CHAPTER 364: FRUIT FLY

What was she listening to? Rose was unsure as she looked at Caius, not that it would bring any clarity to the situation, which she found utterly unbelievable. Not only was Caius aware of her better relationship with Thomas, but he was also keeping track of events in an alarming manner.

Rose could remember the incident where Thomas had given her his jacket when she was so cold, but it wasn’t something that stayed in her memory. Clearly, that wasn’t the case for the Crown Prince. He seemed even to remember it better than she did.

Rose was concerned. Did he disapprove of her relationship with Thomas? Besides, relationship was a strong word; Thomas was just normal to her sometimes. Rose couldn’t call his actions acts of kindness, as she wasn’t sure what he felt about her.

The one thing she was certain of was that he didn’t completely hate her. However, there was a huge distance between hate and like, and she was sure whatever he felt towards her was closer to hate than like.

Rose didn’t know how to address this situation without flat-out lying while also not putting Thomas into any trouble. The crown prince was reading too much into what wasn’t there. Besides, aside from the Crown Prince, Thomas was the only other person she was familiar with in the castle, it was no shock that it seemed as though they were close.

Rose refused to make any excuses for how Thomas treated her. She was sure this was the crown prince’s way of having something over her again.

"Well," Rose looked around then slowly lifted her gaze towards the crown prince. "I’d rather not freeze to death or be sent to the castle. Would the Crown Prince prefer if Thomas had let me freeze or been sent to the castle?"

Caius narrowed his eyes and then smirked. "I didn’t say that. I simply commented on how awfully close you two seemed. You tried to disprove it, and I simply gave you reasons why your words didn’t match the situation."

"Forgive me," Rose said with a soft nod. "I thought Your Majesty would have preferred it if I froze..." Rose let her words hang.

She was annoyed at his tone, but it was no reason to put both her and Thomas in danger. At the same time, she also wanted to know what the Crown Prince was getting at.

Caius’s eye twitched. "Is that how you see it? I simply made a harmless comment."

Rose didn’t roll her eyes, even though the urge was maddening. There was nothing harmless about the comment the Crown Prince made. He clearly disapproved of Thomas’s kindness towards her, but if he stated that now, it would mean he was fine with her freezing to death.

Rose smiled tightly at him and pulled the covers closer. She was already tired of his company, but he seemed to be having a swell time. She could see it was almost time for dinner and by the crown prince’s attitude, he had plans for dinner.

"It’s almost time for dinner," Caius said as he followed her gaze.

Rose let out a breath. She hadn’t expected him to let go of the topic so easily. It was a small win, but she knew him; he didn’t let things go that easily. She hoped he wouldn’t bother Thomas, as she did like him.

"Yes," Rose whispered, surprised he brought it up this quickly.

"Do you think you will be able to join us for dinner in the hall?" There was a small smirk on his lips as he spoke.

Rose forced her gaze away from the window to look at the Crown Prince. "No, Your Majesty," Rose said flatly, keeping her expression as sickly as possible.

"I suspected that to be the case, but there is something I do find odd: regardless of your several complaints, you haven’t rested one moment."

Rose narrowed her eyes. He already knew she was pretending; why would he keep bringing it up? Didn’t he ever get tired of bothering her? Unfortunately, she couldn’t say it was his fault she hadn’t gotten any rest, as he would completely disagree and fault her.

"It would be rude to fall asleep in your presence while Your Majesty was so busy," Rose said with a smile.

"Rude?" Caius chuckled. "I did give you permission to rest."

He seemed about to say more when a soft knock was heard. "Come in." Caius’s voice echoed in the small space.

Fabian walked in and shut the door behind him, then bowed to Caius. "Your Highness, I came to ask if you’d prefer anything special for dinner?" Fabian looked uncomfortable as he spoke.

"Fabian," Caius said with a smile. "You’re just in time. I have a small request."

"Please let me know what that is, Your Majesty."

"I will have dinner separate from the knights," Caius turned his head so he might make eye contact with Rose. "I shall be dining here tonight."

"Yes, Your Highness. Lady Rose, is there anything you’d like?"

Caius raised his brows at her as Fabian spoke, as though he was half expecting her to refuse, but Rose had already seen this coming since the moment His Stubbornness wouldn’t leave her room.

"No," she said softly and glanced at him. "There is nothing I require."

"Are you sure?" Caius chipped in. "You can ask for whatever you’d like to eat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but I am sure the cook would prepare something delicious as always. I am fine with that."

"Wonderful," Caius said with a sneer. "Hopefully, this time you’ll keep it down. We wouldn’t want any small accidents."

"I should," she smiled back at him while her eyes were a blazing flame. "I feel better already."

Fabian looked from one of them to the other, and an odd look passed across his face. He bowed and slowly retreated from the room.

The room was pretty quiet after Fabian left, but Caius still had that smug look on his face. Rose closed her eyes and turned away from him. He was as persistent as a fruit fly and just as annoying to get rid of.

Dinner soon arrived, and the table was set. Her table was barely enough to fit the amount of food the servants brought. It was only dinner; one would think they were about to feed a small town.

"Lady Rose, would you like some help?" one of her maids offered. She had joined the servants to bring their dinner.

"No, thank you," Rose said as she got out of bed.

She slowly made her way to the table and sat in her seat. One of the servants had been kind enough to return it to the table. Caius watched her as she sat; his gaze felt heavy.

"Shall we?" Caius asked as she got comfortable.

Rose slowly nodded, noticing that all the servants had left except two. She nodded and picked up her cutlery just as the Crown Prince also dug into his food.

"Would you like some wine?" Caius offered again.

Rose started to say no, then she slowly nodded. This time around, the servant who poured it into her cup didn’t try to drown her. Rose muttered her thanks and gulped the contents in one whole gulp.

Caius smiled. "Easy, little lady. This is fine wine, potent enough to send a man into slumber."

Good! Rose mentally said. She had heard of how intoxicating wine was; she was hoping it would at least numb her to the Crown Prince’s presence.

Rose dropped the cup dramatically and, without saying another word, continued eating. It didn’t take long for the effects of the wine to kick in. Rose first felt her muscles ease, and the Crown Prince’s face no longer seemed so annoying. She let out a small smile as she continued to eat.

"You have been smiling for a while now," Caius asked with a puzzled expression. "Any particular reason?"

"I have?" Rose asked with a drag in her voice. Her eyes darted around in confusion for a bit. "I suppose you could say it is bearable."

Caius frowned, and Rose went back to eating, seemingly unaware. She was tempted to ask for more, but if it already had this much effect, she feared what would happen if she drank more. Rose let out a soft hum as she ate.

"What do you mean, bearable?"

Rose looked up at him, and for a moment, it took her a bit to remember what he was asking about. "Easier," she repeated without adding context.

"Eas—"

"Thank you for the meal," Rose cut into his words.

She held up the cup one more time, and the maid gave her a worried look as she poured some more into her cup. Rose proceeded to gulp it again. She hoped this drink would knock her to sleep, as Caius had said.

She dropped the cup and stood up while Caius just watched her. "I’d like to get ready for bed," she told the maid as she stood up.

The maid glanced at Caius as though waiting for permission, and he nodded. "Of course," the maid said, relieved, and carefully led Rose to the bed. "I will be right back; please wait for me here."