The King's Lover-Chapter 524: My Queen

Rose was smiling as Caius lifted her chin. His hand on her face felt gentle as though she was a delicate flower he couldn’t dare hurt.

His eyes were what captivated her the most. Rose didn’t think anyone had ever looked at her with so much love.

He held her gaze for a moment before he leaned forward and kissed her. Rose shut her eyes as their lips met and warmth exploded all through her body.

It wasn’t until the priest coughed that they broke apart, and Thomas stifled his chuckles with a cough as he looked away. The tips of his ears were red and his face slightly flushed.

The priest handed a goblet to Rose. "Drink a little," he explained, "and hand this to your husband. Drinking from one cup will solidify your union."

Rose nodded as she accepted it and took a drink before handing it to Caius. He took it from her grasp and without any hesitation, gulped the contents, drinking everything until the last drop.

He handed the empty cup to the priest just as Thomas stepped forward and handed a small box to Caius. It was covered in red velvet, and Caius opened it with a loud snap.

Inside the small box lay two golden rings, one smaller than the other. Caius picked the smaller one and handed the box to Thomas, who still stood close by.

He stretched out his open palm for her hand, and Rose did her very best to contain her joy as she extended her left hand. The gold band felt cold as Caius slipped the ring onto her finger.

It fit a little too perfectly.

Rose tried not to stare too hard at the ring on her hand but she failed. If they weren’t still in the middle of the ceremony, she would be giggling like a little girl.

Thomas walked towards her and, instead of handing her the box, he simply held it open for her to pick Caius’s ring. His was a little thicker and slightly wider.

She didn’t even have to ask for his hand. As soon as she picked the ring, Caius had his palm out and ready—a look of impatience in his gaze. Rose was smiling as she slipped the ring onto his finger.

He grabbed her and kissed her again even though the priest didn’t say to do so.

"Your Majesty," the priest coughed again. "The documents. We need the witnesses."

Caius reluctantly pulled away from Rose, but he held onto her hand and guided her down the stairs, towards a table not far off from where the procession had taken place.

Rose realized she hadn’t noticed it as she walked in. She had been too engrossed with Caius and the fact that they were really about to get married.

Wrong!

They were married.

Rose internally screamed, praying none of her excitement would slip out. She tried to keep her face composed as they walked towards the table, but internally she was doing backflips.

Caius stopped in front of the table, and thick paper lay on top. It looked at least five times thicker than the ones she usually used and the words on the paper looked as though they had been drilled into it instead of written.

It was a royal marriage contract. Rose was proud of herself for being able to read it. She wondered if this was what Caius meant when he said their secret marriage would hold as much weight.

"I will need you to sign your new name," Caius explained as he took the quill.

He wrote his name at the bottom of the paper in one smooth flourish, spelling each letter out with the skill of an expert. She had seen him write so many times but each time it was just as impressive.

After signing, he turned to her and handed her the quill. Rose accepted it, her hand shaking slightly as she realized that if Caius had never taught her how to read and write, she wouldn’t be able to sign her name right now.

She met his gaze briefly, and he gestured towards the table, urging her to sign. Rose nodded and took a step closer. She dipped the quill in ink and brought it to the paper.

Rose Ravenor.

She heard Caius’s sharp intake of breath as she dropped the quill. He grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him.

The priest nodded his approval and then, taking a huge seal that was a bigger version of Caius’s signet ring, he stamped the documents.

Rose grabbed Caius’s hand. It was all she could do lest she throw herself on him in front of everyone. The witnesses also signed their names and used the signet rings of their houses.

Eventually, the process was over, and Rose thought they could finally leave. But Caius didn’t seem to be nearly done, as Thomas once again appeared with a box. This time around, it was a box made of gold, and it was significantly bigger than the ring box.

The gold box shone in the candlelight, and Thomas handed it to the King with a low bow. But he didn’t immediately step away from the King’s side; rather, he hung close as though he might be needed.

Caius popped open the golden box, and Rose found that she was holding her breath.

In the box was a pretty circlet with a red gem that looked as though it had been cut from the same stone as the one on Caius’s crown. Beside the circlet was a signet ring.

A gasp was heard from both the priest and Rylen. Thomas didn’t look surprised but he was the one who brought the box, so he must have had an idea. However, it was hard to tell if Maximus knew beforehand or if it was impossible for him to be surprised.

Caius picked up the circlet and handed the still-open box to Thomas. Rose looked at his hand and then his face as she anticipated what was about to happen next.

"These used to belong to my grandmother," he said as he stepped closer to her. He slipped the circlet into place on her forehead. "...and now it crowns you."

Rose hoped she at least looked like a dignified Queen, because uncontrollable tears poured down her cheeks. It was hard to follow what was happening, so she just nodded and did her best to wipe her eyes.

Caius stretched out his hands to her face and, using his thumbs on either side, flicked her tears away. He held her gaze, and only when he was certain she wasn’t crying again did he look away.

He took the signet ring engraved with the royal family crest. Thomas stepped back with the empty box just as Caius turned his attention to Rose again.

He lifted her hand, and Rose feared she was going to start crying again, but she bit her cheeks as she scolded herself.

What kind of Queen am I going to be if I can’t stop crying?

Caius traced the ring finger of her right hand before slowly slipping the signet ring onto it. "With this seal, you speak in my name."

Despite the delicate look of the ring, it was quite heavy—just like the duty that came along with it.

Rose couldn’t hold it in any longer, and as soon as Caius let go of her hand, she jumped into his grasp. He tightened his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"My Queen."