CHAPTER 353: THE WAGER ISN’T OVER

She sat across from him as they ate in his room once again. She was already a prisoner, but now she wasn’t even allowed to leave this room. At this point, Rose would take a room filled with loud knights if it meant she wouldn’t be alone in his company.

The Crown Prince was quiet, and he occasionally stared at her. Rose was unsure if he was sulking, brooding, or angry. However, none of the options sounded great, as she had found that Caius was quite a sore loser.

However, he hadn’t said anything about the games, and Rose was wondering if she should be worried or if he was happy with his win. She hoped that the latter was the case, but the crown prince certainly didn’t have the attitude of a winner.

He was quite aware of what she had done and she could tell he was not pleased. Rose, on the other hand, was absolutely joyful, but unfortunately, she was still trapped here with him.

After the game was over, she had barely gotten any time to rest before the maid arrived and announced that dinner would be ready soon. She could hardly believe that they had indeed spent the entirety of the afternoon playing chess.

Rose had then requested to be allowed to go to her room to prepare for dinner in the dining hall, and the Crown Prince had informed her that they would be dining in his room, so there was no need for her to leave.

She had tried not to show any form of disappointment and had failed woefully. He then dared to ask if she disapproved, while she had no choice but to politely smile.

"Wine?" Caius suddenly offered, interrupting her thoughts.

Rose frowned slightly as she lifted her head from her plate. She wasn’t sure if she was allowed to refuse, and before she could say anything, the nearest servant was already pouring a generous amount into her cup.

Rose smiled tightly, and Caius watched her closely. The servant was cruel; he filled her cup to the brim before he stepped away with a bow.

"A toast," Caius said and lifted his glass.

Rose’s eyes darted around in confusion. A toast was certainly shocking, but she picked up the cup, trying her best to lift it as Caius had done without spilling a drop. She wondered what this toast was about, but all she could do was go along with it.

"To my numerous wins," Caius said.

Rose’s eyes glinted, but she kept her expression neutral. The Crown Prince was ridiculously petty. However, she could play along because she knew she had won the real battle.

"To Your Majesty’s numerous wins," Rose said with a smile and brought the cup to her lips.

She took a sip; the taste was strong. She could still smell the grapes and the fermentation. She placed the cup down and absently nodded her head in approval. Past the slight bitter taste, it was really good wine—not that she would know, but it did taste like it.

Rose knew better than to take more than a sip. She didn’t indulge in any form of alcohol; it would be suicidal to drink more than she could handle.

"Is that all you intend to drink?" Caius asked.

Rose did her best not to frown. Of course, he was watching her; he had nothing better to do.

"I am afraid so, Your Majesty. I didn’t mean to offend."

"Why?" he asked, clearly offended. "Does my wine not taste right to you?"

Rose was unsure if he was calling her a peasant or insinuating she thought the wine was inferior. Neither of them sounded pleasing, but the former particularly annoyed her.

"No, it was the best wine I have ever tasted." It was the only wine I have ever tasted. "I can’t hold my liquor."

"Ah," Caius said with an expression that made Rose very suspicious.

She held her tongue as she waited for him to say more on the matter, but he simply drank from his cup while he looked at her over the rim. He dropped the cup, smacked his lips, and continued eating.

Rose tried not to roll her eyes. As long as he had no intention of forcing her to drink, she didn’t care what he did.

Rose wiped her lips with a white soft napkin at the end of the meal. Surely, the Crown Prince was going to let her go for the night; there was no point in keeping her here. He had said himself that he would not do anything more today; she was clearly of no use to him.

She placed the napkin on the table just as the Crown Prince leaned back. He was equally done eating, and the servants who had stood by their side quickly moved to clear the dishes.

Caius twirled the wine in the goblet he held and took one long sip before he placed the empty cup on the table. As soon as Caius pulled his hand away, a servant was quick to swipe the empty cup away.

The table was cleaned, but still Caius did not attempt to stand up. Rose was anxiously waiting for the servants to leave so she could ask Caius to let her leave; it felt a little too embarrassing to state her request while they were still in the room.

The servants bowed as they cleared the last of the dishes and left the room. Caius had barely said anything the entire time, nor did he rise from his seat.

When they were finally alone, Rose stood up and moved behind her chair. "I’d like to retire for the night, Your Majesty. To my room." Rose made sure to add the last part, as she was sure the Crown Prince would ask her to retire to his bed.

"Why?" Caius asked. "You can sleep in my room."

Rose couldn’t even pretend she didn’t expect this. "I don’t think Your Majesty needs me tonight," she whispered, hoping he would understand what she meant without making her go into detail.

Caius stood up and rounded the table. Rose gripped the top of the dining chair as she watched him approach her. He was dressed in the same clothes he had worn during the game: a fine black linen shirt and fitted breeches. It was very different from his usual ceremonial attire. The collar was loose, and she could still see the hickey from last night, but at least it was starting to lose its color.

He stopped right in front of her and stared down at her. His simpler clothing made his muscles more obvious, and Rose remembered she had deliberately run her hand over his shirt earlier. She ripped the image from her memory.

He ran a finger through his hair, ruining the perfectly combed style, but somehow it made him look even better. Rose frowned as he just stared down at her. He should say something.

"You think I don’t need you," he said.

"Tonight," Rose added. She didn’t think he needed her at all, but his voice was starting to bother her. She had half-expected him to be annoyed that she used the word ’need,’ but he didn’t seem to mind.

"Well, it would be going against the wager, and all my wins might as well not exist," Caius replied.

Rose would have done a little dance, but she didn’t dare show her excitement. "Your Majesty won; that can’t be taken away."

Caius laughed. "Well said," then, bringing his voice down to a whisper, he added, "Well played."

"I don’t think I played any well, Your Majesty. The outcome couldn’t have gone any other way." Rose bent her head. "I don’t want to bother you much longer with my presence."

"Well, technically, the wager isn’t over. The day hasn’t ended. I’d like to see if I can keep to my word. You will stay."

Rose’s eyes widened in horror as she kept her head bent. "I am sure Your Majesty can. You have already proven it." Rose didn’t like how her voice sounded like a plea. "There is no reason for me to stay."

"There is no reason for you to leave either. As we have found, the bed is big enough, and if it is still as uncomfortable as you say, I can ask that your bed be brought here. Or are you suggesting you cannot share the same bed with me unless..." Caius let his words trail off.

Rose didn’t bite down on the bait. She completely understood that everything he said and did was for his own benefit. Besides, he was the problem here, and they both knew it.

"No, Your Majesty. I just think I might bother you in my sleep."

"Worry not," Caius said and walked towards the bed.

Rose didn’t like it one bit. The only guarantee she had was to leave this room. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him, but she was sick of being in his presence. Sick of being uptight since last night. She wanted to breathe easily, but that was clearly not going to happen.