The King's Lover-Chapter 536: I am Queen

"Isla! You can’t hug the Queen," Chelsy scolded, even though moments ago, she had her arms wrapped around Rose just as her sister was.

"You hugged her too," Isla retorted.

Rose chuckled and turned to Chelsy, not minding that Isla still wouldn’t let her go. "How’s your bruise?" she asked. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Not bad. Madame Edith gave me an ointment."

"She did?" Rose asked with genuine surprise.

She had underestimated Edith, she knew how to play her cards. She wasn’t trying to gain her favor but she was also not trying to anger her.

"Yes," Isla replied, practically screaming in Rose’s ear. She took a step back and did a little spin.

"Wow!" Rose replied with exaggeration. The maids were dressed in better, more elegant clothing.

"I know," Isla said. "And all the maids had to call us ’Miss.’ It was such a delight."

"I am sorry I didn’t do this earlier, and you had to go through this at the hands of the old ha-queen."

This wasn’t the first time Chelsy and Isla had to go through this. They were often given more chores than other maids for no reason at all, but this was the first time it had ever resulted in them being punished.

However, the sisters didn’t say anything because they knew it would only stress Rose and that she couldn’t do anything about it. When she became Queen, Isla was going to tell her, but Chelsy thought it was too early and that Her Majesty had battles of her own.

The sisters never imagined that Rose would easily go against the Queen on their behalf. The rumors swirling around the castle about Rose were so many that the sisters couldn’t keep track, but one thing was certain: they all knew she had the King’s favor, and it made them very wary.

"Don’t apologize," Chelsy replied. "You made us your ladies-in-waiting." Chelsy looked as though she might scream from excitement.

Rose smiled. "Something I should have done as soon as I could."

Isla couldn’t stop dancing in the corner, and Rose was so happy seeing them so happy. They deserved it and more.

"Isla, stop dancing. You are a lady-in-waiting now. You have to be proper at all times."

Isla stopped dancing immediately and stood with her chin in the air, her elbows bent while she rested one palm over the other.

It was so sudden that Rose had to fight the urge to laugh, lest she embarrass the poor child. She turned her face to the other side to allow herself a small smile before she turned back to the girls.

"I have to head out now. I will be back before dinner," she said.

The girls nodded and immediately moved to help Rose get ready. By the time Maximus knocked on her door, Rose was ready to leave.

Rose walked down the stairs and was hesitant about what path she should take. As much as she wanted to exercise her authority, she didn’t think it was the right time to go through the front of the castle just yet, and with the lords arriving for the council meeting, she was bound to run into them.

This was the major reason she didn’t give Maximus any orders before summoning him. She took the usual path towards the side entrance, noticing that Maximus was close behind her.

The carriage was where it would usually be. It didn’t have any elaborate drawings or a crest. It was simply a black carriage—the one she was familiar with.

"Is this not to your liking?" Maximus questioned.

Rose jerked. It was scary when he did that. As much as it seemed like they were getting closer and she preferred that, it was still unsettling when he spoke without being spoken to.

"No," she lifted her head to look at him. "It’s just right."

He was strangely intuitive too. He could tell that something bothered her about this. Rose frowned as she turned away. She thought she had done a good job at hiding it.

The journey to Lady Delphine’s manor was quiet, and Rose had time to reflect on a few things. She doubted things would change much, but she also had to consider the chance that they would.

She also knew the lords wouldn’t easily accept this as Caius said. There was bound to be retaliation. She glanced at Maximus—the dangerous kind. She was worried about her father, and she wondered if she should take the King’s offer to send guards to Delphine’s manor.

She shook her head. That would be too conspicuous. It would be better to get hired hands who knew their way with weapons, but Rose was worried that they might get bought.

She would discuss her worries with Lady Delphine. She was certain the older lady would come up with solutions.

Rose frowned as she realized what she was doing and if this was something Caius dealt with. Of course, it was. And unlike her, who had to worry about those close to her, he had to worry about both internal and external threats.

I worry if being a queen is a good idea.

However, Rose was never one to shy away from responsibilities, and this was filled with endless responsibilities.

When the carriage stopped in front of the manor, all Rose wanted to do was lie down and listen to her father tell her what a good job she was doing.

Maximus stepped out of the carriage first, then he offered her his hand to step out. Her hand was ridiculously small in his. She didn’t think it was normal for anyone to have hands that size.

"Rose!" Esme squealed from the entrance. "What are you doing—"

She stopped mid-sentence and mid-run as she caught sight of the crown on Rose’s forehead. She stopped so suddenly that Kali bumped into her.

"What are you doin—"

"Your Majesty!" Esme squealed as she dropped to her knees.

"What are you talking—A crown!" Kali said with wide eyes. "There is a crown on your head."

"Yes," Rose replied with a smile as she walked towards Esme. "You don’t have to greet me so dramatically, Esme."

"Are you really Queen, or...?" Kali was unsure how to pose her question as she stared at Rose in disbelief.

Esme, on the other hand, didn’t look too surprised. She was more pleased than surprised.

"Yes, I am Queen," Rose simply said. It felt nice to finally say those words out loud.