The King's Lover-Chapter 277: One Last Time
Rose sat on a stool with her legs crossed at the ankles. The skirt of her dress pooled around her hips to the floor. She sat on the stool with her back straight, her arms lifted and bent at the elbows, holding the flute to her lips as she played a tune.
Her red hair fell across her shoulders, a few strands rested on her face but that didn’t bother her. The fireplace crackled and sparked behind her. The fire gave a glow as she played the flute.
Rose’s fingers moved over the holes, closing and opening to change the notes. Her head tilted left and then right as she lost herself in the music. Rose’s eyes were closed as she played, memories flooding her mind. Some good, some bad.
It was easy to forget her audience, who listened with rapt attention. Rose was never one to shy away from playing. She would play the flute as often as she could, especially when there was someone to listen—and even if there wasn’t, it didn’t make much difference to her.
Rose played elegantly. The way her fingers moved as she played was one of experience. The tune flowed beautifully, and more than a few heads bobbed and shook to the rhythm.
At the end of the music, Rose slowly opened her eyes and brought her hands down. She smiled softly as she looked around. Lady Deana immediately started to clap.
"That was wonderful," she cried and Rose could tell she meant her words.
The rest of the room nodded their heads in approval. Only one person didn’t look like he shared the same thought.
"Thank you," Rose said softly, gripping the flute as she placed both hands on her lap.
They had moved to the private drawing room. It was a cozy little room that was one-third the size of Caius’ room. It didn’t hold a lot of things. There was a fireplace, some furniture which mostly included a table, some stools, two long chairs, and some regular cushioned chairs.
Lady Deana sat on one of the long chairs with her husband. He held her close, and even while she clapped, he didn’t let go of her. Prince Rylen sat on one of the single chairs while Caius lay on the chaise lounge.
Caius was to her right, Rylen directly in front of her, while Lady Deana and her husband sat to her left. Rose sat in front of them, right in the middle of the room with her back to the fireplace.
The light in the room cast a shadow on the crown prince’s face as he stared at her, and Rose got an ominous feeling. It was easy to ignore his stare while she was playing, but now that nothing distracted her, it was all she could feel.
"Thank you for playing, Rose," Lady Deana said softly. "We absolutely enjoyed it."
"Indeed," Rylen replied with a nod of his head.
Rose couldn’t help it. Her face lit up immediately, color rising to her cheeks as she smiled. "Thank you," she grinned as she slowly bent her head.
"Do you think you c—" Lady Deana started to say but was interrupted.
"That’s enough for tonight," Caius said and got out of the chaise lounge in one swift movement.
Lady Deana was about to protest, but she wasn’t given the chance as Caius lifted Rose off the stool with just one hand and placed her on her feet.
She had to grab him to steady herself. It was funny how this was his idea, yet he was getting annoyed. She let go of him as she steadied herself and curtsied to the room.
"Goodnight, Rose," Lady Deana said. "Thank you for tonight," she smiled at her.
"It was my pleasure," she said. "Goodnight, Lady Deana."
Rose felt a strong arm around her waist, and she was pulled toward the door. Her eyes widened, and she bent her head down in embarrassment. He didn’t have to be so obvious. It didn’t help that Lady Deana giggled to her husband.
Thankfully, he didn’t drag her in that manner the whole way, just to the door. He stepped out first, and once again Rose was left walking behind him. She tightened her grip around the flute. It felt warm, but it wasn’t as warm as Caius’ hands on her.
Rose moved her fingers to her temple at this odd thought. She must be exhausted from all the thinking and the things she needed to do before sunlight. That was the only explanation for this thought.
They got to the room, and Caius was quick to dismiss all the servants standing outside with their heads bowed. He then pulled her into the open room and shut the door behind her.
Rose gripped the flute tightly as the crown prince closed the gap between them, pinning her to the door with his body. He easily towered over her and looked down at her with a strange expression.
Rose didn’t need any warning about what was about to happen. She already had an inkling from how restless he had been. She kept her gaze down as she wondered if she should indulge one last time.
Caius lifted Rose’s chin, and she was forced to look at his face. Rose could barely see his expression; all she could see were the whites of his eyes and the way his nostrils flared as she met his gaze.
He pressed his body against her and Rose couldn’t help her shock. How was he already hard?
He held her chin tight as though he didn’t want her to move, but Rose had no intention of doing so. He only held her gaze for a few moments before he crushed her lips with his.
Rose didn’t push him away. Her body stilled for a beat, her breath caught somewhere in her throat, and then slowly she melted into the kiss. Her hands clutched the flute tightly, as if it were the last thing keeping her tethered to reality.
