The King's Lover-Chapter 537: Disadvantages

Rose stood in her father’s workshop while he stared at her with his mouth agape. He had hugged her as soon as he opened the door to let her in, then he noticed the crown on her head. He didn’t say anything as he stared.

"Fat’er," Rose called, unsure of whether he approved or disapproved.

It had taken her a bit to get rid of the girls, as they immediately wanted to take her to Lady Delphine, but she knew it was too early to bother her, so she opted to see her father first.

"Yer married to the king?" He was so flabbergasted that his accent came on stronger than usual.

"I told you I might," Rose replied, moving her hands haphazardly, not quite certain what to do with them.

"I am not surprised that you did. I am surprised that it means yer Queen."

"I am," she whispered. "But there are too many things that are against us now."

"I can imagine. How do you feel?"

Rose shrugged, but she didn’t tear her gaze away from her father. She still couldn’t tell if he disapproved.

"Do you disapprove?" she asked softly, realizing she was scared that he would.

"Why would I?" he asked her.

"You don’t like the King."

"Because of what he did to you. But yer my daughter, and I trust you and yer decision more than anything in the world. If you married the King, it is because you think he has done right enough to be yer husband."

Rose was in his arms before she even thought about it. She wrapped her arms tightly around her father, squeezing as hard as she had the strength to. Her father chuckled as he hugged her back.

"Congratulations, Rosie, or should I say Yer Majesty?"

Rose chuckled into his chest. "Don’t you ever call me that."

Before he could reply, a soft voice boomed from outside the door, just as the workshop was thrown open. "Where is Her Majesty?"

Lady Delphine was at the doorway with the girls giggling behind her. She was still dressed in her flimsy nightdress, and her hair was in disarray. It looked like she had just gotten out of bed.

"Lady Delphine!" Rose called in shock as she pulled away from her father. "Shouldn’t you be in bed?"

"It is no time for sleeping when I hear we have a new Queen," she grinned as she stretched out her hand and grabbed Rose. "We have much to discuss. Forgive me, Papa Rose, but I have to take your daughter with me."

"Take her," he said and turned away while Delphine pulled Rose.

"Fat’er!" she cried, but her father didn’t even look at her. Rather, he shook his head, chuckling while he returned to work.

She turned to see Maximus staring at them oddly, but it didn’t feel as though he was staring at her. Lady Delphine dragged her into the manor, up the stairs, and into her room.

"Tell me everything!" Lady Delphine said as they sat by the table.

She had shut the doors against the whining girls who had also wanted to be part of the conversation, and by the shadows she could see under the door, they were still there.

Rose picked up the ceramic cup and sipped the tea. It smelled lovely, and the warm liquid wet her throat. She could feel a little bit of the heat from the ceramic, and she was a bit hesitant to drop the cup.

"Now is not the time for tea. Speak!"

Rose chuckled and placed the cup down. "I took your advice."

"I can see that," Lady Delphine said with pride as she glanced at the sparkling gem on Rose’s forehead. "It suits you."

"Thank you," Rose smiled, knowing the lady meant every word.

She told Lady Delphine everything she had done and how she had tricked the King. She also told her about the wedding and what happened after.

"I know about the medicine," Rose said at the end of her tale.

Lady Delphine stiffened, and she looked away from Rose. "Do you hate me now?"

"What? The King owes you an apology. I can’t believe he would threaten you like that."

Lady Delphine froze as she stared at Rose with an expression between shock and amusement. "Have I ever told you, you are one strange woman? That’s not what you say when you hear you have been betrayed."

Lady Delphine stood up from the table and walked closer to her bed. She pulled out one of the drawers of the shelf that was next to the bed. She took out her pipe and a tinder box.

Striking steel against flint, she watched the sparks leap, then she drew slowly on her pipe until her mouth was filled with smoke.

When she turned around, she had a calmer expression as she walked towards Rose. "Pardon me," she mumbled. "I fear I cannot continue this conversation without a..." She paused and gestured towards the pipe.

Rose nodded; she understood. She had never asked Lady Delphine why she indulged; she could take a guess. Besides, the lady’s business wasn’t hers to meddle in.

"As I was saying, it is no betrayal when you have no choice, and I know His Majesty. He would have offered you none."

"Do you want to bear his child then?" Delphine asked as she let out a puff of smoke that drifted away from her and towards the open window.

"I haven’t thought too deeply about it," Rose admitted, "but I am not opposed to the idea."

Lady Delphine grinned. "Spectacular!"

"Lady Delphine seems to be more pleased than I am."

"You have no idea," she grinned. "I can’t begin to tell you of all the unspoken rules the King has broken by making you his wife. Then you’ll bear his child, the heir. Just wonderful!"

Suddenly, her expression fell. "I worry for you too. Aside from the advantages, the disadvantages are not mild. However, I am sure His Majesty has thought about that. That giant refuses to leave your side. King’s orders, I suppose."

"Yes," Rose replied and glanced at the door, knowing he was right behind it.

"I liked the younger lad," she said with a grin. "Stubborn, but you could get under his skin. Lord Maximus, on the other hand, isn’t to be trifled with." Lady Delphine nodded as she spoke, and it was clear she approved.

"Speaking of disadvantages. I worry for my father. Shall I ask that guards be sent here for protection?"

"What? No. No lord would be stupid enough to make a direct attack. We are under the King’s protection."

"What about an indirect one?"

"Hmm, that would be more difficult to execute. Nighttime is usually the busiest, and my girls are pretty alert. Everyone knows a method or two to protect themselves, and so does your father. I fear for whoever dares to go against him. He chops wood as though it were nothing but sticks. He is also cautious; he never leaves the manor, and when he has to, he is never alone. I don’t think you have any reason to worry about your father. Going after him wouldn’t stop the King from being married to you. It’s you I am worried about."