CHAPTER 361: STACKS OF PAPER

"This is Rylen’s monthly report of the affairs in the kingdom. Since he has to take care of matters in my stead, he makes sure to inform me all about it. Unfortunately, he does his job too meticulously, and I am left with this mountain of reports to go through," Caius explained as he kept his gaze on Rose.

Rose already knew about this, as Caius had unwillingly given her the information when she had asked about Prince Rylen just the day before. However, Rose found it odd that he hated the reports but was just as diligent in going through them.

Rose nodded to his words and whispered, "Is there anything of particular concern?"

Caius looked at the letters and back at her. "You could say that, but it’s no different from last month or the month before that. Unfortunately, the council members are unwilling to let it go," Caius said with clear irritation.

To let what go? Rose internally asked.

He dropped the third parchment paper and picked up the fourth. Rose noticed there was only one unread paper left. She wasn’t sure she could ask about what the council members wouldn’t let go, as the Crown Prince would have elaborated if he wanted to; the fact that he didn’t, meant she shouldn’t press the matter.

She looked at him as he read the fourth part, his brows furrowing deeper with each line his eyes scanned. The letter had his full concentration. After some time, he seemed to finish the fourth one and moved to the fifth, but before he began to read, he glanced at Rose, holding her gaze for a moment as she lay underneath the covers.

She half expected him to say something smart, but he simply smiled at her and returned his attention to the letter, leaving Rose a little puzzled by his actions.

She found that she didn’t have any urge to bother him anymore. She had admitted defeat. As Caius had said himself, she couldn’t get rid of him, and he seemed all too happy to answer all her questions. Her interruptions didn’t seem to faze him.

Rose found herself staring at him longer than she needed to, but it was a little hard to look away when he looked this serious as he concentrated. It was a new outlook, and for a moment, she was reminded that he was going to be the next king. Rose could think of a thousand reasons why he didn’t fit, but at the same time, she couldn’t deny his presence. Outwardly, he was fit to be King.

She closed her eyes, hoping she might fall asleep. What other choice did she have? And maybe, it wasn’t so hateful to have him there. He didn’t seem to want to bother her, and he truly was just interested in the reports. Once again, she was grateful to Prince Rylen.

Rose let her thoughts drift as she closed her eyes, hoping that she might truly go to sleep this time, but it didn’t take her long to open her eyes again. Caius was looking at her as he stacked the papers together.

"Can’t sleep?" he asked, a little too normally. He seemed to be done reading.

"Yes," Rose said and moved to a sitting position, pulling herself upwards so her back rested against the headboard.

"Is it perhaps my fault this time?" Caius smirked as he held onto the papers.

Rose glanced and didn’t bother to answer. It wasn’t as though he would leave.

"Rose," he called when she didn’t reply.

"No, Your Majesty," Rose said stiffly.

It was annoying when he called her name like that. He didn’t do it often which made the effect so potent. She didn’t understand what his goal was. She understood that it brought him joy to see her in discomfort, but that couldn’t be the only reason, right?

Caius suddenly stood up with purpose, and Rose looked at him with shock, concern, and a little hope that he was leaving, but that thought simply dissipated when he walked towards the fireplace with the stack of papers in his hands.

He threw them into the fireplace, and they caught immediately. A bright flame shot up as the papers rapidly burnt, the edges curling as they changed to ashes.

"Your Majesty," Rose called in shock.

The smoke from the papers floated up the chimney, and Caius watched them burn until not a single piece was left. He slowly turned around to look at her.

"Yes?" he answered softly.

"Nothing," Rose whispered and looked down.

Caius started walking away from the fireplace back to his seat. "If you’re wondering why I burnt them, the only explanation is that there were a few secrets meant for my eyes only," he said and sat down, facing the chair directly towards the bed.

"Oh, I understand, Your Majesty. It was just unexpected."

"I suppose it was," he said and leaned to the side. "How’s your health?" He smirked.

"Still just as bad," Rose replied immediately.

"Yet, you insist that you are not sick and a physician is unnecessary."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Caius’s smirk widened then suddenly his expression turned serious. His hands turned to fists as he stared at her, and Rose grew nervous. If he couldn’t be in the same room with her without acting strange, then why was he here?

Caius briefly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was back to normal. "Do you know if there is parchment paper in this room, and hopefully some ink too?" Caius asked as he looked around.

Unlike Caius’s room, there was no shelf for books or a writing desk. The only furniture in the room was the huge wardrobe, the dresser, the screened-off dressing area, the four-poster bed frame, the bedside table, the dining table, and chairs.

Rose slowly shook her head as she also looked around. "I am sorry, Your Majesty, I do not know."

Caius turned to look at her. "I expected nothing less. You don’t know how to read. To what would paper or a book or writing materials of any kind matter to you?"