to look past his lips, past his straight nose, and rest her gaze on his eyes. His gaze was steady—she noticed slight under-eye bags but nothing to be worried about.

Rose was about to turn her gaze away when she realized something was different. She could clearly see his brown eyes twinkle, and Rose realized he was staring right at her. She looked away, but it was already too late—he had caught her staring.

Dinner commenced, and this time it was pretty quiet. Conversations barely ensued, and the air felt tense. The men occasionally whispered amongst themselves, but still, the sounds of cutlery hitting the plates were certainly louder than conversations.

All through dinner, Rose could feel Caius looking right at her, but she didn’t dare lift her eyes to meet his. She adjusted in her seat several times, praying he would look away even once—but he didn’t.

She tried to eat dinner, but it was hard to do so when a particular person glared at her in this manner. Rose was glad it was winter; else she would be sweating buckets. She couldn’t wait for dinner to be over, but at the same time, she dreaded when it ended—as there was no escaping the crown prince this time.

"Little Lady," a voice broke through her thoughts.

Her hands froze on the napkin she used to wipe the corners of her lips. Rose was so astonished that for a moment, she didn’t believe her ears were working.

He couldn’t be talking to her, could he?